I'm spoiled! Here in north central PA, gun shops abound! With multiple shops, service at all is good, as are prices. Online? Fine for more than a few guns, but for wood stocks, I like to see what the wood looks like. One of the LGS (Grice's in Clearfield) has a thirty day return policy-try that online.
Supporting local gun shops...
- Thread starter Carmike
- Start date
JoeSixpack
New member
Fair enough Fitasc, I think CA also has a similar setup where it cost.
But im in Ohio, NICS only and NICS is free.
The "NICS fee" in NICS states was something I only heard about on the gun boards years ago but the practice seems to have spread to my own state in the last few years, I won't even do business with a dealer charging a NCIS fee out of principle.
But im in Ohio, NICS only and NICS is free.
The "NICS fee" in NICS states was something I only heard about on the gun boards years ago but the practice seems to have spread to my own state in the last few years, I won't even do business with a dealer charging a NCIS fee out of principle.
Well, I do ask, Art...but then a question that *seems* reasonable (like the difference between 223 and 556 while holding in my pocket the cash to buy one or the other) is answered brusquely or with an obvious lack of interest. Then I make awkward conversation and leave.
I'm sure the gun shop guys get lots of folks in who are just looking to fondle toys. But some of those potential buyers must actually want to buy...What's the code or signal that lets the guy behind the counter know I'm not just killing time between episodes of Matlock and Murder, She Wrote?
I'm sure the gun shop guys get lots of folks in who are just looking to fondle toys. But some of those potential buyers must actually want to buy...What's the code or signal that lets the guy behind the counter know I'm not just killing time between episodes of Matlock and Murder, She Wrote?
the possum
New member
If that's all the difference was, I'd buy from the local guys far more often.
I went through some hard times, and did not buy a gun or anything really, for a period of 12 years. I spent almost every day of those 12 years dreaming about all the guns I wanted. So when I finally got the finances squared away, I went on a gun buying bender. So yeah, even though I wasn't literally bringing a new gun home every day, I was looking and planning my next purchase almost every day.
One of the first guns I got was an FNAR. Local shop had one hanging on the wall with a $1600 price tag. I bought it online for $1001 (which includes shipping). Then I decided on a Windham Weaponry AR carbine. It was $900 in the shop, a better shop quoted $760 to order one; I got it for $533 online.
As someone else pointed out, once you get above 4 or 5 hundred dollars, the sales tax on a locally bought gun costs more than the shipping and transfer to buy online.
Then, there's the fact I have eclectic tastes. I had a hankerin' fer a whole passel of antiques or obscure guns. Like my original Whitney Wolverine, or the antique top-break big bore revolver, or the miniature Colt, or the German Drilling. If I were limited to local shops, there's a good chance I'd have never found all those in my lifetime, let alone in 3 years at fair prices.
I agree to a point of supporting locals. But, when I can buy the same exact new rifle online for $75-200 less, or when a box of ammo at the LGS is $32 a box, and I can get the same online for $20 a box. Im getting them online.
I only buy ammo 2 or 3 times a year. Most of the major online places will run free shipping once or twice a year, or have a flat rate shipping and when they do I buy in bulk. So there is no , or little shipping cost or 10% tax on top of it. My buddies and myself buy from a site that has $15 flat rate shipping and have at times had orders of a couple thousand rds shipped for that and when divided up is like a nickel a box to ship.
I have always bought way more used guns than new guns. Years back when I started buying the "going price" for a FFL transfer was $15 from most gun shops and pawn shops.
The local sporting good store where I bought a lot of my fishing gear and hunting clothing from quoted me $45 for a FFL transfer.
I asked him why so high? He said well ya should buy one from us. Problem was that they never had any type of used guns there I was interested in. So they were going to "punish" those who didnt buy a gun from them. I told the guy the same thing and he was like oh well. So he lost my business.
I then went to using the local pawn/gun shop @ $15 per transfer but last yr he hiked his up to $35. Asked him why and he said well we went to a class 3 dealer and everything costs him more now, licenses etc. Told him that cost should be passed along to his class 3 buyers and their transfers. Needles to say I quit using him.
We have a local FFL who charges $10 for the first transfer and $5 for any additional at the same visit and is happy to hear from you when you call to tell him one is heading his way.
I only buy ammo 2 or 3 times a year. Most of the major online places will run free shipping once or twice a year, or have a flat rate shipping and when they do I buy in bulk. So there is no , or little shipping cost or 10% tax on top of it. My buddies and myself buy from a site that has $15 flat rate shipping and have at times had orders of a couple thousand rds shipped for that and when divided up is like a nickel a box to ship.
I have always bought way more used guns than new guns. Years back when I started buying the "going price" for a FFL transfer was $15 from most gun shops and pawn shops.
The local sporting good store where I bought a lot of my fishing gear and hunting clothing from quoted me $45 for a FFL transfer.
I asked him why so high? He said well ya should buy one from us. Problem was that they never had any type of used guns there I was interested in. So they were going to "punish" those who didnt buy a gun from them. I told the guy the same thing and he was like oh well. So he lost my business.
I then went to using the local pawn/gun shop @ $15 per transfer but last yr he hiked his up to $35. Asked him why and he said well we went to a class 3 dealer and everything costs him more now, licenses etc. Told him that cost should be passed along to his class 3 buyers and their transfers. Needles to say I quit using him.
We have a local FFL who charges $10 for the first transfer and $5 for any additional at the same visit and is happy to hear from you when you call to tell him one is heading his way.
zincwarrior
New member
I've been plenty of ranges that sold firearms. Most were friendly and excellent. But I've never been in an actual LGS that I'd want to actually give them my money. They were invariably terrible and I will not voluntary waste minutes of my life inside one.
StickSixBang
New member
I've found some of the best deals in local gun shops. A couple years ago when I was on the lookout for some CZs my LGS was selling P-01s for $599 and SP-01s for $649. I picked up a 97B for $629.
There are some good ones with friendly employees who care about your business, and the others you learn to avoid.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
There are some good ones with friendly employees who care about your business, and the others you learn to avoid.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Well there are jerks in life and IMhO the best advice is move along and don't waste any of YOUR precious time (cause we ALL only have so much time) on them.
That said, since we are both in Minnesota, I always thought I got a little better service if I started off by showing the clerk my 'permit to purchase' card. It's no guarantee that I WOULD buy anything but at least they knew I COULD buy something.
I've also had (I think) better luck if I pick up a small item I'm going to buy anyway (box of ammo, cleaning supplies etc.) and have it in hand when I ask about the guns. They know they're going to get a little something from me and if they are total rude jerks (this has not happened to me) so that I'll never shop there again, well, I'll just put the item back on the shelf on my way out.
'Permit to Purchase'.
Sigh.
Yeah, in Minnesota you need a 'Permit to Purchase' card to buy a handgun or some of the scary looking rifles.
(A friend needed one to buy the 'tacticool' version of the Remington 597 .22LR some years ago...Remington no longer offers the 597 in that flavor anymore.)
It's a simple enough and free procedure. You go to your local police office, fill out a couple of pages of information about yourself and in a couple of weeks you stop back and pick up your 'Permit to Purchase' card which is good for one year.
In Minnesota if you get a 'Permit to Carry a Pistol' then you do not need the 'Permit to Purchase'. The 'Permit to Carry a Pistol' requires you to take an approved class, which you have to pay for, and then there is a fee of $100 paid to the state (or maybe the county?) when you apply for the permit. The 'Permit to Carry a Pistol' is good for five years.
I forgot to mention you still have to pass the Federal background check.
This is of course for sales from a dealer.
Sigh.
Yeah, in Minnesota you need a 'Permit to Purchase' card to buy a handgun or some of the scary looking rifles.
(A friend needed one to buy the 'tacticool' version of the Remington 597 .22LR some years ago...Remington no longer offers the 597 in that flavor anymore.)
It's a simple enough and free procedure. You go to your local police office, fill out a couple of pages of information about yourself and in a couple of weeks you stop back and pick up your 'Permit to Purchase' card which is good for one year.
In Minnesota if you get a 'Permit to Carry a Pistol' then you do not need the 'Permit to Purchase'. The 'Permit to Carry a Pistol' requires you to take an approved class, which you have to pay for, and then there is a fee of $100 paid to the state (or maybe the county?) when you apply for the permit. The 'Permit to Carry a Pistol' is good for five years.
I forgot to mention you still have to pass the Federal background check.
This is of course for sales from a dealer.
Last edited:
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
The topic is about LGS, not state laws. A question about a state law? Take it to PM.
Don Fischer
New member
Problem with a LGS is volume. They can't make a living just selling guns, they can make a living selling supply's and component's. It will beat the online sales normally as if they don't have it in stock they can order it and still be competitive. I would bet that the Sportsmen's whse people could not keep their door's open selling just gun's. Around here the closest thing to a LGS is a Bi Mart 35mi away. I buy what I can from them but their supply of say bullet's lacks most of what I shoot and they can't order most of it. After that the closest I think is Redmond and the only source I know of is Coastal Farm. Their supply of what I need is also limited, they're a bit over 50 mi from here. Next stop is Sportsmen's i Bend. That's right at 70 mi. Small local gun shop's don't go around here and I think it's because they rely on gun's to make their money.
Badgerstate
New member
For one, youre supporting a local business that contributes to the local economy.
I like shopping LGS when the price makes sense and I find that often LGS is very competitive on price.
I like shopping LGS when the price makes sense and I find that often LGS is very competitive on price.
In my opinion you do not "support" a shop. What you do, is give them an opportunity to earn your dollar. For different people, it takes different ways of earning that dollar. But some common themes, are consistently competitive pricing, service, selections which are relevant to them. It never hurts to advertise a special now and then.
I think for me, a shop needs to provide at least value priced item when I am browsing to get me to pull out my wallet. Maybe that is a discounted box of shells, or can of cleaner. Once that wallet is out, I am more apt to make the trip worth while by picking up one more thing I need.
When it comes to firearms, I need the price with tax to be close to the online price with shipping and transfer. And I need the model in the shop to be the "good" one. I.E. the one with 2 hi cap mags, not one lo cap for that price.
I think for me, a shop needs to provide at least value priced item when I am browsing to get me to pull out my wallet. Maybe that is a discounted box of shells, or can of cleaner. Once that wallet is out, I am more apt to make the trip worth while by picking up one more thing I need.
When it comes to firearms, I need the price with tax to be close to the online price with shipping and transfer. And I need the model in the shop to be the "good" one. I.E. the one with 2 hi cap mags, not one lo cap for that price.
I have no need for my LGS. I have two. One is a tacticool kind of shop with few hunting and target rifles. The other deals mainly in Beretta, Sako, and Browning. The prices at both are well in excess of what I would pay ordering online, and that is IF they had what I want. They don't. Their service is not very good either. Sportsman's Warehouse and Cabelas are within an hour. They have good sales sometimes. The SW has a very good stock of reloading supplies.
Not all LGS are created equal.
Not all LGS are created equal.
SO, Carmike, when's the last time you bought a gun sight unseen?
My point is, I doubt you had a chance to inspect that merchandise, before you bought it, from a online store.
More than likely, you went to the brick and mortar LGS, had a look at that gun,
then scurried on home to find the best price, online. How much did you REALLY
save, after shipping, and paying your background check fee?[rhetorical question]
Now, some day, when all the LGSs are out of business, you'll have to buy
a gun based upon the leap of faith that you'll like it, the first time you actually see it. Which will be when you pick it up, as you get it, from wherever they will
ship it, for background checks, after all the LGSs are closed.
I'm certainly not advocating that all LGSs are good. I've seen shops selling used rifles ,still being manufactured, for more than the rifle retails for, new.
What I'm saying is, take the time to FIND a good LGS near you. Then
develop a good working relationship. You won't be disappointed.
My point is, I doubt you had a chance to inspect that merchandise, before you bought it, from a online store.
More than likely, you went to the brick and mortar LGS, had a look at that gun,
then scurried on home to find the best price, online. How much did you REALLY
save, after shipping, and paying your background check fee?[rhetorical question]
Now, some day, when all the LGSs are out of business, you'll have to buy
a gun based upon the leap of faith that you'll like it, the first time you actually see it. Which will be when you pick it up, as you get it, from wherever they will
ship it, for background checks, after all the LGSs are closed.
I'm certainly not advocating that all LGSs are good. I've seen shops selling used rifles ,still being manufactured, for more than the rifle retails for, new.
What I'm saying is, take the time to FIND a good LGS near you. Then
develop a good working relationship. You won't be disappointed.
JoeSixpack
New member
You have a point about buying a gun without hands on exp.
But as far as shipping things back you'd do it at the same place you got a transfer.. lots of FFL's do nothing but transfers and usually from their house.
They're just as capable of shipping as someone who works out of a B&M store front.
But as far as shipping things back you'd do it at the same place you got a transfer.. lots of FFL's do nothing but transfers and usually from their house.
They're just as capable of shipping as someone who works out of a B&M store front.
While it is one thing for a new current production gun,the online, unseen stock photos shipped to a transfer dealer, the used out of production guns are another thing. Pictures only go so far. This is not to say I haven't done it before, but that I prefer to see it pesonally before I decide.
Yes it can be done, with a non firing inspection, but if issues arise the only people makibg money on the deal is the shipper.
So I'll trade with the psychic gun shop dude who knows my likes.
Yes it can be done, with a non firing inspection, but if issues arise the only people makibg money on the deal is the shipper.
So I'll trade with the psychic gun shop dude who knows my likes.
Gunplummer
New member
A gun shop is a business. "Support" may have been the wrong word for the title of this thread. If they have what I want, I shop there. I don't buy shoes I do not like to support a local shoe store either.
Years ago I was buying a rifle from a dealer at a show. It was slow and we were talking a little bit. He told me he was planning to open a gun shop in a town near where I grew up. I told him there were numerous shops there in the 60's, but they all failed after the small game was gone. Many opened up after that, but none made it more than a year without going big into fishing and archery. He did not pay attention, made it one year.
It is a business. You check the history of the area and present wants of people there. If you squeeze into a niche market like black guns or surplus guns, good luck with that. The market is flooded with black guns and the surplus has dried up. I can think of only one true gun shop locally. It has been there for years and does well. It sits in an area that is big into hunting. Half of us hillbillies are veterans. That sports shop gets some really nice military stuff in. It is a big carry area, so he is also into handguns. He does shows, but as far as I know has no online sales. The problem with a lot of struggling gun shops is the owners no nothing about business. If people do not "Support" LGS, the problem can usually be traced back to the owners.
Years ago I was buying a rifle from a dealer at a show. It was slow and we were talking a little bit. He told me he was planning to open a gun shop in a town near where I grew up. I told him there were numerous shops there in the 60's, but they all failed after the small game was gone. Many opened up after that, but none made it more than a year without going big into fishing and archery. He did not pay attention, made it one year.
It is a business. You check the history of the area and present wants of people there. If you squeeze into a niche market like black guns or surplus guns, good luck with that. The market is flooded with black guns and the surplus has dried up. I can think of only one true gun shop locally. It has been there for years and does well. It sits in an area that is big into hunting. Half of us hillbillies are veterans. That sports shop gets some really nice military stuff in. It is a big carry area, so he is also into handguns. He does shows, but as far as I know has no online sales. The problem with a lot of struggling gun shops is the owners no nothing about business. If people do not "Support" LGS, the problem can usually be traced back to the owners.