Local gun purchases

[Vector]

Where do most of you make local gun purchases aside from gun shops and shows?

It use to be that you could pick up a local Bargain Trader and there were tons of guns for sale. Many were from private owners, and the ads were peppered though out. The other day I picked up a BT and was surprised not to find a single ad. For that matter, the local paper did not have a single ad in the classifieds either. So where do you guys buy locally from fellow gun owners?

 

[hexidismal]

Generally I can't say that I do. I wish there was more opportunity for personal FTF buying/selling in my area. We don't even have gun shows for the most part, though there are the occasional VERY small ones.. which tend to have higher prices then the local shops. I would assume though , that both locally here and most other places, the majority of personal buying and selling happens in membership gun clubs / private ranges / etc. I don't belong to a local club, for various reasons not relevant to this thread. Because I don't though, it makes finding buyers/sellers for personal transactions very difficult.

That being said, I have actually bought a couple firearms that were listed on the local craigslist classifieds. Firearms are prohibited there, but I've caught a few deals before the ads were flagged and taken down. Actually tomorrow I'm meeting a person from one such ad that was up for all of a few hours before it was removed.

 

[esq_stu]

4 out of my 24 guns were bought in gun shops. The rest were bought online at Gunbroker.com or Auctionarms.com and I paid a local FFL to do the transfers out of her home.

 

[Chester32141]

Don't forget the Pawn Shops ...

 

[Gator]

Local gun boards are a good place. Try Florida Shooters Network.

 

[Route 66]

I had a great thing going until recently. In the small town I live in there was a shop that sold hunting and sportman's gear plus new guns, used guns, ammo and accessories. The owner would also take pistols, rifles and shothguns on consignment. And it was just a nominal fee based on the selling price like $10 for a gun that sold under $100 and $20 for a gun over $100. The fee was charged to the seller and the buyer paid an FFL fee to the owner. It was a win/win for everyone and he did a brisk business doing it this way. Unfortunately the owner passed away and the shop closed.

Now I have to go considerably farther to find a place like that.

 

[98C5]

I used to buy from a local place until the owner scolded me from buying a gun on the internet and having it transferred to him. He said he does NOT do transfers if they can get the gun there. The gun was a Dan Wesson 10mm.

HIM: "I could have gotten that in 2 weeks."
ME: "Yeah, but it is right here now"
HIM: "How long did it take you to order this and have it shipped to me?"
ME: "Three days" (It was from Buds)

He reluctantly did it because it already shipped. I apologized for his inconvenience and told him his license was registered with Bud's, so I felt there wouldn't be a problem.

"Well, it is coming off their site today"

"Whatever"

I haven't been back since. I now go through an FFL at Smith Mountain Lake and he is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He generally does fishing/archery, but has an FFL has stocks a few rifles. I explained the problem with the other guy and he just shook his head. He told me to use him anytime for transfers.

I don't mind keeping the business local, in fact I bought several guns and supplies from the problem dealer before. That experience soured me from him and am not likely to go back.

 

[onlinebiker]

Believe it or not - a great source of guns is garage sales.

I use online resources (no - I'm not telling you were to find them) and search the local papers for garage sales - using keywords such as "pistol", "rifle", "shotgun", "Colt", ect --- and make note of what is for sale and the address and phone number if given. Phone numbers are generally NOT given -- so I'll use a search such as "Peoplefinder" and get the phone number from the address given.

I'll give a call a day or two before the garage sale starts - and ask if the person I'm speaking to - has ___________ (fill in the blank) for sale.............

Sometimes they ask how I found out -- usually they don't....

If it's a guy -- 9 times out of 10 - he'll be happy to arrange an "early viewing" for you....

If it's a woman -- they will NOT allow you to fondle the gun in question until the day of the sale (again 9 times out of 10)...

They'll always give you an idea of condition - and price...

I go over and check it out early, if they'll let me -- or be there bright and early -- the day of the sale.....

I've gotten some very cool stuff this way...

 

[Vector]

There are some good ideas in here.

I just wonder why the BT stopped allowing those private gun sale ads

 

[Smokey Joe]

Changing times...

Vector, I doubt if the BT stopped allowing gun ads. They are probably desperate for any advertising $$ they can get. My local paper no longer has any gun ads, either, but I bet it's not for lack of willingness.

Actually except for local jobs, private-party used cars, and the legal notices, the classified ads of my local paper are pretty barren. Oh, and garage sales--the paper is still THE place to advertise for that.

It's a sign of the times. Guns are more profitably sold to a larger number of possible buyers over the I'net than a seller could attract with a local paper ad. Pretty much true of other categories of goods, too, I expect. I've found a very few guns @ garage sales.

Those who just inherited Grandpa's guns, who have no interest in them, nowadays will simply take 'em to the local Cabela's or Gander Mountain or equivalent, and take whatever is offered for them.

 

[strat81]

My local hardware store sells guns. It's pretty much all hunting stuff with the occasional Ruger 22. I'd buy from him if he had something I liked. I do transfers through him and buy ammo occasionally.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

Yup, the papers have closed the category in many instances. They've unilaterally decided that they know better than you do about the issue of firearms.

Garage sales are indeed a wonderful source, expect the new administration to be taking a hard look at that "loophole" after the elections.

900F