Is anyone is planning on going to the Thorncliff gun show? We should meet up for a brewski afterward, it would be a great excuse to get together.

the chef

quote:

Originally posted by calgarychef1:
Is anyone is planning on going to the Thorncliff gun show? We should meet up for a brewski afterward, it would be a great excuse to get together.

the chef

When is it?

Go here for information.

Thanks for the link to the AACCA site. It's a great show, other than inadeqate parking, and well worth attending. I usually go, but I've got comitments in Red Deer that week end. Perhaps for the Easter show.
Grizz

I'll be there and a friend of mine will be joining me from BC.I'm keen to go for a beer.

Well let's wait till there's more folks posting....then we can get a time set up. I suggest after the show so we don't go half tanked up and buying guns our wives can't afford to pay for!!!

the chef

It is a long way. Would the April Show be better for items?? Couldn't do both.

Anybody here know Didsbury AL?

Mickey,

If you can only do one, the Easter show is WAY, WAY, WAY better. Much bigger.

The Jan show at Thorncliffe just kinda kicks off the gun show season in this neck of the woods. Its nothing to write home about, but its OK. I've spent a few dollars at it.

Cheers,
Canuck

ps: Not sure if I'll make the Jan show either, but hope to. Have a couple other reasons to be in Calgary sometime over the next month.

Canuck is right this is a small show but I go to it anyway......mmmm guns.

the chef

I might make it out to the show.

WHat the others have said about the show is spot on, the easter one is the big show.

Brett

It's on the same day as the Willow Valley Trophy Club gathering, where I have a one-year reputation as a gifted photographer to uphold... Doubt if I'll make it, though I need a small, light-ish caliber, first-deer gun for my daughter...

Frans

My daughter already has her deer gun.....a little remmington 243 pump action. Her uncle gave it to her when she was 3!!! Someday I'll tell her about it but she doesn't know it's hers yet.

the chef

Its willow valley for me too. see you there Franz!

What is the willow valley trophy club??

the chef

Don't ask me about it's history, I don't know, or know only bits and pieces.

Here's a bit I found on the net:

"The Willow Valley Trophy Club’s annual show has been going strong since 1949. It has become a cultural landmark in southern Alberta and is noted for its conservation commitment.

Held each January, the show attracts hunters, fishermen and photographers from all over the province and with paid attendance of over 1,200 this year, it is one of the biggest in North America. Past trophies from the show have included the world’s record bighorn sheep and more than one hundred entries in the Boone & Crocket records.

The show is a community event, and many volunteers have made the club’s record book by serving for decades on the committees."

I got dragged down there (Pincher Creek) by my buddy Ken for the first time in January 2004.

The annual meeting is basically a trohy show. First time I was there they gathered some tremendous ram heads to display in addition. Prices are distributed for the biggest trophies, (both game and fish), there's a key-note speaker, there are some booths of taxidermists, knifemakers, organisations. Various raffles, door prizes. Staged in the local arena, it is by no means a big show, but the attendence is pretty good. There is also a photo competition, and I was lucky enough (or good enough ;-) ) to get first and third price in the scenic and wildlife categories last year. Luckily I printed off some pictures before the computer crash, or I'd have nothing to show for this year.

I'm not sure if I'd drive all the way from Cochrane just for the show... a lot of folks seem to be oldtimers, having attended the event for years and years, knowing a lot of people. The lat two years we drove down the night before, three of us, had a few cigars and beers, and made a boys-weekend-out.

Membership fee is $15. There is an additional $3 or so to be paid at the door, which gives you a chance at a door prize, drawn in the afternoon.

Unfortunately I've got a whole day meeting in Edmonton on Friday, so I might miss my ride down South, which leaves at 5 pm. I will probably not drive down on my own.

Frans

Well then I'll see you at the gun show!!!!!

the chef

Well if anyone is going to the show. I think I'll get there early it starts at 10:00 so that's when I'll go. Maybe about noon or so I might put a sign on a table saying something about the "accurate reloading group meets here" if anyone from here is there we can meet up like that. There is a concession, so I'll just put the sigh on a table in front of the concession.

the chef

Just to let people know.....I went to the show. Saw a couple guns that interested me, but not enough to get out my wallet. I bought some big bore cartridges for a display I'm making. I did put up a sign but truthfully I didn't follow up. I met a buddy there and we went for beers about 11:45. All in all the prices seemed too high and a lot of the quality was poor. I figured it would be like that again....the spring show is much better.

the chef

Thanks chef. I feel better about not going. It was snowing all day here the day before, so I made the executive decision to stay off the highway (Calgary is a 4 hour drive from here).

Cheers
Canuck

quote:

Originally posted by calgarychef1:
Well then I'll see you at the gun show!!!!!

Sorry, chef, didn't make it... nor to Willow Valley. Got lots done in the basement though, this weekend. I agree on your observations on prices. Some of the guys on these shows that are selling stuff must think they are dealing with braindead donkeys! Some rifles, beat-up and scratched, are tagged with prices that are only $50-100 less than new!

I go to the shows because it is fun to browse around, but I usually leave with not more spent than a few dollars on coffee.

Frans

There was a guy who had a colt black powder revolver. I was mildly interested. He wanted 350.00 I found it on the net last night for 145.00. There were sporterized military guns for 350.00 they were at best worth 150.00. I considered a Tikka 7mm --lots lighter then my old Parker Hale but it was 50.00 less than Canadian Tire. At Can Tire I get a warranty and I know it's new. I would have been interested if I would save 150.00 but not for 50 bucks!! There were some godawful beat up guns- I would have reservations in even firing them but they still wanted 5-6 hundred bucks. That said, the spring show still really has my attention.

Oh another thingp SAIT was there with their gunsmithing course. I'm thinking pretty seriously about it. At the end of the course you have a custom rifle that you made to your specs. You can spend as much as you want on the materials you put into it or as little. I think buying average materials you wouldn't save much ---but buying high quality components you could really end up with a nice gun for a fraction of the price.

I'm kind of thinking about making a muzzle loader--but with above average components and wood, or a back packing rifle...hmmm

the chef

Chef, tell me more... I like the idea of a backpacking rifle... would I be able to build a double?? How much will you actually "make", and how much is putting together of components...
I can give you a call, if it takes too much typing... I'm sure I lost your number though.

frans