[Monkeyleg]

Thanks to threads here on THR where folks have talked about their favorite shops, I've been able to get some good shops on my site. (Utah members may have noticed that Doug's is not on the site).

This past week I've been calling shops in ID, NV, and FL. This coming week I'll continue to call those states, and will also start calling shops in MA.

In Nevada, I have Master Shooter's Supply (not really a gun store), a small shop called Junior's, Gun World & Archery, and Mark Fore and Strike Sporting Goods. It looks like Silver State Arms will probably go with the site, and there's some others considering it (why does it require so much consideration to accept a free offer? :scrutiny: ).

In Florida, I have C&G Sporting Goods, Cole's Gun Shop, East Orange Shooting Sports, and Oak Ridge Gun Range. Addison's expressed interest, but hasn't called back. Buck's Outdoors likes the site, but I have to call them back. Same thing with Bullets & Bows.

In Idaho, I don't have any shops yet, although I have to call back Doc at Doc's Gun Barn, Boise Gun Co., and some others.

So...any recommendations as to your favorite shops in these states? I really value the opinions I've read on other posts. The shop owners may think they're the best, but it's the customers who tell the real story.

[DR]

For Massachusetts I like Four Seasons in Woburn. http://www.fsguns.com/
They have great service and decent prices.

[Kingson]

In western MA there is AAA Guns in West Springfield 413-731-7666 or 800-281-7662. One of the better shops out this way.

[Mannlicher]

Best gun shop in Florida is Harry Beckwith's in Micanopy. Thats just south of Gainesville on 441.

[Monkeyleg]

Hi, Mannlicher. I called Beckwith's. He said no. No reason given why he wouldn't want free advertising, just no.

I run into that often, and just figure that there's lots of people who are offering something for "free" that later out turns not to be. Too bad there wasn't a way to demonstrate online which people are telling the truth, and which are liars.

[XeroSygnal]

Another vote for Four Seasons in Massachusetts.

Friendliest gun shop employees I've ever encountered and a decent selection of everything from hunting rifles to C&R to evil black rifles.

[SOT_II]

Well let's see.

AAA Guns
(413) 731-7666

738 Main St
West Springfield, MA 01089

Dave's Sporting Goods
(413) 442-2960

1164 North St
Pittsfield, MA 01201

Ware Gun Shop
(508) 967-7456

91 W Main St
Ware, MA 01082
(indoor test range)

Then maybe check out this one....:what:

http://www.cqbarms.com/avid.html

[ID_shooting]

As far as I am concerned, there is only one gun shop in Idaho, Shapel's here in Boise, been here the longest, in-house gunsmiths, family owned, wonderfull people, and treats me like a high-spending regular even though I only buy a couple a year. Boise Gun Co. is ok, just not the best. There is also Cliffs Gun Safes & Reloading, great for reloading stuff, but his prices are rather high. Last is Shooter's World, our indoor 25yd range w/ a gun shop attatched, they are currently up for sale and so thier inventory is rather limited.

[Round Gun Shooter]

In MA

http://www.agguns.com/

In SE MA dealing in some high end shot guns: http://www.goose.com/

[jcrb]

Another vote for Four Seasons in Massachusetts.

[444]

"In Nevada, I have Master Shooter's Supply (not really a gun store)"

Why is Master's Shooter's Supply not really a gun store ?
Yeah, they sell holsters, ammo, some reloading supplies but guns is their main source of revenue as far as I know.
I have spent a fair amount of money in there. They have a very friendly staff: it is basically a family run business - Floyd and his daughter. They usually have a decent number of used guns, which is something I like.
That being said, I don't know of any really great gun stores in Southern Nevada. They are all fairly small, some have ridiculous prices, some have big attitudes etc. Out of all the gunshops in Las Vegas that I have been to, Master's is the only one I go to on a regular basis.
One thing that I always found interesting about Master's is that 10 or maybe even 15 years before the rest of the area caught on, Master's was willing to order guns for you and charge you a set fee for the service of his FFL. This is now common place, since the internet became popular, but at one time, the dealers I went to would not allow you to walk in with a copy of the Shotgun News (or whatever) and order something for you. They either sold you what was in their display cases, or they would order something for you, new, from one of their regular wholesalers at a price they decided on. But they became highly upset if you knew the wholesale price and wanted them to order something from someone of your choosing. Long before the internet became popular, Floyd had a "membership" type thing where you paid something like $45/year and you could have him order you anything you wanted at the wholesale price. And if you were a "member" he had flyers sent to him by wholesalers out on the counter, so you could see what the current sale items were. He was a trend setter in the retail firearms business in this area.

[Monkeyleg]

444, I can only interpret what the owner tells me (which is why I'm asking people here for their much-valued opinions). When I talked with Floyd, he made it sound like he really doesn't have much in stock--maybe two or three dozen guns. The point he was talking up to me was that he can order in any gun at $30 over invoice, and usually within 24 hours.

Sorry if I mischaracterized the shop with that statement.

I see you're from Pahrump. I called Emmalee's, but the owner--Bonnie--wasn't interested. Too bad, since she seemed like a nice lady. Don't know anything about the shop, though.

[444]

Well, I don't know how many guns he has in stock, but two or three dozen guns isn't anything to sneeze at. I have been to a lot of gunshops here and there and not a lot of them have 40-50 guns on the racks. Like I said, around here, that is a pretty decent inventory. There is a shop in Las Vegas that has more guns in stock, but the atmosphere isn't good IMO.
If you start talking about Pahrump, ONE dozen guns in stock would be the biggest shop in town.
I was at a gunshop somwhere around Carson City that had as many guns as any shop I have ever been to. Hundreds. And some real rare stuff that was interesting to look at. He had a Gyrojet pistol and rifle. He had a Luger carbine: stuff like that.

[Monkeyleg]

Hi, again, 444. Floyd sounded like a really good guy. Like I said, what I write about the shops is what the owners say about them.

You mentioned a shop up in the Carson City area. Would that be Silver State Arms in Reno? I don't have them on my site, but probably will by mid-week. They have a great selection of guns, most of which seem to be antique and collectibles. Here's their site: http://www.silverstatearms.com

If anyone has an opinion about this shop--good or bad--I'd love to hear about it. Silver State Arm's main competitor in the area speaks very highly of them. I always take that as a good sign.

My posts on the topics of good shops I feel are walking a fine line between getting opinions and promoting my site. In all honesty, I'm really trying to find the shops that the locals think are quality stores. I hope that's the way these threads are perceived.

Thanks again for all the opinions.

[Dave R]

I 2nd what ID_Shooter said about Boise.

[Clean97GTI]

In Southern NV, I'd like to add
Machine Gun Kelly's Gun Vault
1631 E. Sunset Road C#109
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702)837-8383

as well as

Bills Buy and Sell
1104 E. Fremont
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702)382-1133

These are the only two shops I visit on a regular basis. I've purchased guns, ammo and accesories from both without any trouble. Kelly doesn't have the greatest selection on hand, but will order anything. He must have his FFL on file with everyplace in the country. Class 3 is no problem.

Bill's is the only authorized CZ dealer in the state that I know of. He stocks an incredible assortment of weapons, ammo, reloading supplies, safes, books, holsters. They will order ANYTHING you want.

Very helpful and honest guys from the dealings I've had with them.

[444]

One note on Kelly's:
I ordered two firearms from him a year ago February and paid $1800 up front and still haven't gotten them. That is what ? A year and a half ago ?

[another48hrs]

I know its not quite a gunshop but The Pawn Place on Tam and Sahara in Las Vegas is where I spend most of my time. Glen who works there is really knowledgable and friendly guy who won't push a sale and its really easy to talk to. He usually gets in used firearms now and again or he has some surplus on stock, but he can also do an FFL transfer for the cheapest I've found in Vegas. Every two weeks or so he sends an email about the new toys he's got and its more fun than picking up Shotgun News.

pawplace.com for more info.

[SLCDave]

There is a place on Boulder Highway in Henderson:

Discount Firearms
1212 North Boulder Highway
Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 567-1158


I haven't bought anything there, but I have used their indoor range, which seemed pretty good.

and a question, why isn't Gallenson's in Salt Lake City listed on your site? They are my favorite store locally.

[Monkeyleg]

Thanks again for the info.

444, that deal with Kelly's sounds pretty terrible. What is he doing to settle things, if at all?

SCLDave, the reason that I don't have Gallenson's on the site yet is that Steve's been too busy to sit down and talk. I've already called him three times, and each time he's asked me to call him back. Now he's on vacation until next week.

That's the way all of these calls have been going. It's rare that I get to talk to the owner at length on the first call. It's usually the third or even sixth call before he's got time.

BTW, Discount Firearms has moved from Henderson to Las Vegas. And Mike, the owner there, wasn't available today either. :banghead:

[Clean97GTI]

444: That sounds really strange. Every gun I've bought from Kelly has been in stock and thus, no ordering hassles. Kelly has always seemed to be a really stand-up kinda guy. I hope the Kelly is just having a problem with securing your order. If he was getting flaky, I'd be really depressed. There are a bunch of gun shops in town, but so few good owners/staff members around. Kelly is one of my favorites.

Off-Topic, it's pouring rain right now and the lightning and thunder are just awesome! (BTW, I'm on the north end of town.) 2:25PM

[444]

I ordered a suppressed Ruger 10/22 and a supressed Ruger Mk.II.
His first excuses were that we had only been at war for a few months at the time and all the companies resources were being used to supply the war effort. After that he just said he hadn't gotten them in, he would call and find out what was going on ............................................................

I have discussed this with other people who may or may not be reliable but they all said that I was not the first person they had heard this happen to.

[glockster]

Here is a list of gun shops in Vegas with Ranges.

American Shooters Supply
3440 Arville St.
Las Vegas
702-362-1223

Discount Firearms Inc.
3084 S. Highland # B
Las Vegas
702-567-1158

The Gun Store
2900 E. Tropicana
Las Vegas
702-454-1110

???????
Blue Diamond Rd.
Las Vegas.
702-???-????

You can check the yellow pages on line for all the gun shops in Vegas
I believe all the ranges offer the machine gun and handgun rentals

[Monkeyleg]

Thanks, glockster. Tina at American said she wanted to wait, even though she was interested. I think she was just too busy at the time.

The other shops I wasn't aware of. I'll give them a call.

Does anyone know anything about the Gun Room of Shrewsbury in Shrewsbuy, MA? I'm supposed to call him back Monday. He says they have over 1,000 guns in stock, which is nothing to sneeze at.

[Art Eatman]

Kevin's in Tallahassee, Florida, has a website. They are a very large dealer, and carry extensive reloading supplies. And, the usual clothing and fishing tackle as well. Much like McBride's in Austin, Texas, although I think--but ain't sure--that Kevin's prices are near full retail.

Art

[auschip]

In Vegas there is a little place on Rainbow North of Trop. I can't remember the name as I moved back to TX in December and they weren't in long. They are more of a gunsmith but do stock a handful of guns and will build custom 1911's. I will dig around and see if I can't find a card for them.