Guy trying to buy Saiga denied

[berg]

I was in Imbert & Smithers today in San Carlos and over heard a guy trying to get them to order him a Saiga in 7.62x39. They first refused outright saying they didn't think they were legal but after the guy pushed, Jeena agreed to call her distributor. I overheard her talking on the phone and the distributor basically said no dice, LEO only on that rifle. So even if I & S wanted to sell it, their distributor refused to ship one to them.

Like many gun stores, I & S orders almost all their merchandise from a single distributor. It's easier for them but it's also very limiting as to what kind of price they pay and models they can get.

Anyway thought that was interesting to watch. That place generally will stay away from anything that even seems "assault-like". The SKS, M-1A and Mini-14 are about as "evil" as they carry.

[proraptor]

I wont give my business to shops like those

[Rob454]

ILike many gun stores, I & S orders almost all their merchandise from a single distributor. It's easier for them but it's also very limiting as to what kind of price they pay and models they can get.

.

Thats not very smart in todays business world. When I had my construction company I bought from whoever gave me the best price. It had nothing to do with anything but watching my bottom line and when I saved 10% by buying from this guy than from this guy well thats $$ in my pocket.
For a gun store to purchase blindly from one place and only one place well better hope yo have lots and lots of loyal customers who will keep you in business. good luck
Rob

[dwtt]

I think it makes it easier for someone to just order from one distributor than call around for a better price. They don't care that much about ordering off list rifles, so they don't want to shop around.

[yellowsulphur]

I tried the same thing last week. Their distributor was out and they wouldn't ship to California anyway. I've bought stuff from them in the past and was treated well and will continue to shop there. Imbert & Smithers has one of the best consignment racks for longguns I have seen.

[hoffmang]

If you want a Saiga you'll have to head across the bay to Irvington Arms and likely do an interstate transfer. I think DD's Ranch has some around.

One of these days, I'm going to try to get Krausewerks more comfortable with all of this... Sadly I&S have just rubbed me the wrong way at times. They're the closest shop to my house, but Krausewerks is closest to work and Michael is a nice (though cautious) guy.

-Gene

[FatKatMatt]

It's a private business, they shouldn't have to sell legally ambiguous arms if they don't want to.

[socalguns]

except there is nothing legally ambiguous about it, etc etc

[Crazed_SS]

except there is nothing legally ambiguous about it, etc etc

Then how come it's not on the shelf of any gun stores? 5 gun shops within 5-10 mins of me and none of them carry/transfer Saigas. I imagine they'd sell like hotcakes if they did.

The only shop I know that has them is Ammo Bros.. they're one of the few shops that will actually sell, stock, and transfer OLLs, Off-list AKs, Saigas, etc.

[socalguns]

You know

[Davidoff]

That place generally will stay away from anything that even seems "assault-like". The SKS, M-1A and Mini-14 are about as "evil" as they carry.

That's just silly. The M1A and Mini-14 have the same exact features as a saiga.

[Astig Boy]

Most gun shops in California that do carry Saigas go through the same exact route that we go through, the middle man so to speak. That main distributor will not ship to gun shops in Cali either. So the gun shops in Cali buy from other gun shops outside of California, who get their Saigas from this same distributor.

[hoffmang]

The simple reason that many gun shops don't carry the legal versions of the Saiga is that DOJ has been illegally harrassing FFLs and out of state distributors by lieing and threatening them with unsubstantiated enforcement in contravention to their rights.

Some FFLs - who generally have excellent legal counsel - call them on this and DOJ stops. Some guys would rather just get along. I can understand both but prefer the latter.

-Gene

[proraptor]

oc indoor shooting range carries saigas. adels also deals with them also

[boogak]

If you want a Saiga you'll have to head across the bay to Irvington Arms and likely do an interstate transfer. I think DD's Ranch has some around.

One of these days, I'm going to try to get Krausewerks more comfortable with all of this... Sadly I&S have just rubbed me the wrong way at times. They're the closest shop to my house, but Krausewerks is closest to work and Michael is a nice (though cautious) guy.

-Gene

i have asked krausewerks before and they were fine with it. well it was just a lower. if you talk to mike he will work with you.