Bakersfield, CA gun show review

[Bill Hollinger]

Well, I went to the gun show at the Kern County Fair grounds in Bakersfield, CA today. I wound up spending too much money but did walk out with a grip of ammo. I'm saddened by what these shows have turned to lately. The gun prices are all way too high. I saw four or five M96 Swedish Mausers I wouldn't have minded having but the cheapest one was $550.00 for a mix master with a heavily sanded stock. I saw one Winchester M1 carbine with a 5.7 Mil serial number but it was an arsenal rebuild that had all the latest update stuff and a post war pot-bellied stock with a sticker of $1195.95. Also three M1 Garands and all were post war and rough with $1000.00 plus stickers. The ammo wasn't all that bad so I bought 1000 rounds each of .223, .45 and 880 rounds of 7.62X54R. Lots of reproduction stuff being pushed also.

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[MJ1]

No turkey jerky or coins and dolls? The last Cow Palace had everything at retail + 30%.

[Bill Hollinger]

No turkey jerky or coins and dolls?

Oh yeah, I walk right past that crap though. There was an unusually high amount of jewelry there this time also. I did see a bunch of Japanese Arisaka 99s with intact mums but the prices were "retail + 30%"

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

The shows in my area are similar. Same stuff every time at the tables. My best luck has been walking about and looking for individuals toteing items for sale. I am willing to pay a bit more than the Pawnstars prices the dealers are willing to pay so everyone wins. Except the dealers. I have been fortunate enough to pick up a few Enfields and a Finn Mosin 91/30 this way. I go home happy but with sore feet.