Trouble is that you can't go by online prices. I went to a lgs today to buy a hand gun but their in store price was $120 more then their online price. So no gun for me.

When that happens I will inform the LGS of the price difference and see if they can match it. If they can't match it with the additional $25 FFL fee, I order it from online and usually use them for the FFL, if its reasonable. OGC is only $25 FFL.

It serves a dual purpose. 1st the LGS will know that I was serious and just lost a sale and may need to adjust their price to be competitive. 2nd they lose the "this is an island and if you want it you need to order it from us" attitude. I don't see the latter much anymore.

A lot of online retailers offer free shipping on firearms now days. You just got to shop around and catch the specials.

$60 to ship a pistol? I just pre-ordered a lower from brownells, $13 shipping. ..Unless when doing an FFL am I charged the shipping to the shop swell? Never done this before

Shipping and FFL transfer usually run around $100

$20 more is fair profit for a gun store to make.

Remember, if we stop supporting our local gun shops, they won't last.

If the prices are higher ask the LGS if they can beat the prices.

Just remember most times if you buy a gun for a LGS they will help you if you have problems with it.

We even pay the shipping back to the manufacturer on warranties. or we deal with the manufacturer to get it worked out.

We do a lot of extra services also for free, like boresighting. Installing accessories, fixing issues & scope installations.

So by supporting the LGS they will in turn support you.

$60 to ship a pistol? I just pre-ordered a lower from brownells, $13 shipping. ..Unless when doing an FFL am I charged the shipping to the shop swell? Never done this before

Handguns are normally shipped FEDEX Next Day Air or UPS Red, Plus Insurance and Adult Signature.  Cost is crazy!

I'm not gonna tell anyone how and where to shop, but I just want to my $.02 on online vs. brick and mortar stores.  1st, Hawaii is one of the toughest places to do business.  High rent, all kinds of insurance requirements, all sorts of taxes, shipping, etc.  To be quite honest, I'm surprised that LGS can offer guns and ammo at the prices they do.  Some of them must be doing something right with their purchasing, because they are only 10-15% higher than they are online.  Anyway, everyone is different but I personally am OK with spending a little extra to keep the money here in HI.  Add to that, being able to handle it before buying it.  I would never check out a gun at a LGS and end up buying it online.  IMO, that's uncool.  But I'm biased because I am also in retail.

Are you from waipahu?

Close enough but not In that part of town

Honolulu firearms suck balls.  I went and the young guy behind the counter was unhelpful.   This was before the ban.  I asked about a mini 30.  He asked " if I had seen a mini 14, he said if you seen one you dont need to see the mini 30.  They are all the same so I dont need to get it."  He kept pushing a sig 7.62 on me, which I did not want I wanted a mini 30 or arsenal ak.  Sadly "Art" back in the day was more helpful than these guys
All other shops on island have been good to me.  I know a few guys a SEC and go there often.
  Ogc was very helpful and took time to give me advice. 
"Dex" at Xring has never steered me wrong and has been friendly and looked out for me every time.
Young guns I have no gripes about they always let me oogle and handle the guns.  I buy cheap bulk .22 ammo from them usually
Kgs ive been only once and Daniel was very passionate and helpful in finding what I want in what specs and a decent price

They do suck big balls lol. Heard is all run by church members or something like that, had some girls in there working but they are clueless and the guys are dorks

I've only shopped at Magnum and X Ring. Only because I have known both Art and Brian since "hanabadda dayz".

I've been to Honolulu Firearms several times to use the range, and yes it seems that it needs an "Art" to give the place direction.

When i ordered my M44, shipping was $50.  thats for a riffle though, as im sure the prices are different. 

Also anyone know where gunsource is?  And who runs it?

Also anyone know where gunsource is?  And who runs it?

I think it's on the corner of Isenberg and Beretaina, 2nd floor

Had similar experiences at Honolulu Firearms.  I called in on Friday to see if they had Grendel Ammo available and they said yes but cannot hold over the phone.  Since I have a hard time finding that ammo I decided to head down from Mililani during traffic rush hour.  After an hour, in traffic I finally get there.  The front area was completely empty until I go to the back where there was 5 employees and most of them on their laptops.  I told them I wanted to buy couple boxes of ammo......next thing you know the guy tells me they dont carry that round and they confused if for 6.8 SPC....WTF?!???  How the hell can you confuse 6.5 and 6.8?  Seems like a bunch of kids running the shop. 

On the bright side their only female employee was gorgeous!

I've only been into guns for about 3 months, so I'm still a noob, but here are my experiences, all of which took place within the past 3 months:

1. Honolulu Firearms & Range (Magnum): Bought a Glock 19 gen 4 for $591, which I know is high, but I didn't mind too much since I support buying local and they were the only store of the four I went to that had the gen 4 Glock 19. They allowed me to come back and shoot my gun at the range for free (I paid for targets and ammo) while I waited for HPD to do their thing. One of the guys there even showed me how to spray down and clean the gun after shooting. I've been to the shop a few times and was always acknowledged and asked if I needed help.

2. Young Guns: Been here three times. Each time I was asked if I needed help, though I did need to wait around and stare at stuff for a while before being asked. Workers are cool and friendly once they get around to talking to you.

3. OGC: This place is kinda every man for himself since it's always the most crowded. The last time I was there was this past Friday when they first opened after Xmas break. I went through the door right at 9AM, which is the time they showed on their website, only to find the store already packed.    Uncool. I was there to pick up a handgun. I noticed not once did any employee tell anyone who came through the door what they should do to pick up their guns, or where to stand in line for service. Everyone was just kinda wandering around asking, "Is this the end of the line?" or "Is this the line to pickup?" Many of the guns here aren't price labeled and I heard many times employees yelling across the room for price checks.

4. Windward Gun: Been here once. I was the only guy in the shop for at least 5-10 minutes and was never acknowledged until right before I was ready to walk out.

I wish i could post my experiences.  Might get me in trouble. 

why do people always complain when people dont ask to help them?  does it matter?


if i need help, i'll ask them myself instead of shuffling around hoping for attention.

3. OGC: This place is kinda every man for himself since it's always the most crowded. The last time I was there was this past Friday when they first opened after Xmas break. I went through the door right at 9AM, which is the time they showed on their website, only to find the store already packed.    Uncool. I was there to pick up a handgun. I noticed not once did any employee tell anyone who came through the door what they should do to pick up their guns, or where to stand in line for service. Everyone was just kinda wandering around asking, "Is this the end of the line?" or "Is this the line to pickup?" Many of the guns here aren't price labeled and I heard many times employees yelling across the room for price checks.

I'd have to say that OGC does a good job with customer service. Yes yes its crowded and seems like its disorganized but not much more they can do short of getting a bigger store and hiring more people. The tough part is regardless of if your picking up or buying ammo it all has to go through the computer/register. Forget about just looking for now. Its go there with the intent of shopping and buying in the time you are in line or the person behind you will buy it after you. As for the 9am thing, I know for a fact the majority of those guys who were there before 9am were camped outside trying to get parking well before 9am. Why should the not open a few minutes earlier if their is a line out the door?

All I'm trying to say is give them and some of the other lgs the benefit of the doubt "when there is a crowd". After all its not 7-11 where you just get in line to pay.

I honestly shop at every single gun shop on Oahu.

Different personalities, different experiences, but nobody has ever been mean to me.

I'll continue to spread the love because I enjoy having a bunch of gun shops to go to.

I'd have to say that OGC does a good job with customer service. Yes yes its crowded and seems like its disorganized but not much more they can do short of getting a bigger store and hiring more people. The tough part is regardless of if your picking up or buying ammo it all has to go through the computer/register. Forget about just looking for now. Its go there with the intent of shopping and buying in the time you are in line or the person behind you will buy it after you. As for the 9am thing, I know for a fact the majority of those guys who were there before 9am were camped outside trying to get parking well before 9am. Why should the not open a few minutes earlier if their is a line out the door?

All I'm trying to say is give them and some of the other lgs the benefit of the doubt "when there is a crowd". After all its not 7-11 where you just get in line to pay.

Not tryna choose sides, but  X2 million.
Carter also posted on here before they went to christmas break that the store would be busy, they wont have lots of 1 on 1 time, low inventory, etc, etc.


Also agree with Xer21, if you go in to ask questions and learn, dont wait for someone to approach you, be the first to ask.

I honestly shop at every single gun shop on Oahu.

Different personalities, different experiences, but nobody has ever been mean to me.

I'll continue to spread the love because I enjoy having a bunch of gun shops to go to.

+1 I'm with you. There is always something hiden away in every shop. Just gotta look. Build those relationships cause there aren't very many stores to go to.

As for the 9am thing, I know for a fact the majority of those guys who were there before 9am were camped outside trying to get parking well before 9am. Why should the not open a few minutes earlier if their is a line out the door?

I was there before 9AM waiting outside along with at least 10 other guys. We waited outside until 9AM when we all went in to find a crowd of people already inside.

And why do I wait to be asked for help? It's because I'm not a rude a-hole. Don't you think it's rude to say, "Can you come help me over here?" when the employee is already helping someone?. I shouldn't have to fight my way to the front of the crowd. I'd rather the store come up with an organized way to help customers that's fair for everyone.

I honestly shop at every single gun shop on Oahu.

Different personalities, different experiences, but nobody has ever been mean to me.

I'll continue to spread the love because I enjoy having a bunch of gun shops to go to.

+1. I enjoy going to all gunshops. Because I'm not loaded like some here, I try to buy something when I go, even if its something small like ammo, cleaning stuff, ear plugs, whatever.  (Maybe someone should stock junior mints for KK.)

However, I do check the prices and when the price difference is just too much, I usually pick it up somewhere else.  I mean, it's your money... You have no obligation to buy and no one can make you.