[hartzpad]

I'll be in Northern GA and SC this next week on business, and I would like to stop by some local shops in my downtime. Would like suggestions on shops that carry AK's as well as other "homeland defense rifles." I would love to find a Valmet in 7.62x39, but that's probably not possible, I'd settle for a built Yugo AK or Yugo Krinkov underfolder if any shops have them. Any suggestions of fun gunshops would be great. I don't want to try and stop by all of the pawn shops to find good stuff to look at.

[Old NFO]

Try Palmetto Gun Shop on Broad River Road, in Columbia another would be Shooters Choice on Hwy 378 also in Columbia. Both are within a couple of miles of I-26.
r,
jim

[ny32182]

The shop I do the most business with is located in Walhalla, SC, and is named "The Gunshop". Decent prices (best overall in the area), and honest owners. Don't let the exterior look of the store fool you; its great shop. Unlike most places, they do stock some of the most common EBRs and will order anything you want. None of this "we cater to sportsmen only" BS that seems to be a new trend. Last time I was in there, they had several ARs, a couple cheap AK's (WASR-10s I believe, with folding stocks), a Norinco (I think) M14 clone, a couple Springfield SOCOM 16's, a genuine HK-91 (at a good price), and an AR-50 in 50bmg, and some "combat" oriented shotguns, in addition to all the normal hunting selection. I've seen other interesting stuff in there from time to time as well... just depends what they have on hand.

Other shops around there (outdoor shops basically, with good size gun counters): Grady's, and Bucks and Bass, both located in Anderson, SC.

There is also a dedicated gun shop in Easley, SC, called J&S Gun Depot. They carry a lot of reloading supplies.

Hope you get a chance to visit them.

[Sportcat]

In Anderson, SC, right off of I-85 you have Grady's Great Outdoors, Bucks and Bass, and White Jones Hardware.

[rbmcmjr]

In Charleston, Carolina Rod and Gun. It's on Highway 17, south of the Ashley River. They usually have an interesting selection.

Rick

[Missashot]

Just another vote for "The Gun Shop" in Walhalla.
They were so helpful when I bought my yugo SKS 59/66. I had already purchased it then my husband wanted one too, (we have bought several guns in pairs :p ) so the guy went into the back to see if they had another one. He brought it out, then after the sale, he even carried both guns out to the car and loaded them for me. I really appreciated this. Also the prices on their guns are very reasonable. I will hopefully be going back there soon to acquire more new toys!
Good luck with the shopping!

[Sportcat]

Sounds like I need to make a trip up to Walhalla.

[ny32182]

Sportcat, from Clemson, just head straight up 123 toward Seneca, and take a right on 28 (at the train tracks). Stay on that road for a bit; when you pass an Ingles on the right, you are getting close. Ride through downtown Walhalla, and you will see it at the end of the "strip" on the right side, just past the police station, in its own building. George (the owner, I believe) and his co-workers are great guys and have gone above and beyond for me more than once. I think you will find it to be worth the drive from Clemson, or even Anderson.

[Kramer Krazy]

As ttbadboy and my wife (missashot) state, "The Gun Shop" in Walhalla is a good one to go to. I've been doign business with them since 1989, when they had a shop in Seneca (I bought a 1989 Colt Government in stainless for a 21st b-day gift to myself). They were the only place around here to carry "assault" type weapons back in the late 80's.

Also, as stated, J&S Gun Depot in Easley. I've been doing business with them for over six years and have hung out with, while motorcycling, the guy who does the maintenance and repairs on the bows/archery equipment (he rides a Ducati 916).

I also will put in a good word for the guys at Dewey's Pawn Shop in Greenville, SC. I've bought at least five guns from them over the last year, and I've always felt like I got a good deal. They also have a pretty good attitude, despite some of the "characters" that they have to deal with on a daily basis.

[LiquidTension]

I went in The Gunshop in Walhalla a couple of times, as well as Grady's and White Jones when I was enrolled in that "other" SC university :barf: :D Both were pretty good, but I haven't been up that way for several years. In Columbia, Palmetto is pretty good. I don't go to Shooter's Choice unless I'm literally driving right by it. Their prices aren't as good, but their selection is much better. Some of the guys there can be real asses, but Pat and the bearded guy with the glasses are both pretty cool.

There's also Wateree Arms, but they have outrageously high prices and even higher opinions of themselves. They actually called me a liar when I mentioned how much I paid for my Pro Carry across town.

[VaughnT]

If you're going to be in the region, you might want head to Hendersonville NC and check out Rex's. They have a really nice indoor range and a wonderful shop. If you need magazines, reloading supplies or Surefire stuff, this is the place. They have a long rack of rifles and all of the Benchmade knives.

Based on what I'm hearing here, I'll be making a trip to Walhalla in the very near future. Anyone know if they carry AR mags at a decent price? Last store I was in has no-name 30rnders for $30 and 20rnders for $50!

[Sportcat]

I e-mailed Wateree a few times about prices - they were total jerks. The guys at Shooters Choice act like they are doing you a favor by taking your money. If it wasn't for the indoor range, I doubt Shooter's Choice would still be around.

Bear Creek Firearms in Prosperity is run by a nice couple and their prices are very reasonable. He ordered me a Beretta 92 for $500 when Shooter's Choice wanted $599.

[ny32182]

Based on what I'm hearing here, I'll be making a trip to Walhalla in the very near future. Anyone know if they carry AR mags at a decent price? Last store I was in has no-name 30rnders for $30 and 20rnders for $50!

iirc, they normally have a box of various USGI brand 20 and 30rd mags for $25 each. Thats as cheap as I've ever seen them in a store (actually its the only store I know of that has them), but you can do better online for mags.

If you go real soon, they should still have the HK-91 and AR-50 in there. Real nice to drool over. Wish I had the money.

[LiquidTension]

Funny how there's all this response about SC shops but you guys don't show up for the group shoot threads :confused: I think you're all just posers that don't want to be "pwned" on the range :neener:

[ny32182]

What group shoot threads? I'd be up for a shoot in the upstate virtually any time... Columbia is a bit of a drive for me, if that is where you are talking about, but I haven't seen these threads. Then again I don't look in "Rallying Point" very often if that is where they are.

[BeLikeTrey]

Shooter's choice is not very well run. There are a couple of nice guys but the rest act like they are doing you a favor. As for the range? Save the money on paying shooters choice and spend it on gas. Drive towards Greenville and take the Union/Whitmire exit. Go right into sumter national forest a few miles and on the right there will be Indian Creek outdoor range. Its free and you meet alot of neat people. ;)

[Missashot]

As was stated in a previous post, Rex's is a wonderful shop/range. I have never bought a gun from them, but my husband and I go to the range a lot. Those guys are really nice and the price of ammo there isn't to bad either. We are going to have to buy another gun safe and I think we will end up purchasing it from them.
We also have been to Shooters Choice. The range is ok I guess. But I will never buy a gun from them. They were trying to sell us a S&W .44 Magnum as new and it had seen a LOT of use. :fire: They didn't even try to clean it up. :scrutiny:
But my dear sweet husband found me one at Dewey's Pawn shop for a good deal. :p
J&S here in Easley has some fair prices on their guns too. Just may end up buying a toy from them sometime in the future.
I am still just amazed at how nice and helpful the guys were from The Gun Shop in Walhalla. Good prices and great service, just can't beat that.

[Sportcat]

Perhaps "The Gun Shop" should get a review in the "Rate Transactions" portion of THR to get some more publicity.

[Kramer Krazy]

LiquidTension Funny how there's all this response about SC shops but you guys don't show up for the group shoot threads I think you're all just posers that don't want to be "pwned" on the range


I don't ever hear of any group shoots. Where are they usually posted? My wife (Missashot) and I usually hit Rex's indoor range in Hendersonville and the free outdoor range in Pickens County, at least once a month. Sometimes it is dependant on babysitters for our 6-month old, though.

[VaughnT]

I'd love to get together for an SC shoot, but you guys always schedule them on a day that I have to work or shoot the IDPA at the Greenville club.

Pick a fourth sunday of the month and I'll be there. Probably. :o

[LiquidTension]

The threads are in the Rallying Point forum. I also post a link in my sig line whenever we're trying to get one together. Usually Langenator or I start the threads since we're both in Columbia and both members of MCRC. It's a great range, we can bring guests (4 per member on weekends, 10 during the week), and it's centrally located in the state. I'm in the midst of an employment application process right now so I'm not sure of my availability, but the next few weeks should be open. Anybody that wants to is welcome to start a thread....

I still think you're all just scared to pit your skillz against mine :neener:

Any of you that've seen me shoot know exactly how insulting that last comment is :uhoh: :D

[ny32182]

I'd love to get together for an SC shoot, but you guys always schedule them on a day that I have to work or shoot the IDPA at the Greenville club.


Are you talking about the IDPA shoots at the Greenville Gun Club?

I just started shooting in those 3 months ago (just finished my 3rd match this past weekend). It is a lot of fun.

[BeLikeTrey]

I vote for one this month too... :evil:
<drops gauntlet>

[Kramer Krazy]

The threads are in the Rallying Point forum. I also post a link in my sig line whenever we're trying to get one together. Usually Langenator or I start the threads since we're both in Columbia and both members of MCRC. It's a great range, we can bring guests (4 per member on weekends, 10 during the week), and it's centrally located in the state. I'm in the midst of an employment application process right now so I'm not sure of my availability, but the next few weeks should be open. Anybody that wants to is welcome to start a thread....
Aaahhhhh....that may be why I haven't seen anything about them. I've never been to the "Rallying Point" section of this website. If the get-togethers are in the Columbia area, my parents live there and would be more than happy to watch our little one so Missashot and I could go. We are actually going to be in Columbia on Saturday, the 23rd, for a visit with the folks while my sister is in town from Texas. Missashot and I were debating on going to Shooters Choice to put some lead down-range.

[JB in SC]

I like Grady's (done business with them since 1968) and The Gun Shop. I do business with both. George (owner of The Gun Shop) is also a stocking Cooper Arms dealer and offers some good prices.

Another that is a bit out of the way is Chuck's Firearms in Buckhead. Jack Leshner runs it now, his father opened it years ago. The stuff at Chuck's is high end (Merkels, Coopers, Berettas, and other higher end firearms) with an excellent selection. The prices are higher than most like, but they do have a good inventory. Hard to walk into a local store and pick up a Beretta EELL or a Cooper Western Classic to handle. Nice selection of classic Winchesters and other older guns.

I am not a fan of Franklin's in Athens, staff is too busy with their own problems to help anyone.

[Bruce_Daddy]

Ok, you made me register because there was no mention on Trader's in Taylors. Or are they on the "bad list" for some reason? I stop by there every Monday at lunch for a couple of boxes of ammo and a little gun talk. Planning on buying another pistol from them in a couple of weeks.

[mole]

I find Grady's in Anderson to be a little too expensive. Franklin's of Athens is also on the high side with only one nice employee, older skinny fellow with glasses. If you're going to Franklins of Athens from SC--I'm guessing you'll take 29--drop by Danielsville Pawn. It's small, but you'll sometimes find a good deal. The owner, Stephen I think, would be more than happy to order for you if he can. It's on 29, at the red light, across from Hardee's.

I hear that Elbert County Gun Club, http://www.elbertcogunclub.com/ , is very nice. I've never took the time to go there though, which is a real shame since it's only about 2-3 miles from my house in Elberton, GA. It's about 45 minutes from Anderson and right outside of Elberton. They do archery,skeet, trap, 50 yard pistol, 400 yard rifle, and have a 1000 yard rifle competion every once in a while.

mole

[Sportcat]

Grady's is undergoing a massive store renovation (addition). They are actually closed today and tomorrow to do some internal work.

I'm sure prices will remain the same (maybe higher) to help pay for it. Who knows???

[ScottsGT]

I cannot believe nobody mentioned Nichols Store off I-77. Exit 73? I think?
You guys are tougher than me, wanting to go shootin' in this July heat! Call me a wuss, but I'll wait until it cools down to 95 degrees!

[LiquidTension]

Oh yeah, I forgot all about Nichols. I used to do a lot of work up that way and would stop in whenever I could. Some of the prices were pretty good, and the sales people were helpful. OTOH, they wanted to charge me $900 for a BM Dissipator :rolleyes:

[Sportcat]

Scott's a wuss.

:neener: :neener:

[ScottsGT]

Took you long enough! :D

[Sportcat]

Some of us are working today. BTW, it's 96 right now in Clemson.

[blackpanther]

The Gun Shop used to come to the Greenville Gun Show and they really
under cut every other dealer at the show.I have seen people lined up 20 deep to do the back ground check and pay.SC did away with the state SLED form,now you only have to fill out one.

Ed

[LiquidTension]

I resurrected this thread because I'm going to Greenville in about 30 minutes. I know places will be closed today, but tomorrow I have all day free so I might as well hit up some shops. I'll actually be in Greenville, but I might head to Easley if I'm not too terribly slack. Other than Dewey's, are there any other places I should try? What about Luthis's Sport and Pawn? Saw it listed on another site but I've never heard of it...

[Sportcat]

The guys at Clemson Gun and Pawn were super friendly when I was in there last week. Selection was not huge, but prices were reasonable.

[ny32182]

Best one in Easley that I know of is J&S. Anderson isn't far from Easley, so you could go to those as well. Anything on the other side of Clemson is gonna be pretty far out of your way.

[ny32182]

Also, if you are still here by this weekend, there is a gunshow at the Greenville Expo Center on Saturday/Sunday... not sure about Friday.

[VaughnT]

There's also a show in Asheville on the 10-11th. The one in Gville is nice, esp for ammo, but I've been a bit disheartened with it of late. There's supposed to be a huge show in Charlotte next month (metrolina expo center) and I hope to make it there.

Luthi's is regarded as high-priced. J&S Gun Depot is nice, but small. I bought two AR mags there the other day for $45. Kinda high, but they had the LEO rollmark that I wanted. Nice folks, though. Bucks n Bass, in Anderson, is worth a stop, as is White Jones Hardware.

I don't like Dewey's and don't do business with them.

Are you going to be in Gvill long? Bring any guns with you?

[ny32182]

Yeah, about the only thing I get at the Gville show is ammo from the Georgia Arms table anyway. .223 and 10mm this weekend.

Its going to be a busy weekend... Greenville gunshow on Saturday, GGC IDPA on Sunday.... and luckily, the Tigers are playing away at Maryland, so I can do all that without missing a football game. :D

[Kramer Krazy]

I heard that the Palmetto Expo Center is setting up to receive people from Hurricane Katrina. I would guess they'd use a different section of the PEC than they were planning on using for the show. Anyone know if the show is still a "go"?

[ny32182]

I hope so.... there is probably someone you can call call to find out.

[Sportcat]

I spoke with Fast Cash Pawn and Gun in G'ville and they said they would be there Saturday.

[M.Kalashnikov]

Bruce_Daddy

Ok, you made me register because there was no mention on Trader's in Taylors. Or are they on the "bad list" for some reason? I stop by there every Monday at lunch for a couple of boxes of ammo and a little gun talk. Planning on buying another pistol from them in a couple of weeks.

Trader's is the best kept secret :cool: in Greenville
i got my first hand gun there fast and reliable ;)

[Sportcat]

http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=427706

Same shop?

[M.Kalashnikov]

Yes but Trader's Gun Store is not a rip off i bought a .380 Bersa for 209.95
Cheapest one i found on the internet is 200.00 + FFL and S&H so a 9.95 mark up wow they got to feed there kid's too.. Oh and their very informative

[chrome7996]

I found a new gun store in the greenville area they are in simpsonville sc the only thing is they dont have there guns yet but they said in a couple of weeks they should have them but they have alot of ammo and supplies its like a smaller version of lawmens its called Besu Guns and police supply.

[indie]

of the gun shops in the columbia area, the new Palmetto State Armory that just opened off of farrow road is by far my favorite, with the best customer service, prices, friendly staff and stock ive seen. I live and work across town, but I'll gladly drive there to give them my business from now on. I'm going to give them my ammo business too, as their prices are comparable to walmarts.

They just opened this year i believe. They used to do internet sales only. Great ammo prices, i picked up some 7.62x39 golden tiger and a few glock mags last week. They gave me a free hat.

The other Palmetto Gun Store on Broad river never seems to have much selection and their prices were kinda high. Ive been there twice. Once about a year ago, and once a few weeks ago, and both times i didnt see anything I couldnt get at sportsmans warehouse for less.

There is Lawmen's safety supply also off of broad river in the shopping center with Bi Lo. They have great used gun prices.

Sportsmans warehouse on piney grove is good for general retail shopping, Pretty decent ammo prices and selection. Good gun prices when they have sales.

[LiquidTension]

Resurrected after nearly five years. Nice... Palmetto State is pretty good. Sportsmans Warehouse has atrocious ammo prices.

[chrome7996]

anyone know of any other gunshops in the upstate other than the one in simpsonville

[chrome7996]

The best gunshop i have found is Besu Guns in Simpsonville they are the only gunshop that the employee's actually treat you with respect.

[sturmgewehr70]

Freedom Gun located at 4008 White Horse Rd. Awesome selection of tactical guns of all kinds and the lowest prices around. Tell the owner "Dexter" that Curt sent you.:)

[ny32182]

Never been to his shop yet, but I know Dexter... the man loves his Red Bull!!