How do you find your guns?

[Florida Guy]

Is it at a lgs, trade with friends, gun show, or online?
I bought one of my m19's through a forum, and the other on GB. My lgs have hardly any selection of revolvers.
GB has a large selection from which to choose, but it's a crapshoot on its condition.
I'd like to find other avenues to buy besides GB.

[rollin_hot]

My guns find me.

[fyimo]

I get about 60% of my guns from Gun Shows, the next 25% from online auctions, 10% from this forum's classified section or friends on the forum, and the last 5% from local gun or pawn shops. I have never found a friend anywhere that I lived that bought, shot or collected S&W revolvers and that's sad to say.

[diamonback68]

F.G. you've got a lot of great gunshows in your area. Try some of them. That way you get to ask questions, pick them up, feel them, fondle them, check them out before you buy.

[Shooting4life]

Most guns I buy through calguns.net since it is all local sellers. Other than that it would be gun broker or here.

[luangtom]

Local dealers, for me. I handle 'em, fondle 'em and drool on 'em in person.

[Josh M.]

Originally Posted by fyimo

... I have never found a friend anywhere that I lived that bought, shot or collected S&W revolvers...

That's because you already sucked the area dry! - JM.

[mkk41]

Originally Posted by rollin_hot

My guns find me.

That's how I see it. They just pop up. I do spend my weekends hitting gun shops and shows. If something that interests me pops up at a good price , and I have the cash , I buy it.

[BIGGUN1]

I have found a few at the gun shows. But i have bought a lot of guns at estate auctions.

[Jebus35745]

Finally, as said above some are finding me. Gun listings on line in your area, gun shops or just asking people that shoot. Its getting easier by trying to turn over any rock I find to see whats under it. Larry

[Frailer]

Breaking out my notes, my last 10 purchases came from...

Friends - 4
Local dealers - 3
Pawn shop - 2
Gun show - 1

[turbo38gn]

Good thread.. I've bought like 5 guns on GB, bought 5 more at my LGD... the rest have been new purchases. What I've found in my small local dealer is they tend to take in used guns from people just plain needing money or inherited from a family member. The good guns that come in like that come and go quick.. so I have learned to hit my local favorite dealer at least a couple times a week. The last 3 used guns I bought there were only there a day or 2. I missed a couple good guns cause I didn't pull the trigger quick enough, they were gone the next day.. If I see something I like now, I just tell Mike to put it in the closet if I don't have the funds on me.. It also helps to have an idea of the value of a gun. Another thing I like about my LGD is I am getting to know him pretty good, he's an honest man... makes a huge difference in dealing with him. He doesn't dicker, the price is what he needs to get to make his margin. If he buys a gun right... he sells it right..

[murphydog]

Almost exclusively online, occasionally when my local shop has a trade-in, almost never from gun shows.

[Schmidty]

New guns are from a shop I have been going to for years. Only 1 at a pawn shop. All the rest are through networking, word of mouth, friends of friends or something of that nature. Have never bought one online. I am patient for the good deal.

[PMRet]

My last 6:

Gun show 1
Pawn shop 1
Gunbroker 4

[NFrameFred]

I don't. I could if I had to. But I'd have to put batteries in the metal detector and put on my swamp boots and it's usually just too much hassle . . . .

[ColbyBruce]

I find them everywhere. My wife says I can smell a S&W.

[katanski]

90% of my guns came from Cabelas. I visit the store 2 to 3 time a week.

[gmiller0737]

Mostly local Pawn Shops I visit most of them on a weekly basis,Do get a few from the local Gun Shops on occaision,While I attend most local Gun Shows I haven't purchased a gun at a show for years most are either overpriced or messed with it's getting harder to find good collector guns @ the local shows

[wewaslim]

I've picked up two here on the forum, one from GunBroker, one from Rimfire Forum, and two from GlockTalk. There's always a big variety online, but I like the forums.

[Retired LTC, USAR]

My last three have all been purchased from forum members.

[sw44spl]

mostly from gun shops some from gun shows and friends.

[redbos]

If you really, really check Gunbroker, there are some deals to be had!

[MWark]

I would estimate 90% of my guns come from local classifieds. I try and treat this hobby like a business and buy wholesale or at least pay less than full retail. My goal is to consistently increase the equity in my portfolio. It's very difficult (but not impossible) to buy from the forums or GB and have there be any money left.

[fyimo]

Originally Posted by Josh M.

That's because you already sucked the area dry! - JM.

HaHa - I wish that was true but quite candidly I find very few guns locally where I live but I've had great success with a dealer 80 miles from me. He is always at the gun show in Springdale and I call him ahead of time and tell him what I'm looking for and he will keep them off the table until I get there. In the past 3 years I have bought 8 S&W revolvers and 1 S&W Model 41 from him and they are in near mint condition for decent prices.

[410bore]

Originally Posted by redbos

If you really, really check Gunbroker, there are some deals to be had!

+1, redbos has it down!

i check gunbroker and several other honeyholes several times a day and have done quite well by doing so. by checking it frequently you catch the new BuyitNow listings that are way underpriced....done it several times on good S&W's....

for example;

617 8 3/8" TT TH with box $650

66-1 4" p&r TT TH $475

617 6" TT TH Combat Grips with box $600

651 2" $399.00

just to name a few from this year


but i do buy alot of USED guns from my local dealer....usually at very LOW prices.....

a few i can remember

34-1 2" unfired in box $299.99

686 no dash 6" with box $369.99

[Sebago Son]

I've got 40 years of contacts and networks that help me keep my ear to the ground... sometimes they just walk in like this pile of guns did not too long ago...

[mg357]

i visit a small handful of gunshops on a regular basis and i quietly push the old wheelchair around the counter and i look thoroughly at each gun in the case if i see a s&w that i like i ask to see it then i look it over and then i think about how to buy it.

[cobra357]

Mine were from various sources. 1 from lgs, 1 from a large local show, and the last 3 off other local forums.

[TIMETRIPPER]

Most of mine are from local auctions, 50-50 from either estate or gun auctions. The better deals were from the estate auctions.
I've bought 4 from LGS, 1 from Gun Broker, and two from gun shows. I have a good relationship with one of my LGS. He knows my tastes and calls whenever a S&W comes in and I make it a point to always get back to him ASAP whether I'm interested or not.
The auctions are always interesting but sometimes the bidding is insane. Saw a rattletrap Iver Johnson 32 top break go for $180 last month. It was bought by a woman. No rhyme of reason to it that I could see. On the other hand I've seen many similar guns go for around $25.
John

[Doug Add]

Mine have come from a variety of sources: gun forum members, local shops, friends/family.

Picked up my SIG P228 in a trade at a gun show. The Beretta 92FS I just got last month was from a friend who needed $ to buy new camera equipment. Found my Marlin 1894c among a bunch of consignment rifles at the shooting range.

I like the estate sale idea, will have to act on that.

[69HEMI-R/T]

I have found mine in a variety of ways including friends, local gunshows, state and city-specific gun selling sites and a very few pawnshops.

I guess a friend that owns a local pawnshop is where I got most of mine.

[29Wheelgunner]

Mostly from the local shops and shows. I have never purchased one on-line. Not to say that I won't in the future, but for now I like to see what I'm buying.

[perrazi]

in my area, no shops closer that about 100 miles, no pawn shops, so online in the various places is about the only way. the dsm show is the best one around but usully doesn't have much that interests me. when they do the prices are crazy. if you do auctions, you need to decide before you bid what you are willing to pay for the gun be auctioned. you can either creep up on it by bidding incrementally or go for broke and bid your max and wait and see if you won. my last 20 or so guns have been bought in online venues.

[ColbyBruce]

I have a subscription with a local shop. Once a month, I get a box shipped to my house to pick from. I sort through, choose what I want, and return the rest, LOL!!

[XTrooper]

New guns from my favorite local gun shop. Used guns almost exclusively online nowadays.

[corpulent]

I find them under the Christmas tree.

[Model39]

I have been dealing with several guns shops, some for almost 35 years. They know what I like, and know that if I want it, I'll buy it. I get calls all the time and even if it's not something I really want, I make sure I at least take the time to stop down and look at the guns. I am fortunate that in my area (upstate New York), there is alot of influence from gun companies. With Smith&Wesson and the "horse company" in the next states over, alot of earlier great collectible guns were bought and stayed in this area. I find alot of guns from estates that use my local gun shops to sell guns for family members. It feels sometimes like I'm digging through bones, but someday my treasures will become someone elses. A good friend of mine told me we are only custodians, so enjoy them while you can as you can't take them with you.
This forum has been a great place to share and enjoy and of course learn, for which I am very greatful.

[cantpickone]

My most recent purchase (this week) came as a result of J&G sending me an email. My last purchase made last month was found on Gunbroker.com. The greedy local gun show dealers have turned me off.
The last few purchases made before the two mentioned were used consignment guns in a local gun shop/range.

[Green Frog]

Well, due to a strange convergence of circumstances, I've bought more handguns in the last 6 months than the total number I had bought in the last 6 or more years. Of the 7 I've been fortunate enough to acquire, two came from a small local auction outfit, two from different dealers at a single gun show, and the remaining three from the estate of a recently deceased friend who had left word with his wife he wanted me to help her with the sales. I did indeed help and asked her for the privilege of buying three that had special meaning for me and memories of times we worked together. BTW, there were five small frame S&Ws in those seven!

Froggie

[.357magger]

How do I find them? One at a time.

I seem to go through phases in acquiring. Have had love affairs with Lugers, S&W's, Colt 1911's, etc. I mainly look for high grade shooters and these days have little interest in the true collector pieces. I'll acquire a bunch, then as interests change, sell those off and acquire another bunch.

To me, it's the history and learning about these wonderful machines that drive the desire to acquire. Over the years you learn how to spot original finishes vs older reblues, original roll markings, grips, etc. And...take the time to handle ANY AND ALL specimens of a particular group you want to learn about. Nothing is a substitute for physically handling the items to learn about them.

Where to I get them? If I told you, then I'd have to compete against you.

Happy Acquiring to all.

[desertdweller]

I think I have bought from about every venue mentioned but my best place is the coffee shop! I live in a retirement community and there are a lot of people who go there for coffee at 6 AM.
I have struck up conversations with several individuals and sooner or later the topic turns to guns or hunting. The regulars seem to know everyone that has guns and who might be willing to part with a few.
The best part is I have made a lot of new friends and look forward to the stories and bantering that goes on there on a daily basis!

[Engineer1911]

private party sale = 4, CMP in Anniston, AL = 1, Gun Broker = 10

There are no S&W revolvers in the LGS, especially non-lock S&W revolvers.