[scotty1418]

I know there is a fair number of collectors in the Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana area that have mentioned on here trips to the OGCA shows bimonthly in Wilmington, OH.

For a prospective member, what is required to obtain a guest pass? Are there any GB members here who are members of the OGCA?

Thanks in advance,
Scott

 

[USMCsean]

You will need to have a member get you a guest pass, I believe. Then, in order to get a membership, you need two members.

 

[Vic]

Yes there are dozens of members here who are OGCA members myself included. The shows are not bi Monthly but quarterly.

 

[Blahman]

I'm a member. To become a member, one is invited as a guest by a member in good standing. You can attend two shows as a guest, after that you may not or you join. The cost to a guest at the door is $10.00. A guest is not allowed to purchase firearms. If you decide to join, you must have the signitures of two members on your application. I believe the cost for a new membership is $30.00.

OGCA is a great organization, and they are tough on self policing.....they don't screw around!

 

[Marks_spas_12]

If I remember correctly, new members pay 40 bucks, then 30 a year after or buy a life or 10 year membership. There are 6 shows per year, so they are bimonthly but the best shows around. ( just don't call them shows. Some people are picky and immediatly jump on you to call them meetings. Not sure why.)

 

[slimslade]

If I remember rightly, guests can now purchase firearms.

 

[Betonfahrer]

Mark,techincally its a Meeting,not open to the public. Its for members and invited guests.I belive it was that way because you cant ban a meeting or the right to assemble.They banned us from Columbus when all the Assualt rifle and semi auto hoopla started with the first Ban.We ended up in Cleveland at the IX center and finally in Wilimgton.Has a few at Springfield and near Sandusky.Just my .02.Columbus was the best.No pre dealing and whoever got there first and had the cash won.It was a larger room with a bunch of smaller ones and things really turned up there.I know it was a long time ago,pre Gunboards,pre internet,before there was so much info available on Mosin Nagants and every thing else..

 

[USMCsean]

Last year when I was there, guests could buy firearms.

 

[breakeyp]

I'm a member. To become a member, one is invited as a guest by a member in good standing. You can attend two shows as a guest, after that you may not or you join. The cost to a guest at the door is $10.00. A guest is not allowed to purchase firearms. If you decide to join, you must have the signitures of two members on your application. I believe the cost for a new membership is $30.00.

OGCA is a great organization, and they are tough on self policing.....they don't screw around!

I would add one comment to this excellent summary. One of the two members vouching for you has to go with you to the membership table to join. You cannot ask for an appication and mail it in. The people vouching for you have to write down how long they have known you and the members will also vote on you during the next meeting. If you get in trouble during your probation period, your sponsors can and probably will be disciplined as well.

The reason you have to physically be present is due to a circumstance that happed in the old Columbus show 20 years ago. Tables were rationed to two per member. One dealer always had four as he shared them with his friend. After many years, a show director got curious as the partner was always out in the van or elsewhere. He went and looked in the van and found out the member, Harry Katz was a nice black and white cat!

 

[scotty1418]

I hope this wouldn't upset anyone to ask in the open, but would any of the fellow GB members be willing to host a pair of younger collectors to visit their first large show?

I've been to a fair number of small 1-2 room shows, but I would really like the opportunity to visit after I have heard of the OGCA so much and it's now in my backyard - of course I want to join up as soon as possible.

Scott

 

[cpw]

Mark,techincally its a Meeting,not open to the public. Its for members and invited guests.I belive it was that way because you cant ban a meeting or the right to assemble.They banned us from Columbus when all the Assualt rifle and semi auto hoopla started with the first Ban.We ended up in Cleveland at the IX center and finally in Wilimgton.Has a few at Springfield and near Sandusky.Just my .02.Columbus was the best.No pre dealing and whoever got there first and had the cash won.It was a larger room with a bunch of smaller ones and things really turned up there.I know it was a long time ago,pre Gunboards,pre internet,before there was so much info available on Mosin Nagants and every thing else..

At Columbus, the bad thing about letting the members in at the same time as the table holders was that it made me (and others) sort of touchy when someone started going thru the bags or boxes before we had put things on the table. Then they started letting table holders in an hour early. Then it was the preceding day and now the preceeding day and the permission to shop with the other table holders.

The best one (I thought) was letting the table holders in an hour early. The table holders did not have time to shop, but had the opporunity to organize things somewhat before gettin pawed over.

 

[cpw]

I would add one comment to this excellent summary. One of the two members vouching for you has to go with you to the membership table to join. You cannot ask for an appication and mail it in. The people vouching for you have to write down how long they have known you and the members will also vote on you during the next meeting. If you get in trouble during your probation period, your sponsors can and probably will be disciplined as well.

The reason you have to physically be present is due to a circumstance that happed in the old Columbus show 20 years ago. Tables were rationed to two per member. One dealer always had four as he shared them with his friend. After many years, a show director got curious as the partner was always out in the van or elsewhere. He went and looked in the van and found out the member, Harry Katz was a nice black and white cat!

That was ingenious.

There was also the guy from the Louisville area who had 10, 12, 14 tables every show. He had 2, his wife had 2, and every person who worked for hm had 2.

 

[cpw]

Mark,techincally its a Meeting,not open to the public. Its for members and invited guests.I belive it was that way because you cant ban a meeting or the right to assemble.They banned us from Columbus when all the Assualt rifle and semi auto hoopla started with the first Ban.We ended up in Cleveland at the IX center and finally in Wilimgton.Has a few at Springfield and near Sandusky.Just my .02.Columbus was the best.No pre dealing and whoever got there first and had the cash won.It was a larger room with a bunch of smaller ones and things really turned up there.I know it was a long time ago,pre Gunboards,pre internet,before there was so much info available on Mosin Nagants and every thing else..

At one time, OGCA let NRA memebrs come into the show upon showing their NRA membership card. But that was before they became picky.

 

[slimslade]

I hope this wouldn't upset anyone to ask in the open, but would any of the fellow GB members be willing to host a pair of younger collectors to visit their first large show?

I've been to a fair number of small 1-2 room shows, but I would really like the opportunity to visit after I have heard of the OGCA so much and it's now in my backyard - of course I want to join up as soon as possible.

Scott

Trying to send you a pm but your box is full!

 

[Marks_spas_12]

haha. That makes perfect sense.

 

[USMCsean]

If no one steps up, there is another member here, ogcaman-Bob Wos, who might be able to help you out as well.

 

[slimslade]

If no one steps up, there is another member here, ogcaman-Bob Wos, who might be able to help you out as well.

I know Mark will. He's that kind off guy.

 

[Red Octopus]

I'll be there Friday . . . .

If the planets align correctly I'll be there Friday about 1500 setting up in the display area.

 

[slimslade]

I'll be there Friday about 1900 to set up my table.