Support your local gun shop!

[Watchdog]

I've been going to every gun show and major seller (Bass Pro, Gander Mtn., Dicks Sporting Goods, etc.) within 60 miles of my home and have been amazed at the high prices they are asking for new or used firearms.

I can't stand those Big Box stores. I don't know about where you live, but most of 'em around here are located in big malls, and I can't stand malls, either. And a lot of the salespeople aren't all that knowledgeable about the finer points of a firearm you might be interested in.

...I had just recently purchased a 9mm shield for $449.00 from one of the gun "stealers" at the gun show...

There are a good many scammers at gun shows, I'll agree. But all of them aren't. Some of these vendors are retired and gun shows are their sole source of income. They travel around with their wares to every show in a three-state area sometimes. It cost them a small fortune in gas, then there's the booth/table rental, and the time it takes to unload all stuff can be a bit mind-numbing.

I know this old guy, never can remember his name. He deals in vintage shotguns mostly, which is another of my interests. I always stop and talk to him. One show I asked him what happened to the two old Winchester Model 97s he had on display...he sell them or what. He says no, somebody stole them right off the table and walked out with 'em. So now he brings a younger man with him to keep an eye on things, and a lot of his better stuff is locked down. I felt sorry for him, cause that was about $1400 worth of classic shotguns, just gone. So not all the "stealers" are on the retail side of the table. And I've made some really good deals at gun shows...better than an LGS could do. And you'll find guns at shows that an LGS flat doesnt have.

My point is that we need to support our local "mom and pop" gun stores and include them in our search for new or used firearms. They have a little more flexibility and appreciate the repeat customer business. They can usually offer better deals than the big chain stores and gun shows. I know I will be a regular customer of my local shop.

I'm in agreement with that, but unfortunately, independently-owned gun shops seem headed for extinction around here. There are two big ones in the city I live in, and they do a booming business...but leave the city and they get harder to find. And around here, they have to stay competitive with the Big Box stores or go out of business, so they don't cut people much slack on prices.

I guess that's about all I have to say about that. For now.

 

[thebeamanater107]

I always buy LGS for new guns, the reason they can't always get you what you want when you want it is because most of them can't buy directly from manufacture they have to go thru a distributor but I've found as for myself my LGS is always cheaper then buy on line when all cost are added in. Let's not force are LGS out of business like Walmart did to mom & pop shops. Of course I still believe buying American even if it cost a little more is always the right thing to do. IMHO

I have yet to find a difference between a $800 gun and a $850 gun. My example references Wal-Mart and Dick's. I found an ar-15 that looks good at Wal-Mart. There's nobody at the counter and I waited. And waited some more. I then asked an employee and waited. Someone came by to inform me that there's not currently an employee authorized in selling guns on staff right now but I can try again tomorrow... That phrase irked me, and rubbed me wrong all over. I should not have to try to buy something, I should find it and put cash down. Sure, some items require paperwork and an ID card, but coming back tomorrow to see if it's possible to buy an item I want is almost offensive, assuming I've found the said item in stock. I don't understand why I was surprised, though. Wal-Mart is the store that you walk around, fill your cart, and go pay for your stuff. You don't rely on employees there except the cashier...

At dicks I found a really cool Mossberg shotgun. The gun counter man was on staff, too. It was a 900 series model number but I don't know the exact model. It was a shortened (riot gun size) semi auto with a 7 round capacity tube. It was all kinds of cool and mean looking. That was the only "home defense" style he had though. I then cruised over to my local gun store to find 8 Remington 870s on the rack, 6 Mossberg 500s, and several short semi auto shotguns. If you haven't noticed, I'm unfamiliar with the semi auto shotguns. I then found the same ar-15 I found at Wal-Mart, $50 more expensive. And the best part was I could put cash on the counter and walk out with one! It turned out I didn't like the ar-15, I tried to like the other brands they had but my mind had gone to their Sig 716 patrol rifle. Two more paychecks...

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

 

[BAM-BAM]

There are LGS and LGSs...........

I have one not too far away.......90% of his inventory is used... old stuff..... 75% of his stuff....... is stuff..... "I would like to own" to "let's make a deal"........he doesn't sell on the net or ship......it's like he/I'm still living in the 80's .....he's looking to make $50-75 off what you buy and $50-75 off a trade.........he knows what his market will bear........ and prices accordingly........he rolls his inventory and always has neat new stuff.........

lets just say don't ask me where this shop is........

 

[oberon]

If you aren't browsing local dealer's, you aren't excercising due diligence.
The very best deals are the ones you don't see at a large outlet place.s or at shows.
I got an embarassingly outrageous deal last week at the the tradin' post, so ridiculous I really shouldn't mention any details, but I will.
A pre-1899 Iver Johnson . 32 cal. hammerless 'Safety Automatic(eject)', first model, 2" nickel 5-shot revolver with genuine mother of pearl grip panels. Literally shoved into my hands for maybe 10-15 % of the true trade/sell, FTF value.
You must frequent the regular dealers if you want to dig up the most remarkable bargains.

 

[Justin69]

Have you ever tried to negotiate with a big box store??? good luck!! lgs's on the other hand are far more willing to compromise when it comes to price or anything else.

 

[curlysir]

If I had a decent and knowledgeable LGS I would support them. The one around here act like they are doing you a favor by selling you a gun at close to retail. They also know very little about the guns they are selling other the make and caliber. Ammo is $5 to 10 per box more then Walmart. Like others have said there are good and bad LGS. Mine are not that good.

 

[Doublea17]

I buy all my guns from LGS, the guys/girl that works there know their stuff
And they are 98% of the time cheaper then Cabelas and cabelas is 45min in a different town. My LGS also has a wide selection of guns and I go once a week to buy ammo and never once in the last year have they not have ammo that I needed from 9mm to 45

 

[Rastoff]

My point is that we need to support our local "mom and pop" gun stores and include them in our search for new or used firearms.

Normally I would agree with you and buy local. In fact, if I can't save $100 or more, I'm buying local.

However, we have a gun store here and the owner and his wife are total...well I don't normally use that language. I absolutely refuse to patronize a person who is bent on taking advantage of people.

 

[hangnoose]

ALWAYS AN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE

I gotta fess up. I have bought 2 rifles from "big box stores", my first a glenfield 22 lr in 1975 60$ from K-mart, & a Ruger 1022 22 lr takedown in s/s (350$) from rural king in 2013. In the last 15 years I've likely bought 80 - 90% of my guns privately. LGS's now are generally just for small hard to find 22 ammo/mags/hardware/gizmo's/gadgets. However a good deal is a good deal wherever you find it, and I'd advise to jump on it quick.

 

[timn8er]

Precisely, Tim. I think you're always better off trying to find something locally, since that gives you an opportunity to look it over before putting your money on the counter. But if the item is cheaper elsewhere and I'm comfortable with the reputation of the seller, then my money goes where I'm spending less of it. I simply don't believe in letting loyalty get in the way of business. You can bet your LGS doesn't.

I've been very lucky on GB & a couple of other sites. I've never been disappointed, & its not because my standards are low. I consider myself extremely fortunate as it seems the pistols I've bought on line are in better condition than I expected. Of course, I'd much rather be able to hold the pistol in my hands & look it over closely. It is a leap of faith hitting that "Buy it Now" button or submitting a bid, & I sure hope my luck continues!

 

[Lost Lake]

I decided to check out a local gun shop. They had a brand new, never fired, in the box S&W MP .40 compact in the "used" case. ..... and they were asking only $349.00. .......

This is an amazing price. I buy at LE prices and the M&P40c is $399 new with three mags. If you got two mags with that gun you did extremely well!!!

They now had a like new (12/13 manufacture date), in the box, S&W Shield in .40 cal sitting in the "used" case (calling my name). He had an asking price of $329.00 but quickly accepted my offer of $300.00 for being a repeat customer!

Shields I buy for $335 but they only come with two mags. Again you made an amazing buy!

My local gun stores are selling M&P's for $519, and used ones for $499. I'm not buying anything from the LGS. I'd like to, but they are way out of line price wise.

And the local Gander Mountain? How do they price stuff? I looked in the new gun case a few weeks ago. Brand new M&P's sitting there, about 8 of them. Priced all over the board. From $519 to $749. The same M&P9 was either $519 or $549, depending on which shelf it was on!!! A compact with a thumb safety was $579.

.

 

[Tony2much]

This is an amazing price. I buy at LE prices and the M&P40c is $399 new with three mags. If you got two mags with that gun you did extremely well!!!

Shields I buy for $335 but they only come with two mags. Again you made an amazing buy!

The .40 compact came with 3 mags. One extended and 2 standard. It was literally as brand new, in the blue plastic case with all original paperwork, accessories and extra grip inserts. Test fire date was 10/13 .

The Shield was like new with 2 mags, one extended and one standard. It also included all the original accessories and manuals. Test fired 12/13, so even though it had been fired, it was even more current than the compact.

Overall, a very gratifying experience. I know not all LGS's are the same, but I think they should at least be considered before heading to the big chains. They also have a fairly good turnover of used guns, which is where I head first.

 

[KevinCH]

I've always been able to either slightly beat, match, or pay slightly more for new guns at a LGS when compared to on-line pricing. I compare the total cost of an on-line purchase to include shipping & transfer to the LGS cost to include tax & any dealer fees - although the dealers I've used don't charge me fees. They won't always be lower or equal, but I figure if I pay maybe 5% more or so it is worth it to develop a relationship with a local dealer & to support the local economy.

 

[Bozz10mm]

I would patronize my local gun shops if I could find one that actually appreciates my business. At least when I order on line, I get an order confirmation that says "Thank You".

The local Walmart doesn't sell firearms, and their ammo supply is very limited and often seems overpriced. So, buying online is the best option for me.

 

[MSG Glenn]

This is an amazing price. I buy at LE prices and the M&P40c is $399 new with three mags. If you got two mags with that gun you did extremely well!!!



Shields I buy for $335 but they only come with two mags. Again you made an amazing buy!

My local gun stores are selling M&P's for $519, and used ones for $499. I'm not buying anything from the LGS. I'd like to, but they are way out of line price wise.

And the local Gander Mountain? How do they price stuff? I looked in the new gun case a few weeks ago. Brand new M&P's sitting there, about 8 of them. Priced all over the board. From $519 to $749. The same M&P9 was either $519 or $549, depending on which shelf it was on!!! A compact with a thumb safety was $579.

.

Streicher's in Butler I'll bet. That's where I bought my M&P40C. Gouger Mountain? Forget it. The trouble I have with Streicher's is the wait for many firearms many times. The price is usually worth the wait, though.

On top of my discount I also received the $50 rebate from S&W's Nation's Finest Program. Total price for a brand new 40C w/3 mags - $348.

 

[ReluctantHero]

my local gun shop added about 150 to 200 over msrp depending on the gun. 699 for a 3rd gen glock back in the spring of 2012.
729 for a ppq when you could get them for 525. haven't been there since.

 

[uechikid]

While I agree that we need to support our LGS, and I will shop there first. The LGS that's closest to me is a dump. It's dirty, cluttered and their selection of guns isn't very good. The people that work there are reasonable nice but there always seems the be an attitude that just doesn't sit well with me. The other two stores are about 30 minutes from me so I don't go to them very often. But at least they are clean, organized and have a much better selection of guns and accessories.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

Luckily there are more local gun shops in my area than the big chain stores and I only do business with them because for one, the employees are knowledgeable and actually know about firearms. I can spend an hour just talking to these guys and trading off ideas and advice. A lot of these big chain stores only sell the newest and latest, and at a very high markup. This type of sales isolates a huge portion of shooters who enjoy buying older or classic guns (like me).

 

[red dragon]

All my LGSs raised their prices to msrp or more after Sandy Hook, still haven't lowered them yet. They're still selling a m&p 10 for $1599, online they're $1100. 870 express in store-$469, online-$300. I could go on and on. I can usually get a gun transfered and shipped for $50-$75. Until they drop their prices I'll continue to buy online. They don't even come close on bulk ammo either. I prefer to buy local but these prices are outrageous around here.

 

[blujax01]

... I buy at LE prices and the M&P40c is $399 new with three mags. ...

My local gun stores are selling M&P's for $519, and used ones for $499. I'm not buying anything from the LGS. I'd like to, but they are way out of line price wise.

...

Okay, you get a special deal due to your LE status.

The going rate on Gunbroker for a new 40C w/2 mags is $499 plus $25 shipping. $519 face-to-face is not "way out of line" for the rest of us.

But in your case, I can see where you would not patronize the LGS.