Joey_the_Wolf
Member
Normally I'm very supportive of local businesses. I'm a people person, and I like my community and tend to go out of my way to stay local and buy local. I'll buy at the local coffee and donut shops instead of starbucks. I'll buy from the local computer place instead of going into Best Buy. I used to do the same for guns, but lately I've been getting a bit frustrated. About a year ago I bought my first firearm from the local gunshop, and they charged me $550 for a Rock Island 1911 pistol (which are usually found in the $400 range). I negotiated the price down to $500, and wanting to stay local, I paid up and bought my pistol. Seeing how it's one of the best pistols I've ever owned I don't feel too ripped off, and would pay that amount again. Then I bought a Glock 23.... That was $600. A bit pricey, but hey, not too bad... Then a used older model Italian made Beretta Inox 9mm for about $620 (which I viewed as an OK deal, although the pistol itself is probably over 10 years old).
They also have a range which I used to frequent. Used to being the operative word. They raised their range fees and now only allow me to fire their own ammo, so I can't even practice with my own defensive ammo anymore, unless I buy it from them, and seeing how a 50rd box of Czech made .45ACP costs about $18, I can't really afford that anymore. A box of 9mm costs $15. For a couple bucks more I can get 100rds at wally world, and a much cleaner, better quality. (the stuff they sell is usually S&B or Wolf). So I'm not shooting at their range anymore, instead driving 45 min north to a much cheaper, bigger, cleaner range with cheaper ammo and lower gun prices...
And basically the straw that broke the camel's back is this. I'm looking for a .22 target pistol, nothing too fancy, but something fun to shoot. I go in yesterday looking for one, and they don't have any of the ones I want. Actually, they have a very limited selection of .22s, mostly limited to single action revolvers, and "Saturday night specials". I ask for something in the $300 range, and they bluntly tell me that I won't find anything for that price. I ask about the $400 range.... They show me an old, used (very much so) Browning Buckmark for about $420. I ask to see a Walther P22 and they show me one.... For $550. Guys, am I the only one that thinks this is way too much? Am I being arrogant in expecting to be able to buy a somewhat decent .22 target pistol for less than $400, especially when I can find them on gunbroker for well under that amount? I'm all for staying local, and helping my area gunshops, but I can't help but feel ripped off when I pay insane amounts of cash for things that I KNOW are available for much less. I know that I can buy hogue grips for my 1911 for around $15. They want $32 for them. I know a no name GI 1911 magazine should cost around $10, not $17, and certainly not $35 for an 8rd Novak mag. Frankly, I'd go so far as to say that the only reason they get away with this is because they are the only gun shop within 30 miles.
But yes... I think I'm going to start buying guns, ammo and accessories online from now on, but I can't help but feel like I'm turning my back on local businesses.
So I had to vent on that... Honestly though, am I being too picky or arrogant here? Are the prices really *that* unreasonable, or is this just the reality of inflation today? I dunno. What do you guys think?
They also have a range which I used to frequent. Used to being the operative word. They raised their range fees and now only allow me to fire their own ammo, so I can't even practice with my own defensive ammo anymore, unless I buy it from them, and seeing how a 50rd box of Czech made .45ACP costs about $18, I can't really afford that anymore. A box of 9mm costs $15. For a couple bucks more I can get 100rds at wally world, and a much cleaner, better quality. (the stuff they sell is usually S&B or Wolf). So I'm not shooting at their range anymore, instead driving 45 min north to a much cheaper, bigger, cleaner range with cheaper ammo and lower gun prices...
And basically the straw that broke the camel's back is this. I'm looking for a .22 target pistol, nothing too fancy, but something fun to shoot. I go in yesterday looking for one, and they don't have any of the ones I want. Actually, they have a very limited selection of .22s, mostly limited to single action revolvers, and "Saturday night specials". I ask for something in the $300 range, and they bluntly tell me that I won't find anything for that price. I ask about the $400 range.... They show me an old, used (very much so) Browning Buckmark for about $420. I ask to see a Walther P22 and they show me one.... For $550. Guys, am I the only one that thinks this is way too much? Am I being arrogant in expecting to be able to buy a somewhat decent .22 target pistol for less than $400, especially when I can find them on gunbroker for well under that amount? I'm all for staying local, and helping my area gunshops, but I can't help but feel ripped off when I pay insane amounts of cash for things that I KNOW are available for much less. I know that I can buy hogue grips for my 1911 for around $15. They want $32 for them. I know a no name GI 1911 magazine should cost around $10, not $17, and certainly not $35 for an 8rd Novak mag. Frankly, I'd go so far as to say that the only reason they get away with this is because they are the only gun shop within 30 miles.
But yes... I think I'm going to start buying guns, ammo and accessories online from now on, but I can't help but feel like I'm turning my back on local businesses.
So I had to vent on that... Honestly though, am I being too picky or arrogant here? Are the prices really *that* unreasonable, or is this just the reality of inflation today? I dunno. What do you guys think?
