How far would you drive ??

[bob in texas]

Update:
Decided to list it in our classified section.


How far would you drive for a gun purchase? The reason I am asking is I am contemplating selling one that I only want to do a face to face sale, due to hazards that could happen after it leaves my hands (shipping, disassembly, firing, theft, etc.)
Keep in mind I am in northeast Texas and I am willing to meet at an agreed upon location within reason.

Thanks in advance,
Bob

 

[COFFEEMUG]

330 one way, thats a good all day trip.

i drove 886 one way for 5K in reloading equipment and that was a bit much.
coffee and Red Bull is a really really bad combanation, i should have grabbed a motel room but this was along I-10 just after one of the major hurricains and all rooms were booked or closed because of damage or covid

 

[SAFireman]

Depends on the deal, the gun, and the other party.

My dad and I have driven clear across the state into OK for some stuff. Having the other party willing to travel part-way helps too.

I won't drive anywhere to meet a horse's patootie, much less open the door if they appear at my home or office

 

[mchom]

Understandable concerns.
To me it depends on what is being offered. I split time between OKC and FW.

I am curious...

 

[Narragansett]

How far would you drive for a gun purchase? The reason I am asking is I am contemplating selling one that I only want to do a face to face sale, due to hazards that could happen after it leaves my hands (shipping, disassembly, firing, theft, etc.)
Keep in mind I am in northeast Texas and I am willing to meet at an agreed upon location within reason.

Thanks in advance,
Bob

Of course it would depend on the gun. I would say 500 miles round trip, but it better be something special.
I have had 4 guns come through with damaged sights. All 4 were dealer packed. The key to shipping is to take the dealer out of the picture. I happen to use a local fellow( LGS) that packs his stuff so that it is bullet proof. I will only accept a gun shipped in a hard case. The key is mobility. Nothing can move in the box.
So what to do? Ship the gun Federal express, and identify it as a firearm. That way it is closely tracked, and you get to do the packing. You just need an ffl on the other end that will accept shipment from an individual and will agree not to open the package until the new owner is there.

Shipping costs more, because it must go overnight.

i received a 3.5" M27 that way from a forum member that will not let a dealer touch a gun

 

[eveled]

Simple figure the time involved multiply by your hourly wage add in gas. Figure out if the $$$ you are getting for the gun is worth it.

Unless you can figure it into something else you want to do at or near the destination.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A while back I drove about 35 miles to the San Felipe Casino.
Met a guy who came down from Santa Fe with a Nikon Lens for sale.
While I was examining the lens he decided he didn't really want to sell it.
Yes I was glad that I didn't drive 300-400 miles!

 

[Bald1]

At over $5 a gallon for gas, NOT FAR. Unless it's a grail gun

 

[BloodyThumb]

I don't know how far I WOULD, but in the past I HAVE gone just under 400 miles one way.

 

[JH1951]

The effort that I would put in to acquiring a gun is directly proportionate to the desire I have to own it. Something 'speciial' will get me out of the neighborhood. Something very special and priced right will get me to the state line. Something extraordinary will drag me out of state and make me deal with the complications that presents. It would take a piece that I want quite badly and at a reasonable price to get me to travel 300 miles. Looking at the reality today, a trip as such would cost me in the neighborhood of $200. for gasoline alone.
I rely on shippers to provide their services, and sellers to provide accurate descriptions, pictures, videos, etc.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I once drove from El Paso TX to Silver City NM for a gun show.

I came back with an unattended stray puppy we found playing with a pebble. She lived with us for 12 years. Well worth the trip.

John

 

[pharmer]

I've driven to Tampa, almost 100mi each way. Lately I've restricted to Osceola County. I've had folks from Tampa/Lakeland go to Champions Gate in extreme SW Osceola, over 40 mi each way. Melbourne on the east coast is a little over 40 mi away and I've gone there for 3 or 4 deals. $5/gal changes "values." Joe

 

[Xfuzz]

East Texas Piney Woods to San Antonio.
Did a deal with member Quinn.
Near 20 years ago another deal in San Antonio
Met at the lobby of the Menger Hotel and did a deal on
A Colt Python.

 

[steelslaver]

All depends on the deal'

If it was a registered magnum for a 1000 bucks I would drive across the country. If it was a Taurus 38 special for $300 I wouldn't drive across town and I live in a small town.

 

[Narragansett]

All depends on the deal'

If it was a registered magnum for a 1000 bucks I would drive across the country. If it was a Taurus 38 special for $300 I wouldn't drive across town and I live in a small town.

That is because a Taurus is not a slightly used M12 air weight

 

[jimmyj]

When I first lived in Tennessee I would drive a hundred miles one way to sell a firearm after sending a number of photos to the buyer before hand. On meeting the buyer. He wanted to pay less than agreed because the weapon had rubber grips instead wood. I show him the photos that I had sent him that plainly showed rubber grips. He then waved the less amount of cash under my nose. The weapon and I returned home together.

 

[steelslaver]

As you know I can make a ugly model 12 back into a decent gun. While all Tauruses are not junk, I am not fond of them. I have an I frame size Taurus 22 out in my shop. I made a new firing pin for it replaced the strut and main spring fiddled with the rebound slide spring, cleaned up the chambers so the rounds seated right. It now fires almost every time and still has a heavier trigger than any of my S&W 22s.
this

became this
[img]https://i.imgur.com/CxQLE2d.jpg

 

[LVSteve]

In Nevada the issue is more about where there are people to sell guns. I have gone to Pahrump multiple times, which is about 120 miles round trip. I should take more rides to Mesquite and Laughlin to look over the gun stores, but I don't. After that picking get really thin unless you are prepared to drive to Ely or the Reno area. Tonopah is a shadow of its former self, and Beatty and Hawthorne only cling on to existence because of certain activities at both.

After that, I'm out of state, over 100 miles minimum to Bullhead (AZ) and St George (UT) so now you're into shipping. If the store has a website, you may as well stay home and save the gas/diesel unless you have to touch and feel before buying. I don't even consider traveling to CA for guns.

 

[mtgianni]

Registered magnum at a favorable price 1200 miles one way. Glock 19, 50 feet.

 

[Greyman50]

IIRC drove about 150 miles to buy couple from forum member. Stayed over night, looked around came home. To range next day. With gas prices today would Really have to want pistol/ revolver real bad.