If that really is the reason, that is the STUPIDEST reason for a wait. What a bunch of ninnies you have in your state.

I think I need to stand down for 6+ months. The local shop just got in two Mini-14's with a funky, but sorta cool (I prefer the black), laminate stock. $1K each. No thanks. They had two Remington 870 express (5+1) at $399. Big 5 is selling the 8 shot 870 at $419. Those seem to be only marked up by $80 or so. I have to throw the non-Cali prices folks are throwing around here out the window.

I just placed an order for another zombie buster. I have no idea when it will arrive. I'm guessing months. I really need to cool it too. My safes are jam-packed. I'm out of room. I found a nice AR-50 for sale. I need to resist.

David, I doubt the Mini 14s are going to drop in price. If you hunt around you can likely find one (gunbroker.com is a good place to check) and as long as the seller will ship to CA and you have an FFL (your local shop probably will do it) you'll be set. Or just order a black one and wait.

I paid $379 OTD (including tax and DROS) for my 870 7+1 at my local shop. Sounds like there is some minor gouging going on. That is an easy gun to find in-stock though, so there are likely multiple places with it.

I shot the .357 S&W tonight. That thing is a tack driver. Very easy to shoot straight. I think I'm actually set for awhile, though I might pick up a .22 revolver. Then I'll have an even dozen. :p

My brother has a really pretty .357 S&W with a couple barrels, I have seen those 870's around here for less than that, Big 5 just had them on sale last week.

I had the good fortune to pick up a Remington 870 Magnum at a store clearance auction in October last year. I think I paid $225 for a brand new 12GA combo - 20" and 28" barrel. I'm glad I don't have to buy one at the moment.

It sounds like Todd is getting a nice collection together there. Has anyone told him that it doesn't stop? There's always "...just one more..." something that you want.

As a side note, has anyone else noticed that the ammo supply situation seems to have improved a bit in the last week or so?

I can stop any time I want. Once I get a .22 revolver. Um, er. Yeah, any time I want.

My personal ammo supply is good for .223 at the moment as a bunch I had backordered all came in at once. I'm still not able to find the bulk .22lr that I want, and .38/.357 is still pretty tight. My local shop seems to be able to have fairly constant supply of boxes, but my usual online places are still spotty.

I really like the folks at my local gun shop...probably enough to pay $50+ for the 8 shot 870 over the Big 5 down the street. I just have to come to terms with paying $450 OTD for a gun most folks claim to have paid mid $200's for. Agreed I don't think the mini14 is coming down in price and I definitely won't be spending $1K + fees + taxes for a new one. You can find them used on gun broker for the $750-$800 range (newer model) but then after shipping, and transfer fee's I'm approaching what it costs from the local shop. I might have to scratch the mini14 off my list...or be patient for the used prices to come down with new guns in stock on the shelves.

The shop did say that things are starting to noticeably slow down. The had guns on the shelves and ammo to support where just a couple weeks ago it was a frenzy.

A local store is currently out of most powders, primer, and ammo...only oddball calibers in ammo. I did pick up a couple of boxes of .257 Roberts @ $26 each! Placing them with other boxes, I noted an old price for the same rounds...117 grain remington Cor-lock...$4.60. Made me want to cry. But, being a long time stockpiler, I now have well over 100 rounds of everything I shoot...probably 4 or 5 thousand rounds of .22 LR.

Probably enough to at least take one of the zombies with me when they arrive at my doorstep. I HOPE they never come. But if they do, it's likely that my state of being will CHANGE.

I feel the same way about my local shop. It's was started by the guy who used to be president of the company I previously worked for - this was his project when he left. This was before I started but he still dropped in to see what was going on ocassionally when I was there. Anyhow, everytime I'm in there I'm greeted by name, his son's speak with me, show me what they have, etc. a really pleasant experience. They definitely deserve my business over faceless corporate stores in my opinion.

You probably don't want to know what I paid for a Colt AR-15 Match Delta H-BAR at the same auction then. What was particularly funny about that is that my wife, unbeknown to me, had bought the original aluminum case for it (matching serial number on the factory label), complete with the original accessories, the day before in a lot of gun cases and paintball gear.

Like I said, that's what I've seen too.

David, where do you go? I have bought a couple of guns from Duncan's. Guys seem knowledgeable and nice. All of my guns are back south at my parents house so I'm in the process of getting a few out here for the range and teaching the kids.

Wayne
Escondido

David, never mind what other people paid (or claim to have paid) for a particular weapon. That was then and there, this is now. Personally I would pay $1K OTD for a Mini14. It is just a great rifle in all respects. I'm happy I found one for $700 (before shipping and fees) but I would have paid more, especially after having shot one.

As for the shotgun, you should be able to find that for a little less, but at some point it becomes a question of what your time is worth. These days, time is precious and I'd rather spend my time doing things than scouring the web and driving to stores just trying to save $50.

My advice though it to get a .22 or two. Your dealer surely can get a Ruger 10/22 - they are plentiful and can be had in a variety of finishes. Very fun, cheap to buy, cheap to shoot. So were I you, I'd have them order the Mini14 the way you want it along with a 10/22. Then see if Turners has a sale on the 870 or equivalent. They usually have a "defense" 12 gauge for sale most of the time. That doesn't have to be anything special - and you can find them used on gunbroker no problem.

Yep the shop is Duncan's and I agree the guys there are very real world friendly and not rushing to just make a sale. They have spent ~ 1 hr with me discussing stuff so that's why I'm not adverse to dropping the extra $50 on a 870 there. I'm thinking that gun will be my first purchase and perhaps hit the Escondido range to rent a 10/22 for me and Zack.

The 870 will *not* be fun to shoot unless you get a little training. The first time I tried it I was miserable and the traditional advice (holding it tight to your shoulder) was the opposite of what I eventually was taught. Once you get the hang of it it is fun to blast things with the shotgun but it certainly isn't kid friendly and is pretty tiring. The 10/22 otoh is totally fun - I really enjoy shooting that. That being said we're both now quite smitten with lever rifles. I have a Henrys youth model coming next week and that will hopefully be a hit as I want the Marlin for me :p

I have plenty of shotguns, rifles, etc. But the 870 to me was going to be strictly home defense. Short barrel, possibly a pistol grip, etc. BUT the only ones I've looked at were pumps and I would like to find something semi-auto for my plans.

870 would be a nice self defense gun, never had or shot a short barrel shotgun. All my shotguns have been the standard bird hunting (410, 20, 12)...I'm thinking about a 870 as well.

As far as pump or semi, I prefer the pump, just sounds wicked.

Wayne

My Dad had a 12 gauge that he taught me to shoot when I was in middle school. I was scared of the kick in the beginning, got a mini-black eye the first time, but after a while it didn't bother me too much. Not sure what shells he was putting through it. Obviously we only went through a few boxes of shells compared to several hundred rounds from a pistol or rifle.

My son has a bb/pellet gun, pump 10x and its ~ 750 fps, it has a scope and is fairly accurate up to 75 ft. He has lots of fun with that and I think the natural progression for him would be a 10/22. I really like the mini-14 and was drawn in with folks touting it as a low cost, reliable, and decent shooting carbine.

Update, Turners is selling the Mini-14 for $750 new and has a used 95% Mini-14 for $650. I'll be checking that out this week.