Retired LTC USAR
US Veteran
My last three have all been purchased from forum members.
How do you find your guns?
- Thread starter Florida Guy
- Start date
sw44spl
Member
mostly from gun shops some from gun shows and friends.
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.
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.
+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
Member
Feelers Out All The Time...
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...
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
Absent Comrade
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
Member
Mine were from various sources. 1 from lgs, 1 from a large local show, and the last 3 off other local forums.
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
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
Member
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.
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
Member
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.
I guess a friend that owns a local pawnshop is where I got most of mine.
29Wheelgunner
US Veteran
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.
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
Member
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!!
Model39
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Guns Found Through Local Shops
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.
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
Member
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.
The last few purchases made before the two mentioned were used consignment guns in a local gun shop/range.
Green Frog
Member
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
Froggie
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