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09-29-2017, 04:11 PM
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Visit to a new gun shop
I had some time between appointments at two different clients, so I stopped in at a new gun store along the way.
Interesting shop. It's a side business for the owner, who also runs an auto repair shop. The gun shop part is off the garage floor.
I went in to browse around and as always, look to see if there were any interesting 3rd Gens in the case.
While chatting with the owner, he asked if there was anything in particular I liked. I told him I'm fond of S&W 3rd Gens, and he said he gets them in from time to time.
He went to describe them as the "Doormat of S&W." Only now are people starting to recognize how well made and reliable they are. He said that for a long time that prices were really cheap, but they are gaining in popularity and people aren't trading them in or selling them like they used.
I was impressed that he was so positive about the guns, so I'll stop in from time to time to say hello.
I forgot to ask about transfer costs, but will the next time.
I did buy a box of .38spcl range fodder for pulling him from the shop floor for 20 minutes to chat with a tire kicker.
Gary
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09-29-2017, 04:52 PM
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Nice find in your state! I hope he has plenty of 3rd gens for you!
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09-29-2017, 06:17 PM
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Have visited a few fairly new ones lately but many are smaller shops that are operated from a private residence and selection of firearms is quite limited. Most carrying a few new or used synthetic handguns but precious few all metal guns. I favor the used market myself these days on wood stocked long guns or Third Gen S&W but they are tough to come by. As far as shotguns give me an older made Rem. 1100 or 870 anyday.
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09-29-2017, 09:57 PM
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Sounds like a nice fellow expanding enjoyment in his hobby I'm sure you put him on your visit list again.
There is a little something special about the weight and feel of all metal gun, the 3rd gen pistols are pretty classy looking too and plenty to choose from.
Karl
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09-30-2017, 12:17 AM
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Gary, in Natick?
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09-30-2017, 07:26 AM
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Yes, Natick.
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Originally Posted by jframejoey
Gary, in Natick?
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09-30-2017, 08:09 AM
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Gary, I was going to ask as well. Where yiu were-but I would have said Cincinnati, where there is a gun shop inside of the Auto service shop.
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09-30-2017, 08:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spistols
Gary, I was going to ask as well. Where yiu were-but I would have said Cincinnati, where there is a gun shop inside of the Auto service shop.
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Spistols, I visit Cincinnati a few times a year. Where is this gunshop? Thank you.
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09-30-2017, 09:50 AM
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What a good report. Your purchase marked you as a gentleman to me.
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09-30-2017, 10:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryS
Yes, Natick.
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I know the shop in question and the folks that run it are certainly good people. Prices, however, are typically well out of my league and so I don't visit often. Even if they had something I wanted badly, I probably wouldn't be able to afford it. At least that's been my experience in the past.
There is no question that desirable, top condition 3rd Gens are getting harder to find in GaryS's and my local market. Add in "at a reasonable price"" and I'll say don't hold your breath. It's why I've been turning to the Internet and imports more and more. That local 5906TSW I want is priced way above GB and well over what others have sold for in the past. But in that case, I wouldn't have to throw away the magazines for being non-compliant. The 4506-1 I want is out-of-state and the 4006TSW CHP is, of course, an Internet thing as well.
There *is* one 4006TSW CHP for sale locally but it is in horrible shape and over-priced. Must have been a very disappointing Internet buy for someone and so they dumped it.
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09-30-2017, 01:25 PM
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I can't speak to prices as there was nothing that I was interested in. Some Sigs, at least one stainless Baretta 92, some plastic stuff, and a few revolvers. He has some nice rifles, but I'm not in the market for any right at the moment. Probably next year if I can sell of my AR15, but that's a different story.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TTSH
I know the shop in question and the folks that run it are certainly good people. Prices, however, are typically well out of my league and so I don't visit often. Even if they had something I wanted badly, I probably wouldn't be able to afford it. At least that's been my experience in the past.
There is no question that desirable, top condition 3rd Gens are getting harder to find in GaryS's and my local market. Add in "at a reasonable price"" and I'll say don't hold your breath. It's why I've been turning to the Internet and imports more and more. That local 5906TSW I want is priced way above GB and well over what others have sold for in the past. But in that case, I wouldn't have to throw away the magazines for being non-compliant. The 4506-1 I want is out-of-state and the 4006TSW CHP is, of course, an Internet thing as well.
There *is* one 4006TSW CHP for sale locally but it is in horrible shape and over-priced. Must have been a very disappointing Internet buy for someone and so they dumped it.
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09-30-2017, 02:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryS
I can't speak to prices as there was nothing that I was interested in. Some Sigs, at least one stainless Baretta 92, some plastic stuff, and a few revolvers. He has some nice rifles, but I'm not in the market for any right at the moment. Probably next year if I can sell of my AR15, but that's a different story.
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He has had a number of 3rd Gens in there over the years, but none I ever bothered to note in my 135 item long "Guns that got away" spreadsheet, which is about 90% 3rd Gens. What I recall is several black-finished 3rd Gens, many of which were early square trigger guard models... and all of them a bit pricey compared to our usual guys.
The owner of that shop is a Class III dealer/gunsmith, of course, and has an awful lot of cop friends. Scares me when I go in there from time to time 'cause it's like walking into a police station. They all turn around and look at me like "you don't belong here"!
Most recently, I talked to him about my long-sought-after BHP in 9mm (my very last "Bucket List" gun). He didn't have any in the shop to sell but was thinking about selling one from his personal collection. I don't remember the exact price range he was talking about but it was way above anything I could hope to scrape together. I'm sure it was worth it given the way he described it, but just not the gun I am seeking.
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09-30-2017, 02:35 PM
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Or, of course, I could always wait for TTSH to comment, because whither I go, he has been before me!
As I recall, the shop is about two blocks from the cop shop in Natick. And about two blocks from another dealer that has nice stuff, but high prices. I have, however, bought two nice K frame 3" revolvers from shop #2.
Price is (or should be) highly dependent on condition, scarcity, and desirability. The guy on Pawn Stars once said, some things are rare because they are sought after and owners rarely want to part with them. Other things are rare because they were junk when first made and are still junk. Rarity does not equal desirable. I think those SW380s are pretty rare, but I only know of one collector that bought one.
I'll still stop buy now and then. I also have to talk to him about putting a compensator, head spacing, and maybe test firing my home brew AR.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TTSH
He has had a number of 3rd Gens in there over the years, but none I ever bothered to note in my 135 item long "Guns that got away" spreadsheet, which is about 90% 3rd Gens. What I recall is several black-finished 3rd Gens, many of which were early square trigger guard models... and all of them a bit pricey compared to our usual guys.
The owner of that shop is a Class III dealer/gunsmith, of course, and has an awful lot of cop friends. Scares me when I go in there from time to time 'cause it's like walking into a police station. They all turn around and look at me like "you don't belong here"!
Most recently, I talked to him about my long-sought-after BHP in 9mm (my very last "Bucket List" gun). He didn't have any in the shop to sell but was thinking about selling one from his personal collection. I don't remember the exact price range he was talking about but it was way above anything I could hope to scrape together. I'm sure it was worth it given the way he described it, but just not the gun I am seeking.
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09-30-2017, 04:33 PM
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Oddly enough, the FFL I use for transfers here in Central VA is run in a Transmission Shop... he's not a stocking dealer though. I just find what I want, go in to see his secretary with the particulars and in a few days get a call to come fill out paperwork and pick up my gun. Works for me!
Froggie
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09-30-2017, 09:48 PM
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I was cruising through my old college town and came across a gun shop that wasn't there when I was going to college. So of course I had to go in. It turned out that the shop was owned by a young husband and wife who weren't even born yet when I was going to school there. I am glad to see younger people starting up gun shops. I worry that the anti-gunners are waiting for the current group of shop owners to retire or pass away. I walked out of there the proud owner of a used shiny nickeled Beretta 92 Compact. If I don't buy a gun I usually buy a can of powder to help support the shop and luckily their prices are pretty reasonable.
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10-01-2017, 12:28 AM
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GaryS & TTSH, dont go in there too often but my Sgt/buddy had a Beretta 21A in .22 on his short list and I was hot to trot for an older Beretta 84 last April. First week of April I go in and spy the .22. Asked him to put it on hold for my buddy. Buddy paid $300 plus tax and it had the box and docs. Hard to find in MA and when you do its a lot more cash. Asked him about 84. He goes into back room and comes back with a 90-95% bluing 1989 84BB with Pachmayr wrap arounds and factory hi cap. Gave him $100 to hold it. Went in next week and paid a total of $500 otd including two extra vintage factory hi caps. Wouldve bought more but he wanted to save some for his BDA. Sometimes its right time right place just like anyother gun deal.
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10-01-2017, 10:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryS
Or, of course, I could always wait for TTSH to comment, because whither I go, he has been before me! k:
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Well, according to Google, that's one of my half-dozen closest stocking gun shops, so of course I've been there! That still doesn't change the fact that you almost always beat me to the best 3rd Gen deals anywhere in Eastern MA! You get up earlier and drive faster!
For the record, the shop in question is not a brand new shop... hardly! Just new to GaryS.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Golddollar
It turned out that the shop was owned by a young husband and wife who weren't even born yet when I was going to school there. I am glad to see younger people starting up gun shops. I worry that the anti-gunners are waiting for the current group of shop owners to retire or pass away.
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I try my best to patronize every new shop that opens, no matter how small or stock-limited. One of the newest area shops (and smallest) has become my "go to" shop for transfers as well as several buys. You've got to do this, especially in MA, if you want to keep all doors open.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jframejoey
Sometimes its right time right place just like any other gun deal.
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Exactly right, which is why I still visit when in Natick. The day will come when I will walk in the door there and suddenly spot a winner! That is, if GaryS hasn't gotten to it first!
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10-01-2017, 11:02 AM
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I like to hit all the small shops when I can , I like the 2nd and 3 gen SW stuff ans always have .They keep going up in to days age . I found a mint later 645 perfect grips and spare fact mags for 10 each the gun was 399 took it home .Did find a Smith ASP 39dash 2 for 275 with shoulder rig and 3 mags . I jumped it, I was old enough to know .
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10-01-2017, 01:45 PM
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Did you know you can do a search on Google for FFL's in (city, state, etc) and you can discover a whole bunch. You have to be careful as some are no longer there, and some are home businesses with very limited hours, (primarily gun show dealers). Couple years ago a few of us did that and mace a circle route over 100 miles and visited quite a few gun shops we never know about. Found a 65% K22 Outdoorsman, but they were a little too proud of it. We did buy some reloading equipment and supplies and found some places we have returned to.
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10-01-2017, 05:25 PM
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I do that from time to time. I know where most of the shops in my area are. That includes a newer shop in my own town. Nice guy owns it, but his selection is on the limited side. He does mostly LTC classes. His transfer fee is good, but he's not eager to do out of state transfers.
This particular shop is "new to me" and I only heard about it because a niece works there from time to time.
Technically, there are no home or "kitchen table" FFLs in MA. The state requires a store front for a license. Licenses are issued by the local PD, so the definition of "store front" can vary widely. A late friend of mine ran his out of a shed in his back yard, although he had a vault/work shop in his house. His regular occupation was as a contractor, so he built a beautiful room sized vault that was also his work shop.
Anyway, I do try to hit a few shops here and there. I prefer the ones that list their inventory on line since I don't want to drive around on the off chance someone has something I'm interested in.
Quote:
Originally Posted by H Richard
Did you know you can do a search on Google for FFL's in (city, state, etc) and you can discover a whole bunch. You have to be careful as some are no longer there, and some are home businesses with very limited hours, (primarily gun show dealers). Couple years ago a few of us did that and mace a circle route over 100 miles and visited quite a few gun shops we never know about. Found a 65% K22 Outdoorsman, but they were a little too proud of it. We did buy some reloading equipment and supplies and found some places we have returned to.
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10-01-2017, 07:03 PM
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My go to shop is quite small, but it is crammed full of inventory. Unfortunately he carries a far greater selection of long guns and shotguns than hand guns. His shop is attached to his house and he is on a quiet town road. He is easy to talk to and his prices are fair, but generally not very negotiable. When I go in, he almost never has any empty spaces, when he sells a gun, another is brought out from the back to fill the spot.
Over the years I've bought 5 or 6 guns from him, more than any other single gun shop.
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10-07-2017, 12:11 PM
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Great thing about being a trucker is you get to roam around
and see what all is out there
Been beating a path in Alabama/Georgia lately and it's turned
up quite a few surprises!
Altho it's caused a little frustration as well, some of those
Alabama folks do not have a clue on how to respond to emails...
even though they've got Ebay accounts...saw one item get
relisted several times, but he'd never answer my question...
so it never sold.
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10-07-2017, 12:17 PM
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I think it depends on where you are in AL. Since you're from NW Florida, I'd guess that you're familiar with Baldwin County. There are decent number of pawn shops and gun stores throughout the county. My son bought some guns when he lived there.
There's also a decent weekend gun show in Robertsdale a couple of times a year. I also seem to remember, though I didn't get to any, that there are frequent shows in NW Florida.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Shrek
Great thing about being a trucker is you get to roam around
and see what all is out there
Been beating a path in Alabama/Georgia lately and it's turned
up quite a few surprises!
Altho it's caused a little frustration as well, some of those
Alabama folks do not have a clue on how to respond to emails...
even though they've got Ebay accounts...saw one item get
relisted several times, but he'd never answer my question...
so it never sold.
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