The 2018 Calgary Easter Gun Show Report
- Thread starter Coyote Ugly
- Start date
A ton of LEs, a few mausers, one 276 enfield (didnt read the tag), some czech 8X57 but not much. Not alot really caught my eye, other than the enfield, but the beater milsurps seemed in good supply.
No pics allowed, they PAed that to remind folks.
Food, well lots of people were chowing down, so it must be palatable, but why would you eat there.
Bathrooms, I would sooner piss in the parking lot...
Little girls selling cookies though, so guns, ammo, and cookies (girl guide one I think).
No pics allowed, they PAed that to remind folks.
Food, well lots of people were chowing down, so it must be palatable, but why would you eat there.
Bathrooms, I would sooner piss in the parking lot...
Little girls selling cookies though, so guns, ammo, and cookies (girl guide one I think).
I help a dealer. Seemed to be a good crowd. I had a few of my own rifles, sold a very nice CZ Israeli .308, a refurbed No.4 LE, a nice used No.4, a Model 94, and a RIA .22. Lots of tire kicking. Most people are good natured, but there are some whose sole
object in life is to stroll around at gun shows with a scowl and make snide remarks, handle the firearms in a rough manner, and plug up the flow.
This show will be a lot different next year. Limit of three tables per person. That will eliminate the bigger dealers, or at least cramp them way down.
object in life is to stroll around at gun shows with a scowl and make snide remarks, handle the firearms in a rough manner, and plug up the flow.
This show will be a lot different next year. Limit of three tables per person. That will eliminate the bigger dealers, or at least cramp them way down.
- Location
- Central AB
A few decent deals to be had. Lots of interesting things to see. Some truly stratospheric pricing. I bought a few antique handguns. Some things make you wonder, like the one vendor that has the used handguns stacked 3 deep in the display case, laying on each other. When you treat the items you are selling like crap, doesn't inspire me to buy.
I was there early and it took me over 3 hours to slowly check out most of the tables. I'm sure there were some deals out there, but I really didn't see anything exceptional. Grabbed the 870 wooden ribbed forend for $25 and went back home. I'm not sure what makes a regular Mosin worth $450 or even more and why ammo is so expensive there, but I really don't need an answer. I wish some people would take shower before coming though. It's OK I guess.
Sure enough there were some overpriced stinkers but in general compared to the Manitoba shows venders were much more reasonable with their ask price but had less haggle room, which is fair enough. If you took the time you could find an Easter egg or
two. I guess I understand how a local could be unimpressed but as a visitor I have to say you Albertans put on a impressive show.
Parker Hale peep sight. I originally thought a previous owner added it on but after a little Google fu the serial number is just outside of the Irish contract. It was one of 99 rifles that was contracted to Parker Hale in early 1953. It appears that the peep sight actually belongs to gun, cool.
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I honestly believe it's a good show - just not for most of the gun people. Collectors are certainly happy to dig in the piles of hard to find parts, old pals can chat again, Nazi sympathizers are thrilled to touch that Mauser that served in the concentration camp. I'm not even being sarcastic now. It's a decent show, just one has to understand the idea behind it. I'm glad that you liked it. It was ok.
I'll admit I am a clueless visitor , what exactly is the idea behind the show? I honestly didn't know about a back story here, please school me. Yeah, I did notice the Nazi and fuk the establishment thing being a little more overt than most shows but kinda glossed over it.
There seems to be a conflict of interest (of some kind) between the hard core collectors' group that used to run the place and the "regular" vendors visiting the show nowadays. Next year one will be only able to take three tables max (from what I've heard), so the "issue" of the bigger companies will get "addressed" in accordance with the will of the smaller vendors. Most of the deals are completed before the gates will even open for the public. Rest is rather (in my opinion anyway) a social event than a show for many. Still...I'm coming there every 2-3 years just to look around. It feels however that anything guns related is getting less and less space.
