Author Topic: Buy a Gun off the Rack or Order It? (Read 576 times)

Sevcrist · « **on:** March 14, 2005, 09:49:18 AM »

What do you think is the better way to go? Buy a new gun off the rack or order it. I'm thinking off the rack is good because you get to really look over the gun for any flaws. But then again everybody and their brother has been handling the gun and maybe it's on the rack because they want to get rid of it for some reason.

Or order the gun new. This way you know that it's directly from the manufacturer fresh out of the box and no one has messed with it. But if there is something you don't like about the gun you either have to send it back to the manufacturer or you are stuck with it.

Any opinions?

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2005, 10:30:20 AM »

If its stainless/syn---go ahead and order it.

Wood stocked rifles need to be looked over first----you might order it in and it comes with the grain of a pine 2x4---not good and doubtful the dealer will want to send it back more than once just because they sent you an ugly duckling.

Zachary · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2005, 01:04:32 PM »

I very much tend to agree. I would say 80% of the guns I buy are ordered - and most throught on-line sales.

I did get kinda upset once. I ordred a Tikka WH Deluxe in 7mm Rem Mag. Boy is it a beautiful wood stocked rifle. However, the front rosewood forend was not "red" in all the areas. Still, I got the gun for way below wholesale, and the "defect" in the color of the wood is not that big of a deal. Still, if I would have been there, I would at least have seen it and selected another identical rifle.

Zachary

lilabner · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2005, 01:29:37 PM »

I always check the internet for prices, then price out a web purchase including shipping charges and an FFL holder to receive the gun and do the paperwork. About two thirds of the time, I end up finding the gun at a local discount store (not WM - lower prices than theirs) and buy there for less. It's nice to see the gun before you put your money down. I ordered a CZ .22 rifle and when it arrived, found they had missed applying finish in one spot and didn't complete a checkering pattern on the forend. The wood was so pretty I decided to keep the gun and a local checkerer took care of the little problems for a few bucks.

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2005, 02:40:28 PM »

I'd love the opportunity to buy off the rack once. I'm a lefty and have ordered every rifle I've bought. On rare occasions when I see a southpaw rifle, it's never in the model or caliber I'm interested in. I've never had a problem. If they have the same or similar model in righty configuration, it's nice to try it on for size and work the bolt.

Gregory · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2005, 03:12:27 PM »

Quote from: The Sodbuster

I'd love the opportunity to buy off the rack once. I'm a lefty and have ordered every rifle I've bought. On rare occasions when I see a southpaw rifle, it's never in the model or caliber I'm interested in. I've never had a problem. If they have the same or similar model in righty configuration, it's nice to try it on for size and work the bolt.

So would I. I'm a lefty too. Went to a gun show looking for a particular gun in a particular caliber, found the gun but in a different caliber but bought it anyway. That was in 1990. Found a lefty used gun on the rack and bought it. I've always got my eye out for lefty bolt actions on the rack, they are few and far between. The last lefty bolt action was ordered to get what I wanted.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2005, 04:20:35 PM »

I guess its like buying a new truck. If the dealer has what you want in stock, fine. If not, order what you want. Often the dealers, car and rifle, want to sell you what they have in stock if they can. I don't go along with that because when I spend the amount of money needed to buy a new rifle, I want exactly what I want.
I have no problem telling a dealer that has ordered me a rifle, "I wouldn't use that piece of wood for kindling. Send it back". I mean, its not like they're doing you a favor. For free. They're making money off of the deal and that's just part of doing business.
I live in the boonies and the small gun dealer we have is very concerned that we are pleased with his service and tries very hard to be competitive on his prices and excellent on his service. Aside from being a nice guy in general, he is only too aware that in today's cyberspace market there is no such thing as "I've the only game in town and you have to play my way".

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2005, 05:06:34 PM »

Sod and Greg----you guys should see the local Scheel's store here------they carry quite a selection of left handed models on the rack-----its kind of irritating in a way----you pick up a rifle that you think might be exactly what you're lookin for only to realize its a dang lefty model. :roll:

I write and eat left handed----golf and shoot right handed----go figure.

Sevcrist · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2005, 07:31:12 PM »

I think I'll give Gander Mountain a try. They said they have the Remington Mountain Rifle LSS in 7m-08 in stock. If I didn't want that one I could order another and if that one was no good they would put it back in their stock and order another one.

I could buy from Walmart for about 80 dollars cheaper, but I would have to order the gun and if I didn't like it I would still be stuck with it.

That's a fairly significant price difference but I would rather pay more and know that I'm getting exactly what I want.

Ramrod · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2005, 08:17:30 PM »

Sevcrist, I think you will be happy with Gander Mountain. After many years of gun buying, I have found that the cheapest deal is usually not the best deal. When I wanted a CZ 527 in .223 I called them, and the guy on the phone said yes, we have one on the rack, $488. O.K. it's a 45 min. drive for me. Nearest dealer to me (10 minutes) said he could order me one for $25. over cost. But he wasn't sure what the "cost" would be. So I jump in the truck and drive on down to Gander. I fondle the gun, It's got a beautiful walnut stock. I play with it, drool on it, etc, decide to buy it. Guy comes out with a box, it's got another gun in it. The wood is about 3 shades lighter, and not nearly as nice. I tell him I like the one on the rack better, he says "wait a minute, I have 3 more in the back". So I get to pick from 5 guns! And they all have 3 shot targets with them. Guess what? I took the one with the nicest stock. And it was the one on the rack! I don't believe those targets anyway.