How difficult is rifle and shotgun shopping right now?

[Dutch]

Looking into my first firearm purchases as a total beginner shooter and first time owner, but I know the last year has been crazy for gun purchases. Not having set foot in a shop, what's the general feel for how difficult inventory is right now? Both in terms of available inventory and actually getting salesperson attention? Throw the Covid protocols in the mix with all that too to add to the difficulty. Not knowing much about firearms, I was looking to try and identify a specific firearm, price it, then be able to purchase that exact one, for instance I've had the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 suggested as a good all purpose shotgun. Is that purchasing strategy even realistic? I'm concerned about going in, being overwhelmed and being more at the whim of the salesperson if they don't have exactly what I'm looking for.

In terms of a rifle later into the spring/summer, I was going to be going in looking for a .270 or .308 based on reading and recommendations. Would it be easy enough to find in store or am I looking at a bigger challenge?

What I really want to do is start shooting both rifle and shotgun to learn. Do shooting ranges typically rent this stuff out if I don't own my own yet? I'd like to take my time to not rush my firearm purchase, but I also am anxious to get shooting. Any thoughts on that approach?

 

[Nuevo]

You could throw a WTB ad in the classifieds and get some good deals on used.

I’ve never bothered to rent a shotgun or rifle, but I know most ranges (indoor) rent handguns of all kinds. Might be possible, but I would call the ranges and find out if they offer rentals.

Calling the shops and asking about inventory is perfectly normal. Shotguns might be a bit tough to get right now, but I’m assuming rifles wouldn’t be to hard. That is an assumption as I haven’t been to a gun store in a year and a half, except to grab some shot shells while dove hunting in Yuma.

 

[Nuevo]

Repost

 

[ilovesprig]

Lots of stuff to consider in your questioning...The Rem 870 or Mossy 500 are both OK...Personally, for similar money, I'd get a semi-auto camo Stoeger 3000...May be a little harder to find, but not much in this market...May want to try Beebe Family Firearms in Fallbrook...There's also Duncan's in San Marcos

Rifles...The .270, 308, or 30-06 are common calibers that will serve you well in most arenas...Savage, Ruger American are both good entry level guns that won't break the bank...Ammo is the most common in the guns as well.

If you want, I live right by Turner's in San Marcos...I could meet you over there and possibly help start you through this process.

ps...Fine Firearms is worth the drive.

 

[MJB]

Inventory is near zero in almost every gun store.
Go to GunBroker and/or buy used.

 

[Snake Charmer]

Fine Firearms has a good stock of rifles , shotgun supply is low but they have some. Last time I was there in October they were good with ammo

 

[WaterDog]

Not only are guns in short supply but so is ammo. Supply changes day to day and week to week. Determine how much money you can spend on a shotgun and then take ilovesprig up on his offer. With your limited knowledge you do not want to just walk into a gun store and pick out the one that’s right for you because you’ll probably have regrets once you get the gun home and start using it. You really need a knowledgeable person like ilovesprig to guide you.

 

[TRICER]

You better hurry up and buy this stimulus money is burning a hole in peoples pockets and the gun shop will be a lot of peoples first stop.

 

[stikbrandon]

You better hurry up and buy this stimulus money is burning a hole in peoples pockets and the gun shop will be a lot of peoples first stop.

how do I get one?

 

[Prime]

basspro was almost cleaned out yesterday, and its been like this everywhere for dang near a year. Gunbroker is your best bet right now for shotguns if you need it asap. Bolt rifles are easier to come by.

 

[Morgan1776]

You better hurry up and buy this stimulus money is burning a hole in peoples pockets and the gun shop will be a lot of peoples first stop.

This^^^ and Christmas bonuses!

 

[HATCHET1]

Must be nice to qualify for a stimulus...fck..i better let mama stay home more and stop working so much so we qualify every 6 months!!!

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

I was thinking about taking our stimuli money a getting a few new long guns, a new SUV, a vacation home on a lake which means we'll also spend some of the money a boat and quads for the family, you know, hers, mine and theirs. With the left over money maybe take a trip around the world. Yup $600 should just bout cover it. What a great country. I wonder if all the reps. and senators will also get $600 to add to their $180,000 salary. I sure hope so.

 

[longbowhunter2]

not enough for rent or mortgage payment, maybe food

 

[longbowhunter2]

dutch go to the gun shops, a budget would be helpful for suggestions

 

[Dutch]

For budget, it seems based on research I should be able to get a reasonable quality 12 gauge shotgun that would serve me well in the $500 range? Would $1000 be a better number? I don't have a specific budget per say, I would define my strategy as more focused on getting a good quality product focused on being functional, without going into any "luxury" categories and wasting money. It seemed a less expensive shotgun could be done, saving the "splurge" for a rifle if/when I progress to big game hunting but I'll pay what is needed to get a shotgun I'll want to hang onto.

Any thoughts on the idea of picking up a .22 LR? I was thinking maybe they'd be more available in the shops, and would at least get me going and out into the woods? Also, would it be an okay idea to learn to shoot with a .22 LR vs. a more powerful rifle? I'd like to get started putting in the time to build my skills as a shooter, if a .22 LR is good for that and more readily available I could go that route and take my time more on the shotgun/rifle purchases.

 

[ilovesprig]

.22 shells are cheap and will kill most small game you would want to shoot...If you go that route...Buy it with a scope...It will get you used to looking through a scope and prepare you for a high powered rifle...I actually prefer the .17 Ruger American or CZ.

There's some dang nice shotguns for under a $1,000.00...Rifle wise...Ruger American rifles can be purchased for under $500.00 and that includes a scope...My daughter has killed a lot of deer with her little .243 Savage Axis with Bushnell scope...Under $400.00...My SIL Jacob shoots the same rifle and scope in .270...He has never missed a buck with shots out to 250 yds.

.

 

[Snake Charmer]

For budget, it seems based on research I should be able to get a reasonable quality 12 gauge shotgun that would serve me well in the $500 range? Would $1000 be a better number? I don't have a specific budget per say, I would define my strategy as more focused on getting a good quality product focused on being functional, without going into any "luxury" categories and wasting money. It seemed a less expensive shotgun could be done, saving the "splurge" for a rifle if/when I progress to big game hunting but I'll pay what is needed to get a shotgun I'll want to hang onto.

Any thoughts on the idea of picking up a .22 LR? I was thinking maybe they'd be more available in the shops, and would at least get me going and out into the woods? Also, would it be an okay idea to learn to shoot with a .22 LR vs. a more powerful rifle? I'd like to get started putting in the time to build my skills as a shooter, if a .22 LR is good for that and more readily available I could go that route and take my time more on the shotgun/rifle purchases.

Everyone needs .22, Look for bolt action to help you with your big game skills of shooting and following up. Many good ones out there, Yes i would include a scope in the buy.

 

[Muledeerhunter]

I was thinking about taking our stimuli money a getting a few new long guns, a new SUV, a vacation home on a lake which means we'll also spend some of the money a boat and quads for the family, you know, hers, mine and theirs. With the left over money maybe take a trip around the world. Yup $600 should just bout cover it. What a great country. I wonder if all the reps. and senators will also get $600 to add to their $180,000 salary. I sure hope so.

Graft is a lot more than $600. Maxine Waters lives in a $4 million house.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

For budget, it seems based on research I should be able to get a reasonable quality 12 gauge shotgun that would serve me well in the $500 range? Would $1000 be a better number? I don't have a specific budget per say, I would define my strategy as more focused on getting a good quality product focused on being functional, without going into any "luxury" categories and wasting money. It seemed a less expensive shotgun could be done, saving the "splurge" for a rifle if/when I progress to big game hunting but I'll pay what is needed to get a shotgun I'll want to hang onto.

Any thoughts on the idea of picking up a .22 LR? I was thinking maybe they'd be more available in the shops, and would at least get me going and out into the woods? Also, would it be an okay idea to learn to shoot with a .22 LR vs. a more powerful rifle? I'd like to get started putting in the time to build my skills as a shooter, if a .22 LR is good for that and more readily available I could go that route and take my time more on the shotgun/rifle purchases.

Get the shotgun before the rifle, unless you've got the $$ to buy them both now. Opens up more opportunities off the bat.

On shotguns... if you get a Rem 870 Express and decide that you like shooting and hunting, you'll probably quickly wish you had something nicer that cycles more efficiently, like say a semi-auto. Several nice autos are available in the sub-$1k range. I recommend the Franchi Affinity 3 ($750 ish) but there's also Stoegers, Rem V3, etc.

On rimfires... everyone needs a cheap .22LR like a Marlin 60 in the stable but, like the shotgun argument, you may find yourself soon wanting more. I love my Savage .17HMR (and so does Larry!) but there's all sorts of other wacky rimfire cartridges you can get into also. I wouldn't spend big bucks on it though.