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Old 06-08-2022, 08:56 AM
 
1,647 posts, read 2,062,987 times
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I have some friends that just moved here. They are asking me where is the best place to buy a firearm (or two) for home defense. Any suggestions? Favorites?

Price isn't as important as selection of the right gun(s) for them. TIA.
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Old 06-08-2022, 10:40 AM
 
92 posts, read 112,285 times
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If your friends are very knowledgeable about firearms and don't need "counter help" because they know what they are looking for and know what constitutes a good price, then I have found that Academy Sports will often have the best prices. Just be aware that most of the people behind the firearms counter are not very knowledgeable. Yes - you will occasionally run into someone who knows what they are doing, but that is not guaranteed. You (they) need to know what they are doing, and what they are looking for.

2nd suggestion for knowledgeable folk is to attend a large gun show. Most of the dealers you will find will have absolutely horrible prices, but at the large shows there are usually one or two dealers who basically sell in bulk as they have a huge selection, and with good prices. You just have to know the normal prices for what you are looking for, otherwise you are going to over-pay. The people working these large tables will often be fairly knowledgeable, and sometimes will be willing to answer questions. But again, your friends have to know what the prices should be.

If your friends are not yet knowledgeable about firearms, then they need some training before they should be shopping (as I'm sure you already know), and a gun shop would indeed be better than the above once they are trained. As for actual gun shops though, I can't help. I haven't been in a San Antonio gunshop in quite a number of years.

Best of luck to you and your friends. And remember - you only need to rack a pump shotgun to scare away the burglers!!!*









*that's a joke, btw........
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Old 06-08-2022, 03:14 PM
 
Location: New Braunfels, TX
7,130 posts, read 11,834,325 times
Reputation: 8043
Nagel's on San Pedro

Adelbridge - just down the road from Nagel's on San Pedro

Dury's Gun Shop

Those would be the three I'd recommend (they're also the 3 I tend to haunt the most....lol)
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Old 06-08-2022, 03:56 PM
 
Location: Tricity, PL
61,704 posts, read 87,101,195 times
Reputation: 131684
They NEED guns for home defense? What are they - drug dealers?
Perhaps they should live in "safer" areas...
People live here for decades without ever using their guns for home defense.
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Old 06-08-2022, 04:25 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX via San Antonio, TX
9,851 posts, read 13,696,195 times
Reputation: 5702
Quote:
Originally Posted by elnina View Post
They NEED guns for home defense? What are they - drug dealers?
Perhaps they should live in "safer" areas...
People live here for decades without ever using their guns for home defense.
I was thinking the same question and it was somewhat tacky given the recent events in our area. I didn’t say anything but now that it’s been said; I co-sign.
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Old 06-08-2022, 04:58 PM
 
3,950 posts, read 3,005,970 times
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We all just learned in moments of crisis the police will not protect you so I think it is probably a good idea for them. Also, not everybody can afford to live in "nicer" areas...

I second Nagels!
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Old 06-08-2022, 05:12 PM
 
Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
3,069 posts, read 8,413,781 times
Reputation: 5720
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caladan View Post
If your friends are very knowledgeable about firearms and don't need "counter help" because they know what they are looking for and know what constitutes a good price, then I have found that Academy Sports will often have the best prices. Just be aware that most of the people behind the firearms counter are not very knowledgeable. Yes - you will occasionally run into someone who knows what they are doing, but that is not guaranteed. You (they) need to know what they are doing, and what they are looking for.

2nd suggestion for knowledgeable folk is to attend a large gun show. Most of the dealers you will find will have absolutely horrible prices, but at the large shows there are usually one or two dealers who basically sell in bulk as they have a huge selection, and with good prices. You just have to know the normal prices for what you are looking for, otherwise you are going to over-pay. The people working these large tables will often be fairly knowledgeable, and sometimes will be willing to answer questions. But again, your friends have to know what the prices should be.

If your friends are not yet knowledgeable about firearms, then they need some training before they should be shopping (as I'm sure you already know), and a gun shop would indeed be better than the above once they are trained. As for actual gun shops though, I can't help. I haven't been in a San Antonio gunshop in quite a number of years.

Best of luck to you and your friends. And remember - you only need to rack a pump shotgun to scare away the burglers!!!*

*that's a joke, btw........

Not really! My Wife does not like guns but did learn how to do just that and for that reason. Racking a round is very loud and very distinctive and any half intelligent criminal knows what the sound is. If they keep coming anyhow then a 20 GA pistol grip pump is easy for a small woman to use if they must.



Also a 20 GA is much more forgiving than a 12 GA shotgun or handgun on the surrounding walls and belongings. Less drywall and trim work for me to do.
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Old 06-08-2022, 05:18 PM
 
Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
3,069 posts, read 8,413,781 times
Reputation: 5720
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pancho-Villa View Post
I have some friends that just moved here. They are asking me where is the best place to buy a firearm (or two) for home defense. Any suggestions? Favorites?

Price isn't as important as selection of the right gun(s) for them. TIA.

From your description it appears they are not familiar with firearms. Honestly the first thing they should do is take a simple firearms self defense course which many local LEO tend to teach on the side. Some do provide firearms for the training at a minimal expense. To find one just google for it and your location and many will show up. Also google gun clubs that may offer the same. Once they are finished at least they will know what type and caliber firearm they most feel comfortable with.


As for purchasing once they decide on the type and caliber they can go to any sporting goods store that sells firearms or a gun shop. If they want to shop the best price you can order online from any vendor that will ship to a local Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) dealer typically for a very small fee. They order online and have it shipped and picked up when it arrives.
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Old 06-08-2022, 05:19 PM
 
3,950 posts, read 3,005,970 times
Reputation: 3803
https://www.sagunclub.com/
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Old 06-08-2022, 05:54 PM
 
Location: New Braunfels, TX
7,130 posts, read 11,834,325 times
Reputation: 8043
Quote:
Originally Posted by elnina View Post
They NEED guns for home defense? What are they - drug dealers?
Perhaps they should live in "safer" areas...
People live here for decades without ever using their guns for home defense.
....and most fervently hope they'll continue to live here without needing them - but as noted, when seconds count, the police are minutes away.

Tell me...do you have a fire extinguisher in your home? A burglar alarm?
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