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Buying a woodchuck gun

M

mkirsch

Well-known Member
This is mostly just a vent...

I've been trying to buy a simple .22LR for a couple of weeks now. I've been to every gun shop and every big box sporting goods store, in the area, and NOBODY wants to sell me a friggin' gun!

Gander Mountain - The place is HUGE but there's only 2 people working in the entire store. You stand at the gun counter for an hour and the person behind the counter blatantly ignores you. I've been there three times with three different people. Apparently it's part of the training.

Dicks Sporting Goods - The guy at the gun counter's sum total of gun knowledge is, "gun go bang." They wave at the rack like Vanna White and say, "This is what we have." They won't even try to sell you anything.

Local gun shops - I visited two just yesterday alone. First one had a dozen or so ancient, rusty, orphaned shotguns and rifles that he called "collector guns." Nothing new in the shop, but he could order it. Waste of time. Second shop was a popular place, but the people running the place are gun enthusiasts, not business people. Once they're done taking care of their friends, they hunch over the computer and pretend like you don't exist. If you try to get their attention, they shrivel up and try to disappear... "Mommy told me not to talk to strangers!"

I ask people I know who hunt, where they get their hardware... All I get back is an unintelligible mumble... Apparently it's a big secret.

All I want is a .22 to take care of some woodchucks around my outbuildings. Is it too much to ask?

Anybody in the Western and Central New York areas can recommend me a gun shop that appreciates my business?
 
The big Syracuse show is coming up April 17-18 at the fairgrounds, though you might want to double-check those dates before planning to go. If it holds true to form (haven't been in a couple of years) all the guns will be priced 1.5x what they're worth, but you can at least visit a few booths, grab some cards, and get some idea of whom you'd like to do business with.
 
Well let me start by saying that you pretty much nailed the descriptions of Gander Mountain and Dicks. I have only been to gander a few times but don't like them, same with Bass Pro shops, way overpriced. And I have had luck at dicks if I TELL THEM what I want. And usually if you watch Dicks has some pretty decent sales on firearms.

As for your local shop, I do not know what the problem is there. Around here ( North Central) Ohio there are many gun shops, who will trip over them selves trying to help you. There are some places that take a look at you and if they think your just looking around they will try to help someone what looks to have cash in hand.

As for the gun its self, I do not know what you are looking for in a .22 but there many a decent ones can be had for $150. give or take $50.

All of these guns can be had for $200 or less. If your looking for a bolt action i would recommend the savage, if you want a semi auto that's a little more complicated decision.

Semi Automatics
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/64F

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/rimfire/model-597/model-597.aspx

http://www.ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/index.html

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/60.asp

Bolt Action
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIIG

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIIF
 
So they will treat you seriously, start out telling them you want an M-16/AR-15 equivalent with some 30 round magazines so you can do some serious woodchuck hunting.

If you are shooting possums, you need about a 30 round magazine to make sure they are dead.
 
Got a little Stevens auto here and I'm in Western NY, Grand Island. It's just about brand new...hasn't seen 50 rounds through it. If you're interested, let me know.
 
I live in Otsego County, central New York. 22s are the cheapest and most common guns around and for sale all over the place. Even at Walmart.
All the local gun shops have many new and used.

There are over a dozen small gun shops within 30 miles of me and all have 22s. And, most of the post their guns on-line at places like gunbroker.com

I don't see how you can be having a problem. And if you don't want to go to Walmart, just order anywhere on-line and pay a local shop with an FFL to accept delivery. I just bouth two new Henry lever-action 22s and had them sent to a local shop for an extra $20 each. Also bought a Ruger from Texas and did the same. Since they came from out of state, there was no sales tax and they also had heavy discounts. The whole deal was cheaper then if I'd gone to the local Walmart in Oneonta or Cobleskill. That being said, I've bought several .270s and 30-06s from Walmart.

Also, it's still legal to buy used guns in NY privately with NO government intervention. The classifieds are full of guns for sale. That might end soon though if Chucky Shumer gets his way.
 
Just took a peak at today's classified ads here in central NY. Kind of pricey but plenty of 22s for sale privately.


Savage, 22cal, mod 4, w/box magazine, shoots shorts, long & long rifle, made bet
1933-1945, VGC, $275 Amsterdam, NY (518) 212 2178

1973 Marlin mod 780, 22 cal, bolt action w/clip, nice shape, checkered stock,
$180 B/O Gloversville, NY (518) 661-5379

Winchester 52 sporting-Japan, 22 cal, w/box & scope, $950; Springfield 03-A3, hunting
rifle, 3006 cal, scope & extras, $550; Ruger 10-22, w/scope, $200; Thompson Center,
Hawking, 45 cal, w/many extras,
$325 Leeds, NY (518) 943-5450

Springfield Arms, .22, SR & LR, single shot bolt action, EC, great for novice or
experienced,
$200 Highland, NY (845) 883-9669 (845) 629-3811

Marlin, .22, SR & LR, mod 100G, single shot bolt action, EC, great for novice or
experienced,
$200 Highland, NY (845) 883
 
Ha-ha! 30-round magazines are illegal in NY state. You can't even ask for one without committing a felony. Of course it's perfectly okay to have 17 round magazines in handguns. Don't get me started.

Frankly, I've got my eyes on a lever-action Henry just because of the "cool" factor. It's not like I'm trying to pick off a woodchuck at 200 yards. In fact I could practically shove the muzzle of the gun down their throats and pull the trigger. They're almost like domesticated cats, cats that dig under my buildings.
 
Watch your paper for a gun and knife show coming near you. Will be thousands of guns for sale if its anything like we have around here. They sell ammo by the ton at these shows.
 
For woodchucks, you might consider a .22 or .25 high-power air rifle, which can be mail ordered directly in most of NY, if I understand the claims on various websites correctly. Also a little cheaper to shoot (well, cheaper to shoot assuming that you stick with actual air rifles rather than CO2 lazy rifles.)
 
Yeah, all well and good but I can't get any SERVICE at the local gun shops. They will not talk to me. Apparently I don't know the secret hand sign.
 
Are you claiming you cannot legally own a pre-ban 30 round clip in New York?

I took delivery of two Ruger Mini-14s last summer. Shipped here to central NY from Texas and both with several 30 round pre-ban clips and all were deemed legal here in NY by the FFL dealer.

NYS Penal Law § 265.02(6) makes it a class D felony to possess "a large capacity ammunition feeding device," which is defined in Penal Law § 265.00(23) as "a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device, manufactured after [September 13, 1994], that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition
 
Are you wearing a turban on your head, cursing in a foreign dialect, and refusing to give ID? I've never heard of anybody in any gunshop in central NY behaving like that. Only place that comes close is the gun-hating guy that runs the sports department at Walmart in Oneonta. On the other hand, Walmart in Cobleskill is very gun-friendly.

It's been my experience that gun shop people tend to be nicer on average, then the general public. Mabye because once you walk in the door, they assume a common interest in guns?

Near me, there's Barlow's in Richmondville (Schoharie Co.), Lynn's in Davenport (Delaware Co.), Losees and Stehpens in Oneonta (Otsego Co.), and many, many more down towards Binghamton and Sidney in Broome County.
 
Why would you even consider buying a firearm from a dealer, and having your gun AND your personal information registered with the government.

Private sales only, the less the government knows, the better off you will be, when the gun confiscation raids begin.

Anyone who believes that the feds are obeying the law by NOT keeping a permanent record of the background checks is a fool.
 
Dick's carries a nice synthetic stock .22 LR that you can get on sale for around $100.00. I think it's a Marlin and it's made in the USA. I have been looking for a .22 as well but I want the ability to use .22 shorts. That leaves the Marlin out for me but it would do ok for what you want it for.

Just march right up to the counter and tell them what you want. Simple as that.

I have been looking at garage, and estate sales for my gun but haven't found one yet.
 
Are you a total nutjob? Go to Wal Mart and buy a gun if you want one. It takes less time than the ridiculous rant you just put on here to do the whole process. Now you got your attention for the day.
 
I find my 20 gage Mossberg a fantastic wood chuck gun. I pop several a year. My 8 acre home plot has a ditch making it a triangle. When I see one out and about I just take the gun out close to the den and stand still for a bit and the fools stick their head out to see if I am still out there. Wood chuck past history.

Neighbor dresses in camouflage, lays in the ditch bank with some sort of rifle with a scope gets one once in a while.

The difference is probly that I am out and about without my gun where they see me so I am part of the decor.
 
Ive never had any problem buying a 22 rifle at gun shows or pawn shops.I bought a nice Springfield 87 semi auto with a peep sight for 75 bucks.This rifle will use 22 long rifle, 22 long or 22 shorts.Semi auto only on long rifle.This rifle was better know as the Stevens 87 or Savage 6.It was sold under many private labels.Ive bought many Marlin single shot rifles in nice condition for 50 bucks for my grand sons.If I see a 22 rifle at a gun show thats over priced I make them a offer.If you stop complaining you can buy a Rossi 22/20 gauge combo at Dicks for 120 bucks.Show the dealers some cash money on the last day of a gun show and they will sell.
 
I know you don't like Dick's and neither do I, but Last fall I bought my son a new Savage 22LR bolt with scope for 159$. Its basic and will be his first gun (put it away for now). Has inexpensive scope and clip fed. Now a days you can't expect anyone in a store to be much over a retard. I do my own research ahead of time and then go buy. Even our local gunsmith/shop will tell you yo go to the big box store to buy certain guns. You want gunsmith quality service you will pay gunsmith prices. But for someting like a 22 a box store will due for me. As for guns shows 15 -20 years ago they were a good place to buy, now they are the highest price place to buy. Just like any "show" or "warehouse" people think the show is cheap. Not so.
 
To bad you aren"t near here - I"ve got 2 I"d sell. Is there a local weekly "Trader Paper" near you? Last 4 pieces I found came from the trader here - good pieces, better prices than a shop and in this state, no paperwork!
 
Same here jd,

There are several gun shops around s.e.mo. and all of the guys that work there are very gun savy. And helpful too. Some places will deal better than others, though. It really pays to do some research before going to the store.
 
Liberty gun Shop. Farmington, Ny about 1 mile south of the thruway on 332 @ exit 44.

I was in a similar situation several years ago. Got the same treatment at Wal mart, dicks, etc. Libetry is a small shop ran by the owner. Was highly reccomended by several hunters I know. I explained my situation, he listened. Showed me what he had, I picked a used Marlin 60, (love it) then he showed me all about the gun. I left with my first gun purchase, amo and targets. Tried a little target practice against a straw bale. The days of renegade woodchucks are over! Email me if you want phone # for Liberty, I'm sure I can find it. Good luck.
 
I have a old Savage/Stevens Model 87A semiauto .22, tube feed. Bought it at a road side flea market for $75. Took it apart and found a screw missing, the other loose (holds the trigger mechanism and guard in place) Replaced both screws, thoroughly cleaned it as these "gill guns" as they are called won't work when cruded up, and this is the most accurate, and quietest .22 I've ever shot. I shoot with foam earplugs and with this gun, I cannot hear any of the muzzle blast, only the clink - clink of the mechanism.

Go to a gun show, a pawn shop, whatever, and get you something and blast them chucks.

Try different ammo brands. My experience is that Federal is wild and not accurate, Remington is weak to wimpy, but real accurate, and there are lots of other brands I haven't tried. .22's are sensitive to different ammunition.

Charles
 
No reason you can't go to walmart and buy a RUGER 10-22 & a box of ammo. And if you eyes not too good like mine, might need a scope on it.
Get one and don't look back. The ruger is hard to beat for the average Joe.
 
I'm not a "gun nut" but all the guns I own have been private transactions. I stand corrected; I do have a "nylon" Remington 22 that my wife bought me for my birthday present back in the sixties. I don't need the guvment to keep track of my guns; I can keep track of them my self very well, thank you. Having said that, how long will it be before a statement like that will be monitored by the FEDS?
If I believe everything the NRA tells me, I should be shaking in my boots!!
 
Hi mkirsch,

I've bought a dozen weapons off the internet in the past 10yrs from Davidson's with zero problems. New weapons only.

There supposed to have a Ruger 10/22 on sale this weekend for $160??? You may have to call to get the sales price if it's in a sales flyer.

Click on "Gun Genie" to pick your choice and see your local delivered price.

T_Bone
 
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