Gun Porn

This weekend saw the arrival of the Nations Gun Show at the Dulles Expo Center in Fairfax, Virginia. Billed as the largest ever gun show in the area, the Nation's Gun Show was hosted by two venerable Virginian gun show promotors - Showmasters and C&E Gun Shows.

Dulles Expo is located in the heart of Northern Virginia, in Fairfax County, just 22 miles from our Nation’s capitol in Washington D.C.   Fairfax County has the second highest average income in the nation, and there are approximately 10 million people within a 90-mile radius of the building.


This show has been in the planning stages for several years.  However, very restrictive laws regulating the purchase of handguns prevented us going to this great area.  This year, legislation was passed in Virginia’s General Assembly that repealed all waiting periods and permit requirements in Virginia (Virginia now has total pre-emption.).


Never before has this area seen a show of this quality and caliber.  The Nation’s Gun Show will feature 1,000 tables.  Approximately half of the tables will be dedicated to antique and collectible firearms and military collectibles of all wars.  The other half of the tables will be modern firearms, knives, ammo and accessories.

It truly was an incredible experience. Each of the tables was at least 8 feet long and in addition to the healthy selection of usual gun show goodies - this show has a bewildering collection of antique firearms - from matched and engraved duellign pistols from 17th Century France to a number of Brown Besses, the usualassortment of Civil War and WWII collectibles, and an orgasmic number of old Henrys and Winchesters. There were real dealers and folks there to trade. Ken Cucinelli was there as were the good folks at the Virginia Citizens Defense League, whose activism made the show possible.

We were originally planning on attending Saturday afternoon, after stopping off at the Air and Space Museum down the street. But, after speaking with some friends, I decided that a couple of hours simply wouldn't be enough, and took the family (my father and brother were down from Jersey for the weekend) to the NRA's National Firearms Museum on Saturday instead. We were glad we did. After showing up at 10:30 am Sunday, we had walked less than 1/2 of the show by the time I had to leave to drive my mother in law to work at 1:00. They decided to go home, and after dropping my mother in law off, I decided to head back. I'm glad I did.

I've been looking around for a Marlin lever rifle in .44 Mag and a S+W 629 for some time. While I saw a number of used S&Ws, none were appropriatly priced. I found two modern Marlin's in .44 Mag, but unfortunatly, both had short 16" and 18" barrels. I wanted something a bit more substantial, and found it in a mid 1980s Marlin 336 that an older gentleman from Blacksburg, VA was selling (he has a great collection of Marlins and Winchesters). Unfortunatly, he wouldn't budge from his price of $350 and I wanted to spend no more than $300.

After wandering around some more, at about 4:00 pm, I was looking over a rack of used handguns from a Richmond dealer when I noticed what looked to be an older Marlin with a nice little $199 price tag. Upon further inspection, it appears to be a late 1970s Model 336 in .30-30 with a 20 inch barrell (total length is 39 inchs) that has been substantially refinished (deblued and aged) and outfitted with a beautiful, oiled wooden stock. Its not what I was looking at, but is a sweet looking and dirt cheap cowboy gun. I do notice some rust along the edges of the barrell (but the bore was all nice and shiny and grooved) and manage to get the price down a bit. Happy with the deal, I decide to pick it up right there. After the requisit NICS check (wait - I thought these gun shows were places of lawlessness and illegal gun purchasing) I walked away with a beaut of a lever gun.

Aint she sweet looking?

Here's a close up of the receiver.

The Action.
The wood came out best in this picture.
You can't see it, but its got great tiger stripes to it.

The reverse side.

After purchasing it, I picked up a couple of boxes of ammo and made the 15 minute drive over to the NRA Range to check it out.

I'd say it faired quite well.
These 6 shots (a full magazine) were taken from 50 feet. The one errant shot is user error, no way indicative of this sweet rifle. The rest were in a 2 inch by 1 inch area of the target, with 3 shots landing on top of each other. I was shooting 150gr Winchester Silver Tips. ($11.99 a box).

While at the range, I also decided to practice a bit for the forthcoming Postal Shoot. As you can see here, no one has much to worry about - though in my defense, I wasn't wearing any glasses.

These were both shot with my 10/22. Remember, no glasses were on and I am pretty myopic. I get new glasses on Tuesday, so things should improve a bit.

I'll post my official targets here before I send them in. Since I was unable to purchase any at either the NRA Range, NRA gift shop, or the gun show, I am going to have to wait for my mail ordered targets to arrive. I have a rush order placed, so I expect to see them soon.

Also, a quick check on the internet of my Marlin's serial number revealed a date of birth of 1980. Who else was born in 1980???

The oooh so dumb but nevertheless incredibly attractive, Jessica Simpson.

Down Boy Down Boy.

As I ponder names, suddenly I'm thinking Jessica may be a fitting one.