Calgary Gunshow Report
- Thread starter Coyote Ugly
- Start date
Donny Fenn1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootenays
way bigger than i can recall, some reasonable pricing, some stuff used that was priced more than retail, the dealers were well represented
i was impressed considering the gong show the last couple of years were
still more than its fair share of fat old(and young) guys standing in the middle of the aisles telling war stories though....i quite enjoyed the guy behind me in the line up who claimed(could be true?) to work at the last canadian tire to sell guns(macleod and southland if you are from Calgary) and how they cater to the benchrest/target shooting crowd because russells and wholesale won't bring any good bullet/components and how he recently shot 8 holes in the tailgate of his pickup with his MG-34 or MG-42 before he could get it under control so he didn't hit the farmer haying in the distance...
i was impressed considering the gong show the last couple of years were
still more than its fair share of fat old(and young) guys standing in the middle of the aisles telling war stories though....i quite enjoyed the guy behind me in the line up who claimed(could be true?) to work at the last canadian tire to sell guns(macleod and southland if you are from Calgary) and how they cater to the benchrest/target shooting crowd because russells and wholesale won't bring any good bullet/components and how he recently shot 8 holes in the tailgate of his pickup with his MG-34 or MG-42 before he could get it under control so he didn't hit the farmer haying in the distance...
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Bittermansbro
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Well I got the Johnson I always wanted. So I am happy, but sad, because there is always so much more you want.
It was busy early in the morning, but the line went fast when they opened the doors.
I found it was real cramped along the south side for a while, but it balanced out as the day went on. Like any good gun show there is always a mix of the most....varied things from every era and niche in firearms. I only ended up leaving with some ammo, my brother a Czech BRNO Mouse-er converted to 308, and my other friend with a new holster and hat get-up for CAS.
After we left the ground for lunch, I decided I needed some more ammo I should have got and returned by myself. That was about 2/2:30. I didn't make it to that ammo, left with the Johnson. At least now I can say to people:
"Hold on while I whip out my Johnson"
The girls like it anyhow
I thought it was a good show all told. Except for the clots that formed in the aisles sometimes, I enjoyed it.
It was busy early in the morning, but the line went fast when they opened the doors.
I found it was real cramped along the south side for a while, but it balanced out as the day went on. Like any good gun show there is always a mix of the most....varied things from every era and niche in firearms. I only ended up leaving with some ammo, my brother a Czech BRNO Mouse-er converted to 308, and my other friend with a new holster and hat get-up for CAS.
After we left the ground for lunch, I decided I needed some more ammo I should have got and returned by myself. That was about 2/2:30. I didn't make it to that ammo, left with the Johnson. At least now I can say to people:
"Hold on while I whip out my Johnson"
The girls like it anyhow
I thought it was a good show all told. Except for the clots that formed in the aisles sometimes, I enjoyed it.
Did you see the original, unissued, real Johnson bayonet and leather frog/scabbard? $400. Not a steal, but I think it could be a reasonable investment.
Just to let you guys know, I am one of the goobers in the aisle . I think next year I'm going to put on a wig and sunglasses so I can actually see the stuff in the show instead of BSing.
Just to let you guys know, I am one of the goobers in the aisle
. I think next year I'm going to put on a wig and sunglasses so I can actually see the stuff in the show instead of BSing.
Bittermansbro
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
koldt said:
Approx where was that Koldt? Sheesh I wasn't even thinking of looking for that!
Donny Fenn1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootenays
was the Johnson at the end of one aisle, it looked like a really nice rifle for sure...
gunplumberr
Regular
I was with Koldt looking at the Johnson Bayonet...it was is pretty damn good shape..
I walked away with a New AR15 Bolt Carrier for 35 bucks, a 1999-2000 Janes Small Arms Book and some ammo
I was happy
I walked away with a New AR15 Bolt Carrier for 35 bucks, a 1999-2000 Janes Small Arms Book and some ammo
I was happy
Bittermansbro said:
Yikes, I'm getting old and that was 13 hours ago
If you were standing in the middle of the aisle, it would have been on the side to the left (as you walk in) and basically in the middle part of the show.. That's about all I can remember.
gunplumber was waving trinkets in front of me, so I was concentrating on his stuff.
It was a hypnosis thing, I don't remember much after that .
Bittermansbro
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I had the same problem It was shiny things all over the place. I don't have ADD, but it sure crops up at shows.
Anyone who went Friday gong back today (who isn't working a table)?
It was shiny things all over the place. I don't have ADD, but it sure crops up at shows.Anyone who went Friday gong back today (who isn't working a table)?
The first time in the last 15 years of attending the show that I saw World War One US uniforms...they were mothed pretty heavily but it was still great to see them.
There were not very many displays which was too bad. Plus they did not have the back room setup this time.
There have been times when the entire outer perimeter was display space as well as plenty in the inner rows.
All in all a good show as always
There were not very many displays which was too bad. Plus they did not have the back room setup this time.
There have been times when the entire outer perimeter was display space as well as plenty in the inner rows.
All in all a good show as always
I saw an old 303 at the far side of the show, by the SAIT display.
It looked like an SMLE but had OFFICERS MODEL on the reciever instead of MKIII, etc... It had express sites and a shorter barrel with a front site similar to my Lee-Metford. No wood on top of the barrel, nor did it look like there was supossed to be. The wood it did have was a real nice dark walnut, black forend tip that looked like Buffalow horn and very nice checkering taboot.
5rd mag. It looked like it came right out of a Rigby plant with the quick taper of the forearm. I would have ot say it was the nicest Enfield I have ever touched, but with two in the safe already that never get used and an $800 price tag I just let it be.
Ralf Hagn was a pleasure to meet, I slobbered on his custom built Mauser and arranged some potential work with him too.
Saw my Friend and barrel maker, Ron Smith, enjoyed a bit of time with him.
Anyone see that mamoth of a polar bear skull? Yikes, no wonder they can bite you in half with those big chompers!
Noel
It looked like an SMLE but had OFFICERS MODEL on the reciever instead of MKIII, etc... It had express sites and a shorter barrel with a front site similar to my Lee-Metford. No wood on top of the barrel, nor did it look like there was supossed to be. The wood it did have was a real nice dark walnut, black forend tip that looked like Buffalow horn and very nice checkering taboot.
5rd mag. It looked like it came right out of a Rigby plant with the quick taper of the forearm. I would have ot say it was the nicest Enfield I have ever touched, but with two in the safe already that never get used and an $800 price tag I just let it be.
Ralf Hagn was a pleasure to meet, I slobbered on his custom built Mauser and arranged some potential work with him too.
Saw my Friend and barrel maker, Ron Smith, enjoyed a bit of time with him.
Anyone see that mamoth of a polar bear skull? Yikes, no wonder they can bite you in half with those big chompers!
Noel
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
I had tables with FNC1, and from the seller's side of the table, it was the best show I have ever been to. I was sold out of big stuff by Friday afternoon, and by Saturday the display cases were nearing empty. About the only thing that came back home was an Inglis dewat Bren mk1M.
I found many treasures, including half a dozen ballistite cartridges for my 2" mortar. Looks like I'll get to fire a few off this summer. As usual, I was also able to stock up with treasures from Hank H., who organises the show.
There were 3 Johnsons on Thursday, not sure how may were left by end of play Saturday.
Prices on some of the real collectable stuff like 36M inert grenades keeps climbing, (they ranged at the show up to $225) but as I always say: "If you don't like the prices this year, look again in a year or two and you'll wish you could find them at that price.
Already looking forward to the road trip next year.
I found many treasures, including half a dozen ballistite cartridges for my 2" mortar. Looks like I'll get to fire a few off this summer. As usual, I was also able to stock up with treasures from Hank H., who organises the show.
There were 3 Johnsons on Thursday, not sure how may were left by end of play Saturday.
Prices on some of the real collectable stuff like 36M inert grenades keeps climbing, (they ranged at the show up to $225) but as I always say: "If you don't like the prices this year, look again in a year or two and you'll wish you could find them at that price.
Already looking forward to the road trip next year.
Calgary
My first visit (from Victoria) and had a great time.
Could have opened a little earlier and they needed better line up control. The guys at the back of the line did not see a bunch of people crashing into the front of the line.
Needed better concessions and a seating area inside the hall ($3.25 for a coke.... sheesh)
Great selection of items for sale and mostly great people to talk to. Lots of interesting stuff and displays. Good selection of milsurps and black rifles. Bargains were few and far between. Lots of reasonable prices but lots of high prices.
Glad I went, will go again, but did not buy a huge amount of stuff (less than Kamloops).
My first visit (from Victoria) and had a great time.
Could have opened a little earlier and they needed better line up control. The guys at the back of the line did not see a bunch of people crashing into the front of the line.
Needed better concessions and a seating area inside the hall ($3.25 for a coke.... sheesh)
Great selection of items for sale and mostly great people to talk to. Lots of interesting stuff and displays. Good selection of milsurps and black rifles. Bargains were few and far between. Lots of reasonable prices but lots of high prices.
Glad I went, will go again, but did not buy a huge amount of stuff (less than Kamloops).
55recce said:
Unfortunately the Stampede board controls the consession at the show. And along with the parking, they really like to get their "pint of blood".
Not much that the show organizer, AACCA, can do about it, other than utilize a different venue. And that's pretty tough to do, as there isn't one in Calgary that can do what the Stamp grounds can offer. But ya pay for it.
With parking, entry fee, and a lunch on each day, the show cost me the better part of $50 and I didn't buy anything
.I told a lot of lies, spread as much BS as I could to whoever would listen, and generally had a good time though
.
I had a great time. Went down with Alonzo and we didn't leave enough time to seen the whole show properly on the Saturday. I did manage to leave a large chunk of change behind though!! The consessions are a real rip off, so I'd never consider eating there. I did have an enjoyable lunch at Hooter's , if I must say so.
