I am honestly not a fan of any of the local gun shops on the big island... Every time I walk into one I feel like I am getting screwed, probably why I never buy anything except ammo and the only reason I do that is sports authority which sadly has the best ammo prices, hasn't had anything new for damn near 9 months and I have no other choice! I suspect the weasely guy that works there just buys it all for himself because I go in there and check weekly and its like they just have a picture tacked up where the ammo is because it never changes. The prices are usually just outrageous at the LGS. Once in a while there are decent prices on some items. I did buy some Gen 3 Pmags at blue water hunter for 15 bucks each which, while not a steal I thought it was at least competitive and reasonable, and they are friendly though overpriced. The other local shop which says on their website "we have the best prices on magazines near wholesale we will not be beat!!" was $20 each for the same thing on the same day. I asked if that was the best price he would do (afterall he does claim he won't be beat) the answer was a definitive no. And the place doesn't seem that friendly to me. Then there's some items you look at the price tag and its like...
This is at all of them. Even sports authority selling an AR for $1600 I can get online for less than a grand.
It really does suck to not have a store I enjoy visiting. I'd be happy to support my LGS but not when it means paying 2,3,4,500 dollars more for a gun than what I could get it for online. Or accessories at or above MSRP. Now if I could just find an FFL that would have my gun ready in less than a week's time. Jury's still out on that one.
I’ve been to some big island gun stores.
Competitive prices.
I’ve seen Tokunaga store with Fed value bricks selling for sub $20 within the past 1 yr, Ruger 10/22 for 229.
I’ve seen Zane Sports selling a gun that nobody has anywhere on the web and at a competitive price.
I’ve seen JHara selling Savage MKII for 139, Hi Point 40cal Carbine for 289. No FFL fee and no shipping to add on.
Stuebs selling Kel-Tec pistols for sub 300.
They all sell good stuff. You gotta be there at the right time.
I know a guy less than a yr ago who bought a shotgun (20G) for 80, he was at the “right place at the right time.”
I remember another time, while staying at the hotels nearby, just a 100 yds from King Kam is a little store called Elite Hunters, PMC .223 w/c was selling for $8.
I am not saying that all of the prices are good. You got to be selective and patient, and if you don’t see what you want, ask anyway, might be in storage or be in a shipment coming over.
Another opportunity for a song.
Dr. John - Right Place Wrong Time