Any value in joining NAPCA?

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jetteraf	Any value in joining NAPCA?	Lead	[-]
Posts: 50 (07/17/09 10:07 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None I often log on here and other sites and see some amazing weapons that other members have acquired. Despite occasionally making the rounds at my local shops and gun shows, I never seem to find anything beyond fairly common guns in fairly average condition. I am still very proud of my collection, but I have yet to find that "mint" Remington M91 or rare P38 variant for example. I was on another site and one of the members said that one of the reasons he is able to acquire so many fantastic guns is the contacts he has made through NAPCA. So what do you guys think? They don't really have much of a web presence, and while I'm sure their magazine is interesting, I have found the boards to be very knowledgeable when I have questions. Are the classifieds worth $60 a year? Do you make contacts that greatly increase your access to high grade collectables? Or am I just never in the right place at the right time?
RichieRich3902		#1	[-]
Posts: 1343 (07/18/09 11:00 AM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think that you'd find a better value cruising the classifieds on Gunboards. I've found some nice gems there over the years, I know that other members here have too. Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. -William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
VIS35		#2	[-]
Posts: 3264 (07/18/09 12:28 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"but I have yet to find that "mint" Remington M91" Do you mean Remington Model 51? If so, send me am email and I will put you on to a possible source of one that will take your breath away. Not cheap, but condition cost. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ As to joining NAPCA, in my opinion, yes it is worth joining. I have been a member for many years and have made great contacts through the organization, which has been around for over forty years. Many of these contacts have become very good friends. NAPCA in addition to the members monthly newsletter, has a members only web site. Although the format is quite different from the open 'net forums we are used to. Any source that aids in information, research gathering and enhancing ones collection is worth pursuing. NAPCA also usually has an annual members only convention. Not open to the public but members may invite guest. This years convention will be in Chattanooga, TN. This is an opportunity to view some of the most extensive automatic pistol collections to be found in the US or elsewhere. And yes, there are treasures to be purchased, sold or traded. Perhaps their mission statement sums up what they are about, "The purposes of this association are: to exchange information on all semi-automatic pistols; the assist and encourage new collectors; to exchange ideas; to assist authors in the writing of new reference works; and to assist members in building their collections." A little history of the organization, "NAPCA's monthly periodical, originally titled Automatic Magazine was first published on April 1, 1968 out of Tulsa, Oklahoma by Dan Byrne, one of the organization's founders." "Among other topics, the first issue included the opening of a discussion about making Dr. J. Howard Matthews, author of the reference Firearms Identification, an honorary member of the Association; a call for future articles; and a call for the final Charter Members to flesh out the initial forty (40) semi-auto pioneers." "These forty charter members were comprised of the four (4) founders: Daniel M. Byrne, John R. Carlson, Donald G. Crews and Ernest J. Lang, as well as 36 other charter members." Francis VIS aka Blind Hog "Even a Blind Hog sometimes finds an acorn" Last Edited By: VIS35 07/18/09 02:10 PM. Edited 3 times.
zeebill		#3	[-]
Posts: 3664 (07/18/09 02:32 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	First off I am not entirely sure what the NAPCA even is so if I have done well and I think I have I would say I have within my goals so joining it is not necessary but that is up to you and what your goals in collecting are. I also have no idea what a Remington 51 might be but a Mosin M91 made by Remington is a great find and not seen often and I presume since we talk mostly about bolt rifles and not semi's on this forum that is what you are referring to. There are other forums that you can match up to your likes and dislikes on this venue so I would say decide what you like and enjoy it. Good Luck and may you find what you are looking for through persistence and luck because believe me that is what it takes! Bill
VIS35		#4	[-]
Posts: 3266 (07/18/09 03:14 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"I also have no idea what a Remington 51 might be but a Mosin M91 made by Remington is a great find and not seen often and I presume since we talk mostly about bolt rifles and not semi's on this forum that is what you are referring to." The poster mentioned P.38 pistols, so I assumed he was refering to auto pistols and he mentioned, "I was on another site and one of the members said that one of the reasons he is able to acquire so many fantastic guns is the contacts he has made through NAPCA". (National Automatic Pistol Collectors Association) The person he was quoting is one of premier collectors of auto pistols and holsters for same in the US. "Any source that aids in information, research gathering and enhancing ones collection is worth pursuing." I know squat about Mosins, other than they are neat rifles. Below is a Remington M51: Francis VIS aka Blind Hog "Even a Blind Hog sometimes finds an acorn" Last Edited By: VIS35 07/18/09 03:19 PM. Edited 2 times.
jetteraf	Sorry about the confusion	#5	[-]
Posts: 46 (07/19/09 01:22 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I actually meant the Remington made Mosin Nagant rifle- a couple of years ago someone that lived in my area posted one here that looked like it was made yesterday. That really stuck with me as one of those "how come I never find something like that" moments, and was just meant as an example of the type of finds I seem to miss out on. Considering NAPCA is about automatic pistols, and I'm probably the only one who remembers that particular rifle and ascribes special importance to it, it was logical to assume I made a typo and meant the Model 51 pistol. VIS, I sent you a PM regarding the pistol; a very advanced design for its time, and those interest me too.
zeebill		#6	[-]
Posts: 3668 (07/20/09 11:36 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Assumption is a great path to stupidity I find. I assumed I was on the Mosin forum where I usually lurk and forgot I wasn.t there when I posted. Wondered where the heck the NAPCA came up from and of course thought he was talking about an M91 Remington made Mosin which it turns out he was. I have little or no interest in pistols but I now know what a Remington 51 is I guess. I am sorry if my carelessnes ruffled your feathers but I made an ssumption which turned out partly right at least. I agree with you in the statement about any source aiding you should be followed up but will add it has to be within your area of interest. I this case the gentlemen was interested in a Mosin bolt gun so now that I know what the NAPCA represents I doubt it would help him any there so I stand by my statement. There are many organisations representing gun interests out there and while the NAPCA may be a great one I doubt it could aid one in finding a Mosin M91 by Remington. I know squat about a Remington 51 but will accept your assurance that it is a great automatic pistol just as I expect you to respect my opinions and I will return that to you. I apologize for ruffling your feathers and meant my statement as a way to reflect my knowledge of the NAPCA and Remington 51's. I took the P38 statement to be a missquote refering to the P series of the M91 which I presume from what you wrote you have no knowledge of? Assumptions are rampant here do you note that? My final assumption would be that you will accept my apology if one is forthcoming from you and we can leave it at that? Bill