How to search and find hard to find guns online

[bolus]

I got pretty good at finding ammo online during the panic in 2012. So I thought I would share some search techniques for finding hard to find guns and ammo online.

I got a Ruger precision rifle, CMR30 and Gen 2 sub 2000 for less than retail so this system does tend to work, though takes patience and time.

Lets say I want to find a Ruger Precision rifle.

1. first I go to the firearm search sites and see what's available.
https://www.gunwatcher.com/Search-best-price/ruger-precision-rifle-for-sale

a few on gunbroker and 2 in stores. $1200-1400

Wikiarms has a few others
https://www.wikiarms.com/guns?q=ruger+precision
but if you follow the cabella's link they are only available in a few stores and none in Oregon.

2. Let's say I did not find any or did not like the price.
Next step is to go to some stores I've ordered from before that have better prices.
Sportsman Outdoor usually has good prices though they raised their ruger price
http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/161266

I check buds, sportsman's, grabagun and a few others.

so I set up the email notification. I also set up a website tracker.
the distill wedsite monitor is a good one for chrome.
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/distill-web-monitor/inlikjemeeknofckkjolnjbpehgadgge?hl=en

You highlight the page you want tracked and how often. I will usually have it check twice a day. It notifies you when the site changes. This is how I got ammo regularly in 2012.

Finally, CDNN, will call you if you want them to hold something for you. Give them a call, have them notify you when it is available. I got one this way, under retail at a good price before it hit the website.

3. If still no luck I check gunbroker and arms list
You can buy directly. But I've also found that many gunstores will use their name as their username. I usually check them direct as well since their prices are often higher on gunbroker

So I see one at Birmingham pistol. Which I've ordered from before
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=549295084

I go to their site directly
http://www.birminghampistol.com/?s=ruger+precision&post_type=product
They dont have the 6.5 creedmore listed. So next I would call them directly.

Here is another. Ruger 6.5 creedmore at a gunstore in Templeton MA. NOt on their website yet but at $1375
http://www.armslist.com/posts/52784...sale--nib-ruger-precision-rifle-6-5-creedmoor

at this point I let my website trackers work and let me know.

please add any tricks you might have

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[bolus]

Next trick. Search by the part number instead of the name.

So I did a search for "Ruger 18005" the part number for the 6.5 creedmore
https://www.tombstonetactical.com/catalog/ruger/18005-precision-rifle-6-5-creedmoor-24in-10rd-black/

one in stock at $1261. Getting a little better on price searching this way.

Here is an out of stock one but at a good price at $932. So I will set up the website checker on this site to check twice a day. Might get lucky
<broken link removed>

another out of stock at $909. setting up a website tracker on this one as well
<broken link removed>

 

[etrain16]

Great info Bolus! Thanks for sharing that. Some of it is not new to me, but some of your tricks are new. I'll certainly be looking into using them.

 

[bolus]

Great info Bolus! Thanks for sharing that. Some of it is not new to me, but some of your tricks are new. I'll certainly be looking into using them.

Thanks, add any tricks you might have

 

[etrain16]

Thanks, add any tricks you might have

I don't have any tricks beyond what you've listed - mostly just tenacity

For finding .22lr - I have, in the past, kept tabs on the S&W forum. They have a thread on .22lr availability that gets updated from time to time - if you have email alerts set up - you'll get an email when there's a new post. I got several thousand rounds of .22lr because of that thread. Usually posts link to places like Cabela's, Gander Mountain, Midway, Natchez, etc. You have to usually act pretty fast. Some of the deals are good, some not so good.

The catch is you have to be a member AND you have to physically go to the thread after each alert - otherwise the alerts stop coming. I don't use it much anymore because I was working to buy other stuff, but from time to time, I do check back in.

Here is the link to that thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-15-22/292430-official-stock-22lr-ammo-thread-140.html

 

[Sstrand]

I like your suggestions.

Sheldon

 

[Siglvr]

Great stuff Bolus, add NWFA supporter Slickguns to the list. They are @ 10 forums down. They track historical pricing as well.

 

[P7M13]

Great info - thank you!
I'm a DF with searches, and will employ your techniques for parts.

 

[erudne]

Thanks for all your research good sir! I, however, accede to have others bear arms for me!

 

[bolus]

I see someone bought the ruger at Tombstone tactical after I posted it. Hopefully someone here got it.

Searching for ammo.

There are a few search engines
www.wikiarms.com
www.ammoseek.com
www.gunbot.net


I've had the best luck with ammoseek. Most of these also have magazine searches as well

 

[P7M13]

If anyone is looking for a Ruger Precision in .243 they have one at Oregon Arms in Hillsboro for $1139

 

[2A2Dend]

I got to say, the tips and tricks you share here, Bolus, helped me find what I was looking for. At a reasonable price.
My latest acquisition is a new CZ75. Since it's arrival I'm using the same method in search of a few more magazines. Which are severely over priced IMO!
Everywhere I find them for a reasonable price, they're sold out. Typical..LOL.

Glock-a-plenty...CZ, not so

 

[45 for me]

I'll just throw in this one: If you are looking at auction sites, add misspellings to the search terms. People don't do a very good job of checking, and some are downright tricky anyway. For instance: Beretta Billennium, (baretta, bereta, and just about every version with L's and N's in the Billennium). If it is a penny auction, the price can be artificially low because of bad spelling causing it not to show up on most searches, making it invisible to the majority of potential bidders.

 

[etrain16]

I'll just throw in this one: If you are looking at auction sites, add misspellings to the search terms. People don't do a very good job of checking, and some are downright tricky anyway. For instance: Beretta Billennium, (baretta, bereta, and just about every version with L's and N's in the Billennium). If it is a penny auction, the price can be artificially low because of bad spelling causing it not to show up on most searches, making it invisible to the majority of potential bidders.

Good point - I see a lot of misspellings in ads - and yes "Baretta" is one I've seen numerous times.

 

[RicInOR]

AMMO On-Line

One of the costs is shipping.
Does someone have/know a list of locations and or shipping costs for various suppliers?


I use this as my starting point:
http://www.gunbot.net

No I don't have an account - just use the search features.

 

[Mikej]

Cabelas has quite a bit of ammo available, and if not in your local store they don't charge to have it shipped to the store. I messed up and bought .30 carbine on line and shipping was $16.00 for four boxes. I got too excited with the new gun! After that I ordered and picked it up in Tualitin.

 

[bolus]

AMMO On-Line

One of the costs is shipping.
Does someone have/know a list of locations and or shipping costs for various suppliers?


I use this as my starting point:
http://www.gunbot.net

No I don't have an account - just use the search features.

http://ammoseek.com/ gives an indicator for shipping cost but only rates it low to high and not exact cost. hard to do when not knowing how much one is buying.

http://ammoseek.com/shipping_estimation.html

 

[etrain16]

Cabelas has quite a bit of ammo available, and if not in your local store they don't charge to have it shipped to the store. I messed up and bought .30 carbine on line and shipping was $16.00 for four boxes. I got too excited with the new gun! After that I ordered and picked it up in Tualitin.

Direct ship to store is a great option if Cabela's has what you want. I've done that several times myself - saves some big $$ on shipping.