Depending on where you live, there may actually be a 10% margin, here in Texas it just ain't so. Go to any of the major gun shows in Texas, and you will literally see wholesale prices. If you are willing to order 3 railroad cars full of ammo or guns, sure you will get a better deal but, most dealers just don't do that sort of volume. If you do enough volume to deal direct with the factory, then you probably do get a better deal but, most reasonable size gun businesses don't do that much volume!
What does that mean? Most FFL do business through distributors for their store stock, whether ammo, pistols, etc. Now, add shipping and finance costs, federal and state mandated paperwork, ..... and a very agressive and competitive business environment. Margins are very thin for the vast majority of gun dealers, at least here in the land of the free (Texas
).
If you find a NIB, current generation HK P7M8 for $1,000 or less, I would buy it. Those cheaper pistols are either refinished trade ins or, some of the few promotional models left. Yes, I was offered that same promotional offer but, in reality, the deal wasn't as sweet as I'm sure some of you think.
Hope this helps.
Sid
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Tx FFL
[This message has been edited by Sid Post (edited September 23, 1999).]