They had 400 pistols on display, mostly service and rack grades. Some rare pistols as well, US&S, matching pairs and National Match (a few with boxes and matching magazines). It was difficult with so many pistols to spend too much time looking at just one. You had to keep moving to get through them all. I could have spent hours but you only had 50 minutes. As pistols were sold, the armors refilled the empty spots. I picked up several and then later found nicer ones. I bought two service grade Colts. The 1911 armorer that took them said that were both good ones. There were more GI WWII slides vs. replacement slides among the pistols. They have to ship to an FFL so I will not have them for a couple of weeks. No photos could be taken due to it being an Army facility (not CMP rules). All phones had to stay in pockets. We got a box of ammo, CMP water bottle and GI magazines (mail order mostly ship with commercial magazines) with the pistols so that made up for part of the fee. If they offer the in-person sale again, it will be likely that I will participate again. At the end, we got a tour of the 1911 facility and saw a rare Singer 1911 ($350k to $400k pistol, it was for sale if someone wanted to write the check). CMP did a really good job with the in-person sale. I had some reservations beforehand but I am glad I participated. At the sale and after, I have seen few if any negative comments.
Everyone was really nice at the event. No sharp elbows. Others would help you find what you were looking for. I found Jim Adell (Navy veteran and leading researcher in the Navy Garand 7.62 conversions) an Ithaca Slide/Ithaca Frame pistol. Lots of people were looking for all Ithaca pistols. I was a bit surprised by that. I also bought a Navy 7.62 garand at the South Store that looks like it was not fired after rebuild. Jim gave me a 7.62 cloth bandoleer (he said he fired the ammo that was in it, shorter pocket than 30.06) before the event started.
Everyone was really nice at the event. No sharp elbows. Others would help you find what you were looking for. I found Jim Adell (Navy veteran and leading researcher in the Navy Garand 7.62 conversions) an Ithaca Slide/Ithaca Frame pistol. Lots of people were looking for all Ithaca pistols. I was a bit surprised by that. I also bought a Navy 7.62 garand at the South Store that looks like it was not fired after rebuild. Jim gave me a 7.62 cloth bandoleer (he said he fired the ammo that was in it, shorter pocket than 30.06) before the event started.
