New to Virgina, many questions

[hrcatbert]

Hello

I recently moved to central Virginia and was hoping to get into target shooting. I've done some research, but I was hoping you experienced folks wouldn't mind answering a few questions.

Looking around this forum, many people are complaining about high prices across the board. Is this a good time to even buy a gun? Should I just wait a few months for gun and ammo prices to drop? If the answer is yes, I'll just save this knowledge for down the road.

I'd like to get a handgun and rifle in .22lr. I know there are a few shops in Ashland, like Basspro and Gander Mt., but are there any more places I should consider browsing?
Does anyone have any good experiences at the Showmaster's Gun and Knife Show? It's suppose to be in Richmond's Raceway next weekend and I heard gunshows occasionally have better deals.

I'm also looking for a public shooting range. Are there any good outdoor ones around Richmond? I know there is Ft. Lee, but it's closed on occasion.

Much appreciated.

[crossfireltd]

Welcome from the east end of Richmond.....where are you located? Right now C&E/Show Master are a good start, but given the current climate everything is over priced. I attended the last C&E gun show and all ammo was exhorbently over priced and most fire arms were on average 50% - 75% over priced. You can find a deal here and there, but they are far and few. Most sporting goods chain stores have not been gouging, but their selection and inventory have been low. Public shooting ranges are available at just about any Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will have some sort of range such as Amelia (WMA) or Chickahominy State Park (WMA). Chickahominy only has a "sighting in" range, Amelia has a pistol, rifle and clay range.


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[dusterdude]

Pawn shop for the gun

[GeneFrenkle]

+1 and VA Gun Trader, Greentop

Just check prices and do function checks.

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[ProShooter]

Welcome to Va!

Please let me know if I can help with any firearms training needs that you may have.


Jim

[arkypete]

Howdy from Bon Air.
Go to Mechanicsville and visit Degoff's, good people.
I've been buying my weapons from Gun Broker and doing the paper work at Degoff's.

Jim

[hrcatbert]

Thanks for the replies.

I've hit up a few pawn shops in Richmond, but most didn't seem to deal in firearms. Is there one that has a good selection?

There seems to be decent deals online. How much does the paperwork usually cost?

[gunderwood]

Determining if prices are high or not depends on what you want and how badly you want it. Not everything is outrageously priced.

[hodge]

Thanks for the replies.

I've hit up a few pawn shops in Richmond, but most didn't seem to deal in firearms. Is there one that has a good selection?

There seems to be decent deals online. How much does the paperwork usually cost?

If you buy online, you will still have to have a licensed gun dealer handle the transaction- they receive the weapon, you pay a fee for their service, they do the VA paperwork. Also, it isn't uncommon to wait for online purchases- either the online dealers are out of stock, or they over sell, or there are back orders.
You can also watch local papers- I have been watching the Bulletin Board, a local trading paper, and gun/ammo sales are up. Many of the deals are fair, comparable to local gun shops and much less than gun shows.
Long story short, if you want a gun, get one while all these laws are still in limbo and the dust hasn't settled yet. But, expect to pay more than a year ago. Prices are high, and probably going to stay that way for some time- not just a month or two. You can also wait- they are bound to get better sometime. The $24,000 question is when sometime is.
I just bought a Springfield XDs, because I wanted one and I had the money. I waited and watched, and found a fair current market price at a local gun shop. It was more higher than 6 months ago, but less than other places, including online, were asking. Considering the climate, I got a satisfactory deal, and I didn't have to wait for a time that might not come.

[crossfireltd]

Howdy from Bon Air.
Go to Mechanicsville and visit Degoff's, good people.
I've been buying my weapons from Gun Broker and doing the paper work at Degoff's.

Jim

Agreed......DeGoffs has a great staff and are very welcoming.

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