Works for me, so it works for everyone. Even if it eats up half of the gun budget…….sound advice.
I am not saying anyone should buy from online or local. I would say they should look both places, figure in any shipping costs & then make a decision about which deal is best for them. Shipping costs & transfer fees aren't hidden. Sales tax is collected either way. It isn't that difficult to figure out the true costs.
Then they ought to be truthful and tell them about the shipping fees and taxes and FFL fees. Low end is still about half of OP’s price range. Just giving false hope.
I understand what you are saying, and in a “normal” case of an average price handgun and times it would sometimes be a good way to go. But with a budget of $250, you are eating a lot of that budget up will fees and taxes. And telling OP to save more, not be poor, or search other places that will cost you more I don’t see as being…….smart or even possible.
With OP’s budget, private sales is the best way to get the most out of his meager budget.
Lefty
I carried the LC9s for years. The EC9s is the budget model of the LC9s and it has a less expensive finish and the sight are small and milled into the slide. The sights are not so good but would suffice at close contact. The EC9S is within the OP’s price range. So would a used LC9s be, and Ruger services all owners the same. Plus they gave great CS unlike Taurus. I no longer carry my LC9s. I wanted more capacity. I bought a Ruger Security 9 Compact. I have two 10 round magazines and two 15 round magazines for it. I also have a LCP Ii. If you compare the relative sizes of those 3 pistols you will see why I now carry the Security 9 compact with the 15 round magazine. The gun used is probably over the OP’s price range. It might be worth springing a bit more for because Ruger stands by their guns. And the tyrnnaround time on any service is excellent. Here’s a comparison of my three pistols.
View attachment 1030377
Thinking I may go for a better brand. 300-400 maybe. Will look at a few recommended models in store...Ok @filby, you have received many posts this past week regarding the thoughts of others and their recommendations and/or suggestions. What have you decided?
This is very true. You may see a gun you want at an LGS for $300.00, You need to add background check and tax. Buy on line for $25.00 less and it will cost you more for shipping, Transfer Fee, Tax, and background check in the end. Besides, you see what your buying not a picture on your screen.Then they ought to be truthful and tell them about the shipping fees and taxes and FFL fees. Low end is still about half of OP’s price range. Just giving false hope.
AMEN!...OR... and hear me out:
You're asleep in the middle of the night and you hear a crash somewhere in the house or you're low on gas in a rough part of town, you pull into the only gas station you can find and two sketchy dudes step out of the gas station's broken-down carwash. What do you think your first thought will be? "I'm glad I'm still saving for that $400 gun?"
I have no idea why people keep repeating this "What's your life worth?" line.
JMHO no need to apologize for the truthYou know, I stand by my point that cost of your equipment does not equate to increased survivability, not does inability to afford better equipment mean you don't value your life.
But I was impolite in making that point, and that wasn't High Road of me, so I apologize for that, sir.
Honestly, exactly what I have. A S&W 9mm Shield I got used but in perfect condition for $270. Great gun, 100% reliable. See if you can find a used one also.
- Looking for a 9mm subcompact that sometimes goes on sale around $200-250. Which ones have highest capacity in both single and double stack categories? Also would want there to be at least some aftermarket parts sold for it, like a light or laser sight. Also, not necessary but I think I prefer a manual safety ,since a trigger safety seems (to me) a risky thing if against your chest or on the front of your pants?
Most of the above are garbage, and down right dangerous.. save up for a better gun..There are lots of cheap (inexpensive) guns out there. There is no shortage of those. It's ammo that is the problem
Taurus
KelTec
Sky ??
Lots of Turkish imports
Look for a good USED gun
Right, something I've considered with online sales too is the opportunity cost of the effort. Assuming both one of my LGS' and an online source have the same handgun I want, the online source has to be cheaper enough (including shipping and transfer fees) that the opportunity cost of effort and time to get it all shipped and taken care of is worth it. If it's $50+ cheaper after all fees, maybe. Less than that? No. I have other time costs from work to family, rest, etc. A $30 cheaper handgun online is not worth my time if I can just get it from the range I always go to with less effort.I am not saying anyone should buy from online or local. I would say they should look both places, figure in any shipping costs & then make a decision about which deal is best for them. Shipping costs & transfer fees aren't hidden. Sales tax is collected either way. It isn't that difficult to figure out the true costs.
Most of the above are garbage, and down right dangerous.. save up for a better gun..
Thewelshm
Nah, used original shields are going up to $300. I just saw a used .45 shield 1.0 for like $325 or something.Might be able to get one of the original Shields pre-Shield Pro on clearance for that price range since the Shield Pro basically superceded it.
Real hard to get any gun at that point that isn't rife with tradeoffs.
Pure Bovine Excrement.
Obviously the level of firearm purchase referenced in your descent.
I owned a CPX 1 SCCY was back at Daytona more than I shot it,
name one police or military branch that utilizes any of the above?
a buddy of mine has a Taurus I think 686? He’s banged about 50k rounds thru it, not bad, but that’s not what is being discussed in this thread....