hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
Here in Delaware, they only adhere to the parts of the U.S. Constitution and laws they like. It's basically a quasi anarchy state.
Rant #1... Retail Gun store inventory
- Thread starter ISS
- Start date
DShortt
Gold $$ Contributor
That description fits in many States anymore, and the list is growing.
Problem is, the urban areas carry enough clout to make the policy for the entire State.
Sooner or later, that situation will 'come to a head'.
Add beany babies also
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
Some of the big gun shows are still worth going to, that being said they aren’t what they use to be. I still go to “Crossroads of the west”, still find a few gems but I miss the old gun shows which were always a delight. Especially if you went early or made last minute offers closing time of the last day.
For all the evils of the internet one thing it is good for is a plethora of firearms shopping, lots of used and vintage firearms. I can waste a Saturday morning browsing sites looking for firearms ive been interested in finding for decades and find some at a decent price now and again. I’d rather walk a gun show or browse the local Mom and Pop shop but it just isn’t what used to be. There are two local shops I visit on a regular basis that move a fair amount of used guns and both stock a good amount of reloading gear and components but there’s no way they can stock what you can find on one site on the net. Sad but true. I truly miss the old the gun stores of the 70s and 80s.
For all the evils of the internet one thing it is good for is a plethora of firearms shopping, lots of used and vintage firearms. I can waste a Saturday morning browsing sites looking for firearms ive been interested in finding for decades and find some at a decent price now and again. I’d rather walk a gun show or browse the local Mom and Pop shop but it just isn’t what used to be. There are two local shops I visit on a regular basis that move a fair amount of used guns and both stock a good amount of reloading gear and components but there’s no way they can stock what you can find on one site on the net. Sad but true. I truly miss the old the gun stores of the 70s and 80s.
charlie b
Gold $$ Contributor
NM has gone even further left. Now we not only have a 7day waiting period but private sales without a federal check are banned. You can only privately transfer guns to immediate family. Anyone with an FFL must accept any firearms transfer, but, they can set their own fee schedule. Our governor banned CC in the big cities due to the crime rates, claimed it was a "health emergency". Yes, it was overturned, but, the writing is on the wall. If we don't get a bub governor this next election we'll get screwed even more.
Retail shops are bad everywhere. The biggest problem for them is online shopping, especially Amazon and Walmart. We went to get a floor cleaners (vacuum) and looked in the stores. They all had samples of what we wanted but nothing in stock. The response was, "we can order it for you." So, we went home and I ordered it. $20 less delivered to the door.
I do the same with gun stuff now. The only time I go in a shop is to buy primers, powder or guns. Even powder I am starting to order online.
Retail shops are bad everywhere. The biggest problem for them is online shopping, especially Amazon and Walmart. We went to get a floor cleaners (vacuum) and looked in the stores. They all had samples of what we wanted but nothing in stock. The response was, "we can order it for you." So, we went home and I ordered it. $20 less delivered to the door.
I do the same with gun stuff now. The only time I go in a shop is to buy primers, powder or guns. Even powder I am starting to order online.
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Most gun shops:
99 kinds of polymer striker fired junk handguns in several colors, some with comps and or dots……
The latest trendy hunting rifles that are overpriced junk.
Any kind of Reloading die you want as long as it’s rcbs, Hornady, Lee
Two or three people at the counter and remarkably every single one of them knows less about what they’re selling than you do. Or they know a lot of incorrect information.
I guess that’s what sells, it’s what the majority wants. It’s the biggest market? I was actually impressed with scheels in billings. Seekins hunting rifles, nice to see, but the handgun selection was impressive. SAC Zero presses, cheap pistol ammo, helpful staff.
99 kinds of polymer striker fired junk handguns in several colors, some with comps and or dots……
The latest trendy hunting rifles that are overpriced junk.
Any kind of Reloading die you want as long as it’s rcbs, Hornady, Lee
Two or three people at the counter and remarkably every single one of them knows less about what they’re selling than you do. Or they know a lot of incorrect information.
I guess that’s what sells, it’s what the majority wants. It’s the biggest market? I was actually impressed with scheels in billings. Seekins hunting rifles, nice to see, but the handgun selection was impressive. SAC Zero presses, cheap pistol ammo, helpful staff.
The Scheel’s in Billing’s is a must stop when going through.
I consider myself fortunate to have been involved as a gunsmith in a retail gun store in the 1970's. We stocked and sold everything. I had Shilen, Douglas, and Hart barrels in stock. We had coffee going all day long. I had a place for customers to stand and watch. I kept a junk box full of random parts and accessories for guys to dig through. Mostly junk, I salted it with enough good stuff to keep it interesting. I had Fajen semi-inlets and full blanks on hand. There were other shops much like ours.
The owner was a fullbore shooter, who shot on the Canadian team. My fellow gunsmith was a former benchrester and fullbore shooter. I was a BR shooter. Our sales people were all involved in shooting sports. The shipper/receiver was George Farquharson, the future originator of "F" class. Many of our customers knew more than we did.
Today, things are done differently. We are victims of "just in time" inventory control, which means there is seldom any inventory. Big box and chain stores took over as we aged out of the business. WH
The owner was a fullbore shooter, who shot on the Canadian team. My fellow gunsmith was a former benchrester and fullbore shooter. I was a BR shooter. Our sales people were all involved in shooting sports. The shipper/receiver was George Farquharson, the future originator of "F" class. Many of our customers knew more than we did.
Today, things are done differently. We are victims of "just in time" inventory control, which means there is seldom any inventory. Big box and chain stores took over as we aged out of the business. WH
Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
How about an entrance fee and charge you for parking?!!
Tangent
Silver $$ Contributor
Sounds like you've been to the UK!
To me, Sheels, Cabelas, and Sportsmans Warehouse are not gunshops, they department stores that sell some gun stuff.
Be interesting to see the real definition of that. Raised by a family friend. Never knew parents. Who do they think my immediate family is? Who do they think I think my immediate family is? I’d love to take that to court. I need not 12 but only one person who was not raised by their immediate family! Think I’m the only one in a similar situation?
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
Gun Shops are the same as a grocery store. They have 10 of an item on the shelf.
Inventory time comes along and they see they've moved 2ea. in the last month.
If they're smart, they won't be stocking that many again. That's one problem we have to live with. Things you USED to be able to find on the store shelve are no more. Let your fingers do the shopping. Might cost a bit more but if you can't find it on the shelves, you hunt till you find it On line. Better than NOT being able to find it. Might cost a little more but at least you CAN GET IT!!
Mail Order changes things. Not too good for the local stores but, you can get what you want without leaving the house and lots of times the price is lower and at times. free shipping. Pick your poison.
Perfect example. Wife likes Hershey Chocolate "powder". Not finding IT on the shelves of larger grocery stores. Only Starbuck's and for more $$$??
Looked at one of the lower priced "discount" grocery stores and BINGO, Hershey's chocolate powder on the shelf. Bought 2ea. so Mom doesn't run out any time soon.
Inventory time comes along and they see they've moved 2ea. in the last month.
If they're smart, they won't be stocking that many again. That's one problem we have to live with. Things you USED to be able to find on the store shelve are no more. Let your fingers do the shopping. Might cost a bit more but if you can't find it on the shelves, you hunt till you find it On line. Better than NOT being able to find it. Might cost a little more but at least you CAN GET IT!!
Mail Order changes things. Not too good for the local stores but, you can get what you want without leaving the house and lots of times the price is lower and at times. free shipping. Pick your poison.
Perfect example. Wife likes Hershey Chocolate "powder". Not finding IT on the shelves of larger grocery stores. Only Starbuck's and for more $$$??
Looked at one of the lower priced "discount" grocery stores and BINGO, Hershey's chocolate powder on the shelf. Bought 2ea. so Mom doesn't run out any time soon.
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ME TOO!!
The "TLDR" short summary of what I posted below is this; You guys need to try attending a real gun show for a change! lol
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I've read this kind of opinion about gunshows for years and have concluded that 90% of gun owners do not live in or near a big city in a free state. They will never know the fun and efficiency of attending a "real" gun show.
In particular, because pistols are small and easy for a dealer to transport (compared to longarms) these are found more at gunshows. I can often find the same new Colt Python or Walther PDP at 2, 3, or 4 different tables and take all the time I want examining & holding the guns. The dealers don't care because they're usually busy helping other shoppers or doing paper work. I can fuss because the guns have an alarm cable run thru the trigger-guard, so the guns can't disappear from the table. The dealers may look up at you once in a while, but are use to this and they don't worry. This way I get to choose the gun with the best finish and finest creep-free trigger pull. All this while saving $75-$100 or more over the LGS guy who stands there staring at me. You can't pick your gun like that via online purchases.
Often, online purchases are used by dealers who want to dump their scratched rifles, stocks that were improperly inletted to the barrel, and other defects. Ask me how I know this! lol
Yea, sometimes I also find great used stuff besides guns at gun shows.....like used plastic gun cases for $10 (that I can use for shipping), reloading presses, decorative metal signs for my reloading room, etc.
If you guys are ever in Texas go to the FT.Worth show near Dallas. The Conroe show, (not far from Houston) though not as big a show is very good too, and in a nice town.
The ultimate show is the Tulsa OK Wanamacher Show for both handguns & long-arms. I guarantee you'll find something there, abd have a great time doing it so that you won't mind paying a dealer to transfer it back to your hometown.
ISS
Gold $$ Contributor
I still go to the local monthly gun show here in town. As much to visit with old friends and fellow shooters as buy anything.. I started going in late 1978. There are also three or four within 20 miles that are worth hitting a couple times a year.
You guys are my every day visit because there are the occasional "can't pass up..." specials. Examples: I've purchased three BAT actions (one BAT L complete rifle in 28 Nosler) don't see them locally, in the last year, and four BARTLEIN barrels. Found out who John Widden is and bought powder from him.
So, I thank you all here for the good stuff, and keeping me out of the Bingo Parlor.
ISS
You guys are my every day visit because there are the occasional "can't pass up..." specials. Examples: I've purchased three BAT actions (one BAT L complete rifle in 28 Nosler) don't see them locally, in the last year, and four BARTLEIN barrels. Found out who John Widden is and bought powder from him.
So, I thank you all here for the good stuff, and keeping me out of the Bingo Parlor.
ISS
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