Support your local gun shop!

[sam2cpa]

Shield purchased on-line with a 3rd magazine, delivered to my local ffl holder was $424 plus $25 transfer fee for a total of $449. Ordered it on-line on a Thursday, it was available for pick-up the next Tuesday. Not bad considering that that Monday was a holiday.

Local dealer wanted $465 out the door with a 3rd magazine (but did not have one available, nor access to one in the near future.)

 

[lhump1961]

I support whoever has the lowest price. My money is only loyal to me!

I can appreciate your position on price only but I would hate to have a future where my only choice is Wally World...

I will pay a reasonable price to a small business in a heartbeat over a big box store given the choice...but I hear ya.

 

[b_san]

The going rate on Gunbroker for a new 40C w/2 mags is $499 plus $25 shipping.

That is not completely true, I bought my M&P 40C for $343, a M&P 9 for $361 and my M&P 45C for $357 all factory new in box and all from a very popular retailer on GB. There are plenty of deals available on GB you just need to have patience and willpower.

Oh and I just bought a brand new 162411 Governor w/ CT grip for $699. GB is the place to buy smokin deals on brand new guns if you can play the waiting game.

No LGS in the country could touch those prices. I still do buy many things from my LGS (got my G42 from them for the $399 MSRP) but I'll toss in a speculative bid on any gun that Im interested in online if the current price seems to be stagnating.

 

[GerSan69]

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!

Everything you said has been my experience as well. Batting a thousand so far on GA and GB.

 

[Dino1]

I have an Ithica 1911 that was my dads side arm in the army. Took it to the local guy I do some business with to get an appraisal. This is not one of the referb guns put together out of a pile of parts. This one is all numbers matching with the original holster. Pistol is easily a 95% gun, almost not a mark on it. He told me the gun was only worth 1200 bucks. I was getting the appraisal for insurance reasons, and was paying for the appraisal. Then he offered me 1200.00 for the gun cash and said he was giving me a good deal for it. Come to find out the gun is worth twice what he offered, maybe more because it looks to be never fired by what the barrel scopes out to look like. I know that is not the case, it was military side arm. But non the less this is a rare find, and he tried to dupe me because I came in wanting to know value. Gun is stamped US Government property which up's the value significantly. And the Holster looks almost new as well. If you take a gun in and you are paying for an appraisal, seem to me un ethical to offer to buy it. I feel I was ripped for the appraisal fee. Not to mention the last 8-9 times I went in to buy some AR 15 parts, they had nothing for me. Done with that shop.

 

[Rastoff]

Dino,
That is exactly what the local gun store owner here would try. Except he'd offer you a new M&P in trade and claim that you were getting a great deal because he was taking your rusty old crappy gun off your hands.

Not to mention the last 8-9 times I went in to buy some AR 15 parts, they had nothing for me. Done with that shop.

I'm surprised you ever went back after the 1911 fiasco.

 

[PastureOfMuppets]

So.. uh... support you local honest gun store!



My experience with gun stores has been so up and down... and I have come to the conclusion it doesn't matter wether it's a big chain or a little mom and pop store - I will support the ones that don't slow the industry down.

By that, I mean don't put off new shooters.

At this point, new shooters are incredibly valuable politically. The industry is doing nicely financially, but that won't mean anything if we lose out politically not having enough people in danger of losing rights.

If I see someone behind the counter trying to sell a new shooter something completely unsuitable, I leave and will not recommend it to anyone - my pet peeve is when they take a woman straight to the little .38 revolver based purely on the customers sex.

That includes a lot of the casual complaints, but those are the big ones.

If the local mom and pops and the box stores are equally as good in that regard... the small business owners get recommended first.

 

[BobC357]

We've had two LGS go out of business in the past year but one I like to frequent has consignments coming in on Tuesdays so, I like to hang around and see what comes through the door. I'm a repeat customer and they know what I'm always looking for. Nice folks.

Ammo prices are fair - not too high but, not the lowest. I reload so don't often buy but, for the right stuff, I'll pick up a 50 box. So, yes, I support my LGS.