Where do you guys buy?

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Edmond

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I don't have the fortune of being around a good gun shop that offers guns at reasonable prices so I was wondering where you guys buy from.

Do the majority of people buy locally? How are their prices? Why do you buy locally?

What about the online folks? Which sites do you buy from? Why do you buy online?

I may want to start shopping for a P228 soon and need some feedback from the experts. :)
 
I now only rely on local shops for accessories, and the occasional gun show and Wal-Mart for ammo purchases.

The last two guns I bought were internet orders - one from gunbroker.com, and the other from Davidson's Gallery of Guns. No one locally comes close to beating the prices I've found online.
 
Really depends on the price level up to about $500 or so we will try to buy locally from the shops we like. Over $500 and taxes plus higher prices in general really start to hit you.

We have a couple of really good shops that we really like and I actually like giving them my money even when I could get something cheaper online. They need to make a buck and they usually cut me a deal and what not.

Of course then there is the dreaded impulse, I gotta have it now purchases. These truely are the bane of every gun nuts wallet.

I have actually had very good luck with Gunbroker and GunsAmerica and both here and the SIGForums classifieds.

Chris
 
I've got a unique situation with my local FFL. He's inherited a bunch of assets from several sources (lucky devil), including the building (plus $200K) from a "friend of the family" who had no family heirs. He's also retired from LE and the National Guard plus having a wife who's a nurse, so he runs his business more as a hobby than a do-or-die profit/loss enterprise. We've developed a friendship, and he gives me some great deals so he gets all of my gun business.

For ammo, I hunt for the best price @ gunshows, Walmart, or online.

Ditto for accessories and reloading components, but add the nearest Cabela's to that formula.
 
I used to buy at gun shows back when they were a good deal. I've bought a couple at Galyans but most of the guns I've bought in the last few years have been on Auction Arms. I have not been disappointed or ripped off yet.
 
Ammo: I buy in bulk online. Local shops either can't order in bulk or can't come close to the price of online retailers.

Guns: Buy locally, with one exception. I bought my Pro Carry from a dealer in Washington state and had it transfered through a dealer in TX. The price was good and I was living in Ohio at the time, so that worked best.
 
I live about 10 minutes from a very reasonable gunshop. The reloading supplies are all priced right. Especially the Lapua bullets. They sell 100 at rate of what say Powder Valley sells 1000 at. Powder is priced right. Primers are priced right. Gunwise I have bought the vast majority of guns through them in the last 4.5 years. I buy some stuff on line ie lead slugs. I have bought stuff Badger Ord. stuff online, simply because no one stocks it!
 
I've bought locally, at gunshows, and over the internet. It all depends on what I'm looking for and what's out there.

I've picked up two rifles from AIM Surplus, had 'em shipped to my local shop, and paid the transfer fee. All went well, and I was pleased. Within the last year I've bought an SKS from one local shop, a 1911 and a Kel-Tec from another, and a Mosin from another. They were all good deals and the shops I go to are more or less pretty good. I got a lot of my ammo and accessories from the gunshow, as there's usually the best deals. Sometimes I'll hit Tapco, CDNN, or Numrich online for harder to find items or things I want I can't find locally and when I don't want to wait for the next gunshow. I don't mind paying a little extra to the local guys if they have what I want, but within reason (I passed on several local SKS's that were beat to he!!, and about $100 or more overpriced than what I got a pristine unissued one for from AIM).

Usually, before I buy a gun, I do a TON of research online, figure out what the going prices are, look at all the local shops, see who has them and for how much, etc., and go from there. I surely would have been ripped off on numerous occasions had I not taken that approach. I don't impulse buy for this very reason, I learned my lesson on that long ago.
 
I buy firearms locally. After a few trips to other gun stores in the region, I have settled on one shop that I like and can order whatever I want through. His prices on average are lower than anywhere else. Some things run a little higher, but most everything runs lower.

Ammunition: I reload all of mine and buy brass/bullets online. Primers and powder I buy at the aforementioned local shop.
 
I have bought from several sites.....internet and local stores.

First...I detest J&G Sales in Prescott because of some of their non-2ND Admendment or state required record keeping (and possible notifications to BATF).

I bought three "good' quality long guns from Southern Ohio Guns and the guns were complete pieces of trash.....totally unaceptable but, SOG did make it 'right' with me but I had to pay for the return UPS shipping.

All said and done I lost on that deal.
 
Don't forget live auctions....I know my prices mostly, but if you tend to get in a bidding war, don't go to auctions.....You will probally pay way too much!!!
I picked up a 308 Mausersfor $70, 308 Enfield, $70, and others, don't forget to bring your bore light!!!
 
I buy guns locally, mostly from 2 shops. I have 5 shops that I routinely go too, and most will get some money from me. Accessories, reloading supplies, etc I try to buy locally, unless they either don't have it, or especially with reloading supplies, I can get a better deal online, then it's usually Midway for that type of stuff.

I have never bought a gun online.
 
None of the shops around here have great prices. I do most of my business with Palmetto Firearms because one of the guys up there cuts me a decent deals. I got a NIB Springfield Loaded with nite sights for $589 a while back, right what I would have paid if I had ordered it online. I get most of my surplus ammo online or at gun shows. 9mm and .45 I'll pick up at Walmart.

I haven't been able to afford anything new in a while, but the last thing I bought was an SKS from Inter-Ordnance. I ordered it and had it shipped to my FFL, which will probably be standard procedure from now on since internet sales are much cheaper.
 
I'm a few miles from three gun shops. I buy my guns from www.fsguns.com , my relaoding supplies from coin collector's gallery (another gun shop, despite the name) and Callahans for black powder stuff.


-James
 
For the most part I've been buying on-line as the models I've been buying aren't exactly ones I'd find locally or be able to easily order. Shop that does my transfers has no problems with that. Did order one through him once this year though. Would gladly order a new, easily orderable whatever through him rather than shop around for one in stock somewhere.
 
I buy locally and on-line, but I'm not price shoping. I'm looking for specific models and that requires you to use all resources.
 
I don't have the fortune of being around a good gun shop that offers guns at reasonable prices so I was wondering where you guys buy from
Click to expand...

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I have ~9-10 guns and only 3 were bought locally. To answer your question, where ever I can but honestly, I've had the best luck checking out forums (like this one) classified sections. Just like anything, you need to keep a close eye on them to find the really good deals They are there but usually go quick.

As an example, there is a knife I've been looking for for years. It is discontinued and seems to go for ~$150 on auction sites. One sold here this last week that looked to be in almost new condition for $50. Too bad for me the seller already had 3 offers to buy it before I saw it! :(

I may want to start shopping for a P228 soon and need some feedback from the experts.
Click to expand...

I'm no expert but I would suggest two things...

1. CDNN has a great deal on various ex-LEO Sig trade ins. The reports I've read claim these are in very good to excellent shape. 228 are being sold for $369 and your choice of K-Kote or Blued. Add $10 for night sites and\or $20 for hand select

2. When you are looking for something specific, go to a site that focus on it. In this case, you are looking for a Sig so the SIGForum would be the best place to learn more about them and find out who has the best deals on them.

Good luck!
 
Hi,

I checked out the Sig forum and it's pretty cool. I'm not a member there but I would expect slight favoritism towards Sigs. LOL. I figure that most folks here are as neutral as I could ask for.

I'll keep checking out the Sig classifieds, though.
 
I've bought from a local shop, online shops, FTF from folks in several different forums & most recently through the mail from a gent here on THR. I reckon the only place I've not purchased from was at a gun show...I go there to get supplies & watch the folks running around.

:D
 
Guns I usually purchase at one of two local gun stores. I also buy at the Dayton gun show (one of the local dealers I buy from is there).

I buy some accessories from one local dealer that carries a good variety, things like holsters, safes, some reloading supplies and ammo.

I try to pick up most of my reloading supplies at the local gun show. I can usually find everything I need there except the bullets I use, and I can save on UPS charges. Also SD ammo is abundant there.

Most everything else comes from Midway (http://www.midwayusa.com/) or Natchez (http://www.natchezss.com/) depending on selection and price.
 
I used to think I was getting a good deal buying in this place an hour away from my house until I went to an old friend's place who sold guns out of a section of his home as his business. I found his prices to be about $100-150 less than anyone around. Not only that, but I bought a gun from him, a Witness 10mm, the worst gun I have ever owned in my life to date. I wanted to send it in to be worked on since it wanted to field strip itself everytime I shot a full magazine out of it. He sent it in and it was STOLEN. He refunded me my entire purchase price, which he did not in any way have to do, and I turned around and gave it back to him for another gun, a Beretta 92. Ever since then I have bought all my guns from him, even when I may have found a little better deal somewhere else. Good and honest people like that deserve my loyalty and business. I am sad to say he retired last December and now I have to find a new means of buying firearms that I desire. I feel lost as I can find no good deals anywhere as good as he had. I bought 3 guns from him right before he retired to help him clear his stock. :evil:
 
Most of my guns are impulse buys from a local store. Most of my ammo is from wal-mart. Most of my magazines are from CDNN, Wilson mags are normally purchased where I normally buy my guns. Other accessories are from all over.
 
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