I attended my first gun shoe at the beginning of the month. I plan to wait until it comes back to my area in September to buy a Glock 23. I have noticed guns are less expensive at these shoes. So what are your thoughts? Buy from a gun show, or a dealer?
Things must be a lot different where you live. I've yet to see any deals at gun shows here. You can find some off the wall stuff and you can find some deals on bulk ammunition. But there aren't any deals on guns.
I've only been to 1 gun show. After I paid too much money to get in, I was let down by what was inside. I'd rather support my LGS.
Agreed. My "part time" job has me going to a lot of gun shows and I hardly ever see deals. Mostly I see the opposite. I see a lot of stuff marked up because they know a lot of people never price stuff before they come and think gun shows are good deals. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Make sure the Glocks you are looking at are the same generation, same sights etc.. A Glock with factory night sights will be more than a Glock with standard sights. How much is your local store asking? And is this local store a national retail chain of a mom and pop type place?
I live in Wisconsin and there's a dealer that is a decent chunk cheaper than going to a big box store. My father in law saved about about $75 by getting his RIA 1911 though a gun show. Just ask where the pick up is. If the show isn't close to your house and you have to drive two hours there and back then that's not such a deal. But if you live close I would go for it. Is it a new gun at a dealer there or is it a private sale?
Well the last gun show I went to I was only able to compare prices on one gun. I purchased my M&P .22 from Gander Mtn. for $420. At the show I saw the same gun for $350 brand new. That's a $70 difference. I didn't know I wanted a Glock 23 at the time but I know I wanted a .40. When I go to this gun show in September I will go the first day to collect prices and compare them to local dealers/retailers. I know I won't be buying it from Gander Mtn. because my local one wants at least $600 for it and I've seen it other places for $550.
Local glock dealer: www.davidsonsinc.com=
Yeah- don't buy anything from Gander. My local Wal-Mart sells ammo cans of 5.56 62gr M855 420ct. for $150. Gander sells the same thing for $230. $550 for a G23 still would a little high unless it has night sights. Gunbroker has them for $499 and less.
www.gunbroker.com
I see your point. I still have to factor in shipping costs and ship it to a FFL. Any local FFL would charge a fee. That is one of the reasons why I went with Gander for my M&P .22.
The link I posted was free shipping. FFLs usually charge by two different ways that I've worked with in the past. Either by flat rate(anywhere from $25 to $50) or by a percentage of the actual cost of the product.
i find a lot of deals at shows. If you are set on getting a Glock, look at joining the GSSF (i think it's $35) and you get a discount on a Glock. for $35 and a G23 is $425, so $460 for a G23. www.gssfonline.com
I usually find the deals at gun shows from private sellers (people just trying to get rid of their personal collection), not the tables run by local gun stores and pawn shops.
Most of the time I don't go in looking to buy stuff. I just like looking at the guns :).
buy a glock where it's cheapest, that's my opinion. Nothing wrong with buying at a gun show if you find a good deal. The glock will work great, and you can always get it tuned up if necessary.