York v. Chantilly

[Srbenda]

Unless I'm mistaken, both have shows this weekend.

I could go to either, although Chantilly would be about 60 miles closer for me.

Is one supposedly better than the other?

Any reason to have a preference?

I'll be looking for non-regulated stuff, so no worries about FFL transfers.

 

[snoopaloop]

Chantilly is next month.

 

[snavematt]

I cant find a Chantilly show this weekend, post a link

 

[Srbenda]

Obviously, I'm mistaken. That makes the choice pretty easy!

 

[herr.baer]

The Chantilly show is July 24-26

http://www.thenationsgunshow.com/

 

[tigmaned]

york show is this weekend, right.

 

[Srbenda]

Good, then I'm going.
What can i expect?

 

[trickg]

I'll have to swing up and check out the York show at some point - I can tell you this: I did not enjoy the last Chantilly show I went to. It was a freaking zoo in there with so many people jamming the aisles that you could hardly move around to see anything, and there were no deals - most of the vendors had their prices jacked up. Simply laws of supply and demand really, but it was almost as if the whole crowd was in some kind of panicked frenzy to buy up all the ammo and reloading supplies available. As it was, I barely got out of there with the primers I went to buy, and I did not find the powder I wanted.

Maybe it has calmed some since the last time I was out - I certainly hope that's the case.

 

[Srbenda]

Given the increase of supply on almost everything in stores, I am expecting to find a kinder, gentler show. Also being away from the money of DC should help as well. That area of PA is not exactly "wealthy".

 

[Kashmir1008]

Good, then I'm going.
What can i expect?

The last York show I went to was the machine gun show. Basically a regular gun show plus some really cool full auto stuff. Old water cooled guns, 50 cals, 30 cals, gatling guns, uzis.

The show wasn't overly crowded, I found a few good deals on ammo and you can get things like 30 rnd mags.


It seems like ammo is still high priced though. Even higher than 2 months ago. I was able to find .40 at about $15 a box but now the cheapest I see is $18 a box.

Still - I'm going this weekend.

 

[ATTYSHOOTER]

I saw certain dealers at the last Chantilly show refusing to sell even unregulated firearms to Maryland residents. A buddy of mine was rejected from buying an HBAR AR by two different dealers once they saw his Maryland drivers license. A third dealer told him he needed a passport in addition to his drivers license (even though he had multiple forms of ID with him). He spent all day picking out a gun, went back to buy it and was rejected. Very disappointing. It seemed to be happening with VA-based dealers, but that could have been a coincidence. Anyone have a similar experience? Anyone have this trouble in York? If not, are there any unique features of PA law I shoudl be awarte of if I make the trip to York? Thanks.

 

[atimesublime]

I went and did the York Gun show in May and it was pretty decent. A lot of tables, *mostly* polite vendors, some crazies. The oddest thing i witnessed was a table selling mason jars filled with thermite. Pretty sure you get put on a Napolitano list for just looking at that. Its a good sized venue, so you won't feel too claustrophobic. If you go to York, keep an eye out for a dude named Top Hat. My wife, buddy, and I got a kick outta him. He had a bunch of mil surp odds and ends and cleaning items, and everyone who bought something from him got change in the form of 50cent pieces.

 

[atimesublime]

I saw certain dealers at the last Chantilly show refusing to sell even unregulated firearms to Maryland residents. A buddy of mine was rejected from buying an HBAR AR by two different dealers once they saw his Maryland drivers license. A third dealer told him he needed a passport in addition to his drivers license (even though he had multiple forms of ID with him). He spent all day picking out a gun, went back to buy it and was rejected. Very disappointing. It seemed to be happening with VA-based dealers, but that could have been a coincidence. Anyone have a similar experience? Anyone have this trouble in York? If not, are there any unique features of PA law I shoudl be awarte of if I make the trip to York? Thanks.

I would suggest bringing a business card of your fav (or convenient) FFL dealer in MD and maybe calling them ahead of time. A lot of how you will be treated at the show will depend on what you are looking to buy. When I was at the PA York show I bought my AR no-problemo and had the regulated lower receiver shipped to Stateline Gun Exchange (GOOD PEOPLE!) in Emmitsburg, MD for the legal transfer.

My wife was treated very differently by another dealer she was attempting to purchase a handgun from. At first he almost outright refused to even deal with her and even thought it necessary to berate her for living in MD. After explaining to him that we were looking to have it transfer *LEGALLY* to a MD FFL he considered the sale. But, then he refused to work with us any further because the Sig handgun we were looking to buy did not have a spent casing, and thus either he couldn't (or wouldn't) ship it to our FFL. I am not sure what the legalities are behind this, but I do know for sure that he was a douche.

 

[Kashmir1008]

I went and did the York Gun show in May and it was pretty decent. A lot of tables, *mostly* polite vendors, some crazies. The oddest thing i witnessed was a table selling mason jars filled with thermite. Pretty sure you get put on a Napolitano list for just looking at that. Its a good sized venue, so you won't feel too claustrophobic. If you go to York, keep an eye out for a dude named Top Hat. My wife, buddy, and I got a kick outta him. He had a bunch of mil surp odds and ends and cleaning items, and everyone who bought something from him got change in the form of 50cent pieces.

Yea Top hat is at lot of these shows. Sort of an interesting mix between a crazy gun guy, the indian from Josie Wales and Arlo Guthrie. Nice guy though.

I think the thing with thermite is you can buy it but utilizing it in something like an incendiary bomb is pretty difficult for the average person. I have heard of people lighting piles of the stuff with a large 4th of July sparkler but other than that I think ignition is pretty difficult. A bunch of M-80s or black powder is probably more dangerous.

But I'm not a demo guy.

 

[RipkinC]

I saw certain dealers at the last Chantilly show refusing to sell even unregulated firearms to Maryland residents. A buddy of mine was rejected from buying an HBAR AR by two different dealers once they saw his Maryland drivers license. A third dealer told him he needed a passport in addition to his drivers license (even though he had multiple forms of ID with him). He spent all day picking out a gun, went back to buy it and was rejected. Very disappointing. It seemed to be happening with VA-based dealers, but that could have been a coincidence. Anyone have a similar experience? Anyone have this trouble in York? If not, are there any unique features of PA law I shoudl be awarte of if I make the trip to York? Thanks.

He should have gone out and gotten more money and tips from the Dateline or 20/20 crew than


Overall though I like the York show... too bad it looks like I have to miss this one Maybe I will try the Chantilly one finaly... I here they have a good hooters there

 

[Srbenda]

A third dealer told him he needed a passport in addition to his drivers license (even though he had multiple forms of ID with him).

I'll take my passport, just in case...

 

[trickg]

A third dealer told him he needed a passport in addition to his drivers license (even though he had multiple forms of ID with him).

That's a bunch of BS right there - you can't demand that someone present a form of ID that's completely elective. Until just recently, I never had a passport because there was never a need for me to have one. I think that the guy was just trying to be an ass because he didn't want to deal with the intricacies of selling to a Maryland resident.

 

[Srbenda]

That's a bunch of BS right there - you can't demand that someone present a form of ID that's completely elective. Until just recently, I never had a passport because there was never a need for me to have one. I think that the guy was just trying to be an ass because he didn't want to deal with the intricacies of selling to a Maryland resident.

Just imagine the look on his face when I pull mine out...

 

[trickg]

Just imagine the look on his face when I pull mine out...

And then let them know that you are taking your business elsewhere, to someone who isn't going to be such an asshat about it.

 

[novus collectus]

Top Hat's selection is awesome. Whenever I went to the Upper Marlboro show it was a must to stop at Top Hat. I am glad he still goes to the Upper Marlboro show.