You buy guns online because...

[Filbird]

One of the things that surprises me, now that I am coming back to shooting and collecting after being away for so long, is how many online gun auctions there are, and how many members here and in other forums (Ruger, Colt...) make use of those online gun auctions -- I guess because I've always thought that buying a gun relies so much on the fit, finish, feel, and condition of the weapon, which is so much more easily determined when it can be examined in person.

For those of you do purchase guns online, is it because you don't have many good local gun shop options? The convenience of the online purchasing process? The competitiveness of bidding? The greater selection?

The selection of S&W revolvers from 1980-present online is pretty impressive. If I could actually see the gun cases at my local gunstore (that is, get past the folks 3-deep looking at what's in there) I would not expect them to have a better selection, which maybe answers my question...

 

[jframefreak]

I stick with my local shop because he is good to trade with, has a good supply of ammo, and does not price gouge. If you've got "preferred customer" status at a local shop, you're usually doing better than online prices anyway. Plus it's a good place to hang out on rainy days.

 

[DonD]

I don't buy on auctions but I have bought several guns from Bud's Gunshop because they had excellent prices and inventory before the panic buying began. In all cases, I knew what I wanted and knew how they felt or handled. Don

 

[panamajack310]

I shop several ways. I first use my local shops, the S&W forum and gunbroker.com.
I like gunbroker because you can find good deals out there, and there is a much larger selection. Most gun shops I go to push the semiautos and hardly ever have a good collection of revolvers either new or used.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Originally posted by panamajack310:
I shop several ways. I first use my local shops, the S&W forum and gunbroker.com.
I like gunbroker because you can find good deals out there, and there is a much larger selection. Most gun shops I go to push the semiautos and hardly ever have a good collection of revolvers either new or used.

+1

 

[stevieboy]

I'm eclectic. I've purchased online (Bud's), from Gunbroker auctions, at shows, and at local gunstores. I try to study as much as possible in advance before I make a purchase and I avoid buying on impulse (although, the one time I made an impulse purchase, it turned out to be a great deal).

The advantage of buying from an auction site is the selection that's available. For example, I recently bought a model 27. At the time, there were probably 50 or more of them listed on Gunbroker and I was able to pick the one that appeared to best suit my needs (good condition but a shooter rather than a collectible gun)from the range of possibilities. I also relied heavily on customer feedback before bidding.

 

[TNDave]

Buying guns online is good because you can find the gun you are looking for. Most guns I am interested in are no longer in production. In the past you might never find a certain gun, but now you can find any gun.

 

[James NM]

Online (dealer or auction) usually offers better price and almost always offers better selection.

But more importantly, for me anyway, is not everyone lives in an urban area where they can simply drive a few miles and look at or buy whatever gun they want. The nearest gun shop to me is 180 miles round trip. The closest big gun shop to me (in my state) is almost 400 miles round trip. But there are a couple of FFL holders where I live.

So why do I buy over the internet? It's a lot more convient to ship a gun to an FFL where I live than going to my "local" gun store.

 

[oldRoger]

I buy on-line for much the same reasons everyone gives, if I wait for what I want to show up locally, or at a gunshow, I probably will never find it.
I would love to inspect, function check, etc, before making an offer, but its not really practical here in the sticks.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Have a better slection and you save tax money to buy ammo with.

 

[PMRet]

Mainly because they have a much better selection than any of the shops around here. Downside is, of course, you can't check timing, lockup, etc., plus you can't haggle the price, which is half the fun.

 

[gaucho1]

Mostly

No guns for sale come to light very often on this island.
But sometimes I find a local deal.
I have had very good luck with the sellers
I have purchased from.So far,honest well meaning
folk.
I would be very careful if I was I was looking for true collector grade.
I prefer shooters and well done custom revolvers,mostly chopped in .45acp.

 

[Revolver King]

The best way to discribe buying on is BUYING ONLINE ROCKS. Better prices or hard to find guns, Mostly hard to find guns. My last purchase was a 3" 686 unfluted cylinder, They are not even suppose to be making it, but due to a fellow member showing his and a tip from another member, I bought a brand new one just like it. Have not seen one anywhere else.
Note, I'm not a rocker, just an old fart.

 

[akr]

All my online guns have felt just right to me. I guess I'm not that picky. They didn't ask me to feel of it first in the Army when I got my weapon, or when they threw the boots at me. I can adjust pretty well if it's not perfect. Also, I live in a small town and I have to do things a little differently. They are not very competitive here.

 

[bigt5150]

I buy guns online because of the lack of selection in my home town. Online auctions literally open up the entire country, and you can find certain models that are usually hard to find anywhere.

 

[smittersrx7]

I had the habit of buying from one gun store here locally and they went out of business so now we have one dedicated gun shop in a three county area and he is so over priced that you can't afford to buy from him. He also has this horrible idea of not selling handgun ammo unless you buy the gun that uses that caliber, oh and if you do buy a gun he will only seel you one box of ammo. Yeah he is totally ridiculous in everything, but he has our market locked down well and there is nothing we can do to change his mind. We have two local pawn shops that deal in guns but neither of them have quite the selection that the internet has. So, what I do is find a gun I want to buy and see if anyone around has one, if not internet here I come. I have done like five or six online transactions and have not had any bad deals...Knock on wood. In all honesty I don't but too many guns anymore I just trade a lot. Now the one gun dealer has a huge stock of guns, so I go to him and feel the gun in my hands then buy it online.

My two cents on the situation...

 

[jpwhel]

Selection - most local gun stores have only new guns. the new guns they have are the hot items (mostly semi autos) that have a faster turnover. They may have 2-3 trade ins or guns on consignment that they are also trying to sell but otherwise not a large selection of older guns. I know how a J, K or N frame feels in my hands and will probably put new stocks on the guna anyway. What you cannot determine is lockup, pushoff, etc, but most online deals come with 3 day on-firing inspection period.

 

[deanodog]

I buy online from lack of shops close by. I would really like to be able to see and hold one before I buy. I just recently had a very bad purchase online that resulted in a fraud claim that is still pending. That was the only bad deal I ever had online though.

 

[tbury]

I buy online guns that are seldom seen in the local gunshops, mostly long guns. I have bought one 57 no-dash 8 3/8 from the forum want ads but that's it for handguns. I am lucky to have a local shop that works regional gun shows and brings back a good choice of S&Ws and other pistols. Sometimes the prices are better than auctions sometimes not; but once they know you and your interests they let you know when they have one and even buy with you in mind. Also their prices on new guns are competitive with online sources.

 

[Howard B]

My preference is to buy from the local shop I frequent. If it is current production and available thru distributors, then I get it from the shop. I usually get first pick at used S&Ws, but if I can't locate by any other means, I go to the net. To date, of the 6 or 8 I have bought sight unseen from strangers, they have always been as described or better. As I am waiting for one later this week, hopefully the pattern will continue....