[barnstormer37]

After looking at all those Gander Mtn. handguns and concluding that they are over priced, I'm sort of reconsidering. The first thing is that they have them in stock and on display. Getting back on the internet and looking at 1) the model 941 .22 WMR revolver , and 2) the model 617 .357 MAG, it kind of looks like this---

The web sites are mostly auctions, some with "buy it now" and/or showing old/last prices. Mostly they don't have the guns, just notices like "out of stock", "price subject to change", or similar. Of course there is the shipping charge (varies from vendor to vendor) and then the local FFL charge (some as high as $35 to maybe $50, mostly $20 to $25). Have to factor in the chance to hold and feel it and see it up close and personal, and maybe they are not so far out of line. Oh, did I mention that they have 'em in stock and on display?

 

[Laker]

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do!!

 

[KLo]

Yeah they do have them to hold. Gander has more pistols now than I have seen anywhere else.

 

[LonestarJake]

Of course they have their over priced guns in stock, just like our most overpriced and largest local gun store does, because they rarely sell them, but when they do, they make a big profit. The shop I'm talking about has 50 rounds of .22 LR of any brand for $9.95 (Yep, they were almost out of .22 LR also) and I watched a guy pick up 3 boxes of Winchester White Box fmj .38 special marked $38.95 a box. I started to follow him out to his car and offer him a dozen for $30 a box, but I rarely sell any ammo unless a friend needs it badly, and then I would charge $20 for a box of .38 special fmj, but only one or two boxes.

 

[chicharrones]

A gun in the hand beats a gun stuck on the internet. Sometimes. When you really can't walk out without it.

In reality, a gun in the hand is one you get to inspect before you agree to buy it. That can save shipping back charges (if any) or sending a gun back for warranty issues which means your new gun is not in your hand anymore.

 

[45 Forever]

My retirement ammo footlocker is getting more valuable by the minute. A booth at a gun show and its off to the Caribbean. Its worth more then Gold. What a bunch a schmucks.

 

[Lance0812]

After looking at all those Gander Mtn. handguns and concluding that they are over priced, I'm sort of reconsidering. The first thing is that they have them in stock and on display. Getting back on the internet and looking at 1) the model 941 .22 WMR revolver , and 2) the model 617 .357 MAG, it kind of looks like this---

The web sites are mostly auctions, some with "buy it now" and/or showing old/last prices. Mostly they don't have the guns, just notices like "out of stock", "price subject to change", or similar. Of course there is the shipping charge (varies from vendor to vendor) and then the local FFL charge (some as high as $35 to maybe $50, mostly $20 to $25). Have to factor in the chance to hold and feel it and see it up close and personal, and maybe they are not so far out of line. Oh, did I mention that they have 'em in stock and on display?

Your reasoning is sound, Grasshopper.

 

[CB236]

I was going to buy my new Heritage RR22MB6 from Buds. Even with the free shipping, I would still have to pay the FFL transfer fee of $25. So it was a wash to just buy it at Gander. Not knocking Buds, this one just worked out for me this time.

 

[tazelmo]

Bird in hand better then 2 in the bush.

 

[Sekol]

WOW - you guys have NO IDEA how lucky you are - our FFL transfers are $65 - and that's because we get a discount since we're members of the range there, for everyone else it's $75. The amount of paperwork involved and the amount of time the ffl has to put in is incredible. For handguns it's taking 6-8 weeks for the state to turn around paperwork now, unless you are a designated collector and then it's only 5-6 weeks. We picked up an old style Ruger Vacquero 2 nights ago that I had totally forgotten about buying - it took 45 days for the paperwork to come thru! The longer all this fol de rol goes on, the longer the state is taking. Hmmm, seems they might have their own agenda about this...

We try to support the small guys whenever possible, but when they can't get stuff you want you have to buy from whoever has it. And I agree with chicarrones - at least GM has the guns so that you can feel them, try them. We have a GM about 1 1/2 hrs away in a different state but we can buy long guns without transfers and we buy them at GM -'cause they actually have them (sometimes...)

 

[BangBang]

I do not have a preference between on line and brick and mortar purchases. I have on line places I simply will not buy from regardless of price (Bud's and Cabella's for instance) and real retail stores (Gander Mt for instance) I feel the same way about.

I feel very lucky to have 9 LGS within an hours drive of me that I regularly deal with as well as BassPro, Dick's, and other big box stores. I also regularly work the gun shows and know many other dealers personally. I can't remember the last time I bought anything gun related from a big box store. I take that back.... I bought 5 boxes of .22 shotshells for my Gamo air rifle at BassPro about 3 months ago.

I find I use on line vendors for parts and accessories, occasionally for bulk ammunition buys, and once in awhile for hard to find guns such as CCR purchases that can be hard to find locally.

My local Gander Mt is over priced, under staffed, and too involved with their own regulations and red tape to buy a gun from.

If one absolutely has to have something right now, has little or no access to other LGS's, and hasn't done or hasn't got the time to do the research to take advanyage of what is on line I can understand buying from a place like Gander. Otherwise I would say be patient and keep looking. As far as having to actually hold the gun in your hand, well, that is one of the reasons to go to gun shows. Once again, I feel priviledged to live here in Florida where I can usually find a gun show every weekend if I needed to.

Another option is a specialized (by location) on line gun auction... depending on where you live this can be a great way to buy a gun. Here in Florida we can ship guns (handguns or long guns) directly between private citizens with no FFL or paperwork as long as it is within the state. That means no transfer fee. This is a great way to find a good deal on a firearm.

Don

 

[Sekol]

Don - sure sounds like you live in Heaven! Living on the east coast in a blue state means that I'm living in a firearms aficionado's wasteland. One almost needs to submit paperwork merely to shoot someone else's gun, no less be able to transfer firearms between citizens without paperwork - unheard of here!! Almost makes me want to move to Florida - nah, not really - too dang hot, but it could explain the mass exodus of us geezer types to your state... Happy shooting this weekend - and may the ammo fairy show up at your house!

 

[daytonaredeye]

I, too, have a couple of LGS and even a couple of pawn shops and WalMarts within 10 miles of my home. Whereas the pawn shops may be $20-40 more than other places, they at least have some models you cannot find elsewhere (hey, folks do trade in/pawn their stuff) and even my LGS catches some flack about being $15-50 more expensive than other places but, they ain't but a 5 minute ride from my house and with gas prices being what the are, I may not mind paying for something there rather than driving 20-30 miles in towards ATL area where it may not be any cheaper.

I'm all for everyone shopping to their preference and price points as long as they are happy with their choices. I haven't bought any actual firearms or even ammo online but have bought plenty of accessories from the websites. I do like handling and going thru the motions with a firearm before a purchase too but, really don't have anything against online purchases if that floats yer boat.

Shoot on . . .