Preparing for Gun Show...

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verti89

New member
We have a gun show in a few weeks here in Houston so I am trying to get prepared. Below is a list of my current collection, I haven't yet set a budget, and storage space isn't currently an issue.

For a while now I have been wanting a .357 to use as a hunting sidearm and that my wife could in theory use as a home def. gun as well (in .38 obviously). I don't want anything bigger than 3" since one of its main purposes will be as a hunting sidearm and bulky is bad.

My current setup is the Springfield 1911 and XD45 spend the majority of their time in the big safe. The xd40 stays in the car or bedside safe, and the Para1911 stays in the bedside safe or on me. My daughter is about to be 2, so all guns in the house have to be locked up or in a place where she absolutely in no circumstances could ever ever ever get to it (which is impossible so they all stay in the safe :) ). I would also like to get a second handgun safe to put in our 'escape room' which is where I kept the .45 until the tot started walking.

So as far as a sidearm for carrying whilst hunting(meaning protection from everything up to a black bear), is the .357 (2" or 3") the obvious choice over my current .45? I am not worried about recoil too much as i don't have any problem with the short .45 1911 I have. (my dads 44mag is a bit much for me to be comfortable, but i shoot his .357 3" very well) I also like that I can load it with .38 for my wife because the .45 is quite a bit for her to handle safely.

Secondly, as far as gun collections go, a short barrelled .357 could in theory replace both the XDs. And while I do enjoy shooting both of them and dont necessarily NEED the $ from them to fund the .357, I am wondering if I should look to trade them. I suppose I COULD go ahead and get the .357 and see what i am shooting over the next year then decide?

Sol ultimately what would everyone else be doing in my situation? Thoughts, suggestions, ideas?? Thanks

My current handgun collection:
Gun/Purpose/Open to move (Y/N)
Springfield 1911/Pretty 1911/No
Springfield XD45 4"/hunting sidearm & home defense/Yes
Springfield XD40SC/car gun, carry gun/Yes
Para 1911SC 45 3"/primary carry/No
 
Secondly, as far as gun collections go, a short barrelled .357 could in theory replace both the XDs. And while I do enjoy shooting both of them and dont necessarily NEED the $ from them to fund the .357, I am wondering if I should look to trade them. I suppose I COULD go ahead and get the .357 and see what i am shooting over the next year then decide?
Click to expand...

Yes...in theory, but why? Keep them all until you get tired of them or better place them way in the back of the safe and pull them out in a year, take them to the range, and fall in love with them all over again.

I have never been able to part with a gun and not regret it.
 
I find...

A three or four inch "L" frame S&W to be a good choice for .357 Magnum. It's not exactly teeny, but will carry pretty well while hunting and not be in the way.

With most any .38 Special load, it's a pussycat to shoot. Madam may even be offended at such light recoil.
 
I live in Houston, and I tell you, you can buy a new gun for the prices the used ones are at gun shows! All of the stuff at the shows is very expensive! I get much better deals online or at the local gun shops. Plus then you don't have to fork over the $14 or $16 for the admission fee. And the parking at the convention center is $10. So my best advice is: Save all that cash, stay at home, and shop online.
 
I believe that the same dealers go to Houston as attend the DFW shows. Bachman and several others (can't remember the names right at the moment) are regulars that sell new guns for decent prices.

Used guns are catch-as-catch-can. Some of the big guys take trade-ins and sell those trade-ins at a reasonable price. I have found a number of handguns that I bought and a like number that I should have/wouyld have if $$$ had been available.

Twelve to fourteen dollars for admission, plus $10 parking? :rolleyes: You need to move north. Our DFW gun shows have free parking, $7-8 admission, and 800-1200 tables. Three or four big-name vendors (12 to 30 tables each) who compete and keep prices on new guns pretty reasonable.
 
It sounds like you need to get a line on police trade-in revolvers.

If a gun shop can get a whole department-load of them, the prices tend to be quite reasonable. Likely far more reasonable than a gun-show.

Find a police trade in revolver elsewhere, and hit the gun show for fun.

You will never know what you will find. The last gun show I went to had a ton of CHEAP Swedish Mausers.
 
I have the same hankering for a 2 3/4-3" DA stainless .357. I saw the perfect Ruger Security Six at a show this morning. That is, until I asked, "How much cash?" "$450 firm." No thanks.:barf:

-7-
 
A nice handy midsize 357 is a S&W model 60 or a Ruger SP101, both with a 3" barrel. They would be a little light/short for dedicated hunting but are great for 'woods carry' or 'home defense'. Put them on your list.
 
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