tackdriver
New member
Okay, I've been 21 for 10 days and I still don't have a handgun. I've got $490 to spend and a few recommendations of shops to visit. I was wondering though if I'd be more likely to get a better deal at a gun show?
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10 days later
- Thread starter tackdriver
- Start date
Pick up Shotgun News and try to find out what wholesale price on the pistol you want is. Then hit the shops and find out who's taking advantage and who's a "straight shooter."
You'll probably find some little shop tucked away in some remote back corner somewhere selling for $20-30 above wholesale. There's one in just about every town.
Gunshows are tricky and I haven't seen too many "real" bargains in the last 2-3 years.
FWIW, look at a CZ 75. Probably one of the best, if not the best, handgun for the money out there. Good luck.
You'll probably find some little shop tucked away in some remote back corner somewhere selling for $20-30 above wholesale. There's one in just about every town.
Gunshows are tricky and I haven't seen too many "real" bargains in the last 2-3 years.
FWIW, look at a CZ 75. Probably one of the best, if not the best, handgun for the money out there. Good luck.
tackdriver
I did the same thing you are doing last year. I ended up with a Charles Daly 1911A1 I got off auctionarms. If you are willing to participate in online auctions, that may be the way to go. I paid less than 400 for mine, including all the stupid fees what you have to pay to get a gun out here in CA, (FFL Transer $50, BFSC test fee $20, DROS $14, Sales Tax on something 8.25% of something. Couldn't have gotten anything for cheaper locally.) just a thought you may want to look into it.
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It ain't mah fault. did I do dat?
http://yellowman.virtualave.net/
I did the same thing you are doing last year. I ended up with a Charles Daly 1911A1 I got off auctionarms. If you are willing to participate in online auctions, that may be the way to go. I paid less than 400 for mine, including all the stupid fees what you have to pay to get a gun out here in CA, (FFL Transer $50, BFSC test fee $20, DROS $14, Sales Tax on something 8.25% of something. Couldn't have gotten anything for cheaper locally.) just a thought you may want to look into it.
------------------
It ain't mah fault. did I do dat?
http://yellowman.virtualave.net/
I think it's worth supporting your local dealer, instead of saving a few bucks. You want a local gunstore, don't you? How are they going to stay in business? I always buy guns locally now, although I will buy at gun shows. I usually spend about $50 more than the "rock bottom" price for a gun at my local gunstore. Every time I've had a question or a problem, they've made it right. Since I'm a repeat customer now, they treat me great and greet me by name. If this is your first gun, think about the above.
Now, in order to save, I do buy _ammo_ by mail whenever possible, and stuff my gunshop would have to special order anyway. So that's where I stand.
Also, by the way, Jack is right about the CZ-75. I bought one last week (from my local dealer, at his suggestion)and I'm crazy about it. Check one out, and check out the CZ-85 as well.
http://www.czub.cz/PISTOLA.HTM
[This message has been edited by Ledbetter (edited May 15, 2000).]
Now, in order to save, I do buy _ammo_ by mail whenever possible, and stuff my gunshop would have to special order anyway. So that's where I stand.
Also, by the way, Jack is right about the CZ-75. I bought one last week (from my local dealer, at his suggestion)and I'm crazy about it. Check one out, and check out the CZ-85 as well.
http://www.czub.cz/PISTOLA.HTM
[This message has been edited by Ledbetter (edited May 15, 2000).]
tackdriver,
First of all, congratulations.
I think you were asking about shops in the No VA area a few months ago. There are (unfortunately) a very limited number in the area, but we do have the C&E show this weekend. (C&E Gun Shows- The Showplace May 20-21 2000 888-715-0606)
Do some homework, write down the prices you see locally, and take the list down. You might find something interesting from a private seller, or some of the vendors are willing to haggle at the table.
For price points, try Galyns, Potomac Arms, Virginia Arms and Shooters Paradise. That should give you a good sense of the local prices.
Marty
First of all, congratulations.
I think you were asking about shops in the No VA area a few months ago. There are (unfortunately) a very limited number in the area, but we do have the C&E show this weekend. (C&E Gun Shows- The Showplace May 20-21 2000 888-715-0606)
Do some homework, write down the prices you see locally, and take the list down. You might find something interesting from a private seller, or some of the vendors are willing to haggle at the table.
For price points, try Galyns, Potomac Arms, Virginia Arms and Shooters Paradise. That should give you a good sense of the local prices.
Marty
All I can say is BE CAREFUL! There are people out there who will try to take you. I bought a Davis Derringer at a gun show right after I got out of the military. I had been out of the "gun loop" for a while and hadn't done my homework. I thought I was getting a good deal and it turned out I got stuck for $30 more than what I would have paid at my current regular gunshop. I learned a fairly cheap lesson but at least I learned. It still doesn't make me feel any better about the whole deal. I posted this transaction on here and got a lot of good suggestions just like you are getting now. The good thing is that you have the advantage of already knowing about this forum and the info you can gain from it. I wasn't aware of it's existence yet or I might have been "saved". Follow the advice you've been given so far and you'll do fine. The only other thing I can add is try renting and shooting the model gun you are looking at before you buy it to see if you like it first. That will tell you more about how it matches your needs than anybody on this forum can.
[This message has been edited by HukeOKC (edited May 16, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by HukeOKC (edited May 16, 2000).]
G. Kennedy
New member
I would recommend for your first gun, if it is going to be in a centerfire caliber (i.e. as opposed to a .22long rifle), that you consider a .357 revolver with a 4 or 5-inch barrel. This way you can shoot .38's in it which is cheaper to buy ammo for and you have less felt recoil, muzzle blast, noise. Yet, you have the option of the .357Magnum loads if you want.
You can find used ones in good shape for around $250-300 and spend the rest of your money on holster, speedloaders & holder, ammo, etc.
If your heart is set on something else though, I say get what you want.
I would also add to use this opportunity to purchase from your local retailer. If they are asking a decent price for what you are interested in it will be well worth it in the long run for the service you will get and the deals they will give you as a regular customer.
You can find used ones in good shape for around $250-300 and spend the rest of your money on holster, speedloaders & holder, ammo, etc.
If your heart is set on something else though, I say get what you want.
I would also add to use this opportunity to purchase from your local retailer. If they are asking a decent price for what you are interested in it will be well worth it in the long run for the service you will get and the deals they will give you as a regular customer.
MrKandiyohi
New member
Get a .22 semi or revolver. You'll never get rid of it. Anybody can fire a .22.
It'll cost a little over $200, and a thousand rounds of .22 will cost about $15.
It'll cost a little over $200, and a thousand rounds of .22 will cost about $15.
tackdriver
New member
Thanks for the suggestions, but I've more or less already been through it on the handguns forum.
I've pretty much got my heart set on a 3 inch ruger SP-101, but I've got an open mind on a Beretta 9000, Kahr K9, Glock 19/26 or even one of the CZ 75 compacts. It just depends on what kind of deal I can get and what fits after trying them out.
I've pretty much got my heart set on a 3 inch ruger SP-101, but I've got an open mind on a Beretta 9000, Kahr K9, Glock 19/26 or even one of the CZ 75 compacts. It just depends on what kind of deal I can get and what fits after trying them out.