WOW is all I can say! They say this is one of if not the best, and let me tell ya it is an amazing show. I do believe the next OGCA Show I attend, as you can ONLY attend two in your lifetime if you do NOT become a member and the option of NOT attending this show is, well now not an option in the future! I could have joined today but to be honest I was in awe and totally forgot too!

Not as many displays I wanted to see though from WACA members. I wanted to take photos and after taking one of the WACA’s tables I was told if I took any more photos they would escort me out the door! Very strict rules and guidelines but very controlled and very well organized. No pics…I have no clue as to why, but I obliged. I plan to enter a display next year in this show! But then again this was more of a show to sell versus displays so it seems!

Plenty of Winchesters, and Winchesters were by far the most plentiful of any manufacture…period! There were mega Model 12’s Model 1897’s/Model 97’s, Model 70’s, Model 61’s/62’s/62A’s, Model 67’s, Model 52’s, Model 1866’s, 1873’s, 1895s, Commemoratives, you get the picture. I was at every table and looked at every Winchester at each of them literally!

You know what I found interesting, or the lack therein? Only 2 Model 25 12 gauges shotguns! Only two Model 88’s, both post 64’s, one was a 308, and one was a 243. Only 2 Model 100’s both were 308’s, and both post 64’s. Only a few Model 50’s now that I think of it as well! Only a few Model 75’s, model 72’s and 74’s as well. Just an observation of what was there.

There was lots of Winchester memorabilia and boxes of old ammo, and empty boxes as well, advertisements and such. I will also say some thought they had gold in them with some of their prices as well haha! But you know what they say one mans junk is another’s treasure! Lots of Military memorabilia as well.

What did I buy you might wonder? Five Magazines…oh and two WACA stickers, thats it! I did pick up lots of business cards and such and plan to contact some of them for possible future purchases. So, buying comes later perhaps down the road. Talked to a lot of folks and met a lot of people.

Prices, well as one could imagine all over the place! Some high some low. Some think a 99% gun is just that but to my eyes more like 50%, but then again a lot of these folks are after as much as they can get versus an honest grading as such. As always do your homework and buyer beware. I will say one thing that stood out to me was an original blue/furniture versus a re-blue and re-finish of the furniture, especially on guns that unless they never left the factory, well you get the picture again. Buyer beware! I didn’t see any fakes that I could tell, but i am also not well versed in may models, especially anything older than an 1897, and then I don’t claim to know it all, if anything!

I took along my pocket sized Winchester Dates of Manufacture book by Maddis, but never once pulled it out. I also had a Winchester dater app on my cell but never used it once either. I recently got a copy of the Red Book of Winchester Values, 4th Edition and read a lot prior to this show. It helped me tremendously in gauging values of certain models and such. I am sure the more I go along in this collecting and buying and such the more accustomed I will be.

So, overall was in Awe! Very satisfied and had I won the lottery could have spent mucho denaros easily. I was like a kid in a candy store! I will say a lot of vendors need to be more friendly and at least make an effort, many did however as well. But as such many never moved anything, but those that were friendly had many people at their tables. I will suggest as I will do next time take a strap on bag, I got an old US Army field bag that would have been perfect, could have carried all my magazines I bought and my reference material in it versus carrying it in hand all day long.

Just wanted to pass along my thoughts on this WACA/OGCA Midwestern Show as a first timer attending. Well worth it if your close enough or a few hours drive in my opinion!

One of my highlights was I got to meet Donald Trumps Son Eric Trump who is an avid shooter and collector. He shook my hand and thanked me for my service in the Military, he seen my Infantry hat i had on. I told him I appreciated that, and appreciate his Dad running for office and what his family stands for and is doing. He was very cordial and spoke to everyone along the isles he was walking through. Never realized just how tall he is!

I agree with you Gary!  This is unlike ANY gun show I have ever attended in so many ways.  Perhaps someday I can attend a show out west like Cody.  If you are like me I try to schedule vacations and trips in coordination if possible with something like a gun show or something.  MY Wife always swears I have a motive for anywhere I want to go haha!  I could have spent the entire day there and all but I had to visit with family that lives near by as well.  Definitely going to join the OGCA.

Al, I apologize I walked in after registering and was awe struck!  Yes we need to make sure we get together.  I am gonna try to make some other OGCA shows before next year if possible.  either way I am going to join the OGCA.