Thinking about the longest distance I have driven to aqcuire a Smith revolver. Over the years from local newspaper classifieds to now internet sights with "for sale" offerings of local (my state) firearms I decided the furthest I have driven was 68 miles, one way, to pick up a model 629. I did make arrangements to pick up a little .38 from a city 275 miles away, still located in my state, as I was going there to visit with family the following week. I would never had made that trip for the purchase only. Over the last decade my area has seen a large population increase and I avoid the interstate when ever possible. How far have you driven to buy a good one?
Furthest Distance Traveled to make a Purchase
- Thread starter Quiet Man
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Mine is about the same distance as yours was. Just about an hour drive.
I bought a Colt King Cobra from a guy, and I thought it was possibly a factory BSS, but couldn't be sure.
I told him what I thought and that if he got a letter the gun was worth close to 1k more than he was asking. He said he just wanted to sell it, so I bought it for the price of a standard stainless gun and sent off for a factory letter. The gun gods smiled on me and it was factory BSS and I was tickled pink.
I bought a Colt King Cobra from a guy, and I thought it was possibly a factory BSS, but couldn't be sure.
I told him what I thought and that if he got a letter the gun was worth close to 1k more than he was asking. He said he just wanted to sell it, so I bought it for the price of a standard stainless gun and sent off for a factory letter. The gun gods smiled on me and it was factory BSS and I was tickled pink.
My father once drove from here to Nebraska just to look at some guns. He was building his own blackpowder trade gun and wanted to see some originals. Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron, Neb. had several. So he and my mom went on a tour of old fur trade era sites working their way to Nebraska. He said besides the museum there's a pretty good State Park at Chadron.
The farthest I've driven is about 40 miles to buy a Smith, or any gun for that matter. Not that I wouldn't go farther, it just never really came up.
The farthest I've driven is about 40 miles to buy a Smith, or any gun for that matter. Not that I wouldn't go farther, it just never really came up.
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Maybe 75 - 80 miles or so.
Grayfox
US Veteran
Back in 2007 I drove about 300 miles to the CMP store in Anniston, AL to buy a M1 Garand. I've never regretted making that trip. 
50 miles to my favorite auction house. but with my FFL I've purchased handguns in 4 other states, one being a little pawnshop in Prescott, AZ, 1400 miles from home when I was on vacation last spring
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venomballistics
Member
Was on a trip with the wife when I got a bug up my backside to research possible rifles for the missus to enjoy on the range.
Research escalated quickly over a Henry .357, so 185 miles is it I guess
Research escalated quickly over a Henry .357, so 185 miles is it I guess
Back in pre-internet days, I saw an ad on Gun List from a fellow on the other side of my state that was a true bargain. I drove over there to make the purchase...360 miles round trip.
I wanted a 3rd Model .44 Special really bad, so I scheduled my leave so that I could hunt for one. I flew from Kabul, Afghanistan to Dulles Airport in Virginia to attend the big gun show.
I found one too! The first 3rd Model is known to be serial number 28358. Mine is 28363.
I found one too! The first 3rd Model is known to be serial number 28358. Mine is 28363.
A little over 350 miles one way for a very nice Model 16-4 with original box and tools.
I wanted a 3rd Model .44 Special really bad, so I scheduled my leave so that I could hunt for one. I flew from Kabul, Afghanistan to Dulles Airport in Virginia to attend the big gun show.
I found one too! The first 3rd Model is known to be serial number 28358. Mine is 28363.
I think you won the prize on distance! That ser. no. is darn near the round trip mileage! (Just a guess.)
AJ
US Veteran
I wanted a 3rd Model .44 Special really bad, so I scheduled my leave so that I could hunt for one. I flew from Kabul, Afghanistan to Dulles Airport in Virginia to attend the big gun show.
I found one too! The first 3rd Model is known to be serial number 28358. Mine is 28363.
Does mine count? I rotated home from MCAS Rose Garden, Thailand, through MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. There was a gun shop on base there and I bought a Remington Model 700 Custom in .300 Winchester Magnum. I carted it through Yokota AFB, Japan, to Hawaii, to San Francisco, Ca. to Miami, Fla. to my home in Vero Beach, Fla. Lots of police had eyes on me as this was during the time when there were lots of hijackings to Cuba.
That is about 10,000 miles.
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This would be one big advantage to having a C&R license, which I have so far refrained from getting.
I did deliver a rifle I sold to a forum member about 500 miles from home during one of my Pittsburgh to Florida drives. Of course it was only about a q0 mile detour.
Robert
SWCA #2906
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VaTom
Member
3 hour drive to Northern Va. to the Va. Gun Collectors show in 2016 to purchase my Model 10-7, 4"nickel, (1979 manufacture). It was what I had been searching for a number of years. Didn't know if I would find one there but a venodr had one. Great price. A lucky day indeed. Picture is before a cleaning with flitz and ren-wax. It shines like a new dime now!
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I traveled approximately 300 miles in one day on a round trip to buy a Model of 1955 from a member here...I first attended two out of town gun shows, then drove to Round Rock, did the meet-and-greet, bought a primo Smith and drove back to Conroe...A long, yet productive day...
And yes, Bob, I still have it although it gets lusted for every time I display it at a show...
...Ben
And yes, Bob, I still have it although it gets lusted for every time I display it at a show...
...Ben
Several Augusta, GA to Atlanta gun shows that is 340 miles round trip, drove Augusta to Minneapolis (1,700 miles?) for a high school reunion and a Martini 22 LR single shot target rifle.
EDIT: June 2022, gas for Atlanta to Billings, MT and back was $875 to shoot prairie dogs for 4 days. Then I spent another $75 to get from Augusta to Atlanta and back. It was worth every penny!
EDIT: June 2022, gas for Atlanta to Billings, MT and back was $875 to shoot prairie dogs for 4 days. Then I spent another $75 to get from Augusta to Atlanta and back. It was worth every penny!
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
I drove 4 hours each way to purchase a ANIB "S" prefix M58 a couple of years ago. Seller wanted to sell in-state to avoid FFL and shipping hassles. I was happy to oblige him.
I bought and installed a trailer hitch on my car so I could tow my ATV trailer
550 miles to Co Springs to buy a Mercury Marauder 410 4V for my
1976 Ford F-250 4wd.
Trailer hitch, gas and food for the 1145 mile round trip cost me
about $500.
Geronimo Jim
Member
About 25 years ago I drove from Maryland to Big Timber, Montana
to pick up a new C Sharps 1885 in 45-70. Great tour of the factor.
Shilo Sharps is just up the road but they were all gone to some
show and only receptionist there so no factory tour. Great trip.
I love being out west.
to pick up a new C Sharps 1885 in 45-70. Great tour of the factor.
Shilo Sharps is just up the road but they were all gone to some
show and only receptionist there so no factory tour. Great trip.
I love being out west.
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