i go to one of a few local gun stores.

You left out a big one: on-line retailers.

I also buy from individuals in person and on gun forums.

There are about 5 excellent local gun stores here. #1 is a store started by a police officer about 30-35 years ago, #2 is a class III dealer who has an awesome selection of subsonic ammo, suppressors, and things that go bang in rapid succession (they are the folks who hooked me on the Gemtech Vortex 9mm suppressor for my 92FS), #3 has a great selection and handles quite a few trade in weapons from Law Enforcement, has more spare mags than most manufacturers and sell slightly used factory Beretta 96 and 92 mags for $15.00 each, #4 has a range in the basement where we can go 1/2 hour prior to closing and they will turn out most of the lights and let us practice night shooting, use of the laser with and without the suppressor on the 92FS, #5 is just your garden variety local gunshop, a little high on some items . . . . . but if he feels like it and likes you, you end up walking out with a gratis box of service ammo, extra mags, cleaning supplies, etc. Really lucky to live in North Georgia. Shoot well and often!!

I have made purchases from a local gun store as well as online retailers. Even when I buy online, the local gun store is utilized to complete the transfer.

Originally Posted by unpecador

I have made purchases from a local gun store as well as online retailers. Even when I buy online, the local gun store is utilized to complete the transfer.

That's exactly what I have done. I have yet to buy a gun from a show as I have yet to find a gun cheaper at one than I can get locally or on-line.

Never bought from an auction or manufacturer.

On line retailers, local store and the classifieds forum here. I bought my AR lower at a gun show 2 years ago, but don't go to shows anymore.

The best deal can be mean many things. I look for certian types of guns for collecting and another for carring and yet another just for fun. Price is but a small part of best deal for me. I vote all of the above and then some.

I like to use the local gun stores AND living in a large metropolitan area we have two huge sporting goods stores (Bass Pro and Cabelas) which makes it fun to shop for guns , ammo, and accessories.

I buy from either 1 of 2 local gun stores (same owner), who happen to be the biggest in FL (Shoot Straight). They have good prices, excellent service after the sale, and they know me, since I'm there shooting 2-3 days per WEEK now...

"You wanna go, where everybody knows your name..."

JW

I like to support the local shop. The prices are not always the absolute lowest, but after you add on shipping and the transfer fee for FFL dealer......it is so close that I would rather give back to local people. Plus quicker gratification when you buy local in-stock weapons.

I buy from local shops (have 6 within 1 hour and lots pawn shops) but check prices online.

I have bought from local gun stores, gun shows, private individuals, and online.

I prefer the local shops and will usually pay slightly more to buy from them. But if they start 'gouging,' because they lucked out and happen to have a hot item, I steer clear (an example would be $400 LCP's or $700 Walther PPS's).

I know it's the American way to charge whatever the market will bear, but it harms the friendly atmosphere, and that is really about the only advantage a small shop can offer, in these days when you can have the brown truck deliver all your accessories.

Originally Posted by unpecador

I have made purchases from a local gun store as well as online retailers. Even when I buy online, the local gun store is utilized to complete the transfer.

Same here, I have bought from on-line retailer and have bought from gun shows. Mainly I try to keep my business at 1 of 2 local gun shops just for the relationships that are built. Just my .02.

Originally Posted by JeffWard

I buy from either 1 of 2 local gun stores (same owner), who happen to be the biggest in FL (Shoot Straight). They have good prices, excellent service after the sale, and they know me, since I'm there shooting 2-3 days per WEEK now...

"You wanna go, where everybody knows your name..."

JW

I too shop and shoot at Shoot Straight. Great guys, and fantastic product lines.

I buy from local gun shops or sporting goods stores.

one of my local gun stores is one of the more popular online retailers...heh

Well, it's a hour or so up the road but Buds in Paris Ky is great. Most I but I get around here though.

we have 3 great stores around columbia, sc but i frequent the one 2 or 3 miles from my house. great customer service and an indoor range. i still haven't messed with an online retailer yet.

Local shop treats me right. They let me do layaway on guns I could never afford to pay for all at once. Not many places will order a $2k+ gun and let you take months to pay it off.

my local shop is unimpressive, at least with my few and brief dealings. I think I will trend toward purchasing in online classifieds for pistols that I have shot/handled.

The last few handguns I have both bought and sold have been over the net. I have a local dealer that has great prices on order in new guns. The problem is he doesn't take trade ins nor does he have any used handguns. Then I have another shop close that I frequented for many years. The prices were good to start then he started taking more mark up. Every time I walked in the door he was complaining about not making any money. Then he would start telling stories of his recent hunt to Africa, bear on Kodiak Island, elk out west and pig in Tennessee. For a guy who claims not to be making any money he sure seems to get around taking all these hunts in the same year!

The last straw fro me was when he found out I bought a HK custom combat online. A mutual friend informed him. When he confronted me about it, he felt I should have still purchased it from him even though he was $200 more expensive. I don't have a problem spending $50 more on a $800+ gun to buy local; but $200, that's nuts. Needless to say, I haven't been back.

Wow, thats unreasonable. That guy is way out of line here. You have the right to purchase anywhere. If he wants to make the sale, then he needs to be competitive.

I do all of the above. I tend to use the auction sites if there is a fire arm I want but am not in a hurry. When I find what I like I will bid what I am willing to pay. If I win great, if not I can wait. Most of my interest are on unique items anymore. I buy direct from manufacturers thru my local FFL for receivers and frames for firearms I am building for myself. I check out gunshows for items that are hard to find.

Local shops in the Raleigh area really price-gouge. When shopping for a Beretta 92FS one shop didnt have any in stock and when I asked how much to order he said "oh, figure on paying around $600", another bigger store didnt have it in either but gave me a code to go online and order it from their "distributor" at a cost of $585. Budsgunshop.com had it in stock ready to ship for $468 with 3 mags! A little while later I bought a Kel-Tec from a guy on GunBroker and have established a relationship with him and will probably give him first dibs on future purchases.

I would love to support the local stores, but when they are 30% higher, I cant justify it to myself or my family. If it was $20 or $30 on a $500 purchase then maybe I could, but not $100 or more.

Originally Posted by Blanco720

Wow, thats unreasonable. That guy is way out of line here. You have the right to purchase anywhere. If he wants to make the sale, then he needs to be competitive.

+1...If it was me, I would show him the receipt with the price I paid. Tell him to get reasonable and then we could talk about purchasing from him.