Illinois Dunham's

[Hollywood_Heat]

Anybody ever been to a Dunham's in Illinois? Especially the one in Jacksonville? It's been a while since I've bought a new milsurp and I'm starting to get the jitters. I'm thinking of going to the one in Jacksonville to see if they have anything good. Do they usually have any good milsurps? If the general consensus is that they suck though, I'll just save the trouble. Do they usually carry anything worthwile for SKS, Mosin, K31, or Enfield? Thanks.

 

[AJ Dual]

I peruse the Dunham's just north of you here in WI from time to time.

Mostly, the milsurps are overpriced, but if you're up on the prices at the major milsurp wholesalers AIM, SOG, CIA etc. (grab a "Shotgun News" at the local bookstore newsstand.) and you then factor in sales tax and shipping from mail order (plus FFL transfer fees if you don't have your own C&R 03 license), sometimes you can get a good deal when they have sales.

Generaly speaking, on things like Mosin Nagants, they're pretty fair. On SMLE's and Mausers overpriced. Yugo SKS's are high too. Swiss K31's are usualy pretty well priced when they have them (As they are everywhere), because the majority of shoppers feel 7.5 Swiss is "uncommon".

Also, be prepared to look at several guns, bring a bore light etc. I'm guessing that Century or whatever middleman they're getting the rifles from gives them the lower half from the condition pile.

Just watch for a sale, and then compare to the price shipped from a wholesaler.

 

[hotpig]

The last time that I looked in the Jax Dunhams they had a bunch of junk. I did not even bother looking real close.

 

[Hollywood_Heat]

How were they junky? The only thing I care about is the bore and the overall solidity of it. Metal can be reblued and wood can be refinished too so that doesn't bother me too much but if the bore is good and the locking lugs aren't cracked and the stock isn't split, I'm interested. I can deal with a little shallow rust so long as it isn't deep and pit forming. If a condition of a deal means I have to do a little TLC, then so be it.

 

[hotpig]

They looked so bad that I did not bother to stop and look at them. I could get better at any wholesaler for less money. I have to run to Costco later. I was thinking about stopping to see what they had. I have been thinking about ordering a few Yugo SKS for local sales.

 

[ACORN]

My local (Pa.) Dunham's has SKS, Enfields, Mausers. Mosin Nagants, etc. I've
bought 3 SKS's over the last 2 years from them. The prices ranged from $99-$129 ON SALE. When you compare on-line prices and factor in the freight thats not out of line. The nice thing is you can look them over, check to see if the #s match, bore, stock etc. Buying on-line is a crap shoot IMO.

 

[Hollywood_Heat]

Costco sells milsurps? I'd get a membership if they did.

I'm planning on going to Jacksonville on Monday and spending the night up there if I buy anything. It's very possible all they have is junk but I'm hoping for a gem. Never know if you don't go.

 

[hotpig]

I mean that I was going to Shopco to get a few things. I did not go over to Dunhams since it was raining. I came strait home.

 

[Hollywood_Heat]

btt.

Any other opinions? I'm thinking of going up there tomorrow just to see for myself how it is.

 

[Bill2k1]

I would only go there with a sales ad in hand. Check out the guns well. Some are nice, most are junk. If you know what you are looking for they are a good store.