The Good Old Days

[Heatseeker]

I was cleaning out my garage and found this box. Reminded of a time when collecting guns and ammo was a much more affordable hobby:

[ElvenSoul]

nice!

[Danodog]

I remember being at the Del Mar Fair in the 90's. I bought my Russian SKS for $129.00 and walked over across the aisle to get my 440 round crate for $45.00. I later picked up my Swede Mauser M96/38 with a minty barrel and stock for $119. Fun times!

[echo1]

That's nothing. You ever see pickle barrels full of milsurps? Started at 5 bucks up in 5 buck increments to 25 bucks. Then the better guns were in racks, 30 - 50 bucks, then the best ones were on the wall, 50 - 100 bucks (new unissued Garands...with ammo). I think a box of .22 was 75cents or less.

Oh, gas was 20 cents/gal, and they pumped it, washed your window, checked your oil and tires. Those my friend, were the good ol days.

If you tried to eat a dollars worth of candy, they'd have to pump your stomach out. PAX

[navydad2010]

Yep I remember waiting at the counter for the salesman to bring out my first 1911..Big 5 on Firestone Blvd. Looking into the barrel of Garands and M1 carbines, K98, Mk III Enfield's, and thinking I could get a crate or two of these things for what this Colt costs... ... shoulda too...that Commander never did shoot as good as any other 1911 I've had..

[TRAP55]

That's nothing. You ever see pickle barrels full of milsurps? Started at 5 bucks up in 5 buck increments to 25 bucks. Then the better guns were in racks, 30 - 50 bucks, then the best ones were on the wall, 50 - 100 bucks (new unissued Garands...with ammo). I think a box of .22 was 75cents or less.

Oh, gas was 20 cents/gal, and they pumped it, washed your window, checked your oil and tires. Those my friend, were the good ol days.

If you tried to eat a dollars worth of candy, they'd have to pump your stomach out. PAX

echo, you keep posting stuff like that, and these pups will think we're all senile.

[Dump1567]

Late 80's. Woolworths in El Camino Mall (Oceanside area). Rack full of M1 Carbines (Probably Blue Sky or Arl. Ord). Price was $139 or $159 each.

Selling guns in a mall. Boy, times have changed. What happened to us?

[81turbota]

I'm such a new guy...I bought my first milsurp in 2008, Big 5 M44 for $79 on sale.

[Capybara]

I am not as life experienced as some of you but I did buy my first gun, this Brazilian 20 ga. at K-Mart for $59.00 in 1982. Remember when K-Mart, Gemco and hardware stores used to sell guns? My kids and students still shoot it today, has never broken, faltered or failed, a pretty good investment 33 years ago.

[rcslotcar]

My brothers .22 single shot Remington was bought with S&H green stamps.

[Low Light]

Pops bought his first gun, a Ruger SBH for $175, out of The Recycler, 1979.

[Enfield47]

It is such a shame that the current nanny state political climate has taken away so many of our freedoms. I remember when you could buy and walk out of the Great Western show with a new pistol or any rifle that was for sale. I also remember all the guns for sale in Montgomery Ward and Sears - no one batted an eye if you walked out carrying your new gun either. It's sad that those days are long gone and that the new generation of gun owners will never know what that was like.

[Danodog]

It is such a shame that the current nanny state political climate has taken away so many of our freedoms. I remember when you could buy and walk out of the Great Western show with a new pistol or any rifle that was for sale. I also remember all the guns for sale in Montgomery Ward and Sears - no one batted an eye if you walked out carrying your new gun either. It's sad that those days are long gone and that the new generation of gun owners will never know what that was like.

It was awesome walking out of the gun show to the parking lot of the Del Mar Fair grounds with a newly purchased rifle and ammo to go with it. No concerns what so ever. I even remember showing the Fair security guards the Swedish Mauser when I left. He said " I think I am going to get me one of those!"

[Lucky Scott]

I love these stories about how cheap guns were at one time. Of course, a brand new corvette was $3,999.00 and an average paycheck was $129.00 a week.
I guess it is all relative.

[Enfield47]

I love these stories about how cheap guns were at one time. Of course, a brand new corvette was $3,999.00 and an average paycheck was $129.00 a week.
I guess it is all relative.

Yes, the price was mostly relative to the times, but it was the vast supply that really made the difference. Racks and racks of rifles to pick up and handle and pick the one(s) you liked best was an awesome experience. Ammo was also available in every caliber by the crate for just a few cents a round. I just wish I would have bought more back then and held onto it.