9teeneleven

Slightly confused, do you mean we shouldn't flaunt in a public forum that we don't pay sales tax on out of state purchases, or do you mean can't we just celebrate that one can buy cheaper guns online. If it is the former, I am certainly not advocating that one should not pay sales tax that is owed, but simply making an observation that it is more than just common practice that no one does. When amazon delivers a DVD or book to your door, I would say that the vast majority of people(99.9999%) are not going to pay taxes on that. While making such an observation, it is fair to say that since this is a fact of both practice by consumers, and lack of enforcement, or means for enforcement at the state level, local shops are at a huge disadvantage. I didn't mean to make this into a sales tax issue, but rather a question of how local shops can compete with online retail. In every shop I went into, the clerks were friendly, and genuinely helpful. That is something I value, but when it comes down to $175 difference (I'd like to think of that as a 600-700 rounds of ammo difference) it is hard to justify, even though I wish I could. In the gun market, local shops do have one advantage which is the huge hassle of doing an FFL transfer. However, I wonder how much of an advantage that really is.

I decided that I needed a new semi-auto this week, so I went around all the local shops to get some hands on different models. I guess I should start by saying that I really want to buy locally, both to help the local businesses and the local economy, but also because it lets me do what I did, trying out different models. However, the two guns that I narrowed down to, and ultimately the gun I bought (albeit bought online) both had huge price differences between the online and local costs. I know this is not a new issue, but it was really driven home for me. I want to buy local, but after tax is figured in the prices are not even in the same ballpark to be remotely justifiable. One gun I was interested in was $530 online shipped, and $620-650 locally before tax. The one I ended up buying was $815 online shipped, and $930 locally before tax. Even factoring in FFL transfer, I saved $175 going the online route. That is way too much just for the convenience of getting to handle a gun first. Additionally, Local gunshops don't seem willing to shift much at all on these prices, probably because the just don't handle the same volume. Anyway, kind of rambling a bit, but like I said, the real discrepancy was driven home for me. Hard to see how these local guys can even keep local business buying locally. As a kind of side issue, none of us like taxes, but should these online retailers be forced to be accountable for state sales taxes. If nothing else, it would level the playing field a little. State revenues are declining at a rapid pace, and I can't help but think that lost sales tax revenue is certainly a major factor in that decline. If the sales taxes don't come in, the revenue has to come from somewhere. If charging these out of state retailers sales tax helps local businesses stay competitive, perhaps that is the best of the worst choices. When some businesses are set at a fairly large disadvantage, then that is not a free market.

I think they're worth the extra scratch. For $215 that gun is one hell of a shooter.

crap now, I am trying to convince myself not to buy it.

Here is the best place: http://www.gunsnammo.com/ They have a sale on right now, and the antique m39s can be sent right to your door, no tax, no transfer, no tics. I think these finnish mosins are my favorite rifles. This one looks cool and not only has some battle scars, but shrapnel that went through it!

yup, they keep a buncha stuff under the counter at both the walker and OR walmarts. The best walmart I've had luck with is maryville. They had some .40s&w but said they hadn't had a shipment of anything in over a week. I've gotten over 1000 rounds of .45 there in the last month though.

Don't be buying all my future ammo up! I am down to 2000 rounds of 7.62x54

Can you count yourself? (Beer and diapers) If so, I think that row second from the bottom should be pretty easy bingo.

The only bad thing about shooting these is that you do have to be pretty judicious with cleaning them since just about all that misurp ammo is corrosive (even when many of the places selling it say it's not). I like bore snakes though (I know I am late to the party, btu i just discovered them). I run that through twice when I am done shooting at the range, then rund some patches through when I get home.

I think it may just be that the new (old) trigger is the much shorter USGI variety, and is just a very different feeling pull.

Color me dumb, but what defines trigger pull weight on a 1911? The sear spring? I just changed out the trigger on my USGI 1911a1 to an original. The trigger pull seems to have gotten heavier...

I will try and make it. I would like to shoot some mosins with you guys. Hinges on the kids at the moment.

Will the PD be open on Sat to buy a pass?

My new M39 arrived yesterday, but it is unissued, and the barrel is unfired, so I am too chicken to fire it.

I bought this a few months ago to see what all the AR hype is about. It's fun to shoot, and will do close to 1 MOA. It is a real pain in the ass to clean compared to my bolt action rifles. That is the only thing that keeps me from taking it to the range more. Put about 100 rounds through it today, and had the range to myself. Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics.

FWIW, I did the transfers through Austin's Tennessee Firearms, and have a very good and not overpriced experience. I would recommend them for anyone looking for a transfer.

Good stuff too. I need to get a spam can opener though, the hammer and chisel aren't doing it for me.

what would expiring primers do? I don't see how that would solve any problem. If anything, it would probably get people to shoot more.

Thanks, I didn't realize that it was only brass plated. AIM lists it as Boxer primed, but if it is steel then its a moot point anyway. I agree about the PMC.

Is anyone interested in doing a Mosin shoot? I just had 2 green crates show up on my door Friday. What on earth could be in that? I also finally bought some no-go & field gauges. Luckily, I didn't need to try the field gauge. I wonder how much longer the cheap surplus will be around. The only cheaper gun I have to fire is my .22. Come to think of it, the mosins are the cheapest guns to buy too.

are they one and done? If you fire the primer, say lowering the hamer, is it now a useless $25 case?

As the stock of rifle ammo (I've been watching .223/5.56 in particular) seems to be replenishing, prices are coming back in line too. AIM has 500rds of golden bear for $139, which is pretty good for brass reloadable ammo. They have some Centurion for $169 per 500. I've found this to be nice ammo, so that price is good too. I am starting to regret buying that PMC at $220 for 500.

Hmmm, strange that Bush's name isn't mentioned once in this thread...

wow. Those guys are not long for this earth. Crazy, and must be a rush, but jeez!

Here is a shot: I'm actually hoping that the trigger will be better on this one than on my '44, but I am not getting my hopes up.