VERY few Colts at the gun show

[PakWaan]

I went to the Orlando gun show yesterday - probably a thousand exhibitors, and yet VERY FEW Colts available from anyone. There were a few dealers who had several "US Government Property" older 1911's in pretty bad condition, but I couldn't find a single Gold Cup, series 70 reissue or anything else remotely interesting. I guess these guys sell them as soon as they get them.....

There were about 50,000 Tupperware guns for sale, though ;)


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[paul45]

Exactly why I do not attend gunshows, not including specific collector shows.

I'm not paying 5 bucks parking, 5 bucks entrance fee, to see T-shirts, jerkey, fake Nazi repros and plastic crud.

[tombstone]

Similar experience at a recent gun show in Tucson, AZ. Lots of Kimbers and Glocks, some Ruger Single Actions and Winchester/Marlin lever action rifles (this is the wild west after all), and perhaps five Colts. There was one " fair" M1911A1 (about '43 manufacture) with a really steep price ($3K). I did see one New Agent "on sale" for $835.

[clughog]

The Colts are always outnumbered (not surprising given the relatively low numbers manufactured) at the shows here in Central Texas, but there are always a fair number of them for sale. The show here this weekend turned up some really nice ones, but my budget just wouldn't let me bring any home. I saw some really nice Series 70 pistols, moderate condition, moderate price, including some in 9mm. Of course, Texas like guns, so there are a billion of them around here!

[tonyniev]

same ratio here in Las Vegas Gun show, but I would see at least 50 or even more Colts....including pre 80 Gold Cups, NIB Wilsons, or Nighthawks, and many collectibles the only issue is prcie. There is a gun show here every month. :-)
I had the same issue a year ago with the dealers, now because maybe people like me keep on asking , today three stores here stock up plenty of Colts 1911 with several Gold Cups and one even stocked up on Mustangs, and another offer plenty of Rock Islands.

[PakWaan]

Well, all was not wasted because I bought some Flitz, some cleaning supplies, and a new Fenix flashlight which is keyring size and as bright as the 4-cell rechargeable Maglite I used to carry on duty. Unbelievable flashlight for such a small package....

[dakota1911]

Sometimes gun shows are strange for reasons unknown to me. I know several years ago I was looking for one of the original Ruger Bearcats and a gunshow had half a dozen and I got what I thought was a good price for one NIB. After that I went to several additional gun shows and if there were any then there was only one or two and they were beat up and over-priced. When I am in Tucson I usually try and go pray at Murphys Guns and Gunsmithing down there. They usually have more Colts than I have seen at any gun show, plus they don't charge you to get in the door.

[clughog]

Exactly why I do not attend gunshows, not including specific collector shows.

I'm not paying 5 bucks parking, 5 bucks entrance fee, to see T-shirts, jerkey, fake Nazi repros and plastic crud.Paul45, at least here in Texas parking is free, and the $5 is a pretty cheap price for great variety of firearms you get to see all in one place...and stay as long as you like! I love to look at the old Winchesters, Marlins, military memorabilia, etc. and I can certainly bypass the trinket vendors (and they're somewhat limited here in our area!). Come visit us!

[auto45]

I was recently at a gun show and saw 3-4 Colt's and I didn't "hit" every table.
Not bad for 1911s at this show anyway.

What I did see, no surprise, was very high prices for used ones. One GC that was in worse shape than mine was $1195...I was offered $500 for mine. :p

[Joni Lynn]

I don't see many new Colt's at gun shows but today I was looking at a WW1 repro #1124 which seems to be one of the first if I'm right. I'd don't need it but I'm giving some thought to picking it up anyway.

[paul45]

Paul45, at least here in Texas parking is free, and the $5 is a pretty cheap price for great variety of firearms you get to see all in one place...and stay as long as you like! I love to look at the old Winchesters, Marlins, military memorabilia, etc. and I can certainly bypass the trinket vendors (and they're somewhat limited here in our area!). Come visit us!Say....thanks alot........your shows seem better than what I have been used to.!

[elijdub]

Like i've said before you TX guys get all the good gun shows ;)! Here in Albuquerque the shows are pretty bad. I have the same sentiments as Paul; parking, "door", and a bunch of tupperware :(.
Hate to post negatively, but i've NEVER seen a good deal on a Colt at a NM gun show. Always overpriced.
I do like seeing the old Martial arms and "lever's", though, as Clughog said.

Oh well.... Guess i'll have to make the drive to Houston or DFW sometime ;). Not to mention, i have a $100 Gander Mt. Gift Card burning a whole in my pocket, and the closest one is in Amarillo (i think ;)).

[texagun]

Clughog is right. Great shows here in the DFW area. This weekend I saw several Colts. AJC had a great looking 70 Series Repro for $724 and a WWI Repro (01911) still in stock at $869. I went back to look at the 70 Series Repro and it was gone. Someone got a nice Colt. Glad he got it and saved me some money for next time.

[clughog]

I don't see many new Colt's at gun shows but today I was looking at a WW1 repro #1124 which seems to be one of the first if I'm right. I'd don't need it but I'm giving some thought to picking it up anyway.Was it one of the new Black Oxide Model O1918 WWI Reproductions? If so, I believe they started produciton at #1001 so it would be a pretty early one. I sold #1076 last weekend, and AJC had #1032 and #1048. And Classic Colt has #1045 now (that's an interesting number). I'd like to have #1911 or #1918. Interestingly, AJC also had a Carbonia Blue in stock this week that they didn't have last week. Relatively high serial number, though. All priced the same.

[Joni Lynn]

No, this was a carbonia blue 1911, not the new one. If he shows up at the next gunshow with it I may consider it a bit more seriously. It had the grips with the plain border that the early ones came with.
He'll need to give me a little better price if he wants me to adopt it.

[pa_guns]

Hi

I think that the problem is that the Colts start out in Hartford and have to go past Hunter's place to get to Orlando. :D :D

Colt's distribution system is a bit quirky. For quite a while here gunshows were *the* place to get Colts. You just could not find them in the stores. Now they are in the stores and not so much at the shows. Strange stuff ...

Bob

[clughog]

No, this was a carbonia blue 1911, not the new one. If he shows up at the next gunshow with it I may consider it a bit more seriously. It had the grips with the plain border that the early ones came with.
He'll need to give me a little better price if he wants me to adopt it.
The one I saw Saturday was priced at about $885 or so at AJC. And another vendor had one as well, priced about $965 I believe. Both NIB. Of course, neither are low serial numbers like the one you're looking at. I wonder if folks are starting to let go of the Carbonia Blue pistols they've been holding now that the they're out of production?

[edwardyoung]

There was a small-ish show in Concord, NC this weekend. Nearly as much jewelry, jerky, and peanuts as gun stuff, but I found just what I was looking for: a shooter-grade pre-Series 80 Combat Commander. I even managed to sell a Norinco 1911 so I could afford the Colt. I think it goes well with my other shooter-grade Combat Commander. The new one is on top. Hurray for me.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1584/6553559/12658939/297005769.jpg

[clughog]

Nice commanders!

[edwardyoung]

Nice commanders!


Thanks! I'm going to try to hang onto these. The top one is from '76 and the bottom, '75. They both have the lightening cuts in the slide. :D

[elijdub]

There was a small-ish show in Concord, NC this weekend. Nearly as much jewelry, jerky, and peanuts as gun stuff, but I found just what I was looking for: a shooter-grade pre-Series 80 Combat Commander. I even managed to sell a Norinco 1911 so I could afford the Colt. I think it goes well with my other shooter-grade Combat Commander. The new one is on top. Hurray for me.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1584/6553559/12658939/297005769.jpg
Nice pre-series 80's indeed! My favorite Colt's ;)!

[edwardyoung]

Nice pre-series 80's indeed! My favorite Colt's ;)!

Thanks. Mine, too.

[Metal]

It is hard to find a Colt at a good price here in Kentucky. I am currently checking places like GunBroker for them.

[russian]

I'd don't need it but I'm giving some thought to picking it up anyway.

It has nothing to do with 'need' my dear Joni! :p If I had to buy according to need, i'd only have a couple things, and they wouldn't be much fun. 'Want' is so much better.

Around where I am, Colts tend to be a bit more on the rare side as well, when a store gets some in, they are pretty much gone right away. The S&W 1911 which they got in around the same time is still in the store though....meh.

Our big easter gun show is coming up in.....well....easter. I have Colt eyes all ready to go!