Local gun/pawn shops

[KABA]

I’ve purchased a pistol, a shotgun, and two rifles in the last three months. Three of the four were purchased through Internet stores or auctions.

I’d love to be able to buy locally. I’ve always believed that one should support the local economy. But I find it very difficult to do.

I live in the Florida Panhandle. There are four large military bases within an eighty mile radius of my home. And there are also several retired military around. And the mild climate locally is perfect for outdoor sports. You would think that this would be the perfect spot for a large gun shop.

But having visited several local gun shops I’ve found the following.
1.Poorly trained and ill informed staff.
2.No facilities for test firing a weapon or even to get a good sight picture
3.A very poor selection of guns and far too many guns that are in really poor condition.
4.And most importantly the prices are 15 to 40% higher than I can find on the Internet even when shipping and FFL transfer are included.

Just as an example I stopped at a place yesterday that advertises itself as “The largest gun dealer in the area.” I asked to see some inexpensive 22 pistols or revolvers. The first thing they showed me was an old Ruger Single Six, blued finish, and no mag cylinder. At best it would have graded out as about 75%. Their price tag on it was $450. The next item was a Stoeger Luger that literally looked like someone had used to drive nails with. Assuming it was possible to chamber a round I would have been afraid to pull the trigger. Their price on that was $199.

This seems to be typical of the other shops I’ve been in.

Are gun shops in your area this bad?

 

[glassman]

Not at all. I've never bought a gun sight unseen and like to do business face to face. I'm lucky enough to have several gun shops/ranges within a 20 minute drive. The two I use most frequently have a good selection of new and used guns and are priced reasonably. The staff in both shops are knowledgable and friendly. One of the shops offers smithing services.

 

[Starter52]

I prefer to buy face-to-face, but as a collector I occasionally have to go outside the area to find what I want.

The gun shops in my area are top-notch and I support them fully. In the last year I was about 90% local, 10% internet on purchases.

 

[joplinsks]

I'd never buy a gun I couldn't hold in my hands and inspect before purchasing... have never seen the need to go online for that kind of purchase. I also don't mind driving 100+ miles to gun shops that really care about their customers. My favorite shop is 80 miles away and their selection / prices / service is truly outstanding.

Go to www.ar15.com and check out the Florida forum in the Hometown section. Ask about recommended shops in the panhandle. You'll get some very informative responses.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I have bought several guns online and had tremendous success. The tradeoff is justified in the price. Most Brick and mortar gun shops close to where I live prey on people who are willing to pay way overboard prices. I warned a fellow about sticker shock and still he wasn't prepared for it when he seen the inflated prices and he is an experienced gun handler.

 

[tasco 74]

the local gun shop here in ft dodge has guns that are equal their price in gold evidently...... on the other hand i did find last spring a 3" model 624 s&w for $325 about two blocks on down the street at a mister money pawn shop.. i wish i'd have gotten it... even the big stores are high as he!! on gun prices around here.. i did get a savage rifle for $99 though last spring which was nice!

 

[magnolia]

I also like to deal face to face when buying a gun but I did have to go online to find a Browning Hi-Power 9mm that I could not find in the area after looking for one for close to a year. The closest thing I could find was in a 40 mm and that wasnt what I wanted. Other than that, I have been quite happy with the surronding gun shops and pawn shops. Last year I was looking for a smaller auto to carry other than my S&W 9 and went to my local pawn shop here and I almost talked myself into a Beretta 380 and the guy at the shop talked me into buying the Bersa 380 at $100 less and I just love that little gun. Great shooting and great packing.

 

[hemiram]

I've bought both new and used guns online and all have been functionally perfect, not a problem with any of them. All of them looked better in person than they did in the pics on the auction sites.




I had many problems with new guns years ago when you had to buy in person.