At the Raleigh gun show

troylaplante · 05-06-2006, 08:27 PM

I got back from the Dixie Gun and Knife Classic a bit ago. http://dixiegunandknifeshow.tripod.com This show was better than others in the past, in my opinion. There were more mil surp rifles than I have seen in a while. There were also more reloading supplies vendors than I have ever seen there. The gun pricing was also a bit higher than I have seen in times past.

I went looking for some specific items. I wanted a sling, ammo, and magazines for the AR-15, some other calibers of ammo, and a holster for a .380. I managed to find everything I was looking for. The only problem was that .223 ammo was not as plentiful as I had hoped and was more expensive than I had seen in years previous. I figured that it would be plentiful and cheaper.

Probably the most fun that I had was helping a young guy who knew nothing about Mosins (or other mil surp rifles) pick out a 91/30. A vendor had some M44, 91/30, some K-31, and Enfields. This guy didn't know one from another. Two years ago, neither did I. I was able to share out of my own experiences and research. He had no clue on prices, models, condition, things to look for, etc. I enjoyed showing him the difference between an M44, a 91/30, and Swiss rifles. I was able to help him with what rifles were over priced and which were a decent price. He asked me which was the best deal for what was there and what I would buy. I picked out a 91/30 hex receiver, laminated, in excellent condition, put a light down the barrel, found matching serial numbers, etc. The dealer wanted $120 for the rifle. I told him that for a laminated hex in excellent condition, that $120 was not a bad price, considering that he could touch it, see the condition, it was not full of grease, was very clean, and laminated. Also, with shipping and hand pick charges, I would be over $120 ordering direct. The vendor offered him a good deal on 7.62x54 ammo.

We had a nice discussion about corrosive ammo. I encouraged him to look at this site and others for more information, manuals, etc.

I was doing some research on magazines for my AR-15, since this is my first AR. I did find prices of about $12 for new mags at AIM and Midway USA for either 20 or 30 rounders. I found prices at the show ranging from $11 to $25. One vendor had a lot of new mags for $12 or $13, used but "like new" mags for $10, or obviously used mags for $5 each or 6 for $25. I figured that I would give the 6 for $25 deal a shot, since I can order mags online, if I want. I dug through two boxes of old magazines and found six that I figured I would take home. They fit well, except for one, that needs just a little persuasion. I set that one aside. I bought 120 rounds of ammo and loaded some of the magazines. The still load nicely.

Chris · 05-07-2006, 04:03 PM

Was rather suprised to see the turn out and quality this time. I can't wait to see the show in late June. Different person running it and I personally never liked the management of the show currently.

We might have walked past each other, and never knew it

troylaplante · 05-07-2006, 05:40 PM

This was the first time I ever had to wait in line to buy a ticket to get into a gun show. The quality of vendors was better than I have seen in a while and the crowd was the biggest I have seen yet.

The Dixie show web site has the management out of Shallotte. http://dixiegunandknifeshow.tripod.com The same promotion company has run the show in Raleigh for a little while now. I know that C&E has a show coming up in Raleigh. Is that the one you refer to? I have never been to one in Fayetteville yet. http://www.cegunshows.com/fayetteville.htm Anyone ever go to one of the Fayetteville shows?

Recently, I went to a small show in Goldsboro. It royally sucked compared to previous shows there. S&D http://www.sndgunshows.com is running that one. They also do Jacksonville, New Bern, and others.

Chris · 05-07-2006, 06:35 PM

I have been to quite a few of them...and Fayetteville is rather small show usually find better deals walking around than on the table. Ken Fields has ran the show for over 10 years now. I defintly dislike the $8 price tag, CE shows at least give you two day passes.

The others have been rather small shows that can be walked in about 30 minutes.

troylaplante · 05-07-2006, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

I defintly dislike the $8 price tag, CE shows at least give you two day passes.

I heard that. At least there is a $1 off coupon online. Still, it is a few dollars more than I like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

The others have been rather small shows that can be walked in about 30 minutes.

That is what I have been finding. I was hoping that Fayetteville would be bigger than some of the other small shows.

ninwnc · 05-11-2006, 10:26 AM

C&E gunshows does a gunshow in Charlotte several times a year. The selection is usually pretty good and they usually have plenty of military surplus rifles.

On their website there is a $1.00 off cupon you canprint off. I usually print 4 and give a couple away at the show.

Nick

Chris · 05-11-2006, 10:32 AM

C&E no longer has the rights to do that show. The folks that do the Raleigh show have bought exclusive rights to it. C&E is now doing Raleigh. Almost like the Gun show folks are at war with each other.

Personally...I love the Greensboro Show, twice a year with vendors from all over the country.

ninwnc · 05-11-2006, 09:44 PM

The last one I attended in Charlotte was at the Merchandise mart, downtown. The vendors and the entire show did seem different. Diferent operators? That makes the difference, I guess.

I didn't like it as much as the last one at the metrolina expo.

Nick

Chris · 05-11-2006, 09:51 PM

The merchandise mart was ran by the gun collectors assoc, so they got gun collectors and were a bit strict on the contentt of the show and vendors...then C&E took over and was trying out the merchandise mart instead of the usual metrolina.

Now Ken Fields that does the Raleigh show is doing the metrolina...expect a difference in the show as they do run a completely different show than C&E

troylaplante · 05-12-2006, 01:03 AM

I do believe that the last Raleigh show was one of Fields' best that I have been to. He must be doing something better than before. Hopefully that trend will continue.

05-06-2006, 08:27 PM	#1
troylaplante Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC Posts: 2,223	At the Raleigh gun show I got back from the Dixie Gun and Knife Classic a bit ago. http://dixiegunandknifeshow.tripod.com This show was better than others in the past, in my opinion. There were more mil surp rifles than I have seen in a while. There were also more reloading supplies vendors than I have ever seen there. The gun pricing was also a bit higher than I have seen in times past. I went looking for some specific items. I wanted a sling, ammo, and magazines for the AR-15, some other calibers of ammo, and a holster for a .380. I managed to find everything I was looking for. The only problem was that .223 ammo was not as plentiful as I had hoped and was more expensive than I had seen in years previous. I figured that it would be plentiful and cheaper. Probably the most fun that I had was helping a young guy who knew nothing about Mosins (or other mil surp rifles) pick out a 91/30. A vendor had some M44, 91/30, some K-31, and Enfields. This guy didn't know one from another. Two years ago, neither did I. I was able to share out of my own experiences and research. He had no clue on prices, models, condition, things to look for, etc. I enjoyed showing him the difference between an M44, a 91/30, and Swiss rifles. I was able to help him with what rifles were over priced and which were a decent price. He asked me which was the best deal for what was there and what I would buy. I picked out a 91/30 hex receiver, laminated, in excellent condition, put a light down the barrel, found matching serial numbers, etc. The dealer wanted $120 for the rifle. I told him that for a laminated hex in excellent condition, that $120 was not a bad price, considering that he could touch it, see the condition, it was not full of grease, was very clean, and laminated. Also, with shipping and hand pick charges, I would be over $120 ordering direct. The vendor offered him a good deal on 7.62x54 ammo. We had a nice discussion about corrosive ammo. I encouraged him to look at this site and others for more information, manuals, etc. I was doing some research on magazines for my AR-15, since this is my first AR. I did find prices of about $12 for new mags at AIM and Midway USA for either 20 or 30 rounders. I found prices at the show ranging from $11 to $25. One vendor had a lot of new mags for $12 or $13, used but "like new" mags for $10, or obviously used mags for $5 each or 6 for $25. I figured that I would give the 6 for $25 deal a shot, since I can order mags online, if I want. I dug through two boxes of old magazines and found six that I figured I would take home. They fit well, except for one, that needs just a little persuasion. I set that one aside. I bought 120 rounds of ammo and loaded some of the magazines. The still load nicely.

05-11-2006, 10:32 AM	#7
Chris HMFIC Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,834,251 Images: 19 Blog Entries: 20	C&E no longer has the rights to do that show. The folks that do the Raleigh show have bought exclusive rights to it. C&E is now doing Raleigh. Almost like the Gun show folks are at war with each other. Personally...I love the Greensboro Show, twice a year with vendors from all over the country. __________________ Rules \| Contributing Members No one has the right to deny my personal safety Please be descriptive in your thread titles! NRA Life Member

05-11-2006, 09:51 PM	#9
Chris HMFIC Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,834,251 Images: 19 Blog Entries: 20	The merchandise mart was ran by the gun collectors assoc, so they got gun collectors and were a bit strict on the contentt of the show and vendors...then C&E took over and was trying out the merchandise mart instead of the usual metrolina. Now Ken Fields that does the Raleigh show is doing the metrolina...expect a difference in the show as they do run a completely different show than C&E __________________ Rules \| Contributing Members No one has the right to deny my personal safety Please be descriptive in your thread titles! NRA Life Member

05-07-2006, 04:03 PM	#2
Chris HMFIC Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,834,251 Images: 19 Blog Entries: 20	Was rather suprised to see the turn out and quality this time. I can't wait to see the show in late June. Different person running it and I personally never liked the management of the show currently. We might have walked past each other, and never knew it

05-07-2006, 05:40 PM	#3
troylaplante Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC Posts: 2,223	This was the first time I ever had to wait in line to buy a ticket to get into a gun show. The quality of vendors was better than I have seen in a while and the crowd was the biggest I have seen yet. The Dixie show web site has the management out of Shallotte. http://dixiegunandknifeshow.tripod.com The same promotion company has run the show in Raleigh for a little while now. I know that C&E has a show coming up in Raleigh. Is that the one you refer to? I have never been to one in Fayetteville yet. http://www.cegunshows.com/fayetteville.htm Anyone ever go to one of the Fayetteville shows? Recently, I went to a small show in Goldsboro. It royally sucked compared to previous shows there. S&D http://www.sndgunshows.com is running that one. They also do Jacksonville, New Bern, and others.

05-07-2006, 06:35 PM	#4
Chris HMFIC Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,834,251 Images: 19 Blog Entries: 20	I have been to quite a few of them...and Fayetteville is rather small show usually find better deals walking around than on the table. Ken Fields has ran the show for over 10 years now. I defintly dislike the $8 price tag, CE shows at least give you two day passes. The others have been rather small shows that can be walked in about 30 minutes.

05-11-2006, 10:26 AM	#6
ninwnc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 435	C&E gunshows does a gunshow in Charlotte several times a year. The selection is usually pretty good and they usually have plenty of military surplus rifles. On their website there is a $1.00 off cupon you canprint off. I usually print 4 and give a couple away at the show. Nick

05-11-2006, 09:44 PM	#8
ninwnc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 435	The last one I attended in Charlotte was at the Merchandise mart, downtown. The vendors and the entire show did seem different. Diferent operators? That makes the difference, I guess. I didn't like it as much as the last one at the metrolina expo. Nick

05-12-2006, 01:03 AM	#10
troylaplante Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC Posts: 2,223	I do believe that the last Raleigh show was one of Fields' best that I have been to. He must be doing something better than before. Hopefully that trend will continue.