[Buckeye Charly]

Sure I go to gun shows like most enthusiasts, but when it come to serious buying, I prefer to deal with people I know will be around when I need them. I do most of my shopping/buying at 4 out of the 6 shops in the Lake City area. I look at the other two from time to time, but prices seem inflexible. I was in my "most" favorite yesterday morning to pick up a used Hi-Point 995 carbine to do an ATI project, and by 9 am he was jammed with buyers. My wife had dropped me off to go to her nearby Quilt shop, so I had some jawjacking time to spend. By my 11 o'clock departure, I saw at least 5 guns go out the door, and still lots of folks seriously shopping. The owner/gunsmith and his son were busier than the proverbial one-armed paper hanger, selling, demoing, writing-up etc., while his wife and sister were calling in to the Feds. I have bought 3 guns from him since Dec, (1873 Carbine, Stevens 22 and the HP)(plus sold him 2) and his prices are fair, selection great and his personal touch, unmatchable. I saw shelves of ammo at last year's prices, reloading supplies & accessories everywhere. So, there are still good guys out there who are not trying to take advantage of the panic and these are the shops that will still be thriving after the panic is over. I won't advertise him here but if anybody wants to know who this is, just look up gun shops in Mayo, Florida or PM me. So, how is your favorite dealer treating you?

 

[Buckeye Charly]

Where and when will it end, you ask? It depends on us, the buyers. If we go into a gun shop that is overcharging then POLITELY tell the owner, not an employee, that until prices come down to a reasonable level, YOU will be buying elsewhere or not at all. If he say his suppliers are raising their prices to him, so be it...sympathize with him, but walk out empty-handed. We all can suffer though many, many months of not buying anything from shops that are taking unfair advantage. Guns are NOT a necessity, all you need is one for home, one for the cars, one each for yourself & the spouses and then stop. Pick your model and stick with it. You can only shoot one at a time. Reduce the amount of ammo you use for practice, in other words, CUT BACK! When guns sit in the racks, when ammo gets dusty on the shelves, when reloading supplies don't sell, believe me the stores will take notice. The suppliers will take notice. The manufacturers will take notice. When any production exceeds the demand, prices drop...that is the historical way of free enterprise. <WARM YELLOW PUPPIES> may try to force socialism down our throats, but it will not succeed.

<Racial epithet deleted>. Keep on working for 2012 so we can get back to normalcy in our lives. But, in the meantime, start using some common sense when it comes to buying guns and ammo. Don't be sucked in...Remember, NO ONE is coming to your house and take your guns and ammo...it just will not happen, regardless of the naysayers. And if by some misfortune the Government decides to call everything in....just don't go! Dig a hole and bury everything until later. Remember, this too will pass...Look at England, Australia, Canada...the populous is screaming mad. They will eventually elect representatives that listen to them.

Just the view from my saddle, as Colonel Dan sez....

BC