SAXET Gun Shows

[majormadmax]

We'll probably go, but I don't think breakfast is in the equation...

 

[majormadmax]

We went later this morning, it was crowded and there was a line to get in. It actually seems like some vendor's offerings were less abundant than usual. Saw one new vendor, Mike, who carried AK items which is always nice to see (at least for me). Saw another who does the show on occasion and picked up a link of .303 blanks. Not sure of what it was for, but for five bucks I thought it was cool to have. There was a guy selling some cool military surplus stuff along the back wall, had a nice Afghanka hat but as usual it was a size small.

Otherwise, it was fun watching some guy try and pass off a Chinese knock-off sword as being real Japanese and the response it got. Also saw BIGPAPIGREG which is always pleasant. Also talked with many other old friends on both sides of the table, as well as a new one looking for a Mosin carbine.

As for the crowd, we can only surmise a couple of possible reasons for it...it was later than we usual go to these shows (we're normally there when the doors open) or a lot of people got their income tax refund back and it's burning a hole in their pockets! Or it may be that tomorrow's Super Bowl game drove everyone to attend the show today.

Or, as one of my more comical vendor buds suggested, it may be the rush before Hillary takes office!

Either way, while maybe not the place to score outstanding deals that they were before Al Gore invented the Internet; gun shows still can be a good time. We may not attend them as much as we used to, but we still enjoy them when we go; and we'll continue to do so.

Cheers! M2

 

[Ranger60]

Max

A friend went, basically said at 1030 was elbow to elbow. How would you compare it to the Premier show as far as the amount of gun related stuff, exclude the jerky, jewelry, etc. I may only get to one or two in SA a year, so, want the better ones.

 

[Thegomezclan]

Thanks for the update Max

 

[majormadmax]

Max

A friend went, basically said at 1030 was elbow to elbow. How would you compare it to the Premier show as far as the amount of gun related stuff, exclude the jerky, jewelry, etc. I may only get to one or two in SA a year, so, want the better ones.

While Premier is shrinking (it has gone from 1000+ tables to around the same size as SAXET), I still contend it has better vendors and less non-gun items. If anything, it appears SAXET is increasing the number of non-firearm vendors and items...

I cannot fathom why it appears that SAXET continues to be crowded while Premier is experiencing a decrease in attendance; but remember that SAXET squeezes its aisles whereas Premier keeps them wide to allow easier movement. To me one of the greatest irritations with SAXET is dealing with the blockages from strollers, wheelchairs and people just standing around. I think it's a tactic to keep people at the show and perhaps, increase sales as slowing customers down increases the likelihood that they spend more time at a table. However, as an attendee I find it annoying and do believe it is intentional. Plus, I hate the parking lot; it's dusty and dirty, and the fact that they have the audacity to charge you to park in it also irks me. Many people end up parking on the street or in the lots of nearby businesses, creating congestion and dangerous situations (we have witnessed several accidents due to this over the years). While the $7 charged for parking at Premier is ridiculous, it is the county that charges that and at least the lot is paved (and, by the way, Premier has lowered its entry fee because of the increase in parking fees).

So, if I were only going to attend 1-2 shows a year, I would make Premier the priority and if you do make a second one, then maybe SAXET just for something different.

Cheers! M2

 

[NoobShoot]

Are these still worth going to? This would be my first one and im curious as to if it would be worth checking out.

 

[Texasgordo]

It's a good way to kill time. Some deals can be found but you have to shop around.

 

[majormadmax]

We went today, as my nephew was in town and wanted to go to a gun show. It's funny to have someone along who has never been to one, where we see a lot of the same old stuff, he was infatuated with everything!

While it was the "usual" show, it's still several hours of entertainment for the five dollar entry. Saw a nice East German MPi-KM AK-47 clone for $700 and for an extra fifty the seller would throw in four mags, a Bulgarian carrying pouch and a correct bayonet. It had a chrome US barrel and was built on a NDS receiver, but I just don't have the cash for it at the moment. Kid's college tuition comes first!

Cheers! M2

 

[HKShooter65]

I'm a Saxet regular.
Wanderer

11-2ish tomorrow.

I'll be at Saxet tomorrow with an HK USP-40 and the PPS-43 for a bargain $400.

Two .338 Lapua's I saw on the tables today. A cheap Stevens 110B (if 1,800 is cheap) and an overpriced 7K Barrett Rmad.

I WANT a 338 Lapau!!

Mañana !!!

 

[HKShooter65]

Are these still worth going to? This would be my first one and im curious as to if it would be worth checking out.

Simple answer.

Yes.
It's a flea market.
I never go without a little cash in my pocket.
I never go and expect to go home with a bargain.

Yet.....
Every 3-4 months I go home with some great deal with which to fill my safe.

Caveat emptor and patience is a virtue!!!!


Go. Enjoy.

 

[barryt]

Being from cali the saxet gun show blew me away the first time I went!

 

[Shady]

You must have never attended the Pomona Ca gun shows in the best years granted it was 20ish years ago . Make Saxet small time.

Being from cali the saxet gun show blew me away the first time I went!

 

[refugee from california]

Heard that there will be a show in Round Rock Aug. 13-14, Possibly replacing cedar Park.

 

[majormadmax]

Heard that there will be a show in Round Rock Aug. 13-14, Possibly replacing cedar Park.

Yeah, that's the Austin-Round Rock Premier Show. It's the second location change for that show since it started a few years back. The first was in Austin at a less-than-desirable venue, then it moved north a bit to the Cedar Park Center but was plagued by scheduling issues with the sporting events at that location. Hopefully this will be the last change.

By the way, they're the same folks that are hosting the San Antonio Gun Show next weekend at the Freeman Expo Hall (next to the AT&T Center). More info at the link.

Cheers! M2

 

[majormadmax]

My son and I went to the show yesterday morning, after having breakfast with erratadata and his grandson. Despite the smaller crowd and some obviously missing vendors, it was actually a better-than-usual show.

I picked up a Cold Steel copy of the Soviet MPL-50 shovel and an East German raindrop canteen for ten bucks; and came close to snagging a Stevens 87 .22LR rifle (the old "click clack" with the gilled receiver) that was only $95 but I already have one that's pretty much identical to it.

I also saw a new production Croatian AK-47 30-round mag that I hadn't seen before but I am glad I didn't as the seller was asking $25 for it and I found them online for $13.

With Premier next weekend, I didn't want to spend too much money; but I was surprise that the "panic" due to the upcoming elections doesn't seem to have erupted yet. In fact, on our way home we stopped by Gander Mountain and saw a fair amount of Federal Target Match .22LR bricks for sale. Have people finally realized the the political rhetoric doesn't actually lead to gun and ammo shortages?!?

 

[Ranger60]

Really looking forward to the round rock show, been a while here in the Austin area!

 

[wakal]

Many people seem to have missed that the show was a week early. However, since I picked up a 1918 trench dagger (with original sheath) for about a fifth what it should have been and a rather nicer (than is standard at my usual price range for old military hardware) Colt 1917 I am not complaining. And I bought a Winchester 06 dated to 1925 in "shooter" grade...just because I didn't have one...

 

[majormadmax]

Admittedly I only learned last week that it was this weekend; but we decided to give it a miss anyway. Last month was the same-old same-old, I swear I could walk through that show blindfolded and tell you what's on every table! I am sure all the same stuff will be there next month (and the month after that, and the one after that), so it's no biggie. Plus, I scored to Yugo M68 practice grenades from a guy at Ft Hood this morning so the only thing I am really in the market for is some 7.62x39 blank ammo to shoot them with!

Cheers! M2

 

[majormadmax]

Anyone go this morning? Was thinking about it, but sleeping in sounded better. Just wondered if there was a crowd. Might give it a try tomorrow although if the weather is nice I may go to the range instead...

Cheers! M2

 

[studenygreg]

I've never been to the saxet gun show. Is it worth going? Are the prices lower than big box stores or lgs?

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