My LGS has Guns They WONT Sell Me

[weblance]

I have been interested in buying a FN FNX-45. My LGS has one in the Law Enforcement case. Its listed at $620, which is an excellent price. I handled it last week, and its the pistol I want. So... today, I went in with $700 in my pocket. Sorry... NO SALE. Its for Law Enforcement only. HUH? I ask, "whats the difference?" Oh... well, theres no difference, wait... Yes there is a difference, it comes in a blue box. And its serialized for Law Enforcement.

I expected the only difference to be the discount price for LE. I was certainly ready to pay the regular price, what ever that would have been. So, they didnt sell a gun they had in stock, and I didnt buy a gun that was locally in stock. Thats too bad, I wonder how they feel about losing the sale?

 

[rcmodel]

Sounds like BS to me.

The only thing I can think of is, they have a law enforcement discount price on it, and they won't sell it to civilians at that price.

As for as the law enforcement serial number?
More BS.

rc

 

[highorder]

Sounds like they're saving it for someone, but still wanted to use it to fell the case.

 

[niner4tango]

No, it's true. FN is allowing the versions with no manual safety to only be sold to LE. If your dealer sold it to you, FN would be very upset.

 

[dogtown tom]

weblance ... Sorry... NO SALE. Its for Law Enforcement only. HUH? I ask, "whats the difference?" Oh... well, theres no difference, wait... Yes there is a difference, it comes in a blue box. And its serialized for Law Enforcement.

The serial# of the gun has nothing to do with law enforcement.
Just as Colt, Glock, S&W have law enforcement pricing.......so does FN. Some of these "program guns" are LE only, some (like Glock) include military, private security, firefighters and other first responders.

That dealer got special pricing on that firearm from FN. As part of that program, sales are restricted to qualifying purchasers only. This is nothing new and has been going on for decades.

 

[weblance]

No, it's true. FN is allowing the versions with no manual safety to only be sold to LE. If your dealer sold it to you, FN would be very upset.

This pistol has the manual safety just like the regular version. Its the same gun, except for the color of the box, and what they told me, the serial number. I have researched the FNX-45 pistol extensively, and there is no difference that I can see.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

This pistol has the manual safety just like the regular version. Its the same gun, except for the color of the box, and what they told me, the serial number. I have researched the FNX-45 pistol extensively, and there is no difference that I can see.

Yeah, that sounds like horse hockey to me. That sucks man. Just look on Gunbroker.com, and have one shipped. If they don't want to sell to you then the heck with them. There are a bunch on there for under $700.

 

[Double_J]

Reminds me of Glock. I saw an LEO special G22 with 3 magazines for $375, however one case over was the same pistol with 2 magazines for $490. Whats up with that GLOCK?

 

[HexHead]

IIRC, there's a federal tax added on sales of firearms sold to civilians. "LEO only" guns aren't subject to that tax. It's likely that's why he wouldn't sell it to you.

It's one of the reasons building an AR is cheaper than buying a complete one. It's also the reason why I, as a GSSF member can buy a "blue label" Glock for $425, yet LEOs can buy them for $399.

 

[M-Cameron]

what state are you in?

some states like MA and CA, guns have to have certain "safety" features in order to be sold to the public.....but those restrictions do not apply to LEOs.....

 

[Mainsail]

I don't know about FN, but Glock and Sig Sauer both offer the LE price to active and retied military. Do you fit in either of those categories?

 

[chez323]

My local shop has them too in their public safety case, the Glocks at least are designated as police/military/first responder. They come w/3 mags and a lower price. They are only available if you fit one of those categories. I picked up my Glock 20 as I'm retired military. If you want that discount enlist or become a first responder. These guns are designated military/police/first responder by the manufacturer and when received by the shop are put in that case. I had to wait a bit for mine to come in as the shop had regular glock 20's in stock. Worth the wait if you meet the criteria.

 

[rhinoh]

A LGS near me has Sigs and maybe some other brands at a special price for LEO etc. They will not sell us regular guys one at ANY price. Same exact guns.
They told me it has to do with some sort of dealer protection policy- IOW there are legitimate dealers nearby that sell to the public, and to protect them they can ONLY sell those Sigs to LEO.
True or BS? Don't know but that was their story.

 

[Bovice]

You should have asked them to order one that you can buy.

 

[kwguy]

That dealer got special pricing on that firearm from FN. As part of that program, sales are restricted to qualifying purchasers only. This is nothing new and has been going on for decades.

Pretty much this, even though it stinks :-(

 

[dogtown tom]

460Kodiak ....Yeah, that sounds like horse hockey to me. That sucks man. Just look on Gunbroker.com, and have one shipped.

What part of "LE Only" did you not understand?
It doesn't matter if he tries to purchase in store or via internet, the selling dealer is restricted by the manufacturer.

Double_J Reminds me of Glock. I saw an LEO special G22 with 3 magazines for $375, however one case over was the same pistol with 2 magazines for $490. Whats up with that GLOCK?

Well..........it's the Glock LE price.

HexHead IIRC, there's a federal tax added on sales of firearms sold to civilians. "LEO only" guns aren't subject to that tax. It's likely that's why he wouldn't sell it to you.

No, if a DEPARTMENT buys the gun, FET does not have to be collected if they provide an exemption certificate. If an individual officer makes the purchase, he pays a discounted price which includes FET and he will also pay state sales tax if applicable.

rhinoh A LGS near me has Sigs and maybe some other brands at a special price for LEO etc. They will not sell us regular guys one at ANY price. Same exact guns.
They told me it has to do with some sort of dealer protection policy- IOW there are legitimate dealers nearby that sell to the public, and to protect them they can ONLY sell those Sigs to LEO.
True or BS? Don't know but that was their story.

Selling program guns to nonqualifying customers violates the dealers agreement with the manufacturer. Often the dealer is making LESS profit on LE program guns.

kwguy

Quote:
That dealer got special pricing on that firearm from FN. As part of that program, sales are restricted to qualifying purchasers only. This is nothing new and has been going on for decades.

Pretty much this, even though it stinks :-(

Then become a cop.

 

[Ash]

"Then become a cop."

Because we know that cops deserve preferential treatment. All animals, after all, are created equal...some are just more equal than others.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I thought professionals were issued guns.. "free". sounds pretty lame and I'd blackball that mark

 

[kwguy]

All animals, after all, are created equal...some are just more equal than others.

LOL, no kidding, right?...

 

[beatledog7]

Manufacturers are free to designate such qualifiers to distributors and dealers, like it or not. Distributors and dealers who violate that qualifier risk losing their relationship with that manufacturer.

We do believe in free enterprise, right?

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Then become a cop.

If you want that discount enlist

Some of us can't do things like that because we've been ruled out for things like red-green colorblindness. I would have very much liked to enter either of those professions but was flat out told I could not because sometimes I see pink as tan. Enlisting/becoming a cop isn't and option for everyone and I can't tell you how many times I've heard antis say, "if you want a gun, you should join the military or become a cop." What dumb reasoning.

In this case, it's a bit better because I can, at least, buy those same guns (usually) but just with a higher price tag. So unintentionally, it is discriminatory pricing, but what can you do?

To the OP, I'd say just take your business elsewhere. At least you tried buying local. I'll also just point out that there are a considerable number of jobs in which people risk their neck protecting others in the US that can't take advantage of such a discount.

 

[witchhunter]

Here in California, civilians cannot purchase certain handguns new that are not on the drop test list. The manufacturer has to pay for the testing, and some don't want to pay. Ruger LCP for instance is one, Ruger refused to test it so it cannot be be sold new to anyone but LE. Also we have a 10 round magazine limit, so civilians cannot purchase any gun with a detachable magazine that holds more than 10 rounds. Sad but true.

 

[kwguy]

In this case, it's a bit better because I can, at least, buy those same guns (usually) but just with a higher price tag. So unintentionally, it is discriminatory pricing, but what can you do?

That's all it is. I don't think anyone seriously begrudges LE / Military discounts or what have you. It's just that nobody like paying a higher price for anything if they don't have to...

I'm sure those discounts aren't the reason why people join those professions.

 

[PabloJ]

No, it's true. FN is allowing the versions with no manual safety to only be sold to LE. If your dealer sold it to you, FN would be very upset.

LEO, military,.... discount sales for personal use are BS. Unless guns are part of government or department contract individuals from military, police,.....should pay SAME price as rest of the people.

 

[PabloJ]

PS. Do as you wish I for one am sick and tired of being treated as second class citizen when it comes to buying handguns. I will wait for the Serbian PPZ.