Updates from the recent Gun Shows

From your Instructor:

I thought I’d touch on a couple of things, and get everyone up to speed on CHL/ Austin involvement. According to both the TSRA (Texas State Rifle Assoc.) and the DPS (Department of Public Safety) Instructors in Austin, the turnaround time for processing of new CHL’s is the fastest it’s ever been, right now. That doesn’t mean that it can’t change and slow down. In my experience the turnaround times have always fluctuated which is why they have us Instruct that it CAN  take up to 180 days before the Dept. shall issue the license. Gives them some leeway (Austin that is).  I also read in TSRA’s latest publication that TSRA is advocating elimination of the fingerprinting requirement. I do not agree with this at all. I will say that I do think there is not a need for fingerprinting every single time you renew. FBI keeps the fingerprints as does DPS as part of your permanent record, and the initial “printing” and possibly one more at your third renewal prior to your 10 year licensing would suffice and is my suggestion.

If you’re a TSRA member you might send them an email with your thoughts. Remember folks, the fingerprints are more fool proof protection of YOU & YOUR CHL!  Than just a TDL # and photo.

If you haven’t sent in your new license info please do so and let us know how quick your license got to you.  Please?

A good Buddy of mine and I were exchanging email about the Gun Shows I go to and prices, since he’s somewhat in the market for an AR/M4, and several other points that I couldn’t pare down to a single question ,so I’m gonna  give my personal observations from the past two shows I’ve attended.

I always attend the HGCA Show at Reliant twice annually. If I’m going to purchase a firearm it will be at that show. It has the best prices and the highest selection/vendor ratio of any of the local shows. It is put on three times annually, all at Reliant Ctr. I attended the one in January, and will attend the one in May. I recommend it to everyone. I also attended the most recent show at The Pasadena Convention Center.  I generally attend that one with a list of accessories and ammo/magazine needs. I did so this past weekend. (I wanted specific defensive ammo and a spare .40 S&W magazine, and reloading supplies.) Here are my observations and some input from vendors I have dealt with:

1. Ammo is plentiful as are the higher prices for it. (Practice ammo you should buy at Academy.)
2. Semi Auto handguns are also now reaching the “glut” stage of the market. Sales have slowed.
3. AR/M4 platforms sales have slowed way down and prices haven’t fallen with that slow down.
4. The best deal on a brand new AR/M4 was the stripped down S&W M&P for $895.00 retail.

1. he cost of parts to assemble an M4 alone ran to the $900-$1000 range with cheap parts @ retail from a constant attendee (local) vendor. It’s cheaper to buy a basic rifle and accessorize according to the vendor who also said his rifle “kits” sales had slowed but his accessories sales are booming, and .22 conversions are a good seller.
2. “Snub nose” revolvers are the going thing. Every dealer I talked with said that they and “The Judge”* series are now the big sellers, outpacing everything else on the tables. I personally priced them at the January show from both Taurus and Rossi and their prices alone have gone up at least $100.-$120. Since the January show to now. Sales are hot and prices are on the rise go figure. Smith & Wesson small frame short barrel revolvers are at the highest prices I’ve ever seen them at, Charter Arms is a little below and Taurus N Rossi a little further below but climbing steadily as demand grows. Ruger is in line with Smith.
3. 7.    The Taurus web site has a whole new series of Snub nose revolvers to compete with the polymer frame Ruger revolver and they are even in the new and greatly extended “Judge” line. That’s right….a polymer framed Juggernaut of a Judge. Man I’ll bet that’s gonna hurt when you touch off a .410 buckshot round. OwWWWWWWW!  Check out their website for yourself. I didn’t see any of the new models at either show, and Taurus is a pretty sharp outfit. They just might be waiting to sell existing stock as there is no shortage of demand for the Judge now as it is. If they sent out the new stuff too soon they might eat some inventory and have to sell off at a loss of margin profit wise.  
4. Magazine prices for semi auto pistols of all brands were up across the board. I suggest you keep an eye on the Midway flyer for magazines. They run about $1-$3 cheaper in the flyer if not more.
5. The new Glocks were not at either show. Glock is now offering variable sized back strap options and manual safety options and grip reduction/shaping options (ala S&W M&P and Springfield XD, and Taurus 24/7 etc……) I think the “polymer” models from these folks has put a dent in Glock and their once strong hold on the polymer pistol market .
6. No reloading supplies were plentiful at either show. Gonna have to pretty much stick with normal retail outlets for those things.
7. Home defense shotguns were slightly higher priced, nothing outrageous but it could be the start of an upward pricing trend.
8. AK47 and SKS rifles were minimal at each show and prices were up for both. I think they’ve run their course in popularity for now.

Maybe the Obama sales panic has passed... FOR NOW ...ammo is coming back and if the troop numbers decrease in Iraq we will see even more availability and range of calibers as the manufacturers try to make up for loss of military demand and surplus supplies of ammo start hitting the market.

Your Instructor suggests that if you’re looking for a small revolver now you better buy it now. The prices are not going down. If you search and haggle you might get a fair deal on a full sized 1911 or other service type semi auto pistol. You might….. Good luck

Eddie… OUT