Where to buy guns - pawn/gun shop, online auction?

[Beeser]

I realize "best" is subjective but where do you like to purchase your guns? Where do you find the best deals? I recently purchased my first gun ever from a local pawn shop primarily because they had what I wanted but probably more importantly because I could actually put my eyes on it. Not having a gun before made it difficult for me to visualize or determine condition from pictures on an online source.

 

[UncleEd]

Gun shop and pawn shop. I've found that if you frequent a place or places, they get to know you, your wants and can actually help you by putting stuff aside for you or even steering you clear of something.

I've always had, and have, cordial relationships with the guys and gals at the shops and/or pawn shops.

Just remember: They do have to make a living so don't think being their friend entitles you to not giving them some profit. And I've always found they'll cut their profit margins once they get to know you.

After all, if you go into a place and you're new there and very likely a one-time buyer, they might as well get 30%. I've generally found the people I've traded with tend to OK deals at 10% or 15%.

 

[snowman]

Hi, Beeser. Looks like your tenure here has been short enough for me to offer my welcome. I doubt if I'll be much help, but I'll just tell you my experience briefly.

I've bought all the guns I presently own from either Gunbroker, Auction Arms, or this forum; in other words, I've bought only online. Here is the reason: none -I repeat; none- of the area shops here has ever had anything I've been looking for; namely, older used S&W revolvers. If I waited for a shop even 50-100 miles away to get something in that interested me, I would likely never obtain it. I stop in to a few shops on a regular basis to see if they have what I would like to have, and sometimes call some others further away, but thus far have come up empty.

I would like to be able to handle and examine a gun before I buy, but it just hasn't been possible. Maybe someday. I will say that I've been pleased with the guns I've obtained online for the most part.

Andy

 

[RightArm]

I'll pay a little more to help my LGS with business. I know it's a big city and there are plenty of places, but I like one place better than the others. They will order stuff for me if they don't normally stock it. I like seeing what I'm buying and walking out with it. No need to deal with a 3rd party or shipping.

 

[Martimus]

Any/All of the above!

I have some weapons purchased at LGS's; some that were purchased on BackPage; some that were purchased at Pawn Shops; and some that were purchased on GunBroker.

While I believe in supporting local businesses, I've found that some of my local gun stores tend to price their stuff very high and then try to lure customers in with loss leaders. I prefer to support local businesses but not when the local business marks their stuff up over MSRP.

 

[Beeser]

I forgot to mention gun shows earlier. Are they good sources for gun purchases?

 

[H Richard]

All of the above. Frequent your LGS, as previously mentioned and let them know what kind you are looking for. I have one shop that calls me when any "older" S&W come in. I have actually taken my SCSW3 out and helped him ID & value some guns he was being offered to buy. He isn't interested in keeping on his shelf the older SA and top break revolvers, so I "Help" him by buying up most of them. They just aren't frequent enough.

 

[5Wire]

Here's a few, some links may be dead or irrelevant, no particular recommendations or cautions:

Armchair Gun Show, antique guns and collectible firearms for sale
Kittery Trading Post Used Guns Home
Riverview Sales
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/index.html
Gun Auctions & Guns For Sale at GunAuction.com
Discount Guns for Sale - Buds Gun Shop
Buy Gun Accessories, Hi-Capacity Mags, Scopes, Gun Parts & More at CDNN Sports, Inc.
Chester Arms LLC - Gun Shop NH
Ebang! Guns for Sale
Exeter Arms - Home
Florida GunWorks - Parts for the AR15, AK47, FNFAL, HK, Mini 14, Mini 30 & MP5 at Florida Gun Works
Guns for Sale - Online Gun Auction - Buy Guns at GunBroker.com
Gunrunner Online Auctions
Guns for Sale, Gun Classifieds, Gun Auctions, Shop for Guns at GunsAmerica
Guns International, Used Guns For Sale Online, Antique Guns, Collectible Firearms
HK Specialist - Home Page
Howells Gun and Archery
Impact Guns Home
J&G Sales
Online Gun Deals - Home
Auction Company Schedule | Proxibid Auctions
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/
https://www.policeguns.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=31_254&osCsid=520b59012fe66c6602fbbde0eb1468fe

 

[nipster]

I prefer pawn shops. They are less apt to know what exactly they have, are more willing to deal, etc.

Case in point, I bought an S serial # 4" 28-2 with diamond target coke grips today for $400 OTD

 

[AZ_Shooter]

The last few years I've made it a habit to go around and check out the various gun shops in the Phoenix area. Some have what I need, some don't. I prefer buying at a gun shop so I can talk to someone when I make a purchase. I've also bought online and had several pleasant experiences that route too. My advice, try them all.

 

[BCDWYO]

I would prefer to buy from a local shop whenever possible and for any of my current-production guns that is generally what I have done. For older Smiths however, my experience has mirrored that of Snowman above...If you are looking for a specific model or example, then the LGS will literally be like a searching for a needle in a haystack. Your chances of actually finding what you are looking for go up dramatically by searching nationally...i.e. online.

 

[chud333]

I've got a good LGS who i have a great relationship
with. I buy some things from him from time to time
and he cuts me good deals when he can. He also lets
me use his FFL copies to have guns bought on here
shipped to his shop for 20 bucks. And he knows i
collect older P&R Smiths and keeps an eye out for me
and has my cell number to call anytime he comes across
something i might like.
Seldom does he have anything i collect because he's
a small local shop but i did find a nice model 36 snub in
his display case once. I'll buy most of my "non-S&W"
guns from him. He also lets me layaway anything in
his store and pay when i want--no terms--.

Chuck

 

[ohiococonut]

Don't forget yard sales and work. Most of my best buys came from work. If you buy them, they will come

 

[nipster]

Don't forget yard sales and work. Most of my best buys came from work. If you buy them, they will come

My work has an online classifieds, they came out with a policy forbidding gun sales after I posted a "wanted" ad.

Yard Sales / Garage sales, I have never had any luck, but keep an eye out.

 

[ohiobuckeye]

I wouldn't scratch any source off the list as any one of them will eventually produce a few gold nuggets out of all the trash you may have to sift through in your search. The internet is currently the most productive source, but also has the most potential buyers to compete with you and that usually translates to premium prices. Since you cannot do a hands on inspection prior to purchase, the internet also requires a higher degree of caution, research, and plain old common sense, to avoid the less than ethical and/or knowledgeable seller putting a scorched hole in your wallet. Most are honest, but as Ronnie Reagan once said "Trust, but verify".... My first choice would be gun shows, with the internet a very close second. For rare and hard to find stuff, the internet moves into first place. Most of the fun is in the hunt, so all sources are scouted an a regular basis.

 

[mg357]

I buy my guns at gun shops and gun shows.

 

[freddy137]

It's a lot more simple than all that for me, where ever it is. It's just that simple I either do or don't get it at the price I decide is fair or what I'm willing to do. Some times you get a real deal and some times you pay for a deal. Either way the value is what ever me and the seller settle on.

 

[armadillo]

I still go to gun shows because I find a good deal on a S&W or other gun I want about every two years.

Most of my purchases over the years have been through private sales of guns found by my friends who know what I collect - before they ever make it to a gun show.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I've bought many new and used guns at gun shops and pawn shops. You have to know what to look for and ask questions. Especially with used guns. A bad or inexperienced salesman will sometimes tell you things you should know about the gun and talk himself out of a sale.

Gun shows around here are a waste of time. And I never buy any gun online. I like to see and feel what I'm buying. I'm not into that buy it and inspect in junk. Besides, quite often when you buy online with what you pay in taxes and transfer fees, your better off buying locally. And I would much rather support my local mom and pop gun shop than someone online.

Shop around. Do some homework. Ask questions. And whatever you do, don't tell them you're new to guns.

 

[Rogue686]

I've always supported the local gunshops and the local pawn shop that mainly deals in guns. The biggest reason is because although you can save twenty bucks or more online, I prefer to handle guns that I will be purchasing. Pictures are not enough in my book.

Plus, the local gun shops do what they can to promote shooting and shooting events in our community, and I feel I owe it to them to support them in order to get more people into our sport.

Rogue