Dallas Market Center Gun Show

[The Annoyed Man]

I went to my first ever Dallas Market Center gun show today. I've been to the Fort Worth shows a number of times since moving back to Texas, but this was my first one in Dallas. I looked at a lot of stuff that I want but can't afford right now.

I met my son and his boss there. His boss was there to sell a batch of various guns and to have my son help him pick out AR parts for my son to build him a AR. (Pretty cool boss!) The one gun his boss didn't sell, which I wanted very badly, was a very nice example of an Inland M1 Carbine. He had an expert look at it who took it apart and checked it in detail. The main "problem" with it is that it is an arsenal gun with unmatched parts, and the top wood is not a perfect match to the stock. That said, both pieces of wood are in excellent condition, and I'm pretty sure that it's a walnut stock rather than birch. It has a nice bright bore. Here's the problem.....I WANT that gun. Badly. I happen to know what price he'll accept for it, and it is very reasonable. So reasonable that I'm not going to say it here, 'cause I'm going to try and finagle this one somehow for me own self. I just need to think about it a bit longer to make sure that I'm doing the right thing.

I also saw a very good price on a CW45 Kahr from S.A.W. NIB for $408.00. I very nearly did go back and buy it, since I've been wanting to pick one up, but I just spontaneously made the decision not to spend "gun price" money on anything without going home first and thinking and praying about it.....the reason I passed up the first opportunity to buy that M1 Carbine.

However, I did pick up a few other things that I needed:

• A new flashlight: a 4Sevens Quark X123. This is a really nifty little flashlight—5 light levels from "moonlight" to "melt whatever it's pointed at" plus SOS, Beacon, and Strobe settings; max power is 360 lumens; price $69.95
• A set (front and rear) of Magpul MBUS for my M&P15-22, which I bought used without the original iron sights; $90.00 for the set
• A Streamlight TLR-1 tactical light for my beside pistol; 160 lumens plus a strobe setting; price $130.00.

Anyway, I had a good time with my son. I might go back tomorrow and get that pistol. We'll see.

So, did anybody else go, and what did you get?

[Zylo_X]

Well Howdy, TAM
We probably bumped into each other along the way and didn't even know it! Unfortunately I didn't score any goodies, but enjoyed researching my next 'gets', specifically a compact 1911. I was this () close to getting the SA Micro Compact, but since I had the fuel pump go out and fear 'the other shoe' dropping soon, figured not. I'm also intrigued with a couple of the compacts from the Philippines. Due to my intense research the last 6 months, from what I've seen, SAW's prices seem about the most reasonable ie most items with tax are about the same as Buds on line with the xfer fee, and some a little bit better (depends on the item). I won't sweat a couple or 10 or even 20 dollars either way if it gives the business to a LGS, and I've gotten great customer support in the past (bought 2). NOT A PLUG, just an experienced opinion, YMMV. I've seen several comment that they need to 'recoup' the cost of admission and parking in the price of a purchase, but I think of it as cheap entertainment, and good research. I found ONE vendor that happened to have the main 2 compact 1911's I've been thinking about, side-by-side. The one that was ahead 'on paper' is not such a sure thing now that I've held them, and seen them together. It may get decided with a coin toss, but probably instead of deciding 'which one', now its "which one FIRST". I think you'll agree that one can't have too many 1911's. I'm glad you got some goodies, and enjoyed time with your son, I hope you enjoy them thoroughly.

P.S.
Glad to see you take a break from spam hunting.

[Greybeard]

I was there from 8:30 to 2ish, working the DCSA table (L-10) when not off fondlin things and trying not to spend more than I make.

First purchase was an old German made revolver in .32 SW Long. Safari Charlie Dane Buddy at table with me bought it a few shows ago and it went bang every time when we tested it several months ago. 80-something yo MIL is looking for an inexpensive car gun, coming to our house for Christmas so she might just get to run out to the range with me and burn thru some of the $30 per box ammo.

Next purchase was $8 for a magazine pinkie extension for a pistol I don't even own yet. With Springfield's "3 free magazines" on XD purchases ending after Nov. 30, I may just have to get the 3.8" M in 9mm shortly. So much for not spending more than I make!

[The Annoyed Man]

Guns I have purchased from S.A.W. in the past:

• S&W Model 22A
• Ruger 22/45 Stainless Hunter
• M&P45

Guns I have successfully persuaded others to buy from S.A.W. in the past:

• My daughter in law's Kimber Pro Carry II

Guns I may cave in and buy from S.A.W. tomorrow:

• that Kahr CW45 that I want so much.

Don, one of the guys behind the counter, was sporting a fully left-handed 1911 on his left hip. He and I chat whenever I see him at a show. Being a southpaw myself, I offered him the $130 in my wallet plus a pack of gun for that .45. He told me I was off by about $2,800. We laughed.

[RPBrown]

I was outside working the Scottish Rite blood drive from 12 til 2.

[eureka40]

I was there from 8:30 to 2ish, working the DCSA table (L-10) when not off fondlin things and trying not to spend more than I make.

First purchase was an old German made revolver in .32 SW Long. Safari Charlie Dane Buddy at table with me bought it a few shows ago and it went bang every time when we tested it several months ago. 80-something yo MIL is looking for an inexpensive car gun, coming to our house for Christmas so she might just get to run out to the range with me and burn thru some of the $30 per box ammo.

Next purchase was $8 for a magazine pinkie extension for a pistol I don't even own yet. With Springfield's "3 free magazines" on XD purchases ending after Nov. 30, I may just have to get the 3.8" M in 9mm shortly. So much for not spending more than I make!

Greybeard, if you can make do with an XD instead of an XDM here is the best deal I've seen in a long time....

http://palmettostatearmory.com/firearms ... armory.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[G26ster]

The one gun his boss didn't sell, which I wanted very badly, was a very nice example of an Inland M1 Carbine. He had an expert look at it who took it apart and checked it in detail. The main "problem" with it is that it is an arsenal gun with unmatched parts, and the top wood is not a perfect match to the stock. That said, both pieces of wood are in excellent condition, and I'm pretty sure that it's a walnut stock rather than birch. It has a nice bright bore.

TAM. The overwhelming majority of M1 Carbines out there are ALL arsenal rebuilds, with mix and match manufactures parts (they're commonly called Mixmasters). If you want an M1 Carbine that has all original Inland or any of the other 10 prime contractors parts, you will need to find a "bring back" that has never been rebuilt. Plan on spending between $3-8k if it has the provenance to prove it! You can find many that have all "correct" parts from the prime contractor (I have a few), but those are "put togethers" by collectors to have a "correct" or "as manufactured" carbine. When push comes to shove, actually a Mixmaster that was sold through the CMP, that never left gov't hands, is MORE correct than a carbine that has been "put together" by a collector to be in as manufactured condition. Unfortunately, CMP has been out of carbines for many months and expects no more in the future. Go for a nice mixmaster, at a reasonable price. They pop up almost daily on the CMP Forums sales pages, and look for one that is "as it came" from the CMP, with CMP Certificate. Inland mixmasters can be had for Under $600 usually. Make sure you get one with muzzle wear of 3 or less on the CMP muzzle gauge (ask for photographic evidence showing the gauge in the barrel), and one that passes the headspace tests. All CMP unmolested carbines pass these tests.

One more thing. The vast majority of M1 carbine stocks were walnut.

[Greybeard]

Erueka - Thanks for the link. That is a very good deal on the "standard" XD. I had one just like that previously and let a student talk me into selling it to him a year or so ago.

In looking back at things, it was the Thanksgiving show at Market Hall in 2008 when I bought the full size 9mm "M" model for training purposes. The interchangeable backstrap feature has worked out very well - and is the primary reason I am pretty well locked in to the M model for a "sometimes" personal carry gun, one that can be tweaked (with smallest backstrap) to fit my hand perfectly, that I can leave loaded all the time and not necessarily using in classes.

Salty1 at http://www.northtexasarms.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has located the 3.8" M version for me thru his distribution network and can have it delivered by Wednesday. But it still looks like it's gonna be a couple of bigs ones more than the standard model. I am probably just rationalizing that the reasons above and the 3 "free" magazines offer will make it worthwhile.

[Medic218]

@ TAM - Did you get your 4Seven light from that cute little girl in the north hall?

[Greybeard]

Well, I gotta admit to one more "major" purchase. One vendor had 3 boxes of very thin leather IWB holsters for $2 each or 3 for $5. I had bought a few from him before and given away to students who did not have any type of holster yet. Some are so tickled with 'em they did not look any further - for guns ranging from a Sig 232 to a S&W Bodyguard to Ruger LCRs. The vendor does not take plastic and I wound up almost wiping out the cash in my wallet, gettin another 20+, mostly to fit LCRs and J-frames.

[The Annoyed Man]

@ TAM - Did you get your 4Seven light from that cute little girl in the north hall?

Got it from her husband. And yes, she was cute. And married. And he was bigger than me. And I'm married. And he was a nice guy. And......


I kept my eyes on the flashlights.

[Medic218]

She made it very clear to me that she was only engaged at this point and not married just yet.
She was enthusiastic about her product though.
I love my Fenix but I almost bought something from her just because of how hard she tried to sale me.
They were nice folks. I grabbed their card and will be calling on them next time I need a good light.

[PBratton]

@ TAM - Did you get your 4Seven light from that cute little girl in the north hall?

Got it from her husband. And yes, she was cute. And married. And he was bigger than me. And I'm married. And he was a nice guy. And......


I kept my eyes on the flashlights.

You were staring at her flashlights?

Well, I understand, my wife says that I have a flashlight addiction...

[9mmfan]

Naughty boy!