Daves Guns in Aurora -100

[7idl]

website is still up and running but they closed back in October.

I drove out there today to check on some stuff and see it's now closed.

A sign on the door states something about 10 local shops closing recently and that it's due to us consumers not buying from them and going to GM, BPS, Dicks and coming soon... Cabelas.

what ever!

:(

[pickenup]

I am sorry to hear that they (and the other 10) stores closed down.

I have never been to GM, or Dick's, don't know what BPS is, but I doubt that I have been there either. Went to Cabelas in Nebraska once, years ago, bought a sword.
(edit) Just came to me, BPS = Bass Pro Shop, duh, and nope, ain't been there.

While I don't have any experience with those stores, I have heard that they are the equivalent of Wal-Mart, who moves into an area, and closes down all the mom and pop stores in the vicinity.

But lets put the blame where it really goes.........Price.
I understand that they have to make a certain amount, to pay the rent, conduct business, etc.

For me, the internet has had more of an impact than all these stores. The last time I went to Daves, I was looking for a HK USP Expert. Their price? $1,700.00. I had been looking online, and knew that I could get one LNIB for around $1,200.00.

I'm not that particular, that I HAVE TO HAVE a new gun. Used, LNIB is fine with me. With a little patience, watching them online, I ended up paying right at $1,000.00 for one. Even with the shipping and FFL fees, I saved over $650.00. It looked like it had not even been shot.

Sorry, while I would "LIKE" to support local dealers, there is a limit to how much I will pay to do it. That amount ($650.00) doesn't come easy enough to GIVE it to someone, just to stay local. That is a lot of ammo $$$.

I will be at the gun show next weekend, cash in hand. I have checked at "most" of the local shops for what I am looking for. So far, I can get a better deal online. Again, with a little patience, I'll probably save hundreds online. We shall see what the show has to offer.

[7idl]

competition basicly sums it up nicely.

I've bought lots of stuff from there over the years I've been local to them...... but...

I did a lot of shopping.

spend a little more here or there for the local shop is ok... but like you said, hundreds+..

they failed at the basic fundamentals of business:
-keep the customers happy
-make lots of small profits, not one big one

[Gman]

Bought a number of guns from Dave's. I usually bought at the end of the year when they had their big sale that brought the profit margin down to a sane level.

I wish I had a local FFL that didn't gouge me to do transfers. I'd buy a number of guns online from the likes of CDNN and Bud's.

[HunterCO]

Daves was so over priced it is not even funny they can kiss my arse. Maybe those idiots would like to explain why Green Mountain guns has been in business longer than they have and have great prices. I might add they are still in business and going strong.

Places like Green Mountain guns ran them out of business not the big chains. I never understood how they even stayed in business with the prices they had in the first place. [Rant1]

[7idl]

I would have thought that with Rob of Robs Guns retiring, they'd be better off.

I think they just used things as an excuse.

[Colorado Osprey]

Daves was so over priced it is not even funny they can kiss my arse.

Thier LE discount was pretty good but had to be purchased on department letterhead... no personal weapons.

[NineHotel]

Bought a number of guns from Dave's. I usually bought at the end of the year when they had their big sale that brought the profit margin down to a sane level.

I wish I had a local FFL that didn't gouge me to do transfers. I'd buy a number of guns online from the likes of CDNN and Bud's.

If you don't mind heading to the Springs once in a while the local smithy there does them for $25 and can do evening hours if he knows you're coming.

www.hickmanrifles.com

[ssf467]

So long suckers! Rude and higher than eagle nuts

[aloharover]

I wish I had a local FFL that didn't gouge me to do transfers. I'd buy a number of guns online from the likes of CDNN and Bud's.

if you don't mind the drive down to the Springs (exit 150) I charge $20 per 4473. Not per firearm.
I live close to Chapel Hills Mall, so you can fill out the paperwork, go shopping, or eat. Come back and pick up your stuff.
I am on file with CDNN and Buds already.
Oh and if you are looking for new stuff, don't hesitate to ask my price :D

Pete

[jetsiphon]

Dave's was a cool place to go look, their selection was huge. *IF* you could get somebody to come over and show you something.......that was cool too.

I remember going looking for a Sig 229 with a DAK trigger and was told that the only reason there are DAO triggers is because of lawyers and if I can't shoot as well with a 45 as I can with a 9 I'm an idiot.

Yeah, they can go to hell.

[Trempel]

Their prices were always higher than in comparable brick and mortar stores, but I did get a sweet deal from them on a S&W 442. Of course, it was during their last gun show, so they had the "going out of business - everything must go" sale. Guess I finally caught them at the right time.

[Ah Pook]

How many big box, carbon copy sporting goods stores do we need? Is it the Starbucks mentality of one one every block? I guess it's sad to see another gun shop go under but I won't miss Dave's.

[Great-Kazoo]

How many big box, carbon copy sporting goods stores do we need? Is it the Starbucks mentality of one one every block? I guess it's sad to see another gun shop go under but I won't miss Dave's.

Did anyone ever hear about them working with the FBI to bust people trying to buy illegal weapons? I had a "tinfoil hat" friend, back when Bob Glass' shop (Paladin Arms) was open. He was telling me all these stories about Dave's.


he's another one who believed their stuff was mad out of unobtainium. $20+ for 9mm sten mags. i never saw an ar for under $1200. that was before the crime bill
as for the tinfoil hat "friend" you mentioned in the same sentence as bob glass.
are you saying bob glass was the tinfoil hat who told you this, OR did some friend tell you this when bob glass' store was open.???
big difference in credibility. altough bob was/is a tinfoil hat. that statement doesn't lend substance to anything other to put online another
rumor.

[Ah Pook]

Jim,

Bob was NOT the source of the stories. I edited my previous statements.

[kidicarus13]

Is Dave the one who used to call everyone by, "Hey bruther!"

www.gunbroker.com (http://www.gunbroker.com) Dealer Locator shows several FFL holders that transfer guns for $15 a pop around Denver.

[cheapo]

Dave's was kind of a love hate thing for me. I thought they had a pretty good inventory. Becuase of their "higher" prices, I was able to consign a few guns there and get a ok amount for them. I figured if their prices were high then my used guns looked pretty good.

[Ridge]

I also scoffed at Dave's message outside their store when I went by and saw it...

Back when they were closing, they had a 92FS I wanted...price was $599...I said I could go get it at Firing Line for $450, but I wanted to support them if they would price match...they told me if I could get it cheaper than them to go ahead and do so, but I wouldnt be paying only a 2.5% sales tax...

I dont see how a 5% tax difference would offset $150 extra on the initial purchase...

They were gun snobs if there ever were any...

[Ridge]

Is Dave the one who used to call everyone by, "Hey bruther!"

www.gunbroker.com (http://www.gunbroker.com) Dealer Locator shows several FFL holders that transfer guns for $15 a pop around Denver.

Most of those places no longer exist...Ive called quite a few of the phone numbers on there and got disconnected messages...

[SigsRule]

I found a couple of S&W Performance Center specials a number of years ago but never went back other than to look because of their high prices. Here's the only things I ever bought from them.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t264/SigsRule/CustomSmiths-1.jpg

[theGinsue]

... Here's the only things I ever bought from them.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t264/SigsRule/CustomSmiths-1.jpg

That is a very nice pair of handguns!

[BadFat]

There was a recent article in the December 2008 issue of 5280 called "Issues: A Farewell to Arms" that highlighted Dave and his store. His indication from that article was that he developed a conscience about the guns he had sold which may have been used in crimes and school shootings, etc. I remember one line of his pondering "how many guns is enough?" Interesting article. Take it for what it's worth.