Tips on gun shopping.

I don't do many gun blogging posts but since it is one of my hobbies and there are at least a handful of readers that are collectors and shooters as well... what the heck?

I started my gun collection in 1985. It grew very slowly due to lack of funds and the pursuit of other youthful interests. Sadly the Brady bill made me stop buying guns from shops altogether because I thought it was de-facto registration. "Yeah sure they are deleting the back round check info"...

In the summer of 2000 I went out shooting with my well worn pistols when I saw a Argentine Sistema .45 in the range gun case. $350 was the asking price. When I found there was no longer a 7 day waiting period, I snapped up the sistema and went on a 5 year shopping spree.

I was in my thirties, had some disposable income and many holes in my gun collection.

The first thing I did was get on the Internet and find every gun and gun/pawnshop within 25 miles of my house. Over the course of a week I visited each one looked for the best deals, made notes and picked up obvious deals along the way.

Here are some things I learned.

Get a recent blue book of gun values or look up the gun you are shopping for on gunbroker.com auctionarms.com to find what they are currently going for.

Remember: you can haggle at many gun shops and all pawn shops.

You can always say "no thanks" and walk away.

Inspect each gun carefully.

Bring a bore light. You can find them for 3 bucks in most gun/sporting goods shops.

Always make sure you can bring used guns back for exchange, credit or money back. Get it in writing.

KEEP YOUR RECIEPTS

Get your C&R license for those cheap wonderful milsurps.

http://www.cruffler.com

Ask the shop owner if they have any specials or deals.

Look at the screws and make sure they are not turned out and buggered. (if so ask for a deep discount)

Shop, shop shop and don't be shy about asking for multi gun discounts, pointing out the gun that has been sitting in their inventory for six years or the beater project gun that they should pay you take off their hands.

Always ask if they have a holster, original box, extra magazines, manual, gun rug etc... They may not always think about it, but some used and consignment guns come in with an original box and accessories that they will forget to give to you.

Be nice, make small talk, and try to be friendly. Owners and clerks are much more willing to work with an amiable person.

Pawn shops can be your friend. They don't always know about guns. You may be able to get something rare or valuable if they happen to be careless with their research.

Gun shows are almost always a bum deal and there is usually no recourse for a bad or malfunctioning gun. Be very careful. Gun shows are full of vendors with no morals or scruples.

Chain sporting goods stores can sometimes have the right price but you will be be dealing with an apathetic clerk who doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.

You can also get a hold of a shotgun news then ask a shop owner to order you something from one of the companies listed.

The shop will charge a transfer fee or may want to do some kind of markup. Be sure he is not screwing you with loads of fees and taxes that are not applicable to the sale.

These are but a few of the tips that will help you get good guns for good prices.

These tips can also be used for practically any household item if gun shopping isn't your thing.