Guy at local gun shop gave some "unique" info...

[jakk55]

So looking around town for a sp101 with a 3in. barrel today and came across a gun store that I've never tried. Walked in and there was quite a selection.

Asked him if he had the Ruger in 3in and said that he didn't because no big company made holsters for them. I was under the impression that both Don Hume and Bianci both make holsters for the Ruger sp101 in 3in.

So i asked if he had the Smith&Wesson j frame equivalent. No, for the same reason.

He continued by saying that he would not get a Ruger or a S&W because Rugers are badly poorly made because they are cast, and S&W had poor firing pin strikes(i asked if he was concerned with the internal locks and he said no).

His suggestion on what to buy was a Taurus because they are very reliable and have no quality issues. I'm relatively new on the forums but from what I hear just the opposite is true about the Taurus line?

Looking for some clarification.

Sincerely,
JAK

 

[brentwal]

Sounds like he had a few Taurus' in the back to get rid of. In most shops the best gun is the one they have too many of.

 

[Blue4]

Sounds like you were talking to a jerk. I'd pay no attention to anything he said.

 

[Harry Stone]

I've heard the same type of things said about just about every brand of gun either in shops or at shows. There is literally no gun manufacturer that isn't going out of business next week or is in big trouble because of poor quality if the guy who tells you these tales doesn't have one to sell you.

Here are some of my favorites:

Colt - no longer allowed to sell civilian guns because they were barred by the gov, also they no longer make firearms
Ruger - Offers no warranty or repair service of any kind
Taurus - all Taurus guns are made in China by slave labor
S&W - Actively working to ban all firearms in the US
Beretta - China
Winchester - China
Marlin - never heard of 'em
Mossberg - never heard of 'em
Remington - don't sell guns anymore
Hi-Point - They only remaining manufacturer of quality firearms

Also, you can go into the same shop later and talk to a different guy and find someone who really knows what they're talking about.

 

[kungfuhippie]

I thought Jennings was the only decent firearm around

Don't go back, if they are willing to have people work there that spew this garbage they don't deserve your buisness. My local shop is straight forward, as long as you don't act like a jerk, neither will he. And when you ask for a gun he hasn't got he'll give you a reasonable time frame to getting it in and suggest alternatives to it that he has incase you don't want to add a week more to that 10 day wait. But I know from my expirence, and from friends, that if you want it and he doesn't have it he'll get it...Even if it's the same gun he already has but in stainless.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

But I know from my expirence, and from friends, that if you want it and he doesn't have it he'll get it..

As it should be!!

No major maunfacturer makes a holster for the 3" SP101?? What a joke! Even if that were true that would be no reason not to sell the gun.

Run, don't walk away from that store and never look back!

 

[Logan5]

Reminds me of the time I didn't buy a nice Model 28 because the salesman asked me "Do you have a boat? Then why do you need an anchor?"

This guy could be very helpful. Once you've identified an ignorant, malicious idiot, you can profit greatly by asking their advice and then doing the exact opposite. Let him tell you all about why a particular firearm sucks, then run it all back at him while you look at the price tag. Just make sure he has one in the case.

 

[c_yeager]

My personal rule #1 when dealing with motorcycle, car, and firearms purchasing is this:

Beware of people who make it difficult to spend your money with them. Business is about making money, and if that simple concept escapes a merchant, just imagine all the other things that they are clueless about.

If a person walked into a shop I owned asking to buy a gun you can bet that I would make it VERY easy for them to spend their money in my establishment. If I didn't have a 3" SP101 I would find one, if I couldn't find one then I would suggest alternatives that were similar (like the 3 inch j-frames, k-frames, and GP-100). Who cares if a lot of companies don't make holsters? All you need is one, and I would try to sell that to you along with the gun and a couple boxes of ammo and a cleaning kit and some targets etc as well. It's no wonder that so many gun shops go out of business.

 

[Jim March]

Let's take it one step further.

If I sold guns, I would have good selections of holsters available for every gun in the shop. And I'd display them *together*. Yeah, that would mean more glass cases. It'd be worth it.

Next, make sure I had both good defensive and practice ammo for each gun. NOT each "caliber", but each gun. And beside each gun, glued to a piece of wood or plastic, would be a selection of rounds that perform well in that piece.

15+ years ago the computer world figured out the concept of "turnkey solutions". Meaning hardware and software. Software sells hardware, and vice versa.

If the manufacturers were smart, ammo houses would get together with gunmakers and sell ammo that was certified to a given gun, for feed reliability, expansion in that barrel length, etc.

Without that, your customers either have to do massive research (in which case they run across cheaper deals online) or they experience "FUD": Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt. Which the grabbers and media have already scooped heapin' helpings of to your customers before they even walk in the door.

 

[Cosmoline]

Galco, Hume, Bianci and all the major companies make holsters for 3" SP-101's and J frames.

He continued by saying that he would not get a Ruger or a S&W because Rugers are badly poorly made because they are cast, and S&W had poor firing pin strikes(i asked if he was concerned with the internal locks and he said no).

The man is an idiot.

 

[VirgilCaine]

Let's take it one step further.

If I sold guns, I would have good selections of holsters available for every gun in the shop. And I'd display them *together*. Yeah, that would mean more glass cases. It'd be worth it.

Next, make sure I had both good defensive and practice ammo for each gun. NOT each "caliber", but each gun. And beside each gun, glued to a piece of wood or plastic, would be a selection of rounds that perform well in that piece.

Revolutionary.

 

[19-3Ben]

That's kinda funny considdering that back in December, I went into my local gun shop asking for the SP101 3", and the guy ordered it for me since he didn't have it. Then, I found a good DeSantis Scabbard holster online for $45 bucks.

 

[duke40]

Don't go back to that store. Wow. Pretty much the opposite of what he said is correct.

 

[jakk55]

The worst part is he CAN order me the 3in AND for LESS than any one else in town.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

@ Jim: great point! I've always wondered why shops never sell a complete firearms set:

-- Marlin 60, earmuffs, shooting glasses, and brick of ammo, all for one price

-- S&W 642, decent holster, box of .38+P HP, all one price. Maybe even work a package deal for the cost of CCW instruction.


Just seems like it would make things easier for some people.

Considering how much time some gunshop owners seem to sit around waiting for customers to show up, you think they'd have time to ponder up some creative ideas.

-MV

 

[universal]

Outstanding!

If the manufacturers were smart, ammo houses would get together with gunmakers and sell ammo that was certified to a given gun, for feed reliability, expansion in that barrel length, etc.

That is one of the most outstanding ideas I have ever read.

 

[22-rimfire]

-- S&W 642, decent holster, box of .38+P HP, all one price. Maybe even work a package deal for the cost of CCW instruction.

Great idea. For 50% of 642 purchasers, that is the only box of ammo they would ever need!

Jim's idea is okay. I don't know about "certified ammo" as it would only lead to a lot of confusion. ".... oh that is not certifed ammunition for my xyz, I don't know if it is safe...."

Up until recently, I have at least one fairly good holster for every gun I own that gets carried. I find that the holsters just sit idle for the most part and you settle on a couple of guns that are your favorites and those are the ones you pick up to carry out in the woods, on hikes, or for concealed carry. The holsters are just a big waste of money for range guns.

I think the holster idea could be a great one for a few selected models that are popular. The point would be well made by association and you don't waste all the space. Why not just have a printed card with the holster choices that are generally available in the store, and what are the more common good holsters that are available elsewhere or by special order? You can't carry everything.

A dealer could make up ammo displays for certain handguns or rifles. It would look fairly interesting if well done. Think of the 22RF display for a 22LR revolver... that would be kind of cool!

 

[gunfire876]

I sell guns

The customer knows what he wants. Sell it to him, sounds like the guy was an idiot.I do like taurus but how can anybody run down Smith and Ruger? I know people who like one or the other but I've never talked to any revolver guy who didn't like either one.

 

[Confederate]

Since many holsters have holes in the bottoms so lent and debris won't collect there, it's fairly obvious that an extra half inch isn't going to be an issue. As for Rugers, everyone knows they're junk! I've had so many just shatter when I try to shoot even a magnum round in them. They're such lousy guns that I sell them to a manhole manufacturer friend of mine who melts them down only for the steel content. In fact, anyone who wants to send me their Rugers, I'll pay $20 apiece just because my friend needs the steel. You can make it up to me later. I mean, why carry a Ruger when you can carry a Taurus for much less. That would be dumb.

Besides, everyone knows that Taurus forges their steel and laser bore sights their barrels. (In fact, Colt farmed out the production of their Python .357s and Gold Cup .45s to Taurus for years because they couldn't keep up the quality control demands, something most people don't know about.)

As for Smith & Wesson, they haven't been any good since they began making their frames and barrels out of MIM as well as hammers and triggers. My friend won't even use Smith guns in his manhole covers because of the MIM issue. After all, manhole covers have to be able to take the pressures of shooting way up in the air and crashing down again when city gas builds up.

Don't forget to send me those Rugers, now!

 

[Ala Dan]

One thing 'bout GUNSHOP ADVICE; its FREE, regardless of the source~!

 

[DON.V]

i would suggest avoiding that dealer. i like my smith, and i guess i'll just have to sell my very reliable, very rugged ruger for manhole covers. also i dont think i have ever picked anything up i could'ent get a holster for.

 

[busy_squirrel]

Beware of people who make it difficult to spend your money with them. Business is about making money, and if that simple concept escapes a merchant, just imagine all the other things that they are clueless about.

I laugh daily when I send a "nose-pick" customer out the door by making up story about what we sell.They are usually so amazed when they get the vibe that we don't want their business. Usually I try to find what they need, (as opposed to what they think they need,) and refer them to the right place, that way we'll never hear from them again.

It's just that we're a wholesale supplier (not firearms), and onsie-twosie business isn't cost effective FOR US. Especially since alot of those customers don't know what they want, and occasionally make up parts for us to get that noone manufactures. If they were really in the industry, they'd know that no such part is made, and they'd know what works as a replacement. They need to stop wasting both of our time and go to the store that specializes in helping novices like them.


But what you're describing is totally different. When you know what you want and what you'll use it for, and they still don't wanna work with you after you've done all the research to know what you're getting....that's just stupid of them to not close the sale when you did all the work.

 

[mike101]

Quote: "Rugers are badly poorly made because they are cast".

Rugers have an investment cast frame. I'm pretty sure that's because it is a solid frame. Unlike other revolvers, there is no side plate. This makes Rugers the strongest revolvers on the market. If you look at reloading manuals, you will often see seperate data for Rugers, because they can take more punishment than a lot of other guns. Their innards are robustly, and simply built. They are very easy to break down for cleaning. I love Rugers. Smiths are great guns, too.

This guy sounds like a putz. If he has a good selection, but he doesn't like Smiths or Rugers, what the hell does he sell?

I wouldn't give him my business, just because he is so full of misinformation (or BS). But, if he can order you the gun a lot cheaper, go ahead and order it if you want. Who cares what he thinks. Personally, I would spend a few more bucks and buy elsewhere.

 

[Robo_Railer]

Confederate said:

(In fact, Colt farmed out the production of their Python .357s and Gold Cup .45s to Taurus for years because they couldn't keep up the quality control demands, something most people don't know about.)

That could explain the invisible 'T' (for Taurus) markings all over my Python.

Don't forget to send me those Rugers, now!

Okay, but Santa's resting now, so you'll have to wait for the Easter Bunny to bring 'em.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Bianchi makes one for certain.