Les Jones

Guns > Back from the Gun Show

Went to the gun show today with SayUncle. There was a light turnout at the show, but we had a good time. (Later: here are SayUncle's notes on our encounter with someone who was probably an undercover BATF agent.)

One interesting thing we found was a specimen of a Thunder Five, the 5-shot .410 revolver once made in Piney Flats, Tennessee. Asking price was $499, and it looked like new.

We also ran across a four-shot .357 magnum that I remember from the '80s. It was a sort of pepperbox design, with four, non-rotating barrels. I've forgotten the name, though I think it began with "Cor" something.

I really liked the Mossberg .410 pump shotgun we found. I have a soft spot for Mossbergs anyway, and this was a handy little gun with a forward pistol grip. If I had any use for a .410 shotgun I'd have bought it.

I'm narrowing down the short list for my next handgun. It'll be a .357 or .38, a Smith &Wesson, with a short barrel. I've shot the 342 (5-shot, small-framed, titanium, 1.8" barrel). I looked at a 386 today. It's a 7-shot, medium-frame, titanium model with a 2.5" barrel. A little bigger, but with much better sights and two extra rounds. It's also an incredible $700 with tax. That will involve the ceremony I like to call the Unclenching of the Very Tight Fist.

I really like the Hi-Viz sights in the Express sight layout. The light-gathering sight system really works. The green sights worked best for me.

As far as purchases, the only thing I bought was some beef jerky. But, hey, it was Crocket Creek, which just happens to be the world's best beef jerky, made in Maryville, Tennessee. Their factory is on 411 south of Maryville, and they have a store that's open to the public.