I was thinking ammo is usually cheaper in PA. So by default, are firearms cheaper at gun shops in PA?(not chain stores-Cabelas, Dicks) but your regular hole in the wall local gun shop?

For used shotguns and rifles, I find this statement to be somewhat true based on past experience. Those little hole-in-the-wall shops in northeastern PA or upstate NY are chock full of classics. And prices are usually lower than what I've seen around these parts. What's changed in the last few years is many of them now list guns online on their personal websites, or on the internet auction sites. Product moves out a lot faster now when anyone can find what they're looking for with a search engine on the internet. Some little shops still haven't found the internet yet though.

Over the last 6-months, I've searched/priced many new guns both online and locally. Almost every time, the product was less expensive outside of NJ. In many cases, even when you add the cost of the FFL transfer, the out of state purchase was less expensive by a certain amount. Sometimes, the amount was small enough where it made more sense to get it locally, to support our local economy and build relationships with our local NJ dealers. Other times, the cost is so one-sided, you'd have to be a complete idiot or rolling in coin, to continue with the purchase locally. That's been my findings. Other's experiences may be different.

Well, all things being equal, it will be $18 cheaper out of state due to the NICS tax in NJ (let's call what it really is, a tax).

Depends on what you are looking for. Used shotguns/rifles? Yeah, there are simply more of them. I found buying new guns to be relatively the same with either stores offering $50 +/-.

I was thinking more along the lines of a NEW long gun.

IDK, My findings is that I can generally get anything I want locally for the same amount I can get it online +/- $20.

 

There have been times where I have saved considerably by buying online but they are far and few between. To each his own but I like the FFL I deal with and for the service I get, I prefer buying locally.

It is not as cheaper as you would think.

For Instance, I priced a handgun over at Tanner's in Bucks County PA ,and after the transfer fee, it was actually a few bucks more than if I was to purchase

the same handgun at Sportsmen Center in Bordentown, NJ.

I tend to naturally gravitate to the PA gunshops - that is as much a matter of geography as it is preference. Given my location, the PA shops are local to me.

 

I am really surprised the to hear that Tanner's was more than SC - were you figuring total price? A handgun out of PA, while having to pay the transfer fee is devoid of tax (yes, I know, not technically, but let's say at the POS). Dependent on price, the tax savings can offer much more than just a shipping & transfer offset.

 

I don't go running all over the place looking to save a couple bucks - but I have realized some significant savings by a little judicious shopping. It's more about who has what, when I want it, than it is about the geographic location of the shop.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Yup, total price, including the 45 minute drive (for me)

Some guns, yes, but depends where.

 

The deals I found were far far away in the Icy depths of Maine and NH.

 

the prices at places in PA, NY were just as much if not more, compared to TJ Sporting Arms, PK90, Bullseye, and other vendors on the forum.

 

The steals you can get are on used guns where they may not be quite as popular or niche items., while at the same time the shop was high on other prices.

 

With the internet, most prices are not equalizing.

The two handguns I purchased in PA were less expensive than any prices I received locally ( North East NJ) .The better deal I got made up for the price of shipping ( it has to go 2nd day air , for both my guns shipping was about 20 bucks ) . Then the transfer and NICS at the FFL I use ( a hardware store in Lincoln Park) is 40 bucks OTD. So buying in PA added 60 bucks to my purchase , but they about that much lower than the prices I got locally. 6 to one , half a dozen to another. What tipped the scale was the fact that I enjoy going to PA , I get to visit some cool people including my siblings so I make a nice trip out of it. So far I like the stores out there better than the ones in NE and Central East NJ. MUCH more friendly , eclectic stuff to look at hanging around ( like a Hog's Leg ? Is that what that gun was called ? lol )

 

They also have my repaired 1911 ready to ship back to me. The price they gave me was way lower then the estimate I received locally ( after 4 phone calls to get a return call- with the person who finally returned the call acting like I was severely annoying him by wanting them to fix my gun. Screw that attitude) .Even when you add the cost of shipping it home to me it was less expensive and the GS had plenty of time to talk to me on the phone to make sure I was getting what I wanted out of the changes he was making.

 

The revolver I bought there , I did drive an hour and a half to get there to shop , so there is gas $$ involved..but I had good company once I arrived and it is a nice day trip in any event:) The 2nd gun I just ordered from them sight unseen because I liked the store and the guys there ,so I trusted they would do right .

 

Last trip there to drop off my 1911 , we stopped at Surplus City ..I had left my wallet in the car on purpose..they had a lot of cool long guns there for under 300 bucks. It was really tough not to make a buy that day. Next time After I left the Southampton area I headed to my brothers in Lancaster and we went to a few places down there before he had to go to work. It just seems there are more cool hole in the wall places in PA , friendlier service ( by my experience) and nice scenery too.

 

I get the buy local thing. But anything that is local to me had a bit of a higher price , and quite honestly it was service with a scowl , not a smile. I don't hop on here and say so and so was mean to me or anything like that. If someone gives me a good price but hurts my feelings I'll live lol But if they are going to be so gruff they better have some redeeming qualities in the form of less $$ flying out of my wallet , if they want my business.