I realize there is a variance between all stores... but it seems the internet prices for pistols are all way higher than local gunstore prices, I found a barely used Beretta 96 Vertec for 450 at a local store, even a used one on the internet they want 550-570 for. Thats insane... I thought the purpose of auction sites was to get a good deal... :mad:

Matt,
I have found some excellent deals on internet gun sites before, but I don't think the deals are consistently there. One of those things that requires a lot of waiting to find a deal or to find one when you aren't necessarily looking for it.

Most the guns I've bought from GunBroker and GunsAmerica have been firearms I haven't been able to find locally. Usually odd ball stuff or older used rifles. I think that is the strength of those sites. If you are looking for something that is fairly common and readily available, you can probably do better locally, unless you find someone trying to reduce their inventory or someone selling their personal firearm because they become bored with it.

I know... I'm mostly just whining... Kind of hard to believe that the best deal I can find is right here in town...

I'm sure some will pay they're ridiculous prices...

this gives me a great idea...

Don't forget to add the shipping cost and FFL fees to any that you find on the internet sites. Can add a $50-100 or so, depending on how it is shipped and how much your FFL charges. :(

I use GunsAmerica and have had very good luck there. Shipping is usually $10-20 and my dealer charges me $10 if I take care of the money business. CDNN, out of Texas, is a great spot for new bargins. I don't think that they show the specials online, but if you contact them you might get their flyers. Let me warn you, those bargins will have you buying guns that you never thought that you needed. Good luck.

George

I do alot of shopping on the internet - both for firearms related stuff and other. One thing that I think the internet does well is define an "acceptable" price. I think for guns it works like this - a guy walks into a pawn shop and takes $200 for a handgun and defaults on the loan. A local gun shop owner picks it up for $250 and puts it in his case. he thinks to himself, $300 will make me a nice margin and will move this gun quick....Unless he sees on the internet that everyone else is posting at $400 for the same gun, same condition.

The internet is great for some values but its also a pain sometimes on other stuff.

The pricing online will usually be high due to the large audience comprising many different regions with different costs of living. The chances that someone will come along willing to pay more than most folks would for a certain gun elsewhere is always a factor so most sellers "aim high " I guess you could say. This is why it's not uncommon to see items going for more than you might be able to buy the same thing new for in your local region.


444fitch

Last four guns Ive aquired have been through internet sourses....two where antiques, one was black powder, so no FFl charges. The one FFL required gun was not an advertizement...one poster mentioned he saw a particular rifle at a shop in ORegon...so I got the phone number and called the shop and arranged the purchace through my local FFl dealer.

Were they "great deals"...not really, better than local prices... they were at least farily priced.

Locations have a regional price difference...if you want used shotguns, look to shops/sites along the southern end of the big migratory fly ways (live in South Louisian...the barrel full of vbarious pump shotguns at one stickjer price is a stable of gun shows). If you want smaller older pocket .32's, look to the southern states.

You are right ribbonstone. Location does have a lot to do with it. I noticed last time I looked down in Portland that .44 magnums and 454s were cheaper there than they are here in Alaska. There is less of a demand for them there and it seems that everybody here "needs" one so they are easily found up here, just at premium prices for the most part unless you want to shop WallyWorld.

I live in California , I have bought guns off the internet but its like everything else in that you have to know the value before you shop . For me its easy to find a bargin but it takes a little sorting thru the dealers that are fishing .