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Post by tholdren on Mar 12, 2010 0:58:18 GMT -5
Hi ya'll,
This is a great site with a ton of excellent information. It's been very helpful for me.
I've decided to purchase my first handgun and would like some advice. Although I've never owned a gun, I've shot several and have narrowed it to a Glock 21 or 30. I know, I know. Some of ya'll don't like them. But I do ;D. I was wondering if ya'll could recommend some good vendors in the area who I could begin to build a good relationship with for future purchase. I'd like to find a place who has good prices and can be trusted, helpful to me, etc. Some have told me Bass Pro Shops, others "On the Square Gun and Pawn" in McDonough or Ed's Pawn in Stockbridge. Would love to hear your thoughts and would appreciate any help. I've looked online but am not sure yet how that whole process works yet. Will probably start using for my next purchase.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Mar 12, 2010 2:55:09 GMT -5
Hey tholdren; It sound like you are in my neck of the woods !!! I have acquired some good deals at the Gun Range in Forest Park, Moss, and a few more. Range & Guns
285 Lake Mirror Road
Forest Park, GA 30297
Phone: 404-366-7861
Fax: 404-366-8024
M - Fri 11am - 8pm
Saturday 9am-9pm
Sunday 12noon - 6pm Moss Pawn Shop |
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Post by MLB on Mar 12, 2010 9:50:45 GMT -5
Welcome to the group Tholdren. I've never purchaced a firearm online, but it is a tremendous resource for knowing what you're talking about, which is as good as dollars in your hand; especially if you're buying used.
There are plenty of folks that don't like Glocks (me included), but very few that can fault the durability and function. I don't think you'll get any flak from this crew. ;D
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Post by TMan on Mar 12, 2010 10:38:56 GMT -5
Welcome to the best private gun forum on the internet.
Personally, I own two glocks, and I'm currently into the 21st year of my second marriage. For those two reasons I can never say that: "I never make the same mistake twice." ;D
There are several places on the internet where you can buy guns and have them shipped to your local FFL. You pay shipping costs and the FFL's transfer fees. Shop around and you may find a big difference in fees. The FFL that I use, sportingarms.com only charges $20, but others in my area charge $35.
What different dealers charge for their guns depends on two things: 1) the percentage markup that they have and 2) the distributor they bought the gun from.
The distributors also vary in how they price guns. With some distributors, when they get a new price sheet from the manufacturer, they immediately update the prices they sell to the dealers. Others only update the prices when they receive a gun.
Yesterday, I bought a gun for $1560, but it was the last one that distributor had. Today the same gun from another distributor would cost me $1700. Since the manufacturer's MSRP is $2694, I got a good deal.
The advantage of buying over the internet is that although you have to pay shipping and FFL fee, you don't end up paying local sales tax. Here the sales tax is 8%, so on a $2000 gun, that is $160.
Of course the big disadvantage is that you are buying sight unseen. However, in something like the Glock, if you have seen and handled one, then you know pretty much what you are getting.
Several years ago the range officer at Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine, TX, whom I'd gotten to know quite well, slipped a piece of paper to me as I was leaving the pistol range. It was done covertly so I didn't open it until I got out of the building. On it was written "WWW.SPORTINGARMS.COM". I went to their web-site, which is rather low-tech, but found they had good prices, and they were just north of Bass Pro. I ordered a gun from them and found out that they were selling out of their home.
Since then I've bought several guns from them, and one day was asked if I would help out in making price updates to their database. (I think Becky got tired of listening to me complain about them not having many guns listed.) Well, it was a slow process, and I quickly wrote some software to assist. While living in India and China, I rewrote it to base their prices on which distributor had inventory with the lowest prices (including shipping to Texas). This program runs every day and updates their prices accordingly. If none of the distributors has the gun, the price reverts to whoever had the highest price.
Consequently, if the gun is available, sportingarms will likely have the lowest price on the gun, and their markup i.e. their profit margin is guaranteed.
I know, I know, far more information than you needed, and I've finished my coffee and need to get back on the scaffolding and finish painting the ceiling in the downstairs guest bathroom.
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Post by tholdren on Mar 12, 2010 11:37:56 GMT -5
Great advice and information. Thanks to all for your help. If I do decide to purchase online, how does the shipping to someone with a FFL work? Is that something I need to talk to them first about to let them know my gun was coming their way? Do I just put an address down of a local place? Sorry about the confusion. I'm pretty new to this. Thanks again.
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Post by TMan on Mar 12, 2010 16:52:59 GMT -5
The way it works is the shipper has to have a copy of the recipient's FFL. If they already have it on file, they can tell you and ship it. If they don't, you have to contact your FFL and have them send a copy to the shipper (FAX is generally acceptable).
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Mar 12, 2010 18:18:57 GMT -5
theolden; I sure that everyone on this forum will provide you will guidance, to the right sources and information. Don't hesitate to asked questions; that is we are here for. Heres a link to the Gunbroker Site. I have also had good luck with picking up Hostlers and other accessories on ebay. |
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Post by dagny on Aug 19, 2010 6:21:18 GMT -5
I am new on here but hope to become a regular. I am interested in everyones opinion and knowledge on firearms. My husband and I opened a new gun store in Gainesville, GA. We have done online sales and gun shows for a few years and now we have a retail store. Check us out www.GeorgiaGunStore.com |
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Post by MLB on Aug 19, 2010 16:11:19 GMT -5
Nice web site you have set up. Good luck with the store. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Post by BIGDOG on Aug 21, 2010 22:02:24 GMT -5
Hello and welcome to the forum. i am so glad we are gaining members.
I have enjoyed my years with these folks and I hope you all do too.
G
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Aug 22, 2010 0:29:19 GMT -5
I am new on here but hope to become a regular. |
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Post by blueglass on Aug 5, 2013 16:37:24 GMT -5
Tholden Welcome from a Canadian member of our Forum as well. Glad to have you with us. If we can help you we will as best as we can.
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