Condition of Gun Sales Chain: from Manufacturer to End Customer?

[Kynoch]

I'll take the Pepsi challenge. I can buy a second hand used Glock FTF with another legal citizen EVERY DAY here in Washington state for between $400 and $450. No hassle at all. Just the basic questions to ensure it's all legit. As it should be. I can also walk into any average gun store, and buy a new Glock for about $515 or less.

In California, I've seen them average about $700.

Remington 870 12 gauge - $300 or less every day in Washington. FTF for used ones, you're looking at $250.

In California, $400-$500!!!

The private transfer in CA would cost (by law) $10.00 I can live with that.

I have never seen lower prices than Turners or Big 5 on shotguns -- even from Bud's. While I do know of some gun shops that try to gouge the naive, they're everywhere -- including WA.

Nice try but no sale.

 

[JohnBT]

"While many, many sellers compete against big box stores, gunsellers for the most part do not -- particularly when it comes to handguns."

Independent gun stores cannot compete with the big box stores on entry-level and/or loss leader gun models such as the Ruger 10/22, Marlin Model 60 and Rem 870 Exp. And Glocks for that matter. There isn't that much money to be made by the dealers on those models anyway. Some independents sell them at cost or near-cost just to get people in the store, but that's done in all kinds of retail. The money is in the accessories and ammo.

The independents can compete by stocking and selling limited production models and mid-priced and high-priced guns, models that the big box stores don't stock. Want an engraved Beretta O/U or Caesar Guerini O/U, or a Sig X-5 for that matter, you won't find one at a big box store. Want a BHP, Wilson, Baer or Brown, you need a real gun store. Sure, you can buy one on line without ever handling one, but most people want to see if they like the feel and can reach the controls before dropping $1k to $3k+.

John