Do You Patronize Your Local Gun Shops?

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I have been pretty lucky here in Central NJ over the years. Several excellent gunshops, and I miss those that have closed.

 

[Roswell_Kid]

Yep, because there is no choice. And what a vast array of local dealers we have. <cough>

Not enough ammo variety? "Obscene" $200 markups? Have to pay an FFL transfer fee for an internet purchase? That we should have such "problems"!

 

[12131]

Do You Patron Your Local Gun Shops?

Rarely anymore. My purchase are mostly online and at gun shows.
But, there is a new gun shop just opened right around the corner from me, that has fairly decent pricing. On top of that, the FFL transfer fee is only $15. I might start going there more often.

 

[Aaron2091]

I hate large chains. I like to patron my local shops. They are better on service and usually price. I like the idea of supporting the local economy as well. I have never had my shop snicker at my gun choice and if they don't have it in stock they will order it and charge me when it gets there. I do my transfers through them too.

 

[mustang_steve]

I avoid the places that talk the bad talk with the masses unless absolutely impossible to go elsewhere for something.

The itnernet is simply not worth it due to shipping charges for the onesy-twosy stuff I buy. Like why would I pay $3-4 shiping on a set of uncle mike's sling mounts...making it cost more than if I was to just buy them locally?

 

[CoastieShep]

I only buy local.

 

[FlyboyJS]

Since I'm new to gun ownership, I've purchased somethings online then somethings local as well. Purchased my P226 not too far away from my place. My ammo I purchase near my work. Other stuff has been purchased online.

 

[hank327]

I don't have a local gunshop anymore. Had a great one but it closed a few years ago when the owners retired. It's hard to believe that a city in Texas with over 100,000 resident doesn't have a local gunshop.
All we have is WallyWorld

Cabela's is about the closest but I don't consider it a local gunshop and it's 20 miles away.

 

[22-rimfire]

Firearms are almost entirely purchased locally. Ammunition is a mixed bag as most of the shops do not handle what I want or they are too far away for convenient shopping. Price is an issue also on ammunition. Usually the local dealers do just fine on firearm pricing. I am not particularly concerned about trying to save another $20 by driving to 5 different shops for pricing.

 

[HOWARD J]

At one time we had Monkey Wards ( out of business)
Sears, K-Mart & wally world---around here none of these sell any guns or ammo.
There are 4 gun shops within 20 miles--only one has a good stock of guns, ammo & reloading equipment---they have had my business for about 52 years.
I purchase all my guns & ammo from local shops.
We have a Cabelas 47 miles away---I do not go there much.
I purchase a lot of items from Midway---dies, reloading equipment, bullets, brass, etc. I have been reloading about 40 years---it's my hobby.......

 

[CajunBass]

If you count about 60 miles away as "local" yes. I drive past a couple of closer stores to get to the one that pretty much gets all my business. Good selection, knowledgable staff, a good layaway program, and the fact that I have to drive by a couple of times a week anyway, make it well worthwhile.

 

[oasis618]

I've never bought a gun online, my local shops always have or can get what I need and I've never found better deals online (after factoring in FFL fees).

 

[Zen21Tao]

I have developed a great relationship with my local gun shop owner. On slow laid back days he will sit around a table with a few of us regulars, after closing time, and kick back a cold one with us and socialize a bit. He always tries to give those of us regulars the he considers legitimate 'friends', the best deals possible. When he is able to come close to online prices I buy from him, even if I have to pay a little more to support him and cover his overhead. When he isn't able to come close to online prices, he does transfers for me for $25.

This relationship has paid for itself off, not just in a good friend, but in the form of some really great deals on used guns. For example, he just let me have a like new Sig P238 Custom Shop SAS model (MSRP $735) for $495.

When the Sig 556 first came out they were only being shipped to Sig direct dealers that made qualifying orders. He actually went factory direct with Sig and made his qualifying order so that he could get one for me. He let me have it for $950.

Also, I recall a time that I was looking at a .308 AR when he was real busy. I asked him the best he could do on the rifle, as he was walking by, and he responding saying it was already priced at the best he could do and walked on. I went ahead and bought the rifle from one of his clerks. After the deal was done and paid for, he came up to me and said he thought I was joking about actually wanting the rifle. He then walked into the back room and came out handing $100 in cash. This is the kind of treatment that keeps me loyal to him.

 

[smhbbag1]

There are 6 gun stores within 30 minutes of me, and I've been in all of them.

And I honestly can't remember buying anything from them. There are WAY too many LNIB, used, 20-40% off guns and ammo out there.

I support their existence and wish them well, but they just can't compete with used private sales, if a buyer is not in a hurry.

It's been hard to save up enough for high quality his and hers carry guns, HD shotgun, and an all-purpose, white-tail capable carbine. Plus holsters, a good supply of ammo, etc. You all know that's expensive, and I'm done buying anything for a while. All the bases are covered, and I'm stocked on ammo.

Local gun store prices don't fit with that mission, when on my budget. But I almost feel an obligation to help keep them around.

 

[Sgt_R]

Yes. I am fortunate to have a couple of good shops nearby, and thus have never purchased or sold a firearm online. Sure, I could have squeezed a few more dollars out of the deals online, but I am willing to pay a (slight!) premium to avoid the hassle of shipping and FFL transfers, and to have the weapon in hand the same day I purchase it.

However, I almost never buy accessories at the local shops. I prefer the lower prices and unlimited selection found on the internet.

Ammunition, it just depends. If I only need a box or two I'll probably buy locally to avoid the shipping fees and the wait. If I'm buying in bulk I almost always buy online, unless I happen to stumble across a great deal at a local shop.

R

 

[alsaqr]

Lawton, OK has no gun shops. The closest gun shop is in Duncan, OK. That guys prices are sky high on everything he sells: i refuse to buy from him. My new guns come through a pawnshop owner who charges $40 above his wholesale price.

 

[KingHack]

Not really. Being in the province, they don't stock that much. If they do have something that I want, it's severely overpriced. I'd rather take a two hour drive to buy them.

But I do check them out every now and then. Sometimes, I end up buying a few things.

 

[Legionnaire]

Assuming you mean primarily for gun purchases, I'd have to vote "no." I tend to buy used guns at this point, wherever I can find them. Those I find on-line are handled by an FFL who doesn't keep a storefront and who will receive shipments from private sellers. I do drop by my LGS regularly. I look at his used guns, and sometimes pick up reloading supplies. I'd do my transfers through him if he'd receive from private sellers, but he won't. His choice, of course, but lost business, too.

 

[doubleh]

Yes, I do. The little town I live fairly close to barely qualifies as more than a wide spot in the road but we do have two gunshops. One has been here for years and isn't large but he will get anything you want. I have to qualify that statement as a lot of things haven't been easy to find for a couple of years but it's definately getting better. He's not the cheapest but is very reasonable. It's a mom-pop type store. Pop manages an oilfield supply store during the week and mom handles the store. Pop is there late in the afternoon and on Saturdays. I have known the owners almost forever and they are nice, friendly people.

The other store is fairly new but is a mom, pop, and son deal. Mom and pop own an oilfield supply store (huh) and I've know them for quite a while also. Very nice people. Son does most of the gun related part of the operation. I've known him since he was a little kid. He was a good kid and is a nice young man. Prices here are fair too.

I buy some things from Walmart and Academy Sports also. It just depends on what is available when I want it. I have never purchased a firearm online except for a blackpowder revolver. Doubt that I ever will.

 

[oneounceload]

Seems the biggest reason for a "NO" vote is that the LGS isn't stocking what you want - either in the way of guns, or ammo/accessories. Have any of you TOLD those guys what you would like to see in stock, or asked them to order it for you?

They may not be stocking what you want because they don't know what you want.

Just an idea...........

 

[Lou McGopher]

I live in an urban/suburban area. None of the gun stores around are any good, with the possible exception of the two Dick's. Bad prices, even worse selection, brusque attitudes.

There are a few good gun stores I like, but they're all at least 2 hours away. I'll do business there, or online. For as often as I need to go to a gun store, I don't worry about convenience.

 

[LeonCarr]

Only one local place gets my money:

www.northtexasarms.com

The rest of them, literally all of them, make you feel like you are about an inch tall when you walk into the store, tell you what you need when you already know what you want, and then either refuse to order what you want or gouge you on price when they will actually order something. I refuse to support someone's business when that business doesn't support me.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Dazen]

The shops around here jack the prices up so high that I dont bother with them anymore. I would say they have 70% of their firearms marked up about 300 to 400 buck more. Most are now even asking 20% on a consignment fee

 

[group17]

Yes,

I have found by just calling around to my LGD's I can find really good deals on all my firearm purchases. Just as good as online with no shipping cost. They also warranty their used guns for a year.

 

[Lonestar49]

...

Yep, all 3 of them.

2 of them are owned by the same owner, just different names and locations.

The other IF I need a 1911 or need gunsmith work and it's where I'm a member and do my shooting..


Ls