Online or gun shop

I also agree with Tail-gator. I have taken new shooters to Gander Mountain for them to handle a first purchase, then advised they buy elsewhere. Big box and they might buy the gun or accessories there in the long run, but I still feel a bit guilty.
 
You're all doing a great job! I'm sure you have all bought firearms from Sears, JC Penny's, Montgomery Wards, and Western Auto! No? Why not? Where are you going to go for your precious "on-line" bargains when there aren't any local gun shops? Bright, really bright.
 
You're all doing a great job! I'm sure you have all bought firearms from Sears, JC Penny's, Montgomery Wards, and Western Auto!
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Yep, bought many a gun back in the day from both Sears and Monkey Wards as late as the early 80s. !917 Enfields were $27.95 from the local Sears. Unfortunately, either the profit margin wasn't enough or they got legislated and paperworked out of the gun business, but, alas it is no longer.

For a long time after, we were at the mercy of the greedy profiteers who were very eager to take advantage of a captive audience; The internet has changed all that.

There are always exceptions to the rule, but, overall, the average LGS owner thinks what he has is gold, and you dare not insult him by questioning his high prices.
 
If you order online, you still have to figure transfer, shipping, and taxes into your purchase. And then there are shipping times. How much is it worth to buy a gun off the shelf in 10 minutes instead of waiting a week or two?
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Most, if not all, of the online gun shops combine the sale price and shipping into one price – they advertise 'free shipping,' but of course it's not. In any event, that combined price is still considerably less than what can be found at the LGS.

No sales tax if the online shop is located out of state.

And with a local FFL who charges a reasonable transfer fee, usually $25, the fee is about the same as sales tax, in some cases less.

Last, shipping rarely takes more than five business days – order online on a Saturday and it's at your local FFL that Thursday or Friday, ready for you to pick up on Saturday.
 
Said it before and I'll say it again, it is great to live in part of the country where guns and religion are taken seriously! Here in north central Pennsylvania, you can't go 5 or 6 miles without running into a gunshot or gunsmith.

Pricing is much better than any Cabela's or Bass Pro, though not quite as good as some I've seen on GunBroker (but, you have then add in shipping, FFL & other transfer fees!).
 
It depends. I would only go online if I could save $50+. But when I have priced it out the guns are either the same price as the shops in my area or with the FFL/shipping fees online was more money or about the same. I would much rather support local shops and I will pay for their time/attention. For example, I just purchased a new gun at my local shop. Its about $20 cheaper online (not including shipping/ffl which would make it way more). But at my local shop they let me try about 10 holsters with that gun and several others before I made my decision. They walked me through breaking it down because I had never owned that brand and gave me a discount card for future purchases. You just cant beat that kind of service when going online.
 
Online you will generally find anything you want, but not necessarily at what you want to pay. If you really covet a particular gun, it can definitely be the way yo go.

If you want instant gratification buying local is the only way to go. Not always the least expensive, but if something you covet is in inventory it's the fastest way to get it. Local is also usually the best way to buy used guns so you can actually see the condition.
 
I just made my first online gun purchase. I got the new Ruger Redhawk in 45 Colt that also shoots 45ACP in moon clips. I have always bought local but this just wasn't available anywhere in the state. I found one in the Firing Line for sale forum. Got it from a dealer in VT. New in box and free shipping. It's a Davidsons so comes the a lifetime warranty!

Washington state requires all guns go thru a FFL and background check of course. Plus we now have to pay 9.5% sales tax on gun purchases done over the net. And I'll have to pay the FFL a fee mandated by the state! But it was worth it. These new Redhawks are very hard to come by. It will be here Tuesday.
 
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