Best way to buy?

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Hey y'all, I'm new, and this is my first post. I searched the forum and didn't find any posts on this subject.

I am thinking about buying my first gun. I have been doing research on different brands and models, and I got a membership to a range so I could try things out. My brother and I have been watching all sorts of reviews and videos about proper safety and gun holding technique. He just bought his wife a S&W 639 that is pretty fun to shoot. I got turned on to the ruger GP100. It was great shooting at the range. Its size makes the recoil manageable. Plus its beefy barrel looks cool. I'm pretty set on a 4 inch barrel, but anything 4-6 inches will do I'm sure.

What I would like to know is, where do you like to buy from to get the best deal. It seems like used guns hold there value pretty well on gunbroker and a lot of the sales on there are set close to the price of a new gun (maybe they are asking too much and aren't selling). I'll usually checkout palmettostatearmory.com, but they seem to always be out of stock. Bass pro sells for what must be MSRP. Am I best off trying a local gun shop and seeing if they will be flexible on the price, or maybe a gun show?
 
Try your local gunshop and see what prices they have. Remember if you do buy online you usually have to pay for shipping then a transfer fee to your local gun store, so you have to factor that in on the price of the gun you get online. I just bought a rifle that I searched for a good price online, the cheapest one I found was only $20ish less then what my LGS had once I factored in the $25 for shipping and the $35 transfer fee. Plus I like giving my business to my LGS. Now if it was over $100 difference then I buy online or if it is something he can't get for me.
 
IMHO, there is no one place to get the best deal. In recent years, I have utilized the online auction sites more than anything as it is not unusual for LGS to be $200.00 - $300.00 higher. I still check the local shop though, and give them an opportunity to get the item I want,etc. I'd say that after you've decided for sure what you want,and you're ready to buy, shop around. Since this will be your first, you might want to go with a new gun. That way, you know what you're getting, and have a warranty if needed.......ymmv
 
I always figure out the gun I want then shop around. Usually I end up getting it at my LGS (local gun shop) because the prices are the best even compared to online. Sometimes however I will see a good deal (like palmetto with AR15's) and order online.

Another good thing about hanging out at your local gun shop is the more you get to know other customers the more chance you will get to go to the range with them and try out some of their toys. :)
 
Sometimes you can find a used "gem" at local gun shops for a great price. Also some of the sports warehouse type stores have used sections though you won't see a dramatic price drop. If you want to haggle with private individuals armslist.com is basically craigslist for guns, it seems to have a plethora of sellers who think they're beater is worth as much as a NIB but sometimes you can weed out the good deals.

If you're not opposed to buying online slickguns.com can help compare prices between online dealers. I will say I'm partial to budsgunshop.com as far as actual online retailers go, but would not be opposed to going elsewhere for a better deal, just watch out of sneaky shipping charges.
 
I've bought from auctions, gun shows, Local gun shops all kinds of places. You can usually find a good deal if you look.

The nicest transactions I have done actually tend to be with the folks I meet on gun boards though. I've bought and sold here and on some other forums, and those transactions always seem to go nice and smooth. There's enthusiasts on both ends so it seems like things just work on gun board transactions. at least for me.

That said:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=757997&highlight=gp100

This guy has a nice GP100.
 
Until you become well-versed with gun purchases, just go to a local shop. It'll be a lot easier to make your first purchase that way.


Strike up a conversation with current gun owners - the ones at that range or ones you know in real life - and see what local shops they like to use.

Go shop there and tell the guy behind the counter what you want.
 
Buds has been good for most of my transactions, just don't get into a hurry to get your firearm.

A local dealer can be great if he has good prices. Factor in a $25 or so If you spent a lot of time in the store asking questions and handling the handguns when considering a fair price. Also, be warned...Some dealers are ok with online transactions while others refuse to do so or charge a rediculously high fee, epecially if the item is in stock.

I had one dealer that wanted to charge $50.00 plus sales tax on the price I paid for the firearm. I passed....


As for warranty service, you can do anything a dealer can do yourself, or at least it is that way in Fl.
 
Where, generally, are you from? If you are in the SC lowcountry I can give tips on where to go. Palmetto State Armory has several retail locations as well, and has a wider selection than they do online. If you are near one, call them.

In general, use prices at Bass Pro and Buds gunshop as general prices to be near when you buy. A local store will probably be a bit more, but if it is a reputable shop, they will stand behind your purchase and take it back or work with the manufacturer to fix any issues. Big box stores do not usually do that.

If you find one online, you can look up an FFL in your area that will receive and transfer the gun to you for a fee.
 
well, the last several pieces i purchased were local gun shop new--because they had what i wanted at a good price point. i have purchased some great used firearms--at local gun shops--in excellent condition and at a price point that if i decided to sell---i'd get my money back or make a few bucks.

i always looked for and bought guns that were readily marketable--no butch jobs or franken.
 
Well maxxhavoc, I'm from IL but had to move to California for work. I'll bet half of you just shuddered.
 
Living in California will have you stepping through a minefield of gun laws unique to your state of what models can and can not be sold.

For that very reason a whole host of people on-line - both individuals and businesses - will tell you up front they won't do business with anyone buying in CA.


And that makes one more reason for you to buy through a local shop.
 
There are plenty of places to buy guns in CA. When I lived in Humboldt County I had no problem finding decent shops to do business with.

As others have suggested, visit a few local gun shops and see what is available. If you strike out locally Davidson's (Gallery of Guns) will ship guns to CA, and they have arrangements with a number of shops around the state. Might be worth a look.
 
Since this will be your first gun I would recommend you go to a local gun store. You will want get your hands on a lot of different types of guns to determine what you want. You won't know if a pistol is too big or too small without holding them. There have been guns that I was convinced I wanted after reading about them on the internet but when I saw them in person I realized they really weren't what I was envisioning.
 
Ok...I shuddered

If you have to move I understand...but man ...good luck with the gun laws. I hope its not for protection ? LOL

By the way..there are ALOT of great online gun sites that will beat your locals by a wide margin and that includes FFL fee and shipping

budsgunshop

Kentucky gun company

DEGuns

and a host of others

Find the gun you WANT to own, then shop the best price. Also, shop local FFL's and makes sure its a $25 fee, no more. Its pretty easy.

Good luck..
 
Plenty of gun stores in CA, plenty of gun owners in CA, very active shooting culture & RKBA activity as well.

The people who aren't aware of this really don't know what they're talking about.
 
I like to keep things local, either through area gun shops and gun shows. Unfortunately there local gun shops are few and far between but I still prefer doing business, as well as building a working relationship with a dealer who wants and values my patronage.
 
Witchhunter I'm in LA.

I have noticed that people have this perception of LA having such strict gun laws. They might be some of the toughest in the country, but it's not impossible to get guns here. There are loopholes for the handgun roster. And thanks to a few lawsuits, we will probably be getting better chances of conceal carry license. (The state has had it for a while, just the more urban areas are way less likely to issue them. They want you to establish that you have "good cause" to carry. The case of Peruta v. San Diego seems to be changing that.)

Thanks for all the advice everyone. This will definitely help out.
 
Congratulations on your 1st buy.

I have bought new online, new locally and used locally.

I recommend you ask around about who has the best prices and service locally.

I have a local shop that does a lot of volume and has excellent prices. He also gets quite a good selection of used guns. I have been very happy with the 2 used handguns I've bought. I just recently bought 2 used Marlin 60 rifles and one is having a fair amount of trouble with ejection problems. But even some new Marlin 60's have that problem.
 
BullfrogKen said:
Until you become well-versed with gun purchases, just go to a local shop.
Could not have said it better myself. I've been a shooter for a long time now and know enough (still learning, though) to look for good deals elsewhere. But my first handgun was one I bought from a local gun shop after doing my research (before the internet) and fondling many options. Much more important to purchase a gun that will work for you and that you will be happy with than to get the "best deal."
 
I've met the nicest gun dealers doing business from their vans, and you get a real good cash discount! :p Kidding! My favorite site is Armslist, it's a lot like Craigslist in that you can look at listing nationwide, in your state, or even narrow down to your local area. You can also sort by dealer or private party listings. Makes it a real snap to find dealers close to you with the gun you're looking for.
 
My thoughts are, any choice requires compromise, just like every other factor relating to guns and most other things in life.

As a newbie you would probably be better off buying locally, if you can find a helpful, non-pompous local gun store with decent inventory and pricing. Good luck with that one.

I agree with your assessment of Palmetto State Armory and will add some. PSA forces you to either visit the store where customer service and attitude are hit & miss or buy online. They will not, will not, will not take an order over the phone. I said that three times because I tried talking to them three different times getting three different customer service people and they simply won't do that. Apparently they either don't believe or don't care that websites are now regularly hacked with customer data being stolen. In the latest example, a gang managed to compromise 420,000 websites stealing over one BILLION Usernames and Passwords.

You might occasionally stumble on a deal at a Gun Show but not often.

You might stumble on a deal from a Private Seller but that is also rare. Plus some States don't allow private sales and there is always the danger of inadvertently buying a stolen gun.

So in short, there is no universal "Best Way" to buy a gun.
 
A few thoughts on where to buy......

Buying online can get you some good deals, but you need to remember to check what shipping rates are, if there is a credit card upcharge, if you're using a card that is, and the gun will need to be transfered to you for a fee also. So that "good deal online" is sometimes just an average deal really. I have bought several guns through Gunbroker.com, and the clear benefit is that you can find a lot of guns that are out of production, or that your LGS may not be able to get for you.

However, all of that being said, I still find my most satisfying gun purchases to be the ones that take place in person in a LGS. There is something nice about finishing a transaction with a hand shake, and you telling the seller how excited you are about buying a good gun just with the grin on your face. And most LGS workers and owners are gun fans as well, and they are not just happy for your business, but also to see a great hobby and sport being proliferated and shared with others. In my experience, that seems to make them just as happy as taking your money. I'm talking LGS's here, not big box stores.

Another often overlooked aspect of buying locally from an independant shop owner is repeat business, and developing a friendly relationship. When you tend to frequent a gun shop and become friendly with the people who work there, they recognize you. It can often lead to a little bit better trade in values, or them waving you over and saying "Hey, I just got a case of 22lr ammo in, but haven't put it out yet. You want a box before I do?" Buying a gun online will often save you $30 here, and $40 there, but the benefit in the long run of developing that relationship with LGS owners can often out weigh that savings in the long run.

I do have a big box store credit card that earns me points towards purchases, and that's what I use it for. But there is very little relationship to be had with any worker in a big box store. The prices are the prices, and that's it. Sales are sterile feeling and are no different than going grocery shopping. big box stores, and online vendors are great for doing research into prices, and different models, but until you handle a lot of guns and become well versed in their feel and other characteristics, you are definately better off shopping locally.

And as I always tell new buyers, don't let a sales person talk you into what they think is cool. Think about your needs, and buy what you need and want. If the salesperson doesn't listen to you, and show you guns that will meet your needs, regardles of price, then ask to talk to someone else, or go somewhere else.

Good luck. By the way, a GP100 would be a great first handgun IMO.
 
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