[Ripon]

Just curious about folks in free states and other places.

Here in California we don't have it as bad as many would think. Our hand gun issues are the worst as the State must "approve" of a gun for it to be accessible for the people to buy. There is a way around it for some - you can make the unapproved gun a "single shot" by conversion, by it, and then convert it back and its still legal. We are limited to 10 round magazines on all guns, but again we can buy all the parts to a 30 round magazine and assemble them legally. Silliness I know.

We have gun shops. I work in one once in a while - guess you can call me a fill in guy when others are sick or the owner expects a busy weekend. The retailers get blasted by people for high prices. I know enough about the business and retail in general to know their mark ups in many cases are more than reasonable for trying to run a business and make a living - still people complain.

Online retailers, budsgunshop, brick/mortar and online (basspro / cabellas) and others like midway seem to have the best price points.

Today, and the reason I post this, was Mike (the owner) of a shop called me about one of my favorite guns the Ruger P95. Buds has them at $369, he just got 3 of them in stock and was listing them at $399. He had someone in the shop yesterday go off on him over the $30 difference and go online to a popular forum here and blast his shop for "stealing" from the consumer. The real irony in this story was the complainer uses the forum to sell his own firearms at one time and even has a Ruger 10/22 listed right now for $350. Hmm, Mike has a 10/22 brand new unused one for $279 but this guys used one is worth $350 - and he's complaining? The online forum for selling / buying does not have any limits on what someone can ask and we see some quite stupid asking prices often.

Do you ever buy at gunbroker, gunsamerica, buds, or through a private forum? I've used gunbroker, budsgunshop, my local shop (employee discount thanks) and the forum - I'm just curious how others go about it in other places?

 

[1skrewsloose]

I've used "armslist" in the past to buy and sell with good results. Everywhere you go some folks think what they have is worth big bucks. If you visit often you can find fair deals. jmho.

 

[sparkyprep]

In FL, I just use local gun shops. We have pretty lax gun laws here. I can get pretty much anything I need legally.

 

[9UC]

More by chance than by design I'll respond with all of the above to include two WWII guns for the sake of nostalgia from a friend. My first purchase, and my preference is to buy from an LGS, but if they don't have a test range, that can be a problem. Yes, ya' pay a little more, but you are also paying for the space to display it and place to allow you to handle it prior to purchase. I did one online store purchase because I couldn't find one locally.

 

[Rigged for Quiet]

Buds may be $30 cheaper but you still have to pay shipping and the FFL transfer. A regular Einstein, that one.

About half the time I buy via private sale. Arms List is very helpfu in that regard. I have yet to buy a firearm from an online broker or shop, but I may be doing so very soon. There are also a minimum of 2 gun shows a month in my general area.

 

[Nathan Jefferson]

Guns? Nah, I sold all of mine. I do have a sling shot though... Oh maybe if you are into guns and like to reload www.hi-techammo.com has some black tipped hens teeth in stock...

 

[Fuzzee]

I normally walk in and go, " I want that one. Yeah that life taker right there with the extended magazine that pisses off those piece of shit democraps who can go **** themselves with a studded goldplated baseball bat with a smiling Obama picture on it."
The guy goes "OK. I go "Here's my CCW and DL." He goes "Fill out this 4473 please." I go "Here ya go bud." He goes " That will be $---.--." I go "Here you are." He goes "Thanks, aim for the heart and balls of young Travon Martins." I go " You know it. Have a good day." He goes, " You too. Come again." And that pretty much sums it up.

 

[PrepperDogs]

My LGS is normally where I buy firearms. I also have a FFL C&R license so I can buy my collectibles online and have them shipped to me.

With regards to that douchebag in the shop, does he realize the fees involved to have a firearm shipped? I bet it's way more than the $30 difference.

 

[Fuzzee]

I'm sorry I forgot. There's normally a bit more small talk about how much of a douchenozzle Obama and his fellow politicians are. How he married Chewbacca and why he couldn't go fly off on the Millennium Falcon instead of messing our country up anymore. How it's so pathetic of him to accept a Nobel prize for doing nothing, and a few more douchenozzles thrown in there. I look around for anything I may want in the future, pick up some random accessories while I'm there and shoot the shiat about what new guns are coming out. Then I take my new gun and accessories and leave. Thinking about how cool it would be on the way home to start a new prize for douchenozzlery and how Obama could be the first recipient.

 

[Scotty12]

I don't have any more guns. I sold all of mine to Sen. Feinstein. I gave her a great deal on an FAL. 250.00 So if you're reading this go ask her where my guns are. But if I did I would probably do a lot of online trading on AR 15.com (used and upgraded)

 

[1skrewsloose]

I don't have any more guns. I sold all of mine to Sen. Feinstein. I gave her a great deal on an FAL. 250.00 So if you're reading this go ask her where my guns are. But if I did I would probably do a lot of online trading on AR 15.com (used and upgraded)

That reminds me of my daughters course, forget what class. What guns do you own, how many guns in your home, how many are loaded, how much ammo do you have, etc. What in the world gives them the right to ask such questions!! Sorry to hi-jack this thread.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

In Florida there is a three day wait for a handgun, unless you have a concealed weapon permit, because years ago some idiot bought a pistol and used it to blow his brains out. The do-gooders passed a law mandating a three day "cooling off period."
This does not apply to long guns. You fill out the federal form, produce ID, pass the background check, pay your money, walk out. Total time elapsed, about 5 minutes.
I prefer to buy from a licensed dealer, that way I know the gun is not stolen. I have bought from individuals, after running the serial number. The web page for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has a spot you can enter a serial number and find out if it has been reported stolen.
The last thing I need is to be found with a gun that, unbeknownst to me, was stolen. In my 64 years of life I have never gotten more than a traffic ticket and I'd like to keep it that way.

 

[1skrewsloose]

Guns? Nah, I sold all of mine. I do have a sling shot though... Oh maybe if you are into guns and like to reload www.hi-techammo.com has some black tipped hens teeth in stock...

My mother asked what I would do if they came for my guns, I said, I don't own any!!! She said , good answer.!!

 

[bigdogbuc]

I use Gunbroker once in awhile, but usually for black powder or I use my C&R license so it's sent directly to me. For the most part, on modern firearms, especially in my state, there aren't "good deals" anymore. I have watched Gunbroker go from a place to find good deals (5 years ago), to a retailers emporium.

By the time you get done paying shipping, FFL Transfer Fee, and in my state, sales tax (not only on the purchase, but the shipping as well), plus the wait which averages about 10 days from mailing payment to receiving the gun, it's just isn't worth it, unless it's something you're looking for specifically that you can't find or get elsewhere.

Gunbroker is a great place to shop for other stuff (even hard to find stuff) that can be delivered directly to you, such as parts, ammunition, scopes, uppers, stuff like that. But otherwise, I avoid it.

 

[PaulS]

I have bartered, been given, and inherited guns and when I buy them I usually buy from private parties. The exception to that is when I can only find what I am looking for at a dealer or the local gun store has it at a ridiculously low price. I bought a "sporterized" '06 for $100. The job was poorly done and I had to buy a new bolt for it but the bolt was only $10. So for $110 I got a decent gun that needed a little work to make it a great gun. Since the government knows I have my guns I don't try to hide that fact from them. All I can say is they better have a search warrant when to come on the property. It's posted and applies to everyone without permission - including LEOs.

 

[shotlady]

i love going to the gun shop. i love the guys that work there. they are nice and kind and funny. during my ten day wait i get a congical visit with my piece on hold . my gun club has a shoppe too! i cant wait to go to a free state!

 

[PaulS]

Shot lady,
You make me wish I had a gun shop close to you..... It sounds a bit kinky to have conjugal visits with a firearm but I'll watch the video once....

 

[PrepConsultant]

Before I moved to Montana I used Florida Online Gun Show. Guns For Sale . Sell My Gun.* and The Outdoors Trader | Free Gun Classifieds & Discussion Forums (which was my favorite).. I have found some great deals on there.. ARMSLIST - Gun Classifieds is pretty good too.. You have to check them several times a day if you can so you can see the good deals before others.. I picked up a custom Remington 40X 22-250 with a bull barrel and a Valdada scope for $850 It is worth a lot more but the guy needed the money. He was asking like $1000 and I offered cash and he accepted..

 

[Chipper]

I call or order online from one of my wholesalers. Sure is nice to have an FFL. No price gouging and if it's "in stock" I get first choice. Most of all I love being able to walk into any gun shop regardless of the state and walk out with my purchase. "IF" I want to pay their price.

 

[mwhartman]

Thankfully, PA has a gun friendly policy. I can walk into a LGS and walk out with a handgun or rifle as long as I have a valid PA drivers license and pass a PSP background check.