I am about evenly split among gun shops, pawn shops, gun shows and Gunbroker. I pick up some from individuals too. At this time, I am thinning my crop of guns so that if something suddenly happened to me, as is subject to happen at my age, they will not be an albatross on my wife's back. I think I could get down to 25 or 30 and still be happy.
This has changed for me over the years...when I first started getting into handguns and my purchasing increased, there was a local gun store in Little Rock that had pretty good prices and they became my "go to" first. I also found a number of guns, probably the most at that time, at gun shows for a few years...mostly from local dealers but once in awhile I got a good deal from a private party.
Today, my purchases come mainly online. Buds is my most frequented and a couple of others randomly depending on what I find. There is a local FFL that gives me a great price on transfers so I can almost always find the best price and availability online.
And the three main shops I use will price match the ads from the BBS if it's an in stock item. the one with the best prices is the closest, but it's also the smallest one I go to. he also tends to have what I'm after, as I usually do not buy new.
My C&R stuff, mainly online, unless a local shop has what I'm after at a decent price.
the few times i have bought at big box stores, i felt violated and humiliated. so if there is a preference, i'll support my LGS as much as possible. and my LGS gives great deals on his guns. keeps his ammo and accessories reasonable too. even his reloading components are decently priced as well. but he's been in business in the same store for over forty years now. so he must be doing something right. he treats his customers with respect and dignity.
Generally the LGS. IMO, the little you "save" online is lost to shipping, insurance,
and FFL fees.(which are discounted,many times, when you purchase from the LGS)
At the LGS you also have the added bonus of physically inspecting the gun,
before you buy.
I do not buy used - too many bad experiences. I check first with the LGS - then have them see if they can get what I want. After a reasonable period, I go on line and find it, buy and ship to them.
LGS is open WIFFLI: When I Freakin Feel Like it. So the LGS I use is in Albuquerque, 90 miles from the casa. So it's an LGS to someone, just not me.
I will be at the gun show this weekend, just to support something different in this tiny town. I have lived in too many tiny towns where absolutely nothing ever changes. I don't want that here.
Hmm...
First gun through Gun Genie at a home based FFL in Illinois.
Then from Able Ammo in Texas...sent to my local gun shop.
Then a couple from that gun shop, one from Walmart, one from Gander mountain.
Then a few from another LGS (moved to Missouri). Then Bass Pro, Academy Sports.
It depends. If I am familiar with the gun I will buy where I can get the best deal, online and sent to LGS. If I want to handle the gun first, then it's Bass Pro or Academy. Both of them have the greatest selection...and Academy usually has the best price..and selection. Unless you go to the Springfield MO. Bass Pro....incredible amount of guns there. I'm of the belief that pawn shops aren't always the best deal and many guns there are not up to snuff. Plus I like new in box in most cases. Gun shows, not yet. Not sure if I am ready to invest a few bucks in a dealer that won't be there tomorrow.
Where do I buy my guns? Well, there is this guy that usually parks in the alley behind the Mission Shelter......
Just kidding. Mine is split about 50/50 between a gun shop and on-line, rarely at a gun show, not in big box stores.
I did not say local shop- altho there are a couple of shops that have a coffee mug on the rack with my name on it. When I was traveling for a living, I would drop by a gun shop I ran across in my travels- and sometimes tripped over what I had been looking for.
On line- At one time, Auction Arms, now Gunbroker, and a few wholesalers. And no, buying on line does not always mean it gets shipped to a LGS- IF you have an 03 C&R FFL. That also helps face-to-face purchases when traveling.
One of my nicer Mossbergs came that way. A few years back, on New Years Eve, a member here emailed me about a Mossberg 51 at Kittery Trading Post in Maine. They were open New Years Day- and had the rifle- intact, in good shape, yes they shipped, yes a C&R FFL was fine, yes they took credit cards.
I've thought about getting my C&R... probably will when I kick the kids out of the house and have a little more cash.... I tell them at least once a week to get a job but they always remind me about the child labor laws.... Dang the luck...
My buys are either LGS or Gun Show, which are also mostly FL LGS. In this area the big box stores are generally more expensive than the LGS. Plus Bass Pro is 30 miles away, Gander Mountain is closed, Dicks is out of the question and Academy, while closer to the LGS it is not there. I also prefer supporting the local guy.
One thing most of the locals do is charge $35 to $50 for the transfer from an internet store, so any shipping charge just about wipes out savings.
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