Where do you buy your guns ?

[S&W357]

I see so many cool guns here on SW fourm. Guns that i never see at my LGS. Not only do you guys have cool guns ,i see and hear the deals you get on them. I only go to my LGS and there are the same guns all the time. The prices are list. I have bought on Armslist but i'm afraid i'm going to get screwed one day with sending them the money first then hoping he or she sends the gun to my LGS. I'm only looking for newer guns but maybe i should open my eyes to older ones ?

 

[opaul]

There are probably six or seven LGSs that I frequent. I'm always amazed at the inventory turnover. I also shop on a local forum where buyer and sellers have feedback on their transactions. Also, you get to know some of the fellows behind the counter and that always helps.

 

[SweetMK]

I bought a couple off of a Virginia forum

Buy, Sell and Trade Guns for Free! | VA Gun Trader

does your state have such a site?

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Most of my Smith's came from here. Like you, I do not see many of the ones offered here at any of my gun stores. Hard to come by in this state.

James

 

[BigCityChief]

I have four favorite gun shops within 50 miles of my home that satisfy all my firearms needs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Welder1]

It's like gambling the more you play the better your chances. The more you stop at your local shops the better chance of finding something nice. Also remember most posts are because someone found something special or unexpected for a steal. You don't often see a guy post of how he bought a lemon for twice it's worth.

 

[lowercase]

I have a few gun shops that I haunt. And I mean like visit at least once a week, or the staff is wondering if I'm okay. LOL.

The used gun inventory turns over rapidly, so stopping by regularly really pays off for finding deals.

Also, in my area, used guns that come in will be placed on a 30 day quarantine to make sure they aren't stolen. Used guns also usually take a few days to get priced and displayed for sale. Some stores place quarantine guns out front with their "availability for pickup" date. So e do not. In any case, I Lways ask if "anything cool has come in" as far as used revolvers.

So far, I've scored a Colt Python, S&W 27-2, 66-3, and an old school Charter Bulldog with this strategy.

Before becoming a regular and asking the right questions, these same stores looked like they only had the "same old stuff" that never really seemed to change.

 

[Lou_NC]

My sources of used S&W's have included:

1. Local gun shows - specifically the "used guns" table for one of the brick and mortar shops from about 50 miles away who sets up about 20 tables at every show. (He takes in trades and sells used as well as new guns at the shows).
2. Local (North Carolina) gun forum, then meet F2F with seller locally.
3. Armslist (local listings only), then meet F2F with seller locally.
4. Brick and mortar gun shops (local as well as around NC).
5. GunBroker, GunsAmerica. Ship to my local FFL to complete transfer.

I've probably bought more S&W's from local F2F transactions than any other source. I've also bought a small number through the internet auction sites. I've never had a problem with the "distant" sales. The key in dealing with "long distance" sales is to establish a rapport with the seller via email to "test the waters" before you bid or buy. Ask the seller for a few "extra" pictures, for example, or some background/history about the gun. If they won't accommodate, or you get any bad vibes from their email, walk away. I have only had that happen once or twice, compared to good dealings with most folks. You can tell pretty quickly if you're dealing with a nice person or not, via their email replies.


Lou

 

[Zipdog]

Any gun store that charges list prices is where I never stop again.

 

[hangnoose]

WHERE DO YOU BUY

Rarely do I buy retail! full boat + tax & background check/transfer is an absolute last resort. Most of my best deals have been when I wasn't specifically looking, but I kinda never stop. I look at newspaper want adds every week when the new ads come out, every time I go to the range I check out the wts bulletin board at the firing line & in the clubhouse, I can't walk past ANY bulletin board without giving it a quick once over, & on line. just about every state has a (insert you state here) guntrader.com. My best deals by far have come from newspapers & the gun club.

 

[Donn]

I do business with one LGS. The owner's done me several good turns over the years. If something comes thru the door he figures I might be interested in, I get a call before it goes in the showcase. I figure loyalty's the best way to return the favor.

 

[jrs70]

I have an outstanding local forum. An ok LGS and sometimes a show. We have an antique arms show 4 times a year that is nice. I don't like buying what I cant hold. I have only bought one on line. If you look It just takes time. You will find them.

 

[Rick_A]

Walmart, military PX, chain sporting goods stores, Gunbroker, local shops...in other words, wherever I can.

I've waited months, years, and decades to find certain guns.

 

[rwsutley]

I go to local gun shows and watch for people who are walking around with something to sell. These people want to sell and are not concerned about making a profit. I don't always score, but when I do it's sweet.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I have been burnt by lgs that I now get satisfactory even exceptional deals from. It is a learning curve the new lone buyer must work through. I say lone buyer b/c some are lucky enough to have friends or family to help them. Not me.

Lately I have made 2 out of 3 buys from online sights. Armslist, GB, International Auction and should not forget ebay, MidwatUSA and Amazon for ancillary items. I have successfully sold a few guns on Armslist. Burnt online once. I have knowingly over paid for several items (m36 3" target model, NIB 1 of 615) that I wanted. [the market @ work]

I purchased one revolver on our classified. I have sold 5 or 6 things on accessories page.My best deals have been at the 2 lgs that took advantage of my lack of basic knowledge a year ago...before I found this forum!

To be honest certain lgs do not seem to know the value of some of what they have in used guns. That is where my best buys have been.

They all seem to make most of there profit from new guns sales. There has been a steady stream of new-gun-only buyers to keep them smiling since the presidential elections and then the Newtown shooting.

I have learned a lot here and I know my buying habits will change. My safe is getting filled up.

Enough. Good thread.

 

[lowercase]

Trolling gun shops really does pay off.

I stopped in at a place that mainly sold "tacti-cool" guns, but they had a big used gun display.

I saw some big, N-frame, 5-screw revolver sitting there that looked terrible. On further inspection, it turned out to be a Brazilian contract Model 1917. The gun shop didn't even know what they had, and were essentially selling it as a "gunsmith special" for $249.

I took it home and spent some serious time cleaning it up. I also grabbed some reproduction 1917 stocks and a lanyard ring from eBay.

I had pretty much decided that I would never be lucky enough to have a S&W 1917, and then I all but tripped over this one in September of 2013.

 

[hkcavalier]

I see older guns at pawn shops more than the regular gun stores.

I would like to get most of my guns at the local shops, but have broke down and bought hard to find guns on Gunbroker.com. I trust Gunbroker transactions, would never send $$ for and Armslist buy. Have sold via Armslist but never bought, my private buys have been through a couple members-only forums. If you're patient some nice guns come up for sale, but these are gun nuts, you're not going to see too many steals.

 

[TucsonMTB]

As several members have observed, a good local gun board will spoil you, if you have some patience. Here in the Tucson area, the mostly Phoenix based ArizonaShooting.com has want ads section that can't be beat. You have to be a member for a while to gain access, but it is well worth becoming part of the community of buyers and sellers who tend to look out for each other.

Yes, I have successfully purchased both used and new guns on GunBroker.com as well as new guns from local gun shops, but my favorites have mostly been local, face to face personal sales from helpful fellow shooters. Life is good.

 

[BigBill]

When I browse I hit every LGS in my area. If I don't find anything I'm like a blood hound and stay on the trail looking for days looking at the same places. It's the only way a dog will find a bone. For a while there one of my usual stops had s&w revolvers on sale. He had all N Frames marked $599 to $699. I had some mad money luckily. The nickel finish never looked so good. At another LGS I noticed on GA he had listed a S&W New m29-10 unfired, w/presentation case, blue case and all the papers listed for $699. I had to clean my shoes off before I went into the house for sure I stepped in something. My point is if you seek you will find. Just stay looking. I'm seeing lots of used N frames now too.
The ones I never seen before. I'm my area most guns I find are hardley shot. I even find brand new 9mm autos still unshot for half price too. Well I got my foot in the door with s&w's at the right time. The guns here are still selling at an all time high. Every time the talk of a gun ban of any kind comes up its a mad rush to buy anything. People who never owned a gun nor didn't want one are buying one or more just so there not left out. The gun shops are still crowded. My point is if you see what you want look at it and don't put it down its like we're at a gun show. If we put it down the next guy will grab it. But there are more tire kickers too.
I think they are there just to get in the way. I hope your next quest pays off. Just stay browsing sooner or later it will pay off. Bill

Remember to add your guns in your will as to who gets what. I had a pawn shop guy tell me he gets his best buys when someone passes on and his family brings in his gun collection to him. I wanted to jump in his face but I held back. I make sure I post this. Will your guns to who ever. Just make sure the greedy pawn guy doesn't rip them off. You should make a value list too. CYA for the family.

 

[qrachel]

The LGS and the Forum here. I regularly stop at the LGS 1-2 times per week and know everybody: I chat, I buy something now and then and they turn me on to some great deals. When something comes into the store that's special to me, doesn't matter why, they call me.

It also helps to bring coffee and rolls once or twice a year - as a gal I know how important the stomach is to a guy.

Anyway, that's the view from here.

TTFN,

R