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1 step backward, 1 step forward
Down in the L.A. County area, the only gun shop chain I know of is Turner's Outdoorsman.
I usually have a good experience there.
But if you deal with anyone on the telephone there, you might want to get any assurances only from a manager who has given you his name and who will be there when you arrive at the store.
Again, in all fairness, I usually have a good experience there: but take note. This one would have been a disappointment had it not been for my addiction to sweet S&W revolvers.
On Friday night, May 9, 2008, I see a 3-inch barrel S&W Model 19 (blued, .357 Mag, for those not addicted to SWSC III) listed on the Turners online consignment gun rack for $120.00--not bad even for a beaten up gun, as long as it is mechanically sound--even worth a factory re-blue, maybe, I'm thinkin'.
On Saturday at 0900 hours on May 10, 2008, I call the store (35 mile, 45 minute drive away from me) and ask if the desired weapon is still available and can it be put on hold for me.
Unidentified Turners dude: Yes, still available; no holds on consignments.
Traffic is inexplicably bad--45 minute drive becomes 90 minute one. But I use the navigation system to exit the freeway and take alternate route.
Store opened at 1000; I arrive 1028.
Unidentified Turners dude: Gun is already sold.
Tarn Helm: (I take a deep breath and say to myself.) "Oh well."
I begin asking to see various things in the display case that I have never seen/held/manipulated before.
Out of curiosity, I ask if the guy who bought it was waiting outside the store when the store opened.
Unidentified Turners dude: No, it was sold last night.
Tarn Helm: (I abruptly put down the gun I'm holding and icily denounce their so-called customer service.): "What? I called this morning at 0900 and was told that the gun was still available. I drive for 90 minutes on $4.00 per gallon gas and am told that the gun was sold LAST NIGHT? I buy guns from Turners all the time. This is bullstuff (use your imagination)."
While two employees are simultaneously saying their apologies to my back, I exit the store.
Gun junky that I am, when I reach my car, I reach into my center console and arm myself with my complete list of all the addresses of all the Turners stores in So. Cal.
I plug into my navigation system the address of a store that lies between my then-current location and my home.
Upon arrival at the next Turners, I find a near mint condition S&W Model 66 with intact Coke bottle stocks and only very minor wear/grime on the gun itself: pinned barrel, counterbored chambers, adj. rear sight, red ramp front, early large S&W logo on sideplate, clean lands and grooves, no pitting anywhere, and best of all no Internal Locking System: $450.00. The Model 66 (the "Combat Magnum") is the stainless steel version of the Model 19 "Combat Masterpiece."
The Model 66 is not made anymore; it was replaced by the Model 620.
The Model 620 (current MSRP= $837.00), although equipped with a 7-shot cylinder, lacks many of the desirable features noted above and sports the nefarious ILS (which allegedly induces unintended failures to fire: see here and here).
So, what did I learn?
Ask to speak to the manager when I call Turners about anything--and extract a promise that I will be reimbursed for gas money if falsely told that a certain item is available.
What else?
Never give up. If you go gun shopping, and you fail to obtain what you set out for, keep a list in your vehicle of gun stores that you can visit in the event that the first one fails to deliver the goods.
There has to be a gun out there somewhere that needs to be rescued.
I usually have a good experience there.
But if you deal with anyone on the telephone there, you might want to get any assurances only from a manager who has given you his name and who will be there when you arrive at the store.
Again, in all fairness, I usually have a good experience there: but take note. This one would have been a disappointment had it not been for my addiction to sweet S&W revolvers.
On Friday night, May 9, 2008, I see a 3-inch barrel S&W Model 19 (blued, .357 Mag, for those not addicted to SWSC III) listed on the Turners online consignment gun rack for $120.00--not bad even for a beaten up gun, as long as it is mechanically sound--even worth a factory re-blue, maybe, I'm thinkin'.
On Saturday at 0900 hours on May 10, 2008, I call the store (35 mile, 45 minute drive away from me) and ask if the desired weapon is still available and can it be put on hold for me.
Unidentified Turners dude: Yes, still available; no holds on consignments.
Traffic is inexplicably bad--45 minute drive becomes 90 minute one. But I use the navigation system to exit the freeway and take alternate route.
Store opened at 1000; I arrive 1028.
Unidentified Turners dude: Gun is already sold.
Tarn Helm: (I take a deep breath and say to myself.) "Oh well."
I begin asking to see various things in the display case that I have never seen/held/manipulated before.
Out of curiosity, I ask if the guy who bought it was waiting outside the store when the store opened.
Unidentified Turners dude: No, it was sold last night.
Tarn Helm: (I abruptly put down the gun I'm holding and icily denounce their so-called customer service.): "What? I called this morning at 0900 and was told that the gun was still available. I drive for 90 minutes on $4.00 per gallon gas and am told that the gun was sold LAST NIGHT? I buy guns from Turners all the time. This is bullstuff (use your imagination)."
While two employees are simultaneously saying their apologies to my back, I exit the store.
Gun junky that I am, when I reach my car, I reach into my center console and arm myself with my complete list of all the addresses of all the Turners stores in So. Cal.
I plug into my navigation system the address of a store that lies between my then-current location and my home.
Upon arrival at the next Turners, I find a near mint condition S&W Model 66 with intact Coke bottle stocks and only very minor wear/grime on the gun itself: pinned barrel, counterbored chambers, adj. rear sight, red ramp front, early large S&W logo on sideplate, clean lands and grooves, no pitting anywhere, and best of all no Internal Locking System: $450.00. The Model 66 (the "Combat Magnum") is the stainless steel version of the Model 19 "Combat Masterpiece."
The Model 66 is not made anymore; it was replaced by the Model 620.
The Model 620 (current MSRP= $837.00), although equipped with a 7-shot cylinder, lacks many of the desirable features noted above and sports the nefarious ILS (which allegedly induces unintended failures to fire: see here and here).
So, what did I learn?
Ask to speak to the manager when I call Turners about anything--and extract a promise that I will be reimbursed for gas money if falsely told that a certain item is available.
What else?
Never give up. If you go gun shopping, and you fail to obtain what you set out for, keep a list in your vehicle of gun stores that you can visit in the event that the first one fails to deliver the goods.
There has to be a gun out there somewhere that needs to be rescued.
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