My first gun shopping experience in Orange County, CA

[rtadlock]

Did you look at the specific guns you bought at the stores you went to? Im curious what the price was for those same 2 guns at the stores.

If you went in specifically asking for a semiauto 28 inch barrell shotgun then its a pretty safe bet its for trap or bird hunting not HD and you specifically asked for that and a 9mm handgun so what does it matter what it was for.

Maybe they would have suggested a gun saftey class if you had actually bought a gun and Im pretty sure any of them would have shown you how to field strip the gun for routine maintenance. I always ask for them to show me when I buy a new gun Im not familiar with.

I dont blame you from buying from Buds if the price difference is $150-$200 Cheaper. Well written review of the process.

[Darthbauer]

Pretty much the same experiences that I have.

Fowlers (both of them) really great selection but i always say "HOLY CRAP! HOW MUCH DID YOU SAY THAT WAS??" sometime before I leave the store.

Turners- So many bad experiences with them not knowing what they are talking about and still trying to shove wrong information down your throat that I don't go there anymore even though the Orange one is right around the corner from my house.

Ade's- Great people but if you work 8-5 like me you end up being that guy that shows up right before they close and there is a ton of us there at that time.

OC Armory- Small selection but great hours and people like Mike that actually knows his stuff and can be very informative.

RifleGear- Great selection if your looking for an AR style rifle or a Sig. Good hours but holy crap it's busy every time I do there no matter what time of day. Oh, and look out if your car is lowered.

[imtheomegaman]

Seems like you shopped around at retail, and bought online to save the bucks. Why go through the process? Guns like any other commodity are cheaper purchased online. Why didn't Fowler or Ades get your business?

[pacifico23]

Ehhh all said and done I think the jist of his post is to buy local for the following reasons...
1) With a little patience you can find the same deals online at a local gun shop
2) your able to handle the type of firearm you are looking to buy
3) knowedgable staff to help you (them trying to sell you the 1200 shotgun, they weren't trying to rob you... In fact most intermediate semi shotguns are around this price. Stoeggers is well.. The Hyundai of the semi shotguns IMO.)
4) You avoid credit card fraud
5) You recieve your firearm in 10 days unless they need to order it not 17.
6) you avoid extra fees and the need to shop around to find the lowes price.

[c20rj]

Dont forget Field Time! They are right down the street from stockade. The owner Bob used to work for fowlers/stockade, and is a great guy. They have great attitudes, are helpful, and are not overpriced, and have the mentioned gun clinics. Bought a savage in .17hmr on whim just because of the new atmosphere and great people. Not like walking into the stockade, where it is dark, gloomy, and the staff are for the most part d*cks.

[dedub]

Seems like you shopped around at retail, and bought online to save the bucks. Why go through the process? Guns like any other commodity are cheaper purchased online. Why didn't Fowler or Ades get your business?

[primers]

Plus 1 for Field time..Bob the owner is an avid hunter and all of the guys working behind the counter are shooters and hunters...They are building up there Black gun inventory , and offer the best reloading supplier around...They hold clinics all the time, and care about customer service...My son and myself have bought several guns from them and have always been more than satisfied with the results....

[nwoods]

I have not heard of Field Time, so I checked out their site. Their shop looks great! From the description I was expecting something very small, like Ade's, but man they rival Turners, with certainly a larger rifle selection!

http://www.fieldtimesportsandguns.com/Photo_Gallery.html

[c20rj]

Field Time is no joke, they have a big selection. Scopes, accesories, archery, camping gear ammo (even in odd-ball calibers) Well lit, clean and best of all friendly staff. And no, I have no affiliation with them, I am just excited to have a decent gun shop around!

[Newshooter]

What has happened to the art of haggling? Just because their is a price listed doesn't always mean that is the price they will accept. I am sure there are a few LGS that would rather knock a couple bucks off the price of a gun than to see your business go to an online dealer. I am a huge fan of going to our LGS (which has awesome prices) even though others I know have had not so pleasant experiences there.

I guess the gist of my post is "it doesn't hurt to ask".

[locosway]

What has happened to the art of haggling? Just because their is a price listed doesn't always mean that is the price they will accept. I am sure there are a few LGS that would rather knock a couple bucks off the price of a gun than to see your business go to an online dealer. I am a huge fan of going to our LGS (which has awesome prices) even though others I know have had not so pleasant experiences there.

I guess the gist of my post is "it doesn't hurt to ask".

Stockade/Fowlers will NOT negotiate any price. They say they're bigger and better than everyone else, and that's why their prices are higher. I've walked away from there a few times because of their elitist attitudes.

[Plisk]

Serve your customers better by opening and closing an hour later...

Then everyone will pour in at 6:30 rather then 5:30. If we were to bump our hours to 11-7, all it would serve is giving me an extra hour to sleep in.