Where do you shop??

NoncomRetired · 12-06-2012, 07:09 PM

I was wondering if places I look for good examples with OK prices are the only ones. I have found that most gun shows are a bit overpriced compared to some on-line sites. Of course I constantly check and have found some mis-information posted along with a picture leading to some great buys:

Gun Broker
Guns International
Jackson Armory
Collectors Firearms
Simpson LTD
Joe Salter

are the ones I check daily. Are there other places that I might be interested in? I only buy high dollar items with CC, I like the points and eat free at Red Lobster as much as I can.

Cheers

alanint · 12-06-2012, 07:11 PM

Checkpoint Charley always has nice stuff at fair prices.

NoncomRetired · 12-06-2012, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Checkpoint Charley always has nice stuff at fair prices.

I forgot him, I have bought a few pieces there , holsters and other items but no pistol. Nice guy on the phone.

Edward Tinker · 12-06-2012, 07:25 PM

I have bought from a few of the above, but have bought the vast majority from other collectors and friends....

padredan · 12-06-2012, 07:39 PM

alot at gun shows some of the things on ebay

NoncomRetired · 12-06-2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

I have bought from a few of the above, but have bought the vast majority from other collectors and friends....

That I'd like to do too but cash doesn't stay
long in my hands.................never has. A fault of mine.

NoncomRetired · 12-06-2012, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padredan

alot at gun shows some of the things on ebay

I use to do EBAY until they went PayPal and I don't do PayPal, nothing but a headache experience for me.

Curly1 · 12-06-2012, 09:07 PM

Gunbroker, Auction Arms checkpoint Charlies and board mebers on different forums.

Got some great deals at my LGS also over the years.

LWaali · 12-06-2012, 09:11 PM

While usually a higher price, I use Numrich.. Everything I have ordered has been described fairly and I have only had to return one 'complete Mauser action' because it was in worse condition then described but they sent a replacement very quickly that was what I wanted. I always check their sale stuff and have gotten some real bargains. I do not know how their luger parts and prices compare. Ordering online, without being able to see them in person, I will pay a little more for the reputation of not selling bogus parts.

LWaali · 12-07-2012, 12:38 AM

Guess I have been lucky and have not ordered anything that is worth counterfitting? I have always got the correct parts so far.

alanint · 12-07-2012, 05:13 AM

Numrich and to a lesser extent, Sarco just aren't what they were 25-30 years ago, simply because all their really nice, original parts have been steadily drying up. Much of the really desirable parts they sell today are inferior spec and/or Asian knock-offs.

Karl · 12-07-2012, 10:13 AM

I have purchased a lot from gunbroker, once from auction arms. Never had a bad experience but I usually dealt with established sellers and otherwise made my expectations clear in e-mails prior to bidding.

I would add Randal Bessler to the list, although his inventory is considerably reduced now.

Among the dealers listed, Charlie often has better prices on certain lugers but he seems to place higher value on WWII era lugers and refinished guns. I think any dealer has certain interests and areas of expertise and things that fall out of that zone are often offered at a lower price.

In my experience, you pay a higher price with the established dealers but they stand behind what they sell. On one occasion each with Bessler and Salter, I had a problem with a purchase and it was resolved to my satisfaction immediately with no argument or hassle.
KFS

Olle · 12-07-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

...

...

Oh...You're joshing us, aren't you???

I haven't known you long enough to know when you're kidding!

Yeah, really... Numrich has always been a hit or miss proposition to me, and their reproduction parts have mostly been misses. I was restoring an FN 1910 a few years ago, and I ordered several pins, a spring guide and a firing pin. Out of that, I was only able to use one pin. One of these pins should have been a press fit, but was so badly out of tolerance that it just fell through the frame. Also, it had straight ends when they should have rounded. The firing pin and the spring guide were both about 1/16" too long, and if I hadn't caught that it would have bent or even broken the spring stop.

The issue with the firing pin is a safety issue (the firing pin can shoot out from the back if the stop breaks), so I brought it up with Numrich. Their reply was that they were not responsible, and that I needed to contact the manufacturer. Just a few weeks ago I heard the same story from another 1910 owner, so 4-5 years later they're still selling the same, incorrect part.

hansfischer007 · 12-07-2012, 12:25 PM

Well..in my limited experience.....only two guys....and thats Luger Doc and Checkpoint Charley.....Ive bought from both of them and they are 100% great to do business with.......got a Beautiful AC43 p-38 from Charley.......and Luger Doc and I have swapped back and forth so much...and he has done work for me..(got a 1916 DWM from him)...either one of these guys get my vote....... Hans Fischer

NoncomRetired · 12-07-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hansfischer007

Well..in my limited experience.....only two guys....and thats Luger Doc and Checkpoint Charley.....Ive bought from both of them and they are 100% great to do business with.......got a Beautiful AC43 p-38 from Charley.......and Luger Doc and I have swapped back and forth so much...and he has done work for me..(got a 1916 DWM from him)...either one of these guys get my vote....... Hans Fischer

Does Luger Doc have a website or is he private purchase?

NoncomRetired · 12-07-2012, 12:30 PM

I just bought my second Luger, when I get it I'll post photos, another DWM MG unit marked, 1916. I'll have it by Tuesday. Not a police rework.

NoncomRetired · 12-07-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hansfischer007

Well..in my limited experience.....only two guys....and thats Luger Doc and Checkpoint Charley.....Ive bought from both of them and they are 100% great to do business with.......got a Beautiful AC43 p-38 from Charley.......and Luger Doc and I have swapped back and forth so much...and he has done work for me..(got a 1916 DWM from him)...either one of these guys get my vote....... Hans Fischer

Is he the same Luger Doc that's in St Charles Mo? If it is, I'm a stone's throw across the river from him in Calhoun County where we pump sunshine in and moonshine out.

alanint · 12-07-2012, 01:09 PM

Luger Doc, (Tom Heller) is right here on our site. Look him up if you are looking for something in particular.

NoncomRetired · 12-07-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Luger Doc, (Tom Heller) is right here on our site. Look him up if you are looking for something in particular.

Thanks...will do.

LWaali · 12-07-2012, 01:40 PM

I'll remember that about Numrich.. but the mauser actions, llama and astra parts have always been original and correct.. but like I said.. maybe I am lucky that there is so little interest in old spanish guns. I do appreciate the heads up about the new parts. It is good to know.

12-06-2012, 07:09 PM	#1
NoncomRetired Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 719 Thanks: 144 Thanked 306 Times in 146 Posts	Where do you shop?? I was wondering if places I look for good examples with OK prices are the only ones. I have found that most gun shows are a bit overpriced compared to some on-line sites. Of course I constantly check and have found some mis-information posted along with a picture leading to some great buys: Gun Broker Guns International Jackson Armory Collectors Firearms Simpson LTD Joe Salter are the ones I check daily. Are there other places that I might be interested in? I only buy high dollar items with CC, I like the points and eat free at Red Lobster as much as I can. Cheers

12-06-2012, 07:25 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,928 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	I have bought from a few of the above, but have bought the vast majority from other collectors and friends.... __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

12-06-2012, 07:39 PM	#5
padredan User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: louisiana Now, but from the Rebublic of Texas Posts: 937 Thanks: 429 Thanked 316 Times in 182 Posts	alot at gun shows some of the things on ebay __________________ In this world nothing is free, except the grace of God

12-06-2012, 09:07 PM	#8
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 116 Thanked 708 Times in 369 Posts	Gunbroker, Auction Arms checkpoint Charlies and board mebers on different forums. Got some great deals at my LGS also over the years. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

12-07-2012, 12:25 PM	#14
hansfischer007 User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sunny Tennessee Posts: 233 Thanks: 509 Thanked 96 Times in 48 Posts	Who to buy from.? Well..in my limited experience.....only two guys....and thats Luger Doc and Checkpoint Charley.....Ive bought from both of them and they are 100% great to do business with.......got a Beautiful AC43 p-38 from Charley.......and Luger Doc and I have swapped back and forth so much...and he has done work for me..(got a 1916 DWM from him)...either one of these guys get my vote....... Hans Fischer

12-06-2012, 07:11 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Checkpoint Charley always has nice stuff at fair prices.

12-06-2012, 09:11 PM	#9
LWaali User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 99 Thanks: 67 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	While usually a higher price, I use Numrich.. Everything I have ordered has been described fairly and I have only had to return one 'complete Mauser action' because it was in worse condition then described but they sent a replacement very quickly that was what I wanted. I always check their sale stuff and have gotten some real bargains. I do not know how their luger parts and prices compare. Ordering online, without being able to see them in person, I will pay a little more for the reputation of not selling bogus parts.

12-07-2012, 12:38 AM	#10
LWaali User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 99 Thanks: 67 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	Guess I have been lucky and have not ordered anything that is worth counterfitting? I have always got the correct parts so far.

12-07-2012, 05:13 AM	#11
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Numrich and to a lesser extent, Sarco just aren't what they were 25-30 years ago, simply because all their really nice, original parts have been steadily drying up. Much of the really desirable parts they sell today are inferior spec and/or Asian knock-offs.

12-07-2012, 10:13 AM	#12
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 520 Thanks: 0 Thanked 266 Times in 116 Posts	I have purchased a lot from gunbroker, once from auction arms. Never had a bad experience but I usually dealt with established sellers and otherwise made my expectations clear in e-mails prior to bidding. I would add Randal Bessler to the list, although his inventory is considerably reduced now. Among the dealers listed, Charlie often has better prices on certain lugers but he seems to place higher value on WWII era lugers and refinished guns. I think any dealer has certain interests and areas of expertise and things that fall out of that zone are often offered at a lower price. In my experience, you pay a higher price with the established dealers but they stand behind what they sell. On one occasion each with Bessler and Salter, I had a problem with a purchase and it was resolved to my satisfaction immediately with no argument or hassle. KFS

12-07-2012, 12:30 PM	#16
NoncomRetired Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 719 Thanks: 144 Thanked 306 Times in 146 Posts	I just bought my second Luger, when I get it I'll post photos, another DWM MG unit marked, 1916. I'll have it by Tuesday. Not a police rework.

12-07-2012, 01:09 PM	#18
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Luger Doc, (Tom Heller) is right here on our site. Look him up if you are looking for something in particular.

12-07-2012, 01:40 PM	#20
LWaali User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 99 Thanks: 67 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	I'll remember that about Numrich.. but the mauser actions, llama and astra parts have always been original and correct.. but like I said.. maybe I am lucky that there is so little interest in old spanish guns. I do appreciate the heads up about the new parts. It is good to know.