How many of you bought airguns at a physical store vs online?

[jetpopt]

After seeing the long lists of guns that some own, I have to wonder if that resulted at least partly from not being able to try one in person. There don’t seem to be that many commercial vendors operating brick-and-mortar airgun stores (compared with PB stores).

Not long ago, someone on this board did buy from a real store and soon decided that the gun did not feel comfortable...after he’d bought it. So that mistake turned out to have been driven by impulse.

But IF there is no such store within a few hrs’ drive from you, and IF you couldn’t rent/borrow a model you were interested in, did you gamble and just order it?

The question doesn’t pertain to the low-priced models sold at some big box stores, because those are easy to at least look at in person, though not test fire.

 

[jccams]

I now have 12 air rifles and 4 air pistols, all bought online. Did a lot of research before buying and have had good luck with my purchases. A couple of them had some issues and they were addressed by mycapt65 when he tuned them. I do not have any place close to me to touch, shoot before buying.

 

[25.cal]

Bought all online. Stores by me are meh so rather support online business that provides better service.

 

[Long_Gun_Dallas]

I think the last one I owned that was a bought in a store was a 1377 at wally world. Almost 20 years ago. Ironically fx USA is in my state, but I'm not aware of any physical location that sells anything like this or comparable.

 

[Mcleod]

2 in person, 1 online.
I prefer the to support my not so local store.

 

[jps2486]

I bought rifles at Trenier Airguns. They are only 25 miles from my home. Otherwise, the rest have been bought online.

 

[Firewalker]

Except for Walmart, online is my only option.

Edit: or here in the classifieds

 

[beerthief]

a few on line , some at air gun shows , some here off classifieds . to me shows are the best , Shows are not local to me so a hotel stay has to be figured in .
cute story but true " i told my wife i wanted a certain rifle and that AOA had this rifle @ a good price, but i do not like to ship guns. SO she said then go to the store . I said it was 3 day drive one way ! ............................................ then she said so ? you like to drive ."

 

[jetpopt]

Thanks for the responses. So far, the answers confirm my hunch.

There are two major online airgun vendors, each a day’s drive from me. One of them (AOA) appears to operate a store and range; the other one does not, from what I can see. The LGS in my zip code was considering selling at least some kind of PCP, but something tells me they won’t have much to check out.

Yeah, lots of online research first...

 

[jarmstrong]

I bought all my airguns on line or here in the Airgun Nation classifieds
as here there is only Walmart for airguns

 

[beerthief]

I really believe that Air gun shows are the best . Even with the hotel room ! at a show like Midwest Show in Columbus OH you see and handle almost anything and usually multiples of same . i was looking for a Izzy 46M and found 4 for sale , the one i bought was like new in the box with every thing that comes with it , $400 . not many stores but lot of guys with lot of stuff i would guess 200 tables? and you can hagle $$ to your hearts content !!

 

[Jasonmc]

I live out in the sticks.. pellet rifles are considered BB guns here. All my purchases are online..(I research the heck out of a rifle I'm interested in, then ask here.. most people are pretty honest here and will tell the pros and cons) just recently though in a town about a half hour away a PB dealer took up the air rifle hobby and now sells Kral and FX along with pellets. So that's a plus if I'm interested in those two manufacturers.. real nice that I can go get pellets about anytime.

 

[puddleglum]

I bought my first PCP from an airgun forum classifieds, but my second and third were from Trenier Airguns. I am about three hours from Trenier, but I go that way from time to time. I have since sold those three guns and bought others from online retailers and the classifieds here. I have been meaning to stop by Trenier though my checkbooks wishes I wouldn’t.

 

[delooper]

I bought one airgun at Canadian Tire, but the rest have been on-line. There's few "in-person" airgun stores in Canada -- and they're all very far from where I live, i.e. thousands of kilometers. And it's difficult to purchase from across the border. So on-line is essentially the only option, unless you're okay with the basic offerings at Canadian Tire.

Some powderburning gun shops sell airguns around here, but they're usually just on consignment. So the options are also pretty limited.

 

[JaceSpace1369]

Online and from my local stores, we have two here in south Florida. AirgunOne inc, and Palmbeachairguns.

 

[crowski]

I have my own parking space at AGS. I bought a lot on line as well. Crow

 

[Septicdeath]

Modern guns mostly online.
Vintage guns, in a variety of places.

 

[Gerry52]

Of the 8 guns I've purchased since getting into this ALL were purchased online. I also sold 4 of them online & gave 2 away. I now have only 3, one of which was gifted to me. Never any problems with purchases or selling (whew!).

 

[bigHUN]

I am very much not an impuls buyer, learned these skills through my engineering jobs. Several days tinkering and research what I may need, asking at least for 3 quotes.
My Impact mk2 was in store purchase, the L2 online from same source.
My estimate is that with these two guns in .22 and .25 I can cover all my games completely.

 

[Trucker3573]

Online with no hesitation. If it’s high end it’s going to be a good shooting experience.