The Liberal Gun Club Forum

I met up with some shooting buddies at the Dallas Market Hall Gun Show this morning. Traditionally it has been the largest show in the immediate Dallas area, with a venue packed with vendors big and small. I remember a few times there was a line to get in the place that stretched 50 yards out the front entry. The last time I attended this show was maybe 3 years ago, and the difference compared to what I saw today was startling. The number of vendor tables was decreased by about 40 %. And the exhibit area didn't extend into the adjacent space like in the past. I believe they had a hot tub and spa show going on in there. The aisles were twice as wide as years past when the narrow spacing made it hard to get past people walking the opposite direction. Turn out was relatively light. Steady trickle of folks coming in, but no difficulty walking up to a table to look at stuff. And perhaps most telling, I didn't spot a single person sitting at the big dealer's tables filling out purchase paperwork. I know gun sales are way down nationwide. Less urgency now that the Obama and Hillary threats no longer stimulate panic buying. And only 2 beef jerky vendors were present today compared to 4 or 5 like in the boom years.

I may kick myself later, but I passed on new CZ PCR one of the big vendors had for sale at $549. And they had a P01 right next to it. Oh well, at least I can now say I saw the unicorns.

It takes a Dem gun grabber in the WH to really get the crowds. Do you know if the Mesquite gun show is also getting smaller? The P-01 has the light rail and the PCR doesn't and dust cover on the PCR doesn't go to the end of the barrel. Otherwise they're supposed to be the same.

highdesert wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2019 4:59 pm It takes a Dem gun grabber in the WH to really get the crowds. Do you know if the Mesquite gun show is also getting smaller? The P-01 has the light rail and the PCR doesn't and dust cover on the PCR doesn't go to the end of the barrel. Otherwise they're supposed to be the same.

I was able to do a direct comparison between P01 and its predecessor PCR today. As you say, the P01 has a chunkier profile at the muzzle end of the frame because of the rail. The more svelte PCR muzzle might make a difference if concealed IWB. Side by side, the PCR is a better looking pistol. I like the look of older SIG P series too, before rails were introduced that spoiled the lines. Ergos and weight seemed identical for P01 vs PCR. The P01 was priced $100 more.

I'm going to guess the diminished Market Hall show is indicative of a trend for all local gun shows, Mesquite included. I used to go to the Mesquite Big Town show, but it's been a few years. Mesquite Rodeo show as well.

I bet online sales are also having an impact.

The PCR and 75 Compact appear to be a smaller versions of the 75B and the P-01 the 75 SP-01. I still like the original SIG P225 not the new A1 version. Read someplace that some Swedish police detectives still carry the original P225, the downside is it's only 8 rounds but they probably don't use them that often. Rails seem to be de rigueur on new auto loaders.

I went to many-a Dallas Gun Show at Market Hall, it was a large hall and was always fun time perusing through all the tables of stuff.
It did get smaller over the years though.
Bought my Ruger Mk II in 1996 for $219.00, walnut grips for it at $50.00...a great time.
I miss some things about Texas like the Gun Shows, Central Market and the music.

highdesert wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2019 6:25 pm The PCR and 75 Compact appear to be a smaller versions of the 75B and the P-01 the 75 SP-01. I still like the original SIG P225 not the new A1 version. Read someplace that some Swedish police detectives still carry the original P225, the downside is it's only 8 rounds but they probably don't use them that often. Rails seem to be de rigueur on new auto loaders.

The current SIG P225 A1 has more in common with the discontinued P239 than the original P225. I was intrigued when I first heard about the P225 A1 because I could use a few extra mags for my German made P225 and P6. Then I found out the P225 A1 mags are not compatible with the classic P225.

MaxwellG wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2019 6:33 pm I went to many-a Dallas Gun Show at Market Hall, it was a large hall and was always fun time perusing through all the tables of stuff.
It did get smaller over the years though.
Bought my Ruger Mk II in 1996 for $219.00, walnut grips for it at $50.00...a great time.
I miss some things about Texas like the Gun Shows, Central Market and the music.

Texas gun shows peaked maybe 7-8 years ago. Been pretty mediocre over the last few. I haven’t been to one in over year due to some fairly awful promoters that seem to be the norm these days. I get better deals from my local gun shop and they don’t charge admission or require me to peace-bond and unload my firearm prior to entry.