TexasCHLforum.com

out here in the boonies, the local shops may appear to be a bit higher priced than the big box stores, or on-line sources, but there's no hidden costs attached. Prices are OTD! And, in the event that you do have a problem they are on top of it. I've had my local ffl's ship guns (pistols, rifles and shotguns) back to the mother ship through USPS either on their dime, or mine if it wasn't a warranty service. A couple of my local guys will even call me when something comes in they think I may be interested in, and I can normally pick them up at cost +10%..... often they will give me a phone number of someone with a gun that they just can't work a profitable trade for and let my work with the owner. Yep, their "sticker price" is normally quite a bit above "big box", but once you've become a friend and frequent customer you get not only the normally great after sale service, but the preferred customer prices. I'll pay the little extra, if need be, just to have the home away from home at the local shop. There are more "cityfied" shops in the area, full of the typical gun snob mentality know-it-alls, and their prices are generally 5-10% (or more) lower than the small shops, and their in store inventory is obviously larger, but in my opinion nothing beats the one on one personal service of the small shops. I'll pay $2-3 a box more on ammunition if my small loacl gun shop has what I want, just to stay out of the stinking china mart store.

that's just my take on it. Support your local, small shop guy!


surv