I'm more than happy to visit trashbin-gunshops... It's usually the guy behind the counter that's a problem..
I agree with you 100% there!
For some strange and stupid reason, I tend to prefer Gander Mountain or Cabela's. The people there seem to have more knowledge and experience with the newer products available than does my local gun shop 4 miles from my house.
The local shop is cheap for targets, but overpriced for anything else. Example: He had a USED Kimber Custom II for sale, which didn't even have the factory magazine for it (it had a Pachmayr in it) for $625. The local Gander Mountain had the same gun NIB for $630.
I know that it's best to support your local small shop so he doesn't get put out of business by the big name outlets. Unfortunately, most of the shops around here aren't just a little more expensive - They're looking to rip you off!
I'm also happy to report that Gander Mountain, Cabela's, and the like are more than happy to show me any gun, explain its features, and talk with me about what I'm looking for in a firearm. I can't wait for the new Bass Pro Shops to open up in my area in November (it's going to be the second-largest in the US), and hopefully expect the same level of knowledge, expertise, and service.
Of all the small local shops I go to, I typically get a "grunt", followed by the "are you gonna buy it or not?" look when I ask to examine a particular piece. If the hometown, personal, friendly level of service that I hoped to expect existed in these small-shop owners, I probably would spend the little extra money and save myself the longer drive to Harrisburg or York.
I've had one exception: I checked out a small shop an old man had inside a barn outside of Carlisle, PA. I can't remember the name of the shop, but I stopped by to inquire how much he'd charge to re-adjust my rear blade sight on my revolver, as I was hitting to the left horribly. He looked at the gun, fussed through his toolbox for the correct wrench, and adjusted my sight right there in front of me while I watched. He even showed me how to adjust it and informed me I would need a 1.5mm Allen wrench, available at any local harware store.
I'd defenitely go back to that particular "little man" any day, and will when I buy my next concealed-carry gun and take the one I have now for be-bluing. I'd buy a new gun from him, but the only autoloaders he sells are Makarovs and Llamas (the Llamas of which I've been informed are "junk", and the mag release on the Makarovs not my taste).
However, it's probably just a matter of demographics, geography, and personal preferences IMO.
Matthew Webb
Franklintown, PA