It's great to find a good gun shop.

[Shane333]

I know that in the past there've been some discussions bashing gun shops. I certainly know of a gun store in town where I don't shop because the manager is an arrogant jerk who has lied to me.

Anyway, I thought I'd start a topic for those who are pleased with gun shops they know.

There's a gun store in Orem, UT that I really like. With one exception, the employees are great to work with. The manager is a great guy. Their prices aren't always the lowest around, but they're fair and reasonable. They cater mostly to hunters, but are more than accomodating with handguns and "evil black rifles".

So what's the result? I find myself making all my firearms purchases either from them or through them. I'm no high-roller so they aren't making a lot of money from me, but I try to put a good word in for them with shooting buddies.

Moral of the story? When a gun store treats it's customers well, the customers show loyalty.

Oh, I should also mention that this gun shop is well lit and tidy. Compared to some places, that's really saying something.

Payson, UT also has a great gun shop where they're real friendly, but that one's a little more out of my way so I haven't done much business with them.

 

[Monkeyleg]

And the obvious question is: what's the name of it?

 

[armoredman]

Two excellent ones in Tucson, AZ. Murphys' Gunsmithing, on North Country Club Road - huge selection, good people, lots of antiques on the wall to gape at too. Somebody tried to rob it recently by driving a front end loader through the front - the alarm scared them, so they did all that destruction, and took NOTHING!
The other excellent shop in Tucson is West O the Pecos Guns on East Pima street, a small shop crammed chock full of good stuff, and great people.
I have done business with both, and NEVER been burnt, ever.

 

[Shane333]

The name of it? Gunnies, of course.

The owner/manager was interviewed on the local news when the Clinton/Feinstein AWB ended. He explained very clearly how the AWB accomplished nothing and primarily just regulated the "looks" of a firearm, not the function.

 

[hkOrion]

I'll begin to look more favorably on mine

once they start taking custom orders! They're still in their infancy, but they've got really knowledgable people, and decent prices for members!

hkOrion

 

[jojo]

My favorite here is Great Guns. It's a little bit of a drive for me, but they'll order anything I want, or can afford. Do transfers for a good price, and are good knowledgable people.
A while back the pickins were slim, or the guys "workin" haha the place knew far more than you could ever know. I can do without that kind of stuff.

jojo

 

[Tamara]

Wouldn't it be really cool if the folks at your local gun shop participated on gun boards and took note of good suggestions offered by folks?

 

[GreenFurniture]

Yeah, that would be great. I wonder why no gun shop people hang out on line and take suggestions to better their establishments.

We must hound our local gun shop decision makers to get involved! I know that I'm going to call my favorite gun shop proprietor and demand that he get involved!

 

[FPrice]

Personal Defense Specialist

in South Hadley, Mass. A small, one-man operation right now. Caters mainly to the individual who is looking for a quality handgun (or long gun in many cases) in a very highly regulated state. Joe, the owner, has worked for both S&W and Colt and has been interviewed on national TV on a few subjects.

 

[bigmike45]

If you gentlemen ever find yourself in a little town in Texas named Victoria, make sure to visit Ehlers Gun Store. Ken is one of the most personable "good o'le boys" you will ever want to meet. He has a selection of guns that is surpassed by only the warehouses and he is a wealth of knowledge. He has two other employees that are also in that same category. He has an on site gunsmith named James that I really like, if nothing else, due to his attitude and he is a true pleasure to deal with. His smithing abilities are right up there with the big boys as well. Then there is the mascot.....Freckles. Freckles is Kens dog and she is an old Collie/Terrier mix, and is the goodwill ambassador that greats you with a lick to your hand and a gentle rub with her side when you arrive. Scratch her between her ears and she is your friend forever.
Ken not only provides a great selection of firearms at great prices but also a sanctuary away from the shopping maddness with the better half.

Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year as well!!!!

 

[Fly320s]

Wouldn't it be really cool if the folks at your local gun shop participated on gun boards and took note of good suggestions offered by folks?

and

Yeah, that would be great. I wonder why no gun shop people hang out on line and take suggestions to better their establishments.

We must hound our local gun shop decision makers to get involved! I know that I'm going to call my favorite gun shop proprietor and demand that he get involved!

Suggestions, huh?

More guns, more ammo, more accessories.

Have either of you been down to Benton Shooters Supply? They have almost enough guns on display to make them a good store.

I have to say that the workers at a store are more influential on my spending habits than the merchandise on display. I go where I feel welcomed.

 

[Monkeyleg]

GreenFurniture, if you're going to be making suggestions to your favorite proprietor, suggest that he have someone other than Tamara stacking pyramids of .22 ammo. Her knowledge would be better utilized behind the counter.

 

[jefnvk]

Yeah, that would be great. I wonder why no gun shop people hang out on line and take suggestions to better their establishments.

Ummm...

Most of them (the ones I know, at least) are old and don't like computers

 

[GreenFurniture]

Fly320s: Yep, been to Benton many times to buy and to browse. They have an excellent selection, but they are feeling pressure from the upstart "Legends" up the road in Athens. Most of their "better" staff members were spirited away when they opened and last time I was in there the clerk left an H&K Elite on the counter, walked off to smoke and I had to gently call the error to his attention and he snapped at me.

Why don't you feel welcome at the new CCA?

Monkeyleg: You're right. Tactical Tammy is better suited behind the counter where she sells more guns and ammo than anyone I have ever seen.

Of course she is one hell of a Winchester .22 stacker too!

 

[theCZ]

Frontier Liquor and Guns - Fallon, NV
Excellent shop. I had them order a gun, and their prices are excellent. Too bad I have to drive 1.5 hours to get to such a great gun store!

 

[Fly320s]

Why don't you feel welcome at the new CCA?

I do feel welcome at CCA. I didn't mean to imply otherwise.

That's why I'd rather go to CCA, or stores like yours, where the staff is friendly, knowledgable, and generally non-pompous.

Regarding that other store, the best thing about the store is their selection. For those that don't know, Benton Shooters Supply has all of their long guns (about 200 of them) displayed in racks in the showroom for easy access to the customers. Just walk-up and grab one off the rack.

Where Benton's falls short, and CCA excels, is in customer service and knowledge. Benton's is a hunter's store. CCA is a gunner's store.

That's why I have a membership at CCA now. Never had one at Guncraft.

 

[tony4311]

The Ammo box in Sun Prairie Wi.

I'm pretty new to guns so I don't have much store experience but recently the post office managed to lose a copy of his ffl I sent to get a gun shipped and when I told him about it I didn't have any problems getting a replacement even though I didn't have the reciept any more. Just told him what happened and he handed me a new one without any problems.

 

[OEF_VET]

Franklin Gun Shop, here in Franklin, TN. The father and two sons who own it are great guys. They have about 2,000 guns IN STOCK on any given day and will order anything you want for you. They sell so many guns that they are premier/gold-level/top line distributors for most of the big name manufacturers. They don't charge outrageous prices or belittle you or your choice of gun because it's not their preference. It's well lit and roomy, but will be even roomier when they open the doors at their new location across the parking lot. They say that they'll finally have enough counter space to display a good number of the 600 or so handguns that they've had to keep out back for lack of counter space. They're talking of putting in an indoor range next spring.

When I order a gun or do a transfer nowadays, it invariably comes from or through FGS. There have been a couple exceptions lately, but mostly to help a friend who's struggling to keep his doors open.

The friend manages another shop, Gun Mart, in Nashville. Josh is a real good guy who takes good care of me, like 8 Grease Gun mags for $40 because they had been laying around collecting dust forever. Not long ago, I ordered a no-ban WASR-10 and an AKT-98 .22 AK from SOG. Josh got them for me at dealer price, charged me just $30 for the transfer (plus $10 background check), AND let me use the $17 credit he had with SOG. It's unfortunate that the stores' owner is trying to sell and the place, and as such, isn't putting any money into replacing the inventory. That and the bad reputation the place has due to some of the shady doings of the previous owner, have made it tough for Josh to do the business he should be doing. So, I try to do my part and buy a few accessories whenever I'm in the neighborhood and in need of something.