[Flyin_.45]

the gun show is comin this weekend and i'll be buyin a .45 just wanna know your thoughts for or against buying it at the gun show. a buddy of my dad's whose pretty into handguns, told me not to buy it at the show. he claims its better to have a shop on hand that's not gonna leave town like the show will. with the smith and wesson lifetime guarantee though, is that really an issue? any advice sill be greatly appreciated. I would love to buy the gun saturday and take it home then and there rather than have to wait for the shop to order it. thanks guys!

 

[Grimwulff]

the gun show is comin this weekend and i'll be buyin a .45 just wanna know your thoughts for or against buying it at the gun show. a buddy of my dad's whose pretty into handguns, told me not to buy it at the show. he claims its better to have a shop on hand that's not gonna leave town like the show will. with the smith and wesson lifetime guarantee though, is that really an issue? any advice sill be greatly appreciated. I would love to buy the gun saturday and take it home then and there rather than have to wait for the shop to order it. thanks guys!

S&W will owner no matter who you buy it from, and normally most shops will just help you ship it. PLUS, S&W is EXTREMELY nice and helpful.



I've had a LOT better offers given to me @ Gun Shows then i've EVER had online and/or at stores. Odd, huh?



I say, recored the price of the M&P from Bud's online store with the cost of shipping + transfer fee, and then take it w/ you. If someone will beat the price, then take it.



ETA: As an example of a good deal at a gun show: i've been needing a 22 plinker handgun just to f' with. Seriously. This is beyond want, it is a need kinda thing :twisted: . Anyways, I picked up a http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product...oducts_id/61087 and the guy said "250." I was like, "Man... I want one, but I'm not sure." His response? "200." If I had just bought a lot of stuff for my ARs and wasn't wanting to completely max myself, I would have done it. Now, i'm kicking myself.

 

[Omikron]

GunBroker

I got my 9mm M&P with carry kit including a BladeTech holster and two mags with mag holster from GunBroker.com cheaper than I was able to get just the gun at my local gun shops. Sometimes you just can't beat the deals you can find online.

 

[Grimwulff]

Re: GunBroker

I got my 9mm M&P with carry kit including a BladeTech holster and two mags with mag holster from GunBroker.com cheaper than I was able to get just the gun at my local gun shops. Sometimes you just can't beat the deals you can find online.

Everytime I go there, I always find the worst deals on the ugly-face of the internet. I'm not sure why, but you're not only paying them for a used pistol, but also paying for the pleasure of them using it, and at the same price as new. I'll be the first to admit that I have the money to buy new and buy new w/o thinking about it... so in order to get me to buy used, it has to be eye-catching, and the people on GunBroker are horrible at doing that. At least, to me.

 

[Omikron]

Re: GunBroker

[quote name='Omikron']I got my 9mm M&P with carry kit including a BladeTech holster and two mags with mag holster from GunBroker.com cheaper than I was able to get just the gun at my local gun shops. Sometimes you just can't beat the deals you can find online.

Everytime I go there, I always find the worst deals on the ugly-face of the internet. I'm not sure why, but you're not only paying them for a used pistol, but also paying for the pleasure of them using it, and at the same price as new. I'll be the first to admit that I have the money to buy new and buy new w/o thinking about it... so in order to get me to buy used, it has to be eye-catching, and the people on GunBroker are horrible at doing that. At least, to me.[/quote]



Well it's pretty easy to avoid that problem, I just don't buy anything used period. Also it's not that hard to figure out if it's a good deal or not. Like any auction site, there are people trying to rip other people off, and then there are real good deals. If you're patient you can find what you need, and get a good deal. Plus where I live my choices are very very slim in the local shops, and their prices are off the charts. I paid less for my M&P 9mm with two extra mags and carry kit, plus shipping and transfer fee, than the local guy was charging just for the gun.



Example:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=82665225



Seems like a pretty good deal to me, I haven't seen them that much cheaper than this brand new.

 

[Grimwulff]

Re: GunBroker

Well it's pretty easy to avoid that problem, I just don't buy anything used period. Also it's not that hard to figure out if it's a good deal or not. Like any auction site, there are people trying to rip other people off, and then there are real good deals. If you're patient you can find what you need, and get a good deal. Plus where I live my choices are very very slim in the local shops, and their prices are off the charts. I paid less for my M&P 9mm with two extra mags and carry kit, plus shipping and transfer fee, than the local guy was charging just for the gun.



Example:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=82665225



Seems like a pretty good deal to me, I haven't seen them that much cheaper than this brand new.

I agree. Auctions are, by nature, a crepe-shoot. Ultimately, you have to find stuff and look around.



I just don't like GB b/c I don't trust most people. If I can't have a conversation with them, then I can't trust them...



However, it is exactly the same in Houston, when it comes to gun store prices. I went to 5 stores to buy my 45s... here were the response:



Store 1: $630 (~MSRP)

Store 2&3: Huh? M&P?

Store 4: $600

Store 5: $500



At the time, it was just recently introduced and even online stores were more expensive. Oddly enough, store #5 was Academy Sports & Outdoors... i'm guess it is our version of Dick's Sporting Goods... never been in a Gander Mountain (because the closest one is a good 25-35 miles from my house), but i'm assuming they're similar. Anyways... figured I'd toss that out.

 

[G56]

Back when I was a Deputy Sheriff I was carrying a S&W model 19 in nickel finish, I wanted to get a model 66 in stainless, so I went to a gun show and bought one, I later found that this new revolver had a timing problem and would lock up, so I looked at my receipt and noticed that I had a receipt that didn't have any information on it, no store name, just a date and an amount of money! I was extremely worried that S&W might not honor their warranty since my proof of purchase was so poor.



S&W took care of the problem, but after that experience I said I would NEVER buy another new gun at a gun show.

 

[sholling]

My 2nd and 3rd closest dealers are 30 miles away so I really like the idea supporting my local dealer - a very small shop. It's nice to have somebody close by stay in business. After doing a little research I found he was about $10 cheaper then the second closest - a very well stocked store. And only about $25 more than the the 3rd closest, a guy that sells out of his garage and at gun shows. I'd have to drive at least 60 miles one way to save $40. I'll save that much in gas!



Bottom line: I like doing my part to keep my local guy in business as long as he keeps treating me right.



FYI: I've been using Davidson's Gun Locator, but to comparison shop only. I've never ordered through them. Funny enough it showed me my that my 2nd closest dealer was trying to seriously gouge me on a 1911.

http://www.galleryofguns.com/GunLocator/locatorstart.asp

 

[Flyin_.45]

Thanks for all the help guys. After much debate, I've decided to go to a local shop, and I'm glad I did, they have it on sale for $525. I'm goin to put my money down on it as you read this!!

 

[criticalmass]

I bought my full size 9 from buds, but the gun came with wear already on the top corner of the slide. I am not satisfied with the answer I have gotten from them on this thus far. In my opinion the gun looked used. It looked like it had been fired more than just factory testing. Couple that with the wear, and I am an unhappy Bud's Customer.