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texasjeep44 wrote: I just hope that when folks are looking for information they don't go to the local gun shop where the folks might know something

It's been years since I was in a gunshop run by anyone who knew as much about guns as I did, and I don't know a lot

texasjeep44 wrote:50 bucks ain't so bad.
Yea, box stores might have the better price initially, but if you have a problem with the gun, or need something out of the ordinary etc, your just another customer. To the box stores, every customer is the same, every time you walk into the place. Whether you have purchased 20 guns or this is your first one it doesn't matter to them.

This may be so in some cases, but I have had a different experience with Academy. Long ago, I purchased a Bersa Thunder from Academy. It turned out to be a real LEMON. The Academy manager sent it in, at no cost to me, for repairs three times before I finally gave up on it and gave it away. When the well known Bersa authorized shop in Colorado returned the Bersa sans the second magazine that accompanied it, Academy gave me a new Bersa magazine.

And when I bought a Ruger Mk III, one of the Academy clerks was very thoughtful and nice in showing me how to get it put back together after cleaning it. I think I might be able to reassemble it without my notes in about ten years.

I will always purchase from local gun shop: Reason being that yesterday I bought a Para Ordnance PDA 9mm got it home and discovered I had a really hard time trying to rack the slide and then I couldn't for the life of me get the slide lock release button to release the slide. Guess I am just a wimp. I messed with it long enough to break all my fingernails off my left hand trying to rack/release and forget about trying to slingshot the slide I really wanted to keep this gun but today I went back to local gun shop and asked if any modifications could be made to make it easier for me to operate this really nice piece of equipment. Nope only thing that might loosen it up is to shoot it a lot (maybe). Long story short, my entire purchase price was REFUNDED and I was told "I don't want to sell you anything you can't use", by the owner. Academy won't take guns back. You buy it, it's yours and adious. So if a gun is $50 or $75 bucks higher at the local's so be it. They will always get my business over big box every time. If they don't have what I want I order online and pay them the FFL fee and just so glad there is a really great gun store in my neighborhood and they know me by my first name. I am treated like a person and not a dollar sign.

I've been treated better by some big box retailers than I have by stores run by "the little guy" . . . which sometimes translates as "small time crook."

I would like to help the local shops but I've never been to a local shop that was stocked with plenty of choices and HELPFUL. Doc's in Carrollton is helpful, but they have a pitifully small number of guns to choose from. They're great for reloading supplies or gunsmithing, but not guns. Bullet Trap needs too much personal information for NON FiREARMS purchases. They want your name, address, phone number, etc. What do they do with this information?! Gunmaster is O.K. I've bought a lot of stuff from them over the years. They're a bit overpriced, but they do have a great selection, they are knowledgeable and they always have stuff in stock. Plano Pawn Shop is hands down the best for guns. They are very helpful and even do FFL transfers for a low fee. However, they have no ammo. Dallas Guns on Mockingbird is great if you're a novice and would like to try before you buy. The older employees are great and you can shoot their guns before you buy them. Just don't talk to their pimply faced kids. They are just plain RUDE and know NOTHING.

Independent gun shops could command higher prices than mega-retail stores IF they can provide a better buying experience and customer service.

I had a GREAT buying experience at Academy last week (bought the S&W Bodyguard .38)...AND it was $70 LESS than at Bass Pro.