gun stores trip, reasonable prices?

[gudel]

so i went to a couple of gun stores. i was checking some Beretta 92FS, Taurus PT92AF, and the Springfield XD 40. the beretta is about $450, the taurus is $400, xd40 is about $470-$479. I'm also considering the Baby Eagle .40S&W full size. Who has one of these? I'm not sure how much they sell it for.

the beretta/taurus has interesting slide/barrel design. the main difference it seems the decocker/safety position. The beretta has it on the slide just like my ruger while the taurus has it on the frame like my USP. ergonomics slightly better with the XD than the beretta/taurus but i like the long barrel.

i'm thinking of getting a .40S&W but it seems the cartridge is kind of expensive close to the prices of the .45ACP. Per recommendation of other THR members in that thread, I also checked out the CZ7BB, but I don't think it's for me.

are these prices reasonable though? keep in mind i'm in DPRK and in santa barbara, prices seems to be higher than most (that also include gas prices too, and housing, and etc)

 

[Handy]

Those seem like good prices. Especially the Beretta.

.40 is going to beat up the Beretta/Taurus design quicker than XD. The Baby Eagle is just over $300, and built like a tank. Good ergonomics, but heavy. Very trim grip and good control placement.

Of 9mm, the Beretta/Taurus design is likely the most reliable feeding pistols made.

 

[blades67]

Those prices aren't bad.

 

[firestar]

That Beretta sounds like a great deal if it is in good shape, esp. for CA. Get what you like but if you ever leave CA., you can pick up some hi-caps for the Beretta/Taurus at a reasonable price.

 

[gudel]

i believe the beretta is brand new.
another question, is it common that when people buy guns, they are given the display model?

 

[firestar]

Yes it is common but you can request to have one that is not a display. I have noticed that every gun is a little different even the same model so check out whatever gun you are buying befor you pay for it.

I hate to alarm you but $450 for a new Beretta 92fs from a CA gunstore sounds too good to be true. Make sure of what you are buying but if it all checks out, I would grab that Beretta in a heartbeat! You will never find a better deal on a new 92fs than $450!

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I have bought new guns in the real shops twice, and both times, I received the display model, asked the first time and they said it was the only one. Didn't bother to ask the second time, no blemishes, no problem.

Wal-Mart, straight out of the case into a box also.

And the ones at the gun show, the one I handled is the one I took home too.

The only time I have had a selection, was when I got my Mosin Nagant, went through a couple of boxes to check some out at Big 5 Sporting Goods before I picked the best of 4 or 5 of them.

Of course the used ones come out of the display case too.

 

[gudel]

I hate to alarm you but $450 for a new Beretta 92fs from a CA gunstore sounds too good to be true.

yeah i'm pretty sure it's new, since this store puts orange stickers on price tag if it's used or consignment and it didn't have 'used' or the sticker. i must be seeing things, confusing $550 to $450. but i'll call just to make sure.

 

[SkaerE]

its not unheard of. i got a NIB Police Special 92FS w/2 hicap mags for $425. - It was ok. Had a cool little police shield and handcuff on the box cover, and a small police shield stamped on the slide with a PS (police special)

sold it though. its just too damn big for a 9mm.

Now ive got a P99 instead. Not only is it smaller, but it holds more rounds.

your mileage may vary of course...

 

[Alerion]

With the exception of some of the larger stores, chains in particular, most gun shops don't have the funds or space available to keep multiple copies of each gun on hand. And given limits on funds/space it makes more sense to carry two different guns than two copies of the same model. That's about the only way that most small shops could ever offer any selection.

OTOH, the handling most guns receive in a shop is minimal. Some older guns may become "shopworn" but in the case of more popular guns the person buying it may be within the first few persons to actually handle it. Besides, most shops are pretty particular about letting "lookers" do much of anything that would damage or wear a gun. In most cases it's nothing more than holding it in their hand.

I don't usually think of gun shops as having racks of "display models." I think of them as having their inventory available for inspection.

BTW, this can work in your favor too since I've never bought a gun with any kind of blemish on it without some sort of discount. If the gun you're looking at is shopworn, point the defect out and ask for a discount. Even in one of the "big-box" store, where employees aren't allowed to discount prices on regular merchandise, I've seen them offer great deals on damaged goods. ($400 off a $1600 O/U shotgun with a badly gouged stock! Too bad I didn't need another O/U at the time.) Plus I'll second inspecting whatever gun you buy. Not only for defects but for advantages as well. On one of the O/U's I did buy (honest, I really own handguns too) they brought out a twin to the "display model" in a box. Of the two, the display had absolutely nothing wrong with it and a much more attractive "tiger-stripe" in the woodgrain. Both guns were striped, but I took the better of the two. So don't worry about the the gun being on display. Use it to your advantage.

Tom

 

[firestar]

My Beretta 92FS is a Police Special and it is one of the best 92FSs I have ever seen. Yeah it has a black finish and not blued but it still looks brand new even though I have put many many rounds through it and carried off and on for a year. It also has night sights.

If I could find a NIB one for $425, I would have to buy it. These are IMHO, the finest DA/SA double stack 9mm on the market. The SIGs are just as nice but they don't fit my hand well and the trigger on the ones I have had/tried, have been heavy and not smooth. Not gritty but kind of like there was bare metal rubbing against bare metal without any lube. I would lube the trigger on my SIG 220 but it doidn't help. The SA was good but that DA was not for me. The Beretta has a long SMOOTH DA that is easy for me to keep on target. The SIG was kind of a "hump" you pulled hard and it would go all of a sudden and it was hard to control the release.

 

[gudel]

yeah the SIG is nice, more on the expensive side. my dad has a P226, maybe i'll persuade him so i can have that one
seems like i've narrowed it down to the XD40 or the 92FS / PT92, unless anyone have other suggestion.