Where to buy in Chattanooga

[Guest serpentine5]

I am interested in buying my first gun, and have decided to buy the Hi-Point C9, or the Phoenix Arms HP22A. Thing is, all the gun dealers in Chattanooga are gone. Darrs is gone, The phone number for the Ammo Dump on 58 is disconnected, and the only local place listed on Hi-Points site as a dealer is Midway Pawn Shop in Rossville and they do not answer the phone and their voicemail is full.

Can you guys and gals recommend a local dealer for either brand? I am most interested in the C9, and secondly interested in the HP22A. It would be nice to find a dealer who sells both.

Thanks very much.

Mike

[Jonnin]

chattanooga is a bit starved for a city of its size, but there are still a lot of places. Unfortunately you may have to call them all; while many carry highpoint or can order it, I havent seen a phoenix 22 in years in a store around here. I havent looked either, so that may just be me not noticing it. I suspect you may be in for a wait as you may have to find someone who will order stuff for you.

None of the smaller gun shops here seem to have their actual inventory stuff listed online in any accessible way, its backwards and old school around here, and the phone + google to get the numbers really seems to be the best way.

Hint, the quick way to find them is to search for chattanooga FFL holder list which brings up a master list.

Edited March 7, 2011 by Jonnin

[Guest serpentine5]

I tried google and it gives me bookkeepers and kmart. I tried searching for "Gun Dealers Chattanooga Tn" and really didnt get a list like I would have if I searched for electrician or plumber.... I did get a few pawn shops, but pawn shops arent dealers are they? they deal with used guns right? Or am I mistaken?

[Jonnin]

I edited but try

"chattanooga FFL" in google to find some master lists of dealers in our area. Its larger than I thought... but no one admits to being a hi-point dealer or a phoenix arms supplier.

[Guest serpentine5]

LOL, thank you< will try this.

[Jonnin]

Oh and most pawn shops are used only as you said. Try them last, a *few* sometimes have new guns, either sold NIB (used but unfired, basically) or they deal in a few new ones on the side (really a gun shop that happens to pawn too).

[Guest serpentine5]

Called everyone listed on the Chattanooga FFL.... only the Ammo Dump is a dealer... had a guy tell me when i asked if they carry Hi-Point that I will find them used at a pawn shop, they dont carry anything like that.... I have been reading the site here and read about snobs.... kind of like Harley snobs... I ride a Honda, and get it all the time even when I out ride or smoke a harley with my honda....

Anyways... I reached out farther than I wanted and called Benton Shooters Supply in Benton... they have the C9 in stock, and if I give then 3-4 days notice, they will have a case of ammo waiting for me when I go up.... $15 per box isnt bad from what my brother told me to expect, he had me expecting $25 per box. Now to wait for the tax refund to hit my account and then its off to Benton to get my first gun.

Was hoping to find a place that had both, and maybe leave the store with both, I like plinking a 22, so that would be fun.... I did not bother to ask if they had both instock, but I might find that they do. From what I have heard about them, they are one of the largest dealers in the south east Tn market.

Anyway.... thanks for the direction.

[Jonnin]

good luck with it. $15 is high for 9mm, and $25 is outrageous for anything except self defense or exotic ammo. The last 9mm I bought was $8 at academy sports (it was on sale, though!) and the most I have paid for it in a while is $12 or so.

You can get a brick of 550 .22 ammo for under $20 if you shop around.

Watch out for high priced ammo, its easy to find a rip off and hard to find a deal, the internet is your friend. Good sales are often listed on these forums too.

[Guest serpentine5]

Ok, maybe I misunderstood him and he was talking about HD ammo. It was apart of the discussion.

[mav]

If I am not mistaken, Ammo Dump is no longer in business.

The only three, non-big box, gun shops we have in Chattanooga are Carter's Shooting, Shooter's Depot, and Sportsman Supply. I don't think any of them are Hi-Point dealers, but they can get one for you.

[Guest serpentine5]

Carters and Shooters both told me they could order a C9 for me, but I want one in hand before I buy it. Thats just how I am. Sportsman on the other hand is the one who told me to buy a used one at a pawn shop....

[mav]

Sportsman on the other hand is the one who told me to buy a used one at a pawn shop....

That sounds like Carl.

[strickj]

Howdy and welcome to TGO!

Value + Pawn (or maybe it's Household Pawn - the one just as you come off of the dam) on 153 had them the last time I was there. They sell new and used. Although it's been awhile since I've been there so you may want to call first.

And to add to Mav's list of three... there's also GT Distributors. They are mainly a cop supplier but they do sell to the public. They are right across the state line in Rossville behind the old corner dinner. To buy a handgun from them the gun will have to be transferred to a pawn shop on the Blvd in TN... but their prices make that one extra stop well worth it. They constantly have GREAT deals on police trade-in guns. These trade-ins are shot very, very little and are the best deal to be had.

Benton's I wouldn't waste my time on. Way over priced! Especially when you add in the cost of that speeding ticket you're sure to get while driving through Benton

9imm ammo should be around -10 bucks or so from WalMart. You'll find ammo priced a lot higher at gun shops.

Edited March 7, 2011 by strickj

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Welcome to TGO, Serpentine5!

You can get a shop to order you one as others have said, and people who own C9's seem to like em ok.

It is bad form for me to try to talk you out of the C9, apologies. I don't think it is snobbery. But there are probably <$500 guns you might like better. New or lightly used.

Bersa seems well-liked. I'm not a big Glock fan, but recently bought a spotless used Glock 17 for about $435 and that is a pretty fine durable gun. Can't recall what Stoeger Cougars are selling for. Maybe too high, but those Cougars are sposed to be really nice.

[Oh Shoot]

Gun show here in Knoxville next weekend at the Expo.

T&T out of Selmer and some other dealers who attend always have Hi-Points, might be worth the trip for ya, plus gunshows just being fun.

The C-9 is $149.99 + tax/TICS, new. I proudly own one my own self (but don't recommend it as your primary or only pistola).

- OS

Edited March 7, 2011 by OhShoot

[Guest serpentine5]

Lester, Love your signature.... I did not know it was originally spoken by Donald Rumsfeld, I originally heard it spoken by Gin Rummy (voiced by Samuel Jackson) on The Boondocks. Was very funny in the context it was spoken there.....

Thanks for the welcomes.

I only have about $200 or so to play with, the rest of my tax money is going back into my house. Have too many repairs. After doing my research on inexpensive RELIABLE hand guns, the C9 came first and the HP22A came second. I have watched several videos on utube where people are testing the C9, and even one group of guys hell bent on destroying the gun. They were only able to destroy it after jamming a bolt into the barrel and clamping the gun from the butt to the bolt to stop the bolt from coming out and stopping the slide from operating correctly. They did destroy the gun, but only then did it happen. They could not get it to misfire, mischamber, or anything. Cheap yes, but reliable.... I would say so. I want one in my hand before I shell out the money for it. That way I will know if I am comfortable with it if I need to go differently.

As for the Glock17, if it is anything like the Glock20 (or maybe it is the 21... the 45 i think it is) it is too clunky in my hand. I love how it can be feild stripped without any additional tools, but I just dont like it. My brother owns several guns and I play with them all, out of all his guns he has a Ruger MachIII competition pistol and a Beretta (dont remember the caliber but he had to order it from Italy where it was made because they dont make that version in the finish he wanted here) and both feel great in my hands. Most of his others are either too small like his S&W AirLight 32, or way too big like his Ruger 44 Magnum.

Cost is the most important thing to me... I dont have the extra to go buy a Sig or H&K or even a Ruger, so i am left with getting a SNS.

[Guest RevScottie]

I think J&M Pawn on Brainerd road sells Highpoints new and I may have seen an HP22a there as well. The pawn shop just north of the dam on hwy 153 has new Highpoints as well.

[Guest serpentine5]

J&M Pawn on Lee in the same building with Bikers Emporium?

[Guest RevScottie]

Same building...Seem to be good people to deal with.

[mav]

Same building...Seem to be good people to deal with.

I have been in there once. I have never bought anything from them, but they seem to be very nice.

Edited March 8, 2011 by mav

[Oh Shoot]

I have been in there once. I have never bought anything from them, but them seem to be very nice.

They are, but quite high pricing. That C-9 will probably be $180 or more.

- OS

[Guest serpentine5]

I will see about getting over there tomorrow to check them out.

[Guest serpentine5]

J&M Pawn does carry both brands new. but they do not have any Phoenix Arms HP22A's in stock and will not get any more in until they sell the .25 they have now. But they do have the C9 instock, asking $180 for it.Not sure about the savings.... $180 here within 20 miles round trip for me, or $145 in Benton and about 100 miles round trip (and a possible speeding ticket).... Price of gas plays a part in things these days.

[Jonnin]

make them a lower offer on it? Lot of local shops have high prices because gun buyers always try to bargain, so its expected.

[Guest serpentine5]

Did not realize that. Am gonna try to get my brother to go with me. He has bought and sold so many guns over the years.... he should know the ins and outs of buying... hopefully.