How much you really pay for your $500 gun

[73chevy]

I mean if you're factoring in your safe, ammo cleaning supplies and range fees, why not the gas you spent getting to the ffl and the car you bought to get you there? When you really break it down, factoring in the food that I ate in order to survive long enough to make the purchase, I'd estimate the last glock I bought cost me around 45k.

You still need car, gas, and food if you don't buy a gun. Funny though.

[AreWeFree]

True about a lot of people here already owning guns. I'm sure there's a bunch of new people here who actually do research before their first purchase too. Is there a section where new people to the forum, and firearms, can see a list of expenses that go along with a new gun purchase? If there is, I missed it.

Your list is misleading or outright false and worded in a way to scare people.

Cost of a new gun for a first time buyer who doesn't have a "Firearm Safety Certificate" (yeah it aint about safety)

1. The gun, could be as inexpensive as a $150 hi-point, $200 shotgun, $400 shield, $500 Glock, $600 - $1500 AR, or $800 - $3000 1911.
2. Sales tax of approximately 1.08%
3. DROS fee of $25
4. FSC fee of $25
5. Ammo, let's say $50 for whatever quantity.


So a capable home defense shotgun would be about $370 OTD
A capable defense handgun would be: $532 OTD

What you decide to buy after that is your business, but in no way "the cost to buy a gun."

[Half Cocked]

Add dummy rounds to the list. You don't want to do a function check with live ammo.

[19K]

I apologize if this has been posted before. I just think new gun owners should be aware of the extra expenses that come with a new gun purchase here in California. Most people have a budget when shopping for a new gun and might not consider tax and items that go along with a gun purchase (like my co-worker). So if your budget is say $500, expect to spend an extra $200+ above that price. The breakdown:

Gun- $500 (We'll say a 9mm)
Tax- $40
DROS- $35
FSC- $25
Lock- $8-$10
Case- $20
Ammo- $30 (100 rds 9mm)
Range fee- $15-$20 (You wanna shoot it, right?)
Safe/Cabinet- $100 & up
Cleaning kit- $20 & up

You may not need everything right away but you will eventually. You agree to be a responsible gun owner when you buy a gun so have your priorities straight on items you need when you pick up your gun.
Please add if I missed something. Thanks.
Sorry if posted in the wrong place.

a brand new gun doesnt need, a lock, case, or a safe/cabinet, and most cases they come with a cleaning rod and brush.
a brand new handgun will come with a lock, most times a hard plastic case

DROS at a respectable dealer is 25. so youre looking at
500 for the gun
37.50 for tax (ventura)
25 for the DROS
25 for the background check

ammo isnt with the cost of the gun, do you consider gas a normal continuing cost of a car? how about insurance?

[73chevy]

Don't worry about it, the level of sarcasm here is through the roof.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Now I have to ask, what gun purchase have you made recently that ignited this thread?

PS pics are required!

I already own guns. Glock 17, G23, and Marlin Mod 60. Posted because of co worker who saved $500 for the gun and wasn't thinking about everything else, which adds up.

[Fishslayer]

Guy who sold me my first handgun told me that "Buying the gun is the cheap part."

He wasn't lying...

[tanks]

Actually if one shoots a lot then the cost of the firearm is irrelevant. Ammo, range fees and training is going to be orders of magnitude higher cost than the ONE TIME cost of the firearm.

[Ripon83]

first gun?

Well if its a first gun, only gun, and its for home defense I'd suggest sending them to big 5 for a $200 shotgun. Even with the fee's they can get out the door under $300 and have plenty for decent ammo, cleaning kit, and lock.

They'd have enough left over to save up $600 for a $499 handgun later and the added costs.

I already own guns. Glock 17, G23, and Marlin Mod 60. Posted because of co worker who saved $500 for the gun and wasn't thinking about everything else, which adds up.

[Dano3467]

Ca gougers fee, north of $500 at times.

[floogy]

Popular example S&W Shield.

$330 bought online for a great price.
$20 shipping
$60 transfer (will vary)
$25 DROS
$26 sales tax

1000 rounds of 9mm or .40 $230-$250 shipped

2 inexpensive holsters (already have gun belt) $90
Talon grips $18
Night sights $80-$130
Apex trigger $85-$150 depending on whether you buy internals or full trigger.
Streamlight TLR-6 soon to be released ~$100
New holster for TLR-6 equipped gun ~$60

CCW
$125 application fee
$200 class
$80 fee when complete
Renewal every two years, class $150ish and $75 renewal fee.
Being able to (legally) protect yourself, priceless.

That's my example. The cost has been spread out over quite some time. Remove the optional mods and it brings down the price a bit. But yeah, expensive.That's for a gun that's relatively inexpensive and on sale.

[73chevy]

Your list is misleading or outright false and worded in a way to scare people.

Cost of a new gun for a first time buyer who doesn't have a "Firearm Safety Certificate" (yeah it aint about safety)

1. The gun, could be as inexpensive as a $150 hi-point, $200 shotgun, $400 shield, $500 Glock, $600 - $1500 AR, or $800 - $3000 1911.
2. Sales tax of approximately 1.08%
3. DROS fee of $25
4. FSC fee of $25
5. Ammo, let's say $50 for whatever quantity.


So a capable home defense shotgun would be about $370 OTD
A capable defense handgun would be: $532 OTD

What you decide to buy after that is your business, but in no way "the cost to buy a gun."

I used a 9mm gun as an example as most 9mm's run about $500 (excluding Hi Points). Not meant to scare people. I feel better locking up my gun in a safe or cabinet rather than keeping it in the original case and stored in the closet or wherever(w/kids around). Cable locked or not. Co worker also has kids.
Finding a way to convince the wife or girlfriend that buying a gun is a good idea. Now that's scary.

[Maltese Falcon]

I totaled up my ammo purchases from ONE online retailer (SGAmmo), came up to $4500 over five years...

.

[heidad01]

Good point OP. Reminds me of a time when the kids were saving up to just reach that $500 mark to buy that sexy VW bug not thinking about gas, insurance, etc.
Yes I am that old.

[AreWeFree]

I used a 9mm gun as an example as most 9mm's run about $500 (excluding Hi Points). Not meant to scare people. I feel better locking up my gun in a safe or cabinet rather than keeping it in the original case and stored in the closet or wherever(w/kids around). Cable locked or not. Co worker also has kids.
Finding a way to convince the wife or girlfriend that buying a gun is a good idea. Now that's scary.

I used a 9mm in my example, too, S&W Shield 9mm for $400. Although you can get a used Glock for $400 which would also save on sales tax.

[Revhendo]

It is not a cheap hobby.

Thanks for the post.

We have been adding lots of new folks lately so this might help.

My only addition is that once you get one gun, you don't stop there.

Dude! Don't get into hotrodding or musclecars. Firearms are a walk in the park, at least that's what my wallet says when it's bleeding to death on the floor.