Raleigh Gun Show, May 4-5

I went to eat some pizza around 11:20.
I closed up around 3:15, show thinned out a lot.
Handed out one box of CFF business cards.
About ten members stopped by and we had a nice chat.

Sorry I missed anyone.
 
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Should there be any doubt that our table was staffed... btw, Jeppo made the trip to Raleigh last show to help cover the table Saturday.
I worked this event solo this time, did have a few members stop by and offer to give me a break and I took them up on that for a few min.
The table was closed so I could have my lunch and I closed it early as the show was thinning out after 3:15.

I made sure the table has the promotion cards and the small signs I made up that highlighted what CFF offers.
The only things I secured were my laptop and display monitor.
Anyone is welcome to staff the table in my absence.

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I picked up a few key reloading supplies I was short on. 400 308win bullets, 308 ammo, some Vihtavuori 340 gunpowder to try out, and some 5.56 ammo. Saw lots of guns I want, but didn't buy any just yet. Really want a S&W Performance Center Victory now though. Super nice 22lr pistol. I wish I could have bought more! Maybe at the August show I'll have more funds free to use. :)
 
Haven't been to a show in many years.Took the kids to the batting cage and miniature golf today.Should I ride up there tomorrow I will be the short balding guy with gray beard and an orange Taurus shirt on in case I get lost.
 
Was the show good? And by good, I mean where there:

1. lots of loading supply vendors?
2. interesting oddball guns to oggle?
3. a general lack of purses, jewelry, wood crafts, etc?

I know better than to know to ask about 'deals' or any such, those are almost at every show... if you're lucky.
 
Actually, I saw a table with some pretty decent new gun prices. For example, the P365 at $479.
 
This show had the most non-firearm related merchandise I have yet seen at a gun show. I'm tempted to estimate a third of the vendors belonged at the flea market area of the fairgrounds, but that might be low.
 
Picasso Pawn had large selection of used pistols.
The big reloading vendor was not there.

Did see the new Ruger Wrangler at another vendor table.
 
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I met Button Pusher at the table this morning. Hung out at Cubrock's tables too.
Would someone PLEASE buy that Smith 1911 from Cubrock? It’s drivin’ me bonkers. :confused:
 
This show had the most non-firearm related merchandise I have yet seen at a gun show. I'm tempted to estimate a third of the vendors belonged at the flea market area of the fairgrounds, but that might be low.
Damn............
 
Picasso Pawn had large selection of used pistols.
The big reloading vendor was not there.

Dud see the new Ruger Wrangler.


Picssso definitely had some good deals.

Mack, the big reloading vendor in the back, has terminal cancer. He is unlikely to be with us long, from what I have been told.

Blue Collar is there, though.
 
I too met the button pusher.

Show had lots of non-firearms stuff. It also had more than usual C&R type gun vendors will old bolt actions of all varieties. Best by far I've seen in years. Some were even decently priced. Still had its fair share of stupids like a CMP Garand for 1500 when you can get it directly from CMP for 750......
 
And there may be a chance to spot Jeppo. :cool:
I was told that Jeppo was seen waddling down the isles. I said yep that was Jep. We went to lunch before he went to show and both of us ate way to much Sushi. I could not walk because I ate so much and he ate one plate more than me. But it was worth it.
 
I was told that Jeppo was seen waddling down the isles. I said yep that was Jep. We went to lunch before he went to show and both of us ate way to much Sushi. I could not walk because I ate so much and he ate one plate more than me. But it was worth it.
I was definitely suffering a food coma. :eek:
 
"If you see an elderly fellow with cap, glasses and greying mustache, it might be me. Got to check out cubrock's cool stuff."
I WAS hard to spot, as I lied about wearing the cap. ;)

Went by cubrock's around 10:20, or so. He was busy'er than the proverbial one legged man. Didn't bother him with conversation. Did admire his "cool stuff".

Tempted at Picasso's. At another vendor, found a previously owned 3" SP101 that I wanted. $530ish OTD was his best price. No sale.

If I was at the show to purchase a holster, a knife, or any AR stuff, I was at the right place.

Ed's and Wade's had one Ruger Wrangler. Same price of $199.99, plus tax, OTD $214. I wasn't overcome with the urge to buy either one.. The bronze one was the most attractive.

Less vendors than usual. Some unused floor space. Well, August 3-4 is coming. Maybe I'll wear the cap?
 
I ran through the aisles looking at goods. I was there mainly for reloading supplies, but didn't find anything that was interesting other than an old box of speer bullets. Powder and primer prices seemed higher than in the past. I thought there we fewer 'junk' vendors than in the past. I just ended with a couple sections of mlok rail pieces, and a some 2" steel targets.
 
Picssso definitely had some good deals.

Mack, the big reloading vendor in the back, has terminal cancer. He is unlikely to be with us long, from what I have been told.

Blue Collar is there, though.

I am extremely sorry to hear about Mack having cancer. :( They're good folks and have been a major source for handloaders for years.

I do want to say Blue Collar are good folks. I try to buy at least a little bit from them at every show. They're where I got my Vihtavuori powder and 308 hpbts at, and I feel like I got a decent deal from them. They also let me use their Hornady and Vihtavuori load data books to decide which Viht powder to get, so major props to them for (as always) great customer service. I would say to support their business if you can.
 
Stopped by and said hello at the CFF table.Dropped some money in the GRNC bucket on their table.Neither guy looked up or said thanks(I won't hold it against them).
Picasso had the best pricing from what I saw.Was tempted hard by one item.Even went back and fondled it again.Stainless Rossi in 30-30.Price was fair but I don't "need" it.
Saw two other pistols I wouldn't mind having and held one of them.Prices were average but I don't "need" them either.
Looked at a lot of ammo and not impressed with pricing.
 
So Picasso Pawn has a bunch of pawn shops but only deals firearms from their store in Durham on Roxboro St. and also used to only sell through Gunbroker. I have bought from them that way. Lately I noticed they stopped listing on Gunbroker so I asked them what was up and they said they are trying the Gunshow route to see how that goes, also mentioned that they may even open a storefront just for this piece of their business but that sounded iffy.

They price low-ish, they like to keep the money moving but when you consider these guns were bought at pawn prices they are still making a healthy buck on the sale.
 
Looked at a lot of ammo and not impressed with pricing.

Gunshow ammo pricing hasn't been good in... well forever. Unless you usually shop retail. Outdoor limited, sgammo, etc beat show prices to your day every day of the week.
 
So Picasso Pawn has a bunch of pawn shops but only deals firearms from their store in Durham on Roxboro St. and also used to only sell through Gunbroker. I have bought from them that way. Lately I noticed they stopped listing on Gunbroker so I asked them what was up and they said they are trying the Gunshow route to see how that goes, also mentioned that they may even open a storefront just for this piece of their business but that sounded iffy.

They price low-ish, they like to keep the money moving but when you consider these guns were bought at pawn prices they are still making a healthy buck on the sale.

Had the same conversation with them.Have bought 5 or 6 over the years through Gunbroker from them.
 
Just got back from my second trip today .....lol. Got to say hello to Button Pusher and Alfred....wasn't able to talk but a second. Was looking for a SP 101 in 9mm....didn't see a single one. Found a good deal on the LCR 9mm so went ahead and got that one. Bought the wife a tanzanite ring I have been promising her for about a year. Spent way too much money today. My buddy bought one of the new Wranglers and a nice holster rig for it.
 
Gunshow ammo pricing hasn't been good in... well forever. Unless you usually shop retail. Outdoor limited, sgammo, etc beat show prices to your day every day of the week.
I buy my hollow points from gun shows. There are a few places where buying loaded ammo makes more sense than buying components to load, like 44 special or 45 colt for less than 40 cents per. But for plain ammo to go bang you're right, gun shows ain't much

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Thanks to all who stopped by to say hello.
Talked to a lot of nice folks, several who are new to the RDU area from CA, CO, NY and MA.

We had more exposure at the last show when we were near the rollup doors,
this time we were hidden by the large safes on the far end, managed to hand out about two boxes of cards.
 
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There was a vendor selling new 9mm for $145/1000 and .223 reman for $200/1000. Including a metal ammo can.

Those seem like good prices. I grabbed a thou of the 9mm.
That’s good ammo I have purchased about 10000 rnds from him. Just placed an order for another 6000.
 
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There was a vendor selling new 9mm for $145/1000 and .223 reman for $200/1000. Including a metal ammo can.

Those seem like good prices. I grabbed a thou of the 9mm.
Wish I had seen the 9mm for that price....would have picked up some myself.
 
There was a vendor selling new 9mm for $145/1000 and .223 reman for $200/1000. Including a metal ammo can.

Those seem like good prices. I grabbed a thou of the 9mm.

I stand corrected. I usually see stuff at 25% over on-line but I'm always looking at wolf 9mm as my gauge.
 
When a guy volunteers to setup, work, and teardown a show, Id say he has full right to take some time to himself throughout the weekend, especially when the the lull time comes.

If it werent for @LeeMajors I wouldnt do any shows.
 
When a guy volunteers to setup, work, and teardown a show, Id say he has full right to take some time to himself throughout the weekend, especially when the the lull time comes.

If it werent for @LeeMajors I wouldnt do any shows.
I actually like working them. And a plus we acquired 2 new sponsors and several new members at the last show
 
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Just wanted to add that I stopped by the CFF booth and @Button Pusher asked me to help him go to the bathroom. I said: " Hold it right there, this is a Gun Show, not Show me a Gun. "
I also stopped by and offered to watch the table if he needed a break. He didn't make me the same proposition .... thankfully.
 
When a guy volunteers to setup, work, and teardown a show, Id say he has full right to take some time to himself throughout the weekend, especially when the the lull time comes.

If it werent for @LeeMajors I wouldnt do any shows.
Here’s to all of you!

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