[bushmaster1313]

When Heller came down on our side, I brought some Makers Mark to my LGS and we drank a shot to "America".

I voted all of the above.

[357 Terms]

I voted All.
He has a small shack in the country; been there all my life, great guy!
Although the best one word description would be deaf. Really, he can't hear much of anything anymore.
I can't tell you how many times i have shot a pistol/rifle out the back window or deck.
one in a million

[MyGreenGuns]

Unanimous so far!

Friend- Knows my name / story. Yep.
Enabler-Gives me what I ask for without question. Yep.
Pusher-(LOL)"Hey, try this ammo, you'll like it" and "See ya next time." Yep.
Patriot-Ret. Marine. Yep.

[Messenger Guard]

I am lucky in that I have several gun store owners in my area. They run the gamut. Some got into it because they loved to hunt. Some are patriots of sorts. Some are flat out capitalists and if guns were banned tomorrow they wouldn't shed a tear, they would just sell used cars. Surprisingly, only a few are friendly, personable fellows. I guess being under the eye of the ATF makes for sour demeanors. A few are right out snobs who won't discuss guns unless they think they hear cha ching.

[OKBOOMER]

Small town, his kids went to school with my kid, his wife graduated with my ex, etc. Family's have known each other for generations. Way better than the gun store in the Metro ... the range side people are pretty cool, and the gunsmith counter folks are decent to cool (depends), but the sales guys are snobs.

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

I must also say all of the above.
Mine is also a very small-town gun store.

[CajunBass]

Don't know. Never met him.

Managers and employees...lots of them...but never met the owner/owners.

As for the managers/employees they're great people who keep what I want in stock, never "push" anything, answer questions, put up with me being in the way, and will stand there and hand me anything I ask for as long as I want to stand there. They know when to leave me alone and let me look, but seem to know just when I want to see something. They're nice to my wife and don't treat her like "just a dumb girl." They hold the door for us when they see us coming in/going out (my wife is handicapped). If they don't, 9 times out of ten, another customer will do it.

Good store really.

[FROGO207]

There are several gun stores hereabouts. The two closes to me get the lions share of my business. They both are reloaders as I am and we all shoot with each other often. The deals are good and just great all around good guys. They will not ever be millionaires as they are always helping out us customers to the tune of not much profit. But to the other extreme there are other local gun shops that I do not so much as give a passing glance because they have proved to be gun snobs with a rather poor attitude and high prices. Wonder how those jerks stay in business?? One has a sign on the wall that states "Quality is not expensive it is worth every penny." and his prices on everything are 50-60% above all the other local stores. I go in once a year and the inventory stays virtually the same.:rolleyes: We all should support a good business for sure.:D

[22-rimfire]

Being considered "all of the above" is good for business.

[ATBackPackin]

If I have ever met the owners of any of the LGS's they never made it clear, so I have I no idea.

[Cearbhall]

One local shop, every time I go in there he tries to put at least two or three guns in my hand at once.

[Ranger30-06]

My gun shop owners are out of this world. They started in a little shop about a year ago, and being the only gun store in the area, they are getting so much business its not even funny! They started with just a dozen long guns and 4-5 handguns, and now they can carry 2-3 dozen handguns and more long guns than they have space for! Talk about friendly too! They honestly want you to walk out with the perfect gun, or they will go out of their way to get the perfect gun.

[Jeff F]

I could not vote becuse you left one out. Jackass would describe him perfectly!

[armoredman]

Yeah, no option for "doesn't care about customers, only BSing with buddies, store is a mess, stock over priced, never has what I am looking for, but is the only gunshop for miles."

[Shienhausser]

Haha, I was going to say, you forgot the "rude" option.

[1911fan]

You also missed the option for "Running a construction business out of one side of the store while trying to use the gunstore side to fund the Fancy Firearm/Big Game Safari hobby".:uhoh:

Seriously, I've been in there more than once trying to buy ammo or accessories and had all available people shouting at cellphones, trying to solve contractor problems.:cuss:

Prices on EVERYTHING run 15-30% higher than gunshops in the area--we're not talking WW, these are other LOCAL GUN STORES!:what:

They have moved and seemingly now have persons who actually are there to sell guns and stuff but prices, if anything, are even higher.:eek:

Then, there's the newish, younger guy who knows everything about tacticool but couldn't tell a Mauser from a M-N from a Lee Enfield from a '03 Springfield with a wall chart...:(

Or the Grumpy Old Guy Gunstore. Unless you're a hot babe, don't expect prompt, courteous, knowledgable service unless you're a fat old greybeard (fortunately, I AM a fat, old greybeard and it's one of my favorite places--besides, they're in love with my red-haired wife and they trip all over themselves to help her).:D

And let's not forget my favorite pawnbroker. While he doesn't sell ammo or accessories, I've been dealing with the guy for twenty-five years and he'll give me his rock-bottom price for whatever I want to buy, sometimes as much as 60% off the sticker price. Yeah, that price will be high but it's to leave negotiating room and my price will be significantly lower than that.:neener:

When you post a poll, you might allow for ALL the options: I couldn't vote...:banghead:

ed

[Hossfly68]

Always has several guns on him and enjoys the "tactical" thing but is also a BIG fan of the basic 1911. A little odd, but well stocked and prepared and also helpful and very friendly. Hmmm, wife just asked what my plans were for the day. Not cutting grass, so I may go hang out at the range and shoot the BS a while. Maybe some bullets too.

There's also the "old guy" (ex marine/LEO) that hangs out, works part time just for the fun and to keep busy and is a wealth of info and enjoys helping noobs get a handle on what they're doing. There's a coffee maker that is probably only turned off at night and makes the worst coffee you ever tasted, but everybody will sit and have a cup and chat a while. The shop I frequent is the modern equivalent of Floyd's barber shop in Mayberry. Very patriotic, down to earth, and enjoyable.
It's that old jacket that looks like it's been through hell but is comfortable and does what it should

[oneounceload]

"None" of the above - try to stay away since their prices, attitudes and only looking at the mil-surp/EBR crowd is not for me

[hmphargh]

The owner himself is a friendly guy, but the store is big enough so that he has quite a few employees - about 8 working in store at any given time. Some know their stuff, others, well, they're salesmen. Everyone is friendly, but most tend to be a bit on the "pusher" side.

[HOWARD J]

I have been going to one shop about 60 years---the father has passed now--the son is very friendly. He was sick for about 6 months & his relatives ran the shop--they appeared to be sour but I think because they did not know what they were doing.
His mother finally retired & I miss her.
All in all I give them an A+

[T Bran]

I no longer have a good local gun shop only a pawn shop that does stock used and quite a few new handguns but he will order whatever you would like to buy.
I had just found a friend in the owner of a family owned gunshop who was also into a lot of other things that I enjoy as well. About 3 months after we met two punks walked into the store and shot him and a customer. The customer survived my new friend did not. He left behind a wife and two young daughters who closed up shop and left. I wish that there had been time to know them better they were an honest hard working young family.
T

[1911fan]

Hey, Hossfly68:

You just described my Grumpy Old Guy LGS--in fact, my wife and I have called it "Grumpy's" for so long that we've forgotten the actual name.:confused:

Also, you seem to have forgotten us ex-Paratroopers. We did the same things Marines did only we did it from above (got paid extra, too :neener:).

A couple of other things the poll omitted: Big Box Stores and dedicated sporting goods stores. For some folks, WW or Bass Pro is their only access to guns'n'stuff.:(

In my case, my favorite BBS is Scheel's. If you can get near the used pistol case, bargains are to be had, e.g. an Old Model, three screw, 7 1/2" bbl .44 Mag Super Blackhawk for $250 or a S&W Model 10-8 Heavy Barrel for $300. Both in immaculate condition. (Price for M-10 S&W is in line, but the HB adds a couple hundred to the price):what: Some good deals on long guns there, too.

As far as WW--as I said in a post on another forum, if they have a 10/22 for a couple of hundred and the LGS has the same gun for over three hundred, well, sorry but for $100, I'm driving the eleven miles to WW.;)

And last but not least, let's not forget the Angry Gunstore Owner. He hates lookie-loo's and, unless he's sold to you before or you've got a stack of ammo in hand, he's reluctant to take his gun out of his case for you to thumb up. If he ain't got it, it's a POS and I wouldn't have it in my store but if he's overstocked, the Hi-Point is the finest firearm known to man. You've been in his store, too.:banghead:

This is fun, expand the poll--

ed

[Hossfly68]

I tried Academy. Here's how that went:

"can you take the trigger guard off so I can see how the trigger feels?"

"uh, not unless you're going to buy it today. Are ya?"

"not unless I can feel the trigger"

"uh, are ya gonna buy it today?"

"if the trigger feels right"

"uh, We can't take the guard off unless ya buy it."

"guess you're not sellin the gun unless I can feel the trigger"

"uh, are you gonna buy it today?"

"not even if it was free"

Thats like buying a car without test driving it!

[killchain]

My LGS rubbed me the wrong way when they had an employee ditch his job (I mean pack up and leave without telling anyone ditch), hire a guy to replace him, and only had the new employee work weekends with the promise of "more hours in a couple of months." Had that guy cleaning out the lead pits too.

Two months later the former employee comes back begging for his job... guess who they canned to give that guy his job back?

Oh yeah, the canned employee was a veteran, too.

[The Sarge]

Clueless is a great description of our local gun "store" owner. He makes his money selling saddles/tack....
He does not know the difference between a shotgun and a rifle. Seriously.

[wlewisiii]

None of the above for the one near me. I buy at a big box instead.

[Win1892]

He used to be a rascist <deleted> who was only interested in acting like a recon warrior.

Now he's a federal prisoner who violated about every class 3 dealer law on the books.

[Powerglide]

Mine thinks nobody knows as much as him.He is a shame to the industry.

[Hossfly68]

It's starting to sound like a bunch of us should get together and open our own gunstore and make it like we want it. I'm a FedEx guy, so I guess I know how to deliver stuff (and get a signature! No FedEx sux stories please!) and make GOOD coffee.
I figure we need a few old guys who actually know what they're talking about.
A couple of tacticool video junkies to to tell us we don't know a good gun when we see it. Maybe an old dog to wonder around the shop. Somebody who likes to work on guns would be good. A couple of preppers to show us how to stay alive when TSHTF. And there's got to be a couple of cute ladies who like to shoot and can draw in the customers. Hey! We've got a shot at this! :D

[Fishslayer]

I voted "all" and will add that my LGS owner is nice to my dog, too. ;)

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/THE_Fishslayer/Dingo/th_100_0439_edited.jpg

[GCBurner]

I drove 30 miles to a gun store in the next county to buy my last rifle, just so I wouldn't have to deal with the jerk at the gun store a mile and a half from my house.

[hermannr]

I have been going to the same LGS for 6 years now. I would have said "all of the above", except she and her employee are not "Pushers". They will suggest/recommend, if asked, but never push something on you that you have never asked for.

There are two shops closer (one I have been to and I don't like, and one that is new and I have not been in it yet, no reason too, very happy with the Gal that owns the LGS I go to, and her male employee, yes, only one employee.)

[Sol]

smelly?

[Shoot66]

I did not vote. I did not find self-important, smart-<deleted> there.

[searcher451]

Sorry to hear that so many of you have bad experiences with your local gun store owner or, perhaps even worse, don't know him/her at all. Establishing a good relationship with his customers makes my local guy the one dealer I go back to, time and again, and I live in a place where I can pick among several different stores. I also worked hard to get to be on friendly basis with him because, after all, that's what makes the world go round.

[1911fan]

Nice one searcher451, way to suck up:rolleyes:.

Let's examine this from another perspective...using another non-essential but expensive hobby item. I say hobby because that's what this is to most of us. You want Self Defence, take a course, buy the stupid gun, practice once in a while, then shut up about it.

Let's let this non-essential hobby be...oh...how about RC cars. I know nothing about these (nor do I care to) but if I were to go into a shop that sold RC cars, I would certainly not to expect to find half the attitudes listed here for LGS owners. While I'm sure there some up-selling going on (Brand A @ $65 is not as good as Brand H @ $465) I wouldn't expect the owner to be an opinionated jerkface and I WOULD expect the employees to be competent in the subject of their trade.

If I were to walk into a RC car store and ask to see a Brand F and the owner went on a tirade pronouncing Brand F a POS that he wouldn't have in his store, as a matter a fact, if I want a Brand F, I'm too stupid to live and furthermore, I can just get my donkey out of his store, I would do so and never come back. This has happened to me. I was looking for a Ruger SP 101:what:.

Somehow, the LGS's can get away with attitude and still keep their doors open.

Please understand, I know that all LGS owners are NOT like that individual. Many are friendly, helpful and have a vast knowledge or their subject. If I wanna go in and look around, maybe ask to see a gun, maybe ask a few questions then leave without buying even a 50 box of .22's. they're okay. They know that if I like what I see, I'll be back, or maybe I'm shopping for a new LGS because I have finally had enough attitude from my current one, or, or, or...

I don't care what you're selling. Courtesy and competence get the nod from me EVERY time.

ed

[rori]

I clicked on Pusher as I thought it was derogitory like in drug dealer. The buffoons at my local store either don't know anything about what their trying to sell or are pushing or pimping junk to the unsuslpecting. Frank

[doc2rn]

The ones near me are not interested in helping or even getting up from the PC to help paying customers. I stood at the counter for 68 mins. When he finally sighed and walked over his exact words where "Yeah, what you want", I simply replied nothing and left with my $2500 for the Bear's Den 2hrs away, but excellent service!
Took home a 1894c in .357 and a S&W 451.

[hobgob]

I only use my local gunshop for transfers when needed. The prices for actual firearms and ammo are just too high. luckily for them they are on the way to my shooting range so on occasion I have to stop by to pick up ammo or targets. I voted for pusher, simply because they charge way too much and they do like to pretend that they know more than every customer in the store(which is true in more cases than it should be). However, they do recognize good customers and treat them well. I just dont like when the owner displays his fancy milsurps on the wall then tells me they are not for sale. tease...

[hobgob]

btw, i hope some gunshop employees and owners read this. They are literally running themselves out of the business. Just like the idiots at local guitar shops who dont know jack. ...."no stairway...denied!".

[Nushif]

My LGS staff is pretty darned cool, tbh.

Hells, one couple basically adopted us and calls us kids like we were theirs or something. Sometimes we get calls about a particular gun that one of us wants ... that's sitting out and they'd rather "keep it in the family."
Another one is a really technical shooter and we tend to hand off our rifles more than look at new ones ...

the owner? Definitely a business guy, but he knows the value of people who are "like the furniture of the place."

There is a tactic called seeding, which is essentially to encourage barflies, and all day sitters in restaurants so the restaurant always has people in it. empty restaurants are suspicious, ya know?
Same goes for the LGS.

[hso]

With over a dozen gun dealers within 20 miles of me it might be a wee bit difficult to characterize all of the owners.

[MisterMike]

I could not vote becuse you left one out. Jackass would describe him perfectly!

I don't really know if the guy's the owner or GM, but that's a pretty apt description of the guy who runs my LGS. It's a very nice store, with prices that are a little high, but they're few and far between around here, so I end up tolerating what's probably best summed up as "loathsome indifference" toward customers. The individual salesmen are pretty friendly, though there is one woman working there who's constantly and aggressively pushing for a sale.

[788Ham]

Theres one LGS character trait not listed "Personality" ! This particular LGS, Dick's", is the strangest place, a few customers, but nobody carrying any of their merchandise bags out. Waiting at the gun counter for help, sometimes 20 - 30 minutes, then having to go to another checkout register and asking them to page someone to help you? Then, some know it all pimply face kid shows up, he works in the ski area, wouldn't know a Daisy from a Beretta, so when asked if they have any 12 ga. 2 3/4" 00 buck, he has to get on the phone and ask someone to come help, as he doesn't know where they keep those"handgun things!" They've had the same 6 rifles and 5 shotguns in that store since they opened, haven't a clue how they keep the doors open, and no, I didn't buy any 12 ga. handgun ammo either. :banghead:

[Sky]

My guy is not so much a pusher but a good listener and tries to give his customers the benefit of his experience without the B.S.

Have seen him lose sales because he always insist on the customers shooting a particular fire arm (5 rounds free) before a purchase knowing full well the little lady is not going to like the 45 here boyfriend recommended her to buy. Never seen him do anything but honestly care about the welfare of his customers.

[Hossfly68]

I KNEW I wanted to move to Texas! I've even got a niece over there who teaches a self defense firearms class. She's my favorite niece,btw!