Buying First Gun

[ruddogg]

How do you know if the gun is listed on the roster? I know the DOJ website has the SKU number but I could not find the SKU in the links.

I live in Los Angeles but haven't found a store that carries the M&P40 yet. I would appreciate any store recommendations.

look up the gun you want on here. http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/ if it's on there...has to match to the letter, then it's on the roster, if it has any variance, than it's not on the roster.

try riflegear.

also, check the "closed/completed" aucitons on www.gunbroker.com to give you a good idea what they're selling for. If you can get one for $550 locally, that'll probably be your best bet.

if you're doing an out of state purchase/transfer, it should be local sales tax at your local FFL, +$25 DROS, +whatever your FFL charges for FFL transfer fee. I usually use OC Armory www.ocarmory.com

[Jeepergeo]

For a first gun, you should definitely find a Local Gun Store in your neck of the woods and go down there and transact business. It might cost you a few more bucks, but a good LGS staffer will be there to answer questions and walk you through the purchase process and will be there post-purchase should you have questions.

Let folks know what town/city/area you are in and they can recommend an LGS.

[hermosabeach]

I am a fan of the local gun shop.

I really like indoor ranges with shops.

I have had many local shops ask me, have you owned one of these before? Have you ever field stripped one? Let us show you how!


If god forbid you have a problem, many will assist if needed, in getting it repaired or replaced.

Save some money by purchasing items that the LGS does not stock online - holsters- belts- lights
Many times a few extra mags are close in price to the local store when you factor in shipping

Over the years, having a shop that knows you can pay some fine rewards.

[BakoJ]

I had a great experience yesterday purchasing a handgun at Turners in Oxnard. The guys there, especially Eric, went out of their way to be helpful and answer questions. They were busy too. I didn't get the scowling scorn that I usually get from the LGS tacticool neckbeards.

[chekmate]

Thanks for your comments everyone. I'll check out some LGS.

[L84CABO]

You've probably also got a shipping charge in there. In the end I usually find it hard to justify buying a gun out of state and having it brought it. It's simply a matter of math once you add in the extra charges.

So you'll want to check your local shop and see what they charge for transfers. I've seen some charge as much as $150.

You'll want to find out how they handle sales tax. If the Kentucky shop is charging you tax I wouldn't think your FFL would too but who knows.

You can check the Check the Ca DOJ site to make sure it's on the approved list.

Note that with the prices you listed, $90 doesn't seem worth it to me. You'll eat that up in transfer fee and shipping. For me personally, I need to be saving about $75 after all is said and done to make the extra hassle worth it. A $50 savings and I would still buy local.

Note that having some recourse and being able to go back to the shop you bought it at, if you need to, is worth something too.

Good luck