Quote:
The problem is that your question assumes that you could get the pistol from any Ruger dealer. And 2 months ago, that may well have been the case. As the saying goes, that was then. . .
First, I’m assuming you have all your paperwork in order and have your permit to purchase if it is so required. If not, get on it! You can’t do anything unless you have all paperwork in the bag.
In reality, you can shop your boots off, and it will be HIGHLY unlikely you will find 2 dealers–or in fact even one dealer–that has this pistol in stock given the current buying panic. So the question of getting a deal is largely hypothetical because as good as Dealer X or Dealer Y may be, no dealer right now is sitting on large, comprehensive inventories they way they were 2 months ago. So the hurdles are first even finding a dealer who has one and only then does price become an issue.
Basically, if you want the gun in the next year, I would simply work your way through reliable local dealers. If you luck out and find one in stock, jump on it like an alligator on a poodle because it won’t be there for long.
I would AVOID internet dealers at this time. Sorry, but there are too many things that could go wrong, and in the current panic situation, I just see so many more things that could go wrong that I can’t see where it’s worth it. If you do go this route, I would pay the extra % and ONLY pay by credit card so that you dispute anything and claim your money back under a wide range of circumstances.
In the current environment, I’d go old school on this one and go to the following tried/true/tested bricks-n-motar options:
– Four Seasons in Red Wing.
– Joe’s in St. Paul
– Wolf’s Den in Hugo
– Alhmans in Morristown.
– Others mentioned above, don’t want to repeat the whole post.
Sorry to sound like a downer, but in the crazed panic-buying environment, I’d say go in with low expectations in terms of what will be available. Then if you get lucky and find the gun in-stock AND for a decent price, you rightly should feel like you won the lottery.
Good luck.
Grouse
Yes my paperwork is all done…Ive got money in hand ready to buy, I just wont buy unless I find exactly what I want which by the way it sounds may be an issue. As far as the internet goes, you just confirmed all my thoughts. I was looking at the used route as well. Any thoughts there? Do most dealers check over guns close enough to find anything that could be wrong with it before they turn it around?
