Buying Guns

[Ctwo]

Hi All,

I'm not very well versed in guns and ammo or the laws and buying process, in a relative context anyway.

I figured the best place to start was at a local supplier and focus on buying the weapons. Well, the local supplier was a Big 5 in this case and they had a few shotguns on sale that I was interested in. This was the Winchester 1300 Defender, Remington 870 Security, and Mossberg 500 Persuader, all in 12ga.

I was somewhat frustrated to find out that the dealer knew less than I did about any of the firearms he was trying to sell to me, things like if the barrels were rifled or if the mag capacity was limited by a removeable dowel.

Anyway, after doing considerable research online, I decided to go for the Mossberg 500 since it was $100 less than the other two and was also featured as a "Combo," which included both the 18-1/2" and 28" barrels for $199.

Now, after I did the paperwork and got out of the store, I called a friend that I had been talking to about the selection (he plans to get the Defender because he has a Winchester safe) and he asked, " Did you look at the gun?" I said, "Sure did, I would not buy it if I did not know what it looked like or felt like in my hand." But he actually meant did I look at MY gun, not the one in the rack. Well, no, I did not actually see the gun they recorded on the paper. So he makes a big deal about it and says I should go back and request to look at it and make sure I like it, that it is not scratched, or that it does not have some goofy serial number.

Well, I was wondering if I don't like it or it has a scratch or something goofy, can I get a different one recorded or would I have to do something else? When you guys buy new guns, do you all make a big deal about seeing your specific firearm?

Another thing, I don't know if you guys will know, is what the gun is supposed to come with? The Mossberg site specifies that the Pump Action Field model comes with a 28" barrel and 3 accuchokes, but I think I got something like the following:

#54169 12 gauge SECURITY COMBO, Blued metal finish, wood stock and Pistol Grip Kit, Ported 28" VR Accu-Choke field barrel w/ 3 choke tubes and an 18 1/2" cylinder bore, bead sight security barrel.

But I do not recall any porting and the dealer said it did not come with a pistol grip kit. It did come with a black synthetic stock and a heat shield on the short barrel. I just wanted to know if it is supposed to come with a pistol grip set and 3 accuchokes? I might have to call Big 5, but I already know what will happen. Gee, I can't even remember if the long barrel was ribbed or not. :smash:

[NRAJOE]

If its onn lay away you are not fully comitted yet...go back and make sure its what you want.

------------------------
U.S. Army 1976-79
237th Engineer Batt.
Wharton Barracks
Heilbronn, Germany

Come join my MSN community...........................240 MEMBERS STRONG!
Manager North American Gunrunners:
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[Ctwo]

OK, I mean I paid for it and am in the 10 day waiting period. But I'll go back anyway and check it out. Thanks.

[NRAJOE]

10 day waiting period!!??

Where are you? Instant here in Ohio...

------------------------
U.S. Army 1976-79
237th Engineer Batt.
Wharton Barracks
Heilbronn, Germany

Come join my MSN community...........................240 MEMBERS STRONG!
Manager North American Gunrunners:
http://groups.msn.com/NorthAmericanGunrunners

[rebel727]

3 day waiting period in MS. for handguns only.

[Ctwo]

Kalifornia...

[NRAJOE]

Cripes...and I gripe about Ohio sometimes...

------------------------
U.S. Army 1976-79
237th Engineer Batt.
Wharton Barracks
Heilbronn, Germany

Come join my MSN community...........................240 MEMBERS STRONG!
Manager North American Gunrunners:
http://groups.msn.com/NorthAmericanGunrunners

[NRAJOE]

Originally Posted by Ctwo

Kalifornia...

Thats what I figured....

------------------------
U.S. Army 1976-79
237th Engineer Batt.
Wharton Barracks
Heilbronn, Germany

Come join my MSN community...........................240 MEMBERS STRONG!
Manager North American Gunrunners:
http://groups.msn.com/NorthAmericanGunrunners

[silentknight]

I'd go look at it before you pick it up, if theres no scratches, or dings, it sounds like you got a good deal on a combo. I paid $330 for a Rem 870 combo.

Edited for spelling

[NorCalAshnjikov]

The guy should ask you to look at it before you take posession.
He should've asked you to look at it before you forked over the cash.

[Ctwo]

I have not had time to go look yet, but they did say it was still sealed in the box.

I never realized how long 10 days can actually be.

Good news is that I found all of the common California "gun" laws all nicely expressed in a 65 page pdf file. This place has too many laws and Fienstien is dangerous.

[Big Dog]

Here, the gun MUST be taken from the box and the serial checked ON the gun itself. The label on the box isn't always correct. On another forum, a guy wrote about this. He was buying a cheap CETME, but in the box was an AR-180 worth much more! In the end, you don't want to give the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms any reason to look at you. Make sure the gun and the number check out! And make sure the gun is in good shape - they have been known to have issues right from the shop.

[Despoiler]

When you buy a gun from Big 5 and the other gun stores here in Cali, when you decide on the gun they take that gun and put it in its original box, I don't think it is a law or anything, it is just what I have noticed. So I would assume that that the gun you were looking at in the store was the one put into the box with your name on it. But…….

[Ctwo]

This one, the guy went in the back to fill out all the paper work and I never saw him look at the one on the rack (and that one stayed on the rack too). But I suppose he could have had the SN on record.

Gee, I still have another week to wait.