Bay Area gun store prices

[GeneralBacardi]

On a scale of $ to $$$$:

$ bargain of the century
$$ low to average prices
$$$ average to high prices
$$$$ overpriced

here's how I rate them:

Tabor's (San Bruno) $$$$ guns
$$$ accessories

Targetmasters (Milpitas)$$$$

Jackson Arms (SSF)$$$$

Imbert & Smithers (San Carlos) $$$$ new guns
$$$ used guns

Krausewerk Collectibles (San Mateo) $$-$$$

City Arms (Pacifica)$$

Traders (San Leandro)
$$$$ regular prices
$$-$$$ sale prices

Sportsmen's Supply (Campbell) $$$

Think that's accurate or am I all wet? I'm not familiar with other shops such as Reed's, Irvington Arms, and others I can't think of right now, so how would you rate them?

[Turbinator]

My perception on Reed's is that they are $$$ to $$$$.

So I guess we don't have any $ rated stores?? I'd love to find one!!

Turby

[Ratters]

Reeds has some awesome sales like Traders, if not better, from time to time. So does Sportsmen's Supply.

I've only done transfers at BigMac's shop so not sure how his prices were, but I'm sure he'd make a good deal.

Canyon Sports is $$$$ but you can often bargain a pretty good deal with them, I've done well on my five purchases with them, though you really need to talk to Ron when you are serious.

Antioch Armory I've found to be $$-$$$ and the guy is good to deal with, though I haven't been out there in a year.

[dwtt]

Originally posted by Turbinator:
My perception on Reed's is that they are $$$ to $$$$.

Turby

I agree with Reeds being $$$$

American Outdoor Sports in Livermore $$-$$$
Dom's in Livermore $$$$

[Ford8N]

$ bargain of the century
$$ low to average prices
$$$ average to high prices
$$$$ overpriced

Define your scale. Like say, a russian SKS for example.

$=20.00
$$=100.00 to 300.00
$$$=350.00 to 450.00
$$$$=500.00+

[Glock21Owner]

Even if Trader's had better pricing I still wouldn't patronize them. I've been there twice, and their sales staff were always rude.

[schizrade]

Traders can be very rude. Not as bad as Reeds or sometimes Sportsmans Supply, but rude none-the-less.

I will be shopping almost exclusively at City Arms from now on. Just need $$$...

[GeneralBacardi]

Russian SKS example doesn't work because it could be pristine, junk, or anywhere in between. Here's an better example though, prices for a NIB Springfield 1911 parkerized GI Mil-spec .45 fullsize:

$ 395 (not really deal of the centruy, but the best price I saw on Gunbroker.com)
$$ 449 (Targetmasters)
$$$ 479 (City Arms)
$$$$ 525 (Tabor's)

[edizon]

It's all about City Arms www.city-arms.com folks! They opened their first store because they learned and are improving from the mistakes and shortcomings of their competitors.

I've known and bought from Dmitriy and Uncle Vlady when they were called Diger, Intl. They have really low prices and a nice selection of firearms and accessories. If they don't have what you want in stock, they'll be more-than-happy to order it if they can, and it should arrive the next business day or two if their distributor has it in stock!

And since this is their first store, they welcome our feedback to make our shopping experience as pleasant as possible. If you haven't visited them yet, tell them that you heard about them here, at the Calguns.net forum!

[icormba]

I think it totally depends on what you are looking for.

I'll add some more...

Big 5 = $-$$
Kurly's = $$$-$$$$
Irvington Arms = $$-$$$
(BEST SERVICE AWARD!)

I'll add my rating on
Traders = $-$$
(I'll only go if they have a sale on something I'm looking for, like I've said before... they are the Fry's of gun stores )

Reeds = $$$$
(Reeds is the only store I have never bought from that I've named here)

Sportsmans = $$$-$$$$
(only because they won't use a "safe affidavid" & charge $20 for a $5 lock)

Target Masters = $$$$-$$$$$$$
(they used to be $$)

The guy on Pomeroy in Santa Clara? = $$$$$
(nice guy, but $500 for a Chinese SKS!!)

[johnny_22]

The Gun Exchange =$$-$$$

[pidooma]

Originally posted by icormba:

Sportsmans = $$$-$$$$
(only because they won't use a "safe affidavid" & charge $20 for a $5 lock)

I made a purchase there last week and I was asked whether or not I had a safe, and they filled out the safe affidavit form for me to sign.

[C.G.]

I've dealt with Gun Exhange and agree on $$-$$$, depending on the merchandise.

[vaporone_859k@hotmail.com]

Irvington Arms = $$-$$$
(BEST SERVICE AWARD!)

Co-sign. Got some real nice deals and staff is always great to work with.

[capitol]

I've pretty much given up on the gun shops. I order EVERYTHING through the internet, use Guns America, or whatever and have it shipped to my FFL dealer. Big advantage is it cost WAY less $$$. Trick is you MUST find a FFL dealer thats not going to bend you over.
Reeds wants 1679 plus another 138 in sales tax AND DROS fees for a SA Socom. You can get the same rifle for 1450 out the door and that includes DROS and shipping when ordered through the net.