I've gotten good deals at the lgs, online forums, and local auctions.

Usually the lgs deals require a little work like new springs, but I have never gotten a complete lemon.

SIGforum Classifieds!

I just pay retail, and get what I want, when I want it. It's kinda nice because it's new, and not dicked up by someone else. Yes, a good deal is being in the right place, at the right time. It really does not work for me though.
If I saved $100 on a 1911 because it had an idiot scratch, I would not be happy. Lol

Walk around gun shows with a pocket full of money. Deal with walkers, not over the table. Never can tell what might come along. And remember a bargain is something cheap when you need it. Have bought many like new guns 200 below wholesale. Patience is key.

Best deal I got was on a local car forum.
Sig 239 in 9mm with 3 mags. Looked like it had never been shot $450!

As others stated, right place, right time.

It also doesn't hurt to be polite and treat the seller with respect.

The only "great deals" I ever got on handguns were because I was willing to buy them sight unseen. One of my Webley's, the Gunbroker add had no photos and I took a chance. No one else bid because of it.

Another an acquaintance who told me "my friend has a gun for sale, it's a Ruger in 44 mag, he wants $200". I said "tell him I'll take it!" Didn't know what model, blued or stainless, or what condition, but whatever it was it was worth more than $200 (it was a like new stainless Super Blackhawk)

For me the good deals have been found on Gunbroker. I bought my P220 Equinox in February for $924 shipped and it came with the regular Equinox grips, a pair of G10 Pirhanna grips, .22 coversion kit with extra mag, Crimson Trace grips, a 3rd mag and Hogue Extreme hex head screws. I sold the G10 and Crimson trace grips and conversion kit/magazine and ended up paying $595.50 for an excellent condition Equinox with 3 mags and hex head grip screws.

I really lucked out on that find, but my friend is the one who found it and told me because he knew I'd wanted an Equinox for years. When I bid I thought there was no way I'd win the auction but I did.

I'd say as others have said, you just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Make regular trips to the good local gunshops. Drop in at lunch...after work...it will happen. You will find those deals. That's why I sometimes stop going.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Beanhead,

quote:

Originally posted by remsig:
For me the good deals have been found on Gunbroker. I bought my P220 Equinox in February for $924 shipped and it came with the regular Equinox grips, a pair of G10 Pirhanna grips, .22 coversion kit with extra mag, Crimson Trace grips, a 3rd mag and Hogue Extreme hex head screws. I sold the G10 and Crimson trace grips and conversion kit/magazine and ended up paying $595.50 for an excellent condition Equinox with 3 mags and hex head grip screws.

I really lucked out on that find, but my friend is the one who found it and told me because he knew I'd wanted an Equinox for years. When I bid I thought there was no way I'd win the auction but I did.

I'd say as others have said, you just have to be in the right place at the right time.

January and also February are the best months, I think, to buy guns. I got some great buys this year. Everyone is tapped out from holiday gift giving and parties, and the tax refund has not come in yet.

This year was especially good with the prices on guns dropping. Our local large gun and outdoors shop up here isn't paying nearly what they did for used guns a year ago. They have inventory sitting. Some guns are 2-3 years old and they aren't selling them for too much more then they bought them for. But their prices are high compared to gunbroker and on line ads.

In Jan and Feb this year I found:

an HK45 tactical as new in box for $830 shipped (gunbroker).



A cz tactical p07 urban gray with high sights for suppressor unfired in box for $500.(online forum)


Got a sig 556xi piston driven with $120 trigger upgrade, like new in box, , with another $200 in extras for $900 (armslist local)

Not just where, but when, if buying from individuals. I have now forgotten the cycle, but at certain times of the year, folks with a bit of buyer's remorse will start thinning their herds. This applies to all durable goods which are not necessities.

Some folks get desperate to sell when rent is due.

Announcements at the S.H.O.T. and NRA Shows might trigger some to sell firearms, to finance a newly-announced firearm.

We've got a local guy here in Louisville, runs a 'cop shop' primarily and always has the best deals, by far. In some cases, Sigs I've bought through him have beeen almost $100 cheaper than over at Cabelas. If you're in the area, Wolf Supply is the name of his shop...well worth the effort to find him. Rod

A local shop does consignment and often offers some very good deals. I've bought quite a few handguns and some long guns from them. I've bought new there, too, but a good used firearm at a good price usually feels like a better purchase to me.

I've had a few handguns from Buds Guns online, transferred through a local FFL. I skip the tax, and the firearms have been up to a hundred less than I could get locally, and often even the shipping has been no charge. For just a twenty dollar transfer fee, that's hard to beat (no charge for the background, if the buyer has a CCW).

I bought a Shield 9 from Palmetto recently, though haven't had time to go shoot it. I've purchased a number of rifles from them, and used some as Christmas gifts for the kids this year.

The classifieds on this site and a couple of others have netted some good deals and there has only been one occasion when the seller has made it a bad transaction (tried to disappear, rifle didn't show, eventually arrived after police got involved, but the rifle was damaged with a Dremel). I ate the cost on that one. Otherwise, so far good experiences.

quote:

there is no formula. You just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Agree with above. Just gotta be in right place and right time. I've had some great deals out of the blue at some stores that are notoriously overpriced. Then I have a few local shops that always gave good prices but rarely a "great" deal.

As others have said, right place, right time. To increase the odds of that - persistence.

I live in NoVA, and a few years ago I scored a pristine P225 with 4 mags for $500 at the now defunct Guns and Ammo Warehouse.

I passed on an all stainless 6" barreled S&W 357 revolver for something like $450 because I didn't want yet another caliber to add to my logistics plan. I'm still kicking myself on that one. That was at Virginia Arms.

The deals are out there, you just have to keep looking.

quote:

Originally posted by CQB60:
All of mine have been just timing & location....

I'll second this.

Timing and location:

Check Baltimore, they currently have way too many guns on the street.

My motto is buy high and sell low.

Enough luck to be in the right place at the right time, the foresight to keep cash on hand to pounce. Bonus points if you live in an area with legalized gambling and/or military bases.