Hundreds of gun collectors and enthusiasts were in Pullman Square this weekend at the Pennsylvania Gun Collectors Association show.

The two-day event was in the former Shop ’n Save grocery store.

A variety of firearms, ammunition, accessories and military equipment were on display and for sale.

Chicora Sporting Goods displayed a Browning 1919 A4 machine gun, a .30 caliber gun used during World War II.

“We’ve dealt with these guns in the past,” said Sam Donelly, a manager of the shop. “It can fire 20 rounds per second if fully automatic. The semi-automatic also goes hard.”

Donelly said the gun is inoperable and would need repairs to fire again.

“Someone could buy the parts and get it registered,” he said.

The gunsmith shop deals in a variety of rare and sometimes unique firearms.

“They’re not the typical things you find in a gun store,” Donelly said. “We have all sorts of guns ranging from a Springfield (rifle) used during the Civil War to high caliber machine guns.”

Donelly said he has traveled to many such shows in the past and finds they are more than just a way to sell guns.

“They’re a great way to meet people and make new connections,” he said. “Then later when you are working on something and you need a part that doesn’t exist anymore, you can call up a guy you met at a show.”

Michael Sauers of Mars was selling his collection of firearms.

“I’m liquidating my personal collection,” he said.

Sauers is a lifetime member of the gun association and its executive secretary. He said he has been going to gun shows for five decades and credited the association’s event as being a model for others.

“It’s a great show,” he said. “It’s family oriented with a friendly crowd. A polite crowd.”

He said the best part of the show is meeting up with friends.

“We all flock together,” he said.

Mike Dilick, a gunsmith at K&C Firearms in Kittanning, agreed: “It’s awesome. Some of the best people I know I’ve met at gun shows.”

Dilick said the show was a good way to display different merchandise.

“We sell some military (guns) and a lot of sporting firearms,” he said.

He said the shop’s Ruger 45-70 had gathered the most attention Saturday.

Tom Barnes of Pittsburgh had on display relics from before the turn of the 20th century.

“I like older stuff from before the Civil War,” he said. “But it’s all so expensive nowadays.”

He had a 19th century pepperbox handgun.

“It was pre-1898,” he said, adding its age meant it is no longer considered a firearm. “It was a predecessor of the revolver.”

Barnes also had rifles from the Civil War era, handguns, and other artifacts including an 1818 Bible.

Barnes said he has been involved in the gun hobby for decades and it has been a beneficial part of his life.

“I’ve been doing this for 40 years,” he said. “It put my son through college.”