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IronsightJM

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Hey all, I’m fairly new to this forum and am learning more and more each time I come here. I’m looking to purchase a few rifles such as a .22 (still don’t know which rifle I want semi/lever) and a 223 rifle (thinking savage axis). Both these I would want to be under around $400. My local gun shops do not have much to pick from at all and their prices are jacked up. I’m curious to know what online gun sites are the best for good deals and or used or refurbished guns. I’ve seen gunsbroker and guns.com that’s about it. Any suggestions? Where are y’all catching the good deals or used guns?
 
I've found prices all over the place. Grab-A-Gun usually has decent prices. They might not be the best prices but they're in the ball park. Georgia Gun also is competitive. PSAs sales are hard to beat if they have free shipping, otherwise pass. Classic Firearms has some deals. So you have to get on the mailing lists and watch for what you're looking for.
 
Hey all, I’m fairly new to this forum and am learning more and more each time I come here. I’m looking to purchase a few rifles such as a .22 (still don’t know which rifle I want semi/lever) and a 223 rifle (thinking savage axis). Both these I would want to be under around $400. My local gun shops do not have much to pick from at all and their prices are jacked up. I’m curious to know what online gun sites are the best for good deals and or used or refurbished guns. I’ve seen gunsbroker and guns.com that’s about it. Any suggestions? Where are y’all catching the good deals or used guns?
Not sure how new you are to guns, but bear in mind that along with the price of a gun at your LGS comes a lot of experience and friendly advice. Finding a gun store (whether LGS, pawn shop, whatever) with knowledgeable friendly people can be worth a few points against the price of a gun. If you have no questions to be answered and don't want to fondle the actual gun you're going to buy then by all means, save the coin and shop online, just factor in any shipping and ffl transfer costs.

That said, we price our used guns at what we see actual online used sales on same item happening. Not what someone is asking but what they're actually selling for. I wouldn't dismiss out of hand the LGS's of the world for used firearms. Personally, I can think of three whole guns I've bought new. One I ended up reselling as I didn't care for it, one is a black powder rifle I still have and a 9mm Extar that is simply not sold through stores and it seems like owners never part with. Having been in the gun selling business since he 80's, I have found that I like saving the money by buying used guns in good condition. I started my relationship with a LGS when I moved from NJ to Fla and, over the course of years, got some very sage advice. There was no internet back then, but with much that one reads on the 'net it must be taken with a grain of salt the size of a mid sized SUV.

I think you might be doing your local guys a disservice dismissing them out of hand on used guns. Even on new guns that might cost a bit more from a LGS as opposed to online the pre and after sale assistance can be worth a good bit. YMMV.
 
guns.deals used to be a good place to get good view of the cheapest prices out there but the site isn't as easy to navigate anymore. One problem with buying online is that you'll typically have to add in $20 in shipping and $25 (give or take) for a transfer fee. On top of that the majority of online sellers are charging sales tax so the advantage that used to exist for online seller has disappeared. Being able to see a gun before hand to verify is also worth something to the majority of people.

Where are you located? Are you only looking for used guns? Proxibid.com does a fair amount of firearm auctions but you might have to wait for something you like to come up for auction and there's no guarantee you'll get a better deal than.
 
Go to a gun show. Don’t even bother looking on the tables, but talk to folks carrying stuff. I have made more trades and purchases that way than I ever have on sales from tables.
 
A couple of other quick points: First, go to gun shows, and engage in the chit-chat. Make friends. You've got to be able to separate good info from bad info, but the folks at gun shows will help you find other avenues for buying that may be closer to home. Second, don't discount the value of being able to actually handle a gun. You can look at pictures online all day long, but it's no substitute for being able to hold a gun in your hands. Even more important, if at all possible, shoot a given model before you buy. Even if you like the looks, even if you like the idea of a gun, and even if you like the way it feels in your hand, you may not like how it feels when you shoot it. G48, I'm looking at you....
 
Even more important, if at all possible, shoot a given model before you buy. Even if you like the looks, even if you like the idea of a gun, and even if you like the way it feels in your hand, you may not like how it feels when you shoot it.
This is exactly how Mrs Swamprat bought her FN57. Had one come out of pawn some time back and I'd never shot one so was curious. We went to the range, rented one and she fell in love with it so bought the one that we had in store.
 
Spats McGee and Swamp day make good points. It's a good idea to develop a good relationship with a LGS/FFL and handling/inspecting the gun prior to paying for it is the safest way. If you buy a gun from out of state you'll need an ffl to receive the gun and do the transfer. I've had very good luck with Armslist private party listings within my state face to face transfers (three). We meet in a public place where I can inspect/handle the firearm. We make out all the forms, call dept of public safety and make the transfer in 10 minutes. No fees, no taxes. You can meet at an ffl if you're uncomfortable about meeting a stranger,who knows you're carrying a lot of cash, in a parking lot. If at any time after making contact with the seller I get any " bad vibes" I walk away.
 
Any suggestions? Where are y’all catching the good deals or used guns?
I have gotten good deals on new guns from https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/weekly-deals.cfm, https://www.budsgunshop.com/, Palmetto State Armory and good old Google.

I got my Ruger 10/22 Collector #3 from PSA for $199. 10/22 "real world" ammo comparison and 25/50 yard testing - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...rrel-ruger-10-22-collector-3-break-in.859106/

And most recently T/CR22 from grabagun for $269. BTW, here's review thread with 20+ ammo 25/50 yard testing - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...50-yard-22lr-ammo-comparison-break-in.864241/
 
I will not pay 3.50 for a gallon of milk when the going price is 2.00. This day and age prices are king and the availability is clear. Heck online I can even pick the serial number I want now. Service after the sale is important but you have to ship anyway.
 
I like Kentucky Gun Company. They have good prices and they were super friendly when I called with a question. My go-to for used/surplus guns is AIM as they don’t always have the cheapest prices, but they are very conservative on their grading. If you order a gun in good condition, it will come in good condition and look the same or better than the photos. They are also very pleasant when I have questions.

I cannot speak positively about Bud’s. Bud’s once refused to fulfill an order because I was having it shipped to PA, but my billing address for the credit card which I used was a CA address since I was stationed in CA at the time. The gun was not legal in CA, but that is irrelevant since it was being shipped to PA. I called them about it. I explained that the billing address is irrelevant and I could change the billing address to whatever I wanted in a moment’s notice by simply calling my bank. Nonetheless, the employee accused me of attempting to commit a crime and said “we’re not going to help you commit a crime.” Fortunately, it worked out in my favor as I discovered that Sportsman’s Outdoor Superstore has the same gun at a better price and fulfilled my order without issue. I will not buy from Bud’s regardless of whether their price is the best or not simply because of that experience.

I’ve ordered surplus guns from Classic Firearms. Years ago, I was happy with what I received. The last time I purchased from them was 2017. They sent me a couple of “very good” advertised pistols that showed major signs of wear, rust, and pitting which did not look like the picture despite paying extra for hand select. I refuse to buy from Classic now because I feel that they were dishonest and likely just picked the first two guns that they could find to fill my order.

My point is that some places have good deals, but they are not always the best deals when you factor in issues related to customer service.
 
CDNN sports
J&G
Buds Guns

The list is really long but suffice it to say they are lots of places to get a good deal especially if you dont mind military surplus.
 
Gun.Deals is the best place to find deals on new guns and it indexes most of the sites that have been meantioned.
 
I've ordered a few guns from Bud's, but I've noticed the past year or so they no longer have the best price. Their cash price vs credit/debit card price is a bit of a bait/switch deal.

The last place I bought from was Alpine Gun Range down in Texas. They had a very fair price on a P365 TacPac and they didn't charge shipping, sent several follow up emails to communicate the process, and when my FFL was being unresponsive, they were great to work with. I was pleasantly surprised.
 
The thing about Bud's is the price constantly changes, perhaps they have a program that tracks trends. Catch them when the price is low, and if it has price matching, even better.

I find AIM Surplus to be excellent in their used gun grading, pricing, and attitude.

Welcome to the forum!
 
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