Where to purchase in Houston? Got some cash to spend.

[CHLSteve]

The bottom line:
Where's the best place to buy a gun in Houston? (and surrounding areas as I'm near League City)
I'd like a large selection to browse and/or rent
I'd like somewhere that isn't currently gouging their customers due to the Obamadness?

The back story:
So my wife decided that she wants me to carry all the time, and for me that means a new gun. My work brings me into strange parts of town, and there are times when I'd rather not be there myself. In any case, I've been doing heavy research on holsters trying to figure out just exactly how much gun I can (and will) conceal on a daily basis.

I figured I'd head off to the gun show to try a bunch out and see how they felt. Wrong! I ended up skipping the last two gun shows after reports of the unwashed masses showing up there--crowds of people aren't really my thing.

I figure I'll be looking at a pocket-carry single stack 9mm (like the Kahr, Kel-tec, or even Ruger LCP) or possibly IWB a Taurus Millenium or Glock 26 or PX4 Sub-compact for the extra rounds if I think I can get away with it weight-wise. My work attire is dress slacks with a pressed dress shirt, no tie, no jacket. So any recommendations on gun and/or carry style would be welcome although I know this isn't really the place for it.

[bridge]

Not sure about Houston proper, but around here in League City you can try The Arms Room (about a mile west of 45 on FM518). They carry Glock, HK, Sig...they also have a fair assortment of used guns in their case.

Don't bother with any of the local Pawn Shops...I hit the ones between Webster, League City, Kemah and Dickinson on Veterans Day and they had nothing as far as decent handguns. What they did have was outrageously priced.

Also, you can't go wrong with Academy if looking for a Taurus...they always have plenty and the lowest price. Looks like they've got a 9mm Millenium on sale for $229 this week.

[seamusTX]

Don't overlook PRODEFENSE on I-45 south of NASA Road 1. It's in the strip mall with Burlington Coat Factory.

I have no idea how to get there now. That area is a nightmare of construction.

The question of "where to buy a gun" is too general to answer. You can get some good deals at the gun shows if you know what you are looking for and how much it should* cost, and if you're willing to put up with the crowds. The stores have always seemed on the high side to me. Academy has a very limited selection of handguns; but if they have what you want, their prices are generally low.

I have got my best deals on Auction Arms. It works just like eBay. You have to be patient or else strike like a rattlesnake, and know when to do one or the other.

Collectors Firearms in Houston has a huge inventory of mostly used firearms, many very interesting and unusual, and correspondingly expensive.

*When I say "should cost," I mean the price generally set by the nationwide marketplace. If you are willing to pay the price and the seller will accept it, do the deal and don't look back.

- Jim

[seamusTX]

Don't bother with any of the local Pawn Shops...I hit the ones between Webster, League City, Kemah and Dickinson on Veterans Day and they had nothing as far as decent handguns. What they did have was outrageously priced.

Have you tried dickering with them? I've found them to be flexible.

I've pretty much given up on them because most of what they have for sale is junk, and I value my time more than saving a few bucks these days (knock wood).

They might have better inventory now that the economy is tough.

- Jim

[bridge]

They might have better inventory now that the economy is tough.

- Jim

That's what I thought as well, but they all had junk for handguns. Normally, I'll do my homework and haggle with the best of them, but there was really nothing worth haggling for Lots o' long guns though...

[CHLSteve]

I've never been to the Arms Room, but it's pretty close so maybe I'll stop by tomorrow. Also, I was out looking at mountain bikes today, so I stopped by the four pawn shops that I know of in the Clear Lake/Nasa area--nothing much as far as guns go. One had a very overpriced Glock.

I have been to ProDefence as well, but I thought they carried more full-sized service pistols.

I hate to buy from Academy if I can support a local company, but $229 for a Millennium is a pretty nice price.

[seamusTX]

That's what I thought as well, but they all had junk for handguns. Normally, I'll do my homework and haggle with the best of them, but there was really nothing worth haggling for Lots o' long guns though...

Too bad. Thanks for the info. Saves me some gas.

The pawn shops on Galveston Island lost all their inventory in Ike.

I have been to ProDefence as well, but I thought they carried more full-sized service pistols.

Their market is LEOs, so they are going to be like that.

- Jim

[CHLSteve]

Also, you can't go wrong with Academy if looking for a Taurus...they always have plenty and the lowest price. Looks like they've got a 9mm Millenium on sale for $229 this week.

Got any details on this? I can hit the store in the morning, but I didn't see anything on their website.

[seamusTX]

... I didn't see anything on their website.

Academy and Gander Mountain are both very timid about advertising handguns. Probably their lawyers.

Bass Pro isn't just timid about advertising them; they're timid about what they sell. They do sell a lot of accessories, though.

- Jim

[bridge]

Also, you can't go wrong with Academy if looking for a Taurus...they always have plenty and the lowest price. Looks like they've got a 9mm Millenium on sale for $229 this week.

Got any details on this? I can hit the store in the morning, but I didn't see anything on their website.

Actually, their website says it doesn't start until the 28th. But, they've been known to start specials prior to the advertised time...
http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=c ... y_firearms" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[boomerang]

... I didn't see anything on their website.

Academy and Gander Mountain are both very timid about advertising handguns. Probably their lawyers.

Bass Pro isn't just timid about advertising them; they're timid about what they sell. They do sell a lot of accessories, though.

- Jim

Academy's weekly ad shows a Sigma for $299 and a PT1911 for $579.99 and a Rossi revolver for $249.99 this week.

[Mike1951]

Keep in mind that this week, ads expire Wednesday with a new batch appearing in Thursday's paper.

Sunday-Wednesday the handgun on sale is the Sigma for $299.00

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=c ... ms&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Friday from 5am-11am, you can buy the 6 1/2" Heritage .22LR single action for $99.99.

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=c ... r_firearms" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Friday-Sunday you can buy the PT-111 for $229.99.

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=c ... y_firearms" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CHLSteve]

Wow, looks like some great gun buys to be had this week. I think I'll snag the Millenium. For that price, I can afford to add two guns to my collection. Maybe a Millenium for 12+1 capacity and an LCP for a quick throw down...


Edit: the ad says no rain checks. I wonder how many they will have on hand

[CainA]

That Taurus looks like a hot deal. Is the PT 111 DAO? or DA/SA? Academy's website has it listed as DA/SA, but I don't think that's correct.

I guess I'm confused, they have a "Pro" and I guess a "Non-Pro" version and the Taurus website here:

http://www.taurususa.com/products/produ ... ory=Pistol" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

doesn't help much as they list all kinds of different capacities...12+1...10+1 for 9mm.

-Cain

[agbullet2k1]

I've noticed that no one has mentioned Carter's Country (various locations) or Marburger's (Seabrook) yet. I've bought guns from both of them and did pretty well. Carter's had PX4 subs when no one else did. They both have a pretty good selection of full size and concealable pistols. I've had good service from both of them as well.