GunShows Aint What They Used To Be

[Big Jay]

You think your gun dealers are pirates? LOL

I've been pricing out a new AR as a work gun. I am leaning towards the RRA Entry Level Tac.

Gunbroker has em for $750. Plus $30 shipping and $50 transfer. So figure $80.

Just for the hell of it I walked into the local shop today and saw a S&W MP15 (similar gun, usually cheaper).

$999

Then figure NIX and transfer for another cool $75.

So $1075 (minimum) for a gun I can have shipped a my FFL for $830.

$830 vs. $1075

Roughly $250 difference. That's over half way towards a nice Eotech to throw on top. Crooks...

[Deep C]

You wont find a black anything on the shelves here for less than $1200. Hell they're trying to get $900 for Mini 14!

Even Gander Mountain has special "Palm Beach" pricing...

[nautiduck]

Big Jay and Deep, you both need to pick up a copy of Shotgun news. There are deals on both ARs and all the different models of mini's. Deep what are you looking for in a mini? Our local Walmart has a Mini 14 Ranch for $615 with a wood stock and blue steel. Are you looking for one to put a scope on or just blow rounds through? If your looking to mount a scope and you buy an older used one make sure it has the ranch style scope mount, they mount on top of the receiver. If not youll have to use a "B"mount (mount on the side) and youll have to drop about $75-100 or more to get a good one that wont move. Here are a few pics where you can see the difference in the mounts.

[Capt_John]

S&W M&P's here start at $969. I just ordered a RRA CAR-15 with all the bells and whistles for a guy here and it only ran him $1200 with full tactical rails, special trigger, Ergo grip. chrome lined barrel w/ 1:9 twist, and more. FL gun dealers have lost their mind.

[Glenn W]

You wont find a black anything on the shelves here for less than $1200. Hell they're trying to get $900 for Mini 14!

Even Gander Mountain has special "Palm Beach" pricing...

Paul,
Gander Mountain charges $75 FFL transfer fee on all firearms. Go to GunBroker.com ( or the likes), buy the gun of your dreams at the best price you can find anywhere in the US, pay the $75 and save on sales taxes as well.
I recognize it may not be worth it if you only looking at $200 guns. Next time you're out and about you may want to take a ride up to Lake county, or Ocala area. Real folks up that way with "normal" gun prices.

[Deep C]

Oh trust me I'm on gun broker, florida guntrader, gunsamerica, etc. Our gander is $100 a throw. Other FFl guys around are $50-100. Add in the shipping and the deals arent so sweet any more.

As for Shotgun news, Love it... None of the FFL guys I know will let me order from it without their mark up though.

The mini I would like would be one to run rounds through. Preferably steel but not all that important. Might just go over the county line to find one. I see some on line as low as $475. Still with shipping and the little extra FFL fee and then our county fee and FDLE fee, your right back at $650 , long wait and you have an old piece of shit. That $620 new turns into $820 and a headache too.
That simple $99 .22 that I was gonna walk with would turn into $300...So not worth it.

[Capt_John]

That's insane guys. FFL transfers here are $20-$25 depending on where you go. I never knew places charged that much.

[Glenn W]

That's insane guys. FFL transfers here are $20-$25 depending on where you go. I never knew places charged that much.

It's a sign of the times bro---- Every FFL in the Richmond area is now $75. A year ago, the standard rate around here was $25.--- damnifino.

In all fairness, I think this upsurge in transfer fees to due to the tremendous gain in new internet sales. I bought a Ceasar Guerini last fall, and would have loved to buy it from the only local dealer which is owned by old childhood friends of mine. Problem was, the local dealer was $700 more than a couple of well respected store front dealers that also do internet sales. Let's see no 4.5% sales tax, $700 gross savings, I pay $55 shipping (including insurance), and a $75 fee to Greentop (not a Guerini dealer) for the transfer.
Now I may have fallen off the turnip truck yesterday, but I didn't fall on my head
High and medium margin dealers are finding that FFL transfers can be profit centers (as opposed to just recovering costs), on sales they would not get anyway.
These internet sales are not going to run local dealers out of business because It's not worth the headach for lower to medium priced guns, but for top shelf stuff, traditional dealers are learning how to add to the cash register.

[fishinmagician_IV]

"Here in Va. we had a 1 handgun a month law for 17 yrs that was finally recinded this session of our legislature ( becomes effective 7/1/10". I thought the former Mayor of Richmond got his way and it didn't pass?? Did I read the paper wrong?

[Glenn W]

You are correct. Doug Wilder's one gun a month law was finally repealed this session.
Henry Marsh's current victory was getting our Castle Doctine legislation passed by.
The Billed passed the full House by a 3 to 1 margin, but Marsh and his urban cronies killed in his Senate Committee.