The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - More anti-gun scams going on

Jim March · March 4, 2009, 02:41 AM

As a Tusconian now and having been to some gun shows, I can shed some additional light.

.380 semi-autos are extremely scarce around here because Mexicans love 'em - since it's not what the Mexican gov't calls a "military caliber" the penalties are much lighter, so it's one of the calibers of choice for semi-law-abiding middle class Mexicans. It's NOT the sort of gun involved in the cartel wars.

What also gets snatched up faster than hell is any .36cal percussion wheelgun such as the Italian clones of the 1851 Colt. It's not because everybody wants to suddenly play Wild Bill Hickock. It's because they're basically unregulated in terms of US sales, and there's a booming machine shop biz in Mexico for .38Spl centerfire conversion cylinders. You guessed it - the .38Spl is also considered "not military" and like the .380 is very popular. Look around any AZ gun show and you'll find .44Cal percussion stuff all over, but no .36 at any price unless it's VERY high end and not desired for this purpose.

So that's basically what Mexicans now trying to arm themselves on the cheap (due to the violence) are turning to.

March 4, 2009, 02:41 AM	#2
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	As a Tusconian now and having been to some gun shows, I can shed some additional light. .380 semi-autos are extremely scarce around here because Mexicans love 'em - since it's not what the Mexican gov't calls a "military caliber" the penalties are much lighter, so it's one of the calibers of choice for semi-law-abiding middle class Mexicans. It's NOT the sort of gun involved in the cartel wars. What also gets snatched up faster than hell is any .36cal percussion wheelgun such as the Italian clones of the 1851 Colt. It's not because everybody wants to suddenly play Wild Bill Hickock. It's because they're basically unregulated in terms of US sales, and there's a booming machine shop biz in Mexico for .38Spl centerfire conversion cylinders. You guessed it - the .38Spl is also considered "not military" and like the .380 is very popular. Look around any AZ gun show and you'll find .44Cal percussion stuff all over, but no .36 at any price unless it's VERY high end and not desired for this purpose. So that's basically what Mexicans now trying to arm themselves on the cheap (due to the violence) are turning to. __________________ Jim March