DEL MAR, Calif. -- The audience at the Crossroads of the West gun show here didn’t represent the stereotypical clientele one might expect to encounter at a gun show.
Immediately upon entering the large warehouse, packed wall to wall with hundreds tables stacked with heavy duty merchandise, I experienced the diversity of the guests.
The first table I stopped at was active with a group of teenagers engaged in a heated debate on which paintball gun was superior. At the neighboring table stacked with World War II-era military surplus, I overheard a couple of World War II veterans sharing anecdotes of the wares.
“We have 170 vendors selling on 700 tables, just about everything you can think of,” said Tracy Olcott, event coordinator. “It’s not all about guns and weapons, we appeal to a broad spectrum of people.”
Vendors range from nation-wide companies selling the latest and greatest in aftermarket military and survival technology, to independent collectors selling hard-to-find war memorabilia and other antiques.
One could emerge from the gun show decked out in standard issue military gear from both sides of most wars of the 20th and 21st centuries, if one takes the effort to bounce from table to table.
For those service members looking for after-market gear to supplement their standard issue gear, companies such as Quantico Arms are the way to go.
“The (Consolidated Issue Facility) issues good gear, but it may not be mission specific to certain units,” said Jeff Goodman, regional sales manager for Quantico Arms arms and a former Marine.
“Our goal is to provide a one-stop shop for military and law enforcement personnel, but we are still far from meeting that goal. We are still expanding and we strive to serve the military and sell with honor.”
Goodman explained that due to the wide diversity of missions between their clientele of military, law enforcement and outdoorsmen, the company sells a variety of products from a laundry list of aftermarket companies such as Blackhawk, Smith & Wesson and CamelBak.
The gear ranges from hydration systems, hiking equipment and tactical gear, to aftermarket additions to weapons systems such as advanced three-and-one point slings to aid service members in combat.
“One of the first things the guys in my unit bought was one-point slings and adapters for our M4s,” said Cpl. Andrew House, an artilleryman with 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and a 21-year-old from Bound Brook, N.J.
Before you head out to the next gun show, just to purchase deployment gear, avoid the high parking and admission fees and check out the local stores that carry the same brands and gear.
The real reason to check out a gun show is to purchase hard-to-find collector’s weapons and memorabilia.
When purchasing “rare” weapons and memorabilia, ensure you do your research before shelling out for that cool trinket you locked your eyes on. While the majority of vendors were friendly and honest, with fair prices on their wares, there were some extremely overpriced items being sold by shady dealers.
Ensure you know exactly what you are looking for and it’s value, before making a purchase -- to avoid being ripped off.
All in all, a couple of hours strolling through the gun show is well worth the price of admission, for those with an interest in obtaining a piece of history or perhaps finding a bargain.
Crossroads of the West hosts 13 shows in Southern California every year.
Non-resident service members must provide a copy of their orders stating they are living in California as well as a copy of their ID card in order to buy a firearm here.
For a calendar of events, visit their website at http://www.crossroadsgunshows.com.