best gun shops in Austin, TX

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chorlton

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Hi everyone, first post here. I'm looking for any recommendations on good places to buy new (or 99%) revolvers in sunny Austin. I'm trying to give the little guy a chance (but any ideas are appreciated). I really want a s&w but i really dont want to pay full price :(
 
Well, as usual, I'm going to shamelessly plug a couple of shops on my site.

Hank Fleming is primarily a gunsmith, but also has good deals on special orders. He's a friend of a High Road member.

McBride's has one of the best selections in the area, and one of the best in the country. People here say their prices are a bit on the high side, though. Still, it was The High Road members who steered me to McBride's as well.
 
Sportsman's Warehouse in Round Rock has really good prices and a wide selection of new guns on display and in stock. Not exactly a little guy, but the guys behind the counter are nice and knowledgeable.

Academy Sports stores have a limited selection of guns at pretty good prices.

McBride's has a good selection of new and used. However, I agree that their prices are little high. I was just there on Saturday.

Red's gun ranges in Round Rock and South Austin have new and used. Prices are a little high too.

I think your best bet on buying a good used gun is buying Face To Face through the THR forum classifieds or the Austin newspaper classifieds. Not only can you get a good gun at a good price, you save the money on sales tax as well! I don't know if I'll ever buy a new gun at a gun store again since I have gotten such good deals from other forum members.
 
Ditto what TXCajun said. There's a company called GDS Enterprises that frequents the Saxet shows, and from what I've seen they have the some of the best prices on EBR stuff.
 
Here is the list of Gun shops a frequent with pro and cons.


Cost Plus 10 Gun Shop
Address: 6706 Burnet Ln, Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 302-3826
(Pros:Jim is very cheap on prices and can order you a about anything also a good places for a CHL he charges $80. Cons:place is dirty and you have to listen to Conspiracy theories.)

Heritage Firearms
Address: 13497 N Highway 183 # 300a, Austin, TX 78750
Phone: (512) 219-1122
(Pros:pretty knowledgeable group of guys. Cons:Contemptible service, If you are not APD or the Texas Rangers they will not give you the time of day. Had them screw me over on a couple of times.)
Tex Guns
Address: 5330 Manchaca Rd # D, Austin, TX 78745
Phone: (512) 443-6106
(Pros:Nice little shop, with the nice's people I have seen behind a gun counter, big select for a small store with lots of surplus guns. Cons:If you are in to the Tactical side this is not the place for you no black rifles and no Black Hawk gear.)

The rest of the shops have been covered on previous post worth mentioning even though McBride's is very high on there new guns, deals can be found in the used section.
 
Thanks for all the advice, everyone :)
I've visited a few of those places you mentioned, but I will try the others. To be honest I dont know too much about revolvers just yet, and although I would love to get myself a 99% .357 3" model 60, the fear of getting screwed makes me want to get a new one (although I could probably save myself $100 which would pay for speedloaders, some training etc). I guess I should check the rest of the shops. Thanks again.
 
My take on the local shops . . .

McBride's: Been around a long time. Courteous staff. High prices.

Cost Plus 10: Been there ONCE. Surly old coot behind the counter.

TexGuns: Went there twice. Each time, counter person was only interested in shooting the bull with his buddy. (His buddy had some FAL receivers on layaway, and they were debating the merits of various FAL kits.)

Heritage: Did a lot of business there, but a couple of years ago the shop changed hands . . . I found out the hard way that the new owners are "ethically challenged." They used to have a BIG display at the SAXET show, but now they're absent. Heard through the grapevine of other people having problems with them. These days, they try to sell a lot of stuff on Gunbroker.

Red's: Original place in Oak Hill, and Red bought another range in Pflugerville. Prices are a bit high, but not as bad as McBride's. Staff is OK.

Sportsman's Finest: This relatively new shop in Bee Cave caters to a high-buck crowd - they stock things like Dakota and Blaser rifles. Fair amount of handguns, regular rifles, and Class III stuff. (I've seen UZIs, suppressed Walter P22s, and an M2HB .50 for $22,000+) Nice guys, always friendly, but prices on new are a bit high. Seen some reasonably priced used stuff.

Sportsman's Warehouse: Friendly service, big selection, LOTS of reloading gear, competitive prices. What's not to like? (I bought a new S&W here earlier this year during their "5% off customer appreciation" sale. Considering their price was significantly lower than the competition to start with, I did OK.) Downside: I don't remember seeing any used guns.

Academy Sports: Good place to buy 9mm ammo at "cheaper than Wal-Mart" prices. Limited handgun selection.

Oshman's Sports: I think they just became "Sports Authority." Seem to be schizophrenic on handguns - at the one I went to the store manager - not the gun dept sales clerk - was the only one with a key to the gun case, and he made a point of mentioning that he wished the store didn't sell guns, because he didn't like them. (Once the manger walked away, the sales clerk apologized and told me nobody liked or respected their <string of expletives> manager.)

Advanced Armorments: Up in Round Rock. Tiny inventory, but if you're in that part of town, I understand the guy is real easy to work with when it comes to processing transfers. (For example, if you buy something from out of state on the Internet and need an FFL to do the transfer.)
 
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If you are up in the Cedar Park area - this is my FAVORITE shop anywhere in town. Great counter folks (owner and 1 other). I actually stop by to shoot the breeze more often than I buy stuff there, but I sure do buy enough there as well. Mainly self defense type stuff as opposed to hunting stuff. And the class 3 stuff is just great to drool over!

http://www.texasgunstore.com/
 
Cost Plus 10: Been there ONCE. Surly old coot behind the counter.
Click to expand...

Heh, Jim isn't that bad. Just budget an extra five minutes towards nodding your head, and then leave. It's worth it for the great, great prices he has on ammo alone, not to mention his prices on guns. His cost +10% is cheaper that Heritage's was, if they even advertise that any more. He's also pretty helpful and very forgiving. (I stupidly bounced a check I gave him as deposit, and the minute I found out, I went and squared things away with cash and an apology. It didn't bother him at all.) I'd give it another chance if I were you.

He also makes it very easy to do transfers, but the only drawback is he charges 10% of the cost of the gun, up to a max of $50. This makes it desirable to transfer things like mil-surp bolt-actions ($10 transfer fee for a K31, anyone?), but not so much on anything over $250 or so.
 
We went to Cost +10% on a recommendation from 2 Austin area IPSC shooters/instructors. My wife was ready to drop $2k on a high-end Kimber 1911. Jim first couldn't believe the "little lady" wanted a full-size pistol, then tried to sell my wife the Gold Cup he had in the case. Then barely offered to order something off his distributor flyer. Then insulted the people who referred us. Then ignored us. After service/attitude like that, and refusal to make a phone call to close a sale, we won't be back.
 
Chorlton, If your in Round Rock stop by Advanced Armaments down on the square. It's a good little shop and Sam the owner usually will be willing to work a deal with you. I've been doing all my FFL transfers through him. Charges $20 a pop, which is by far the cheapest I've found around here. Mcbrides and some others want $50 a gun. :mad: Academy's prices on guns are much better than Sportsmens if they have what you want. The Gun show is alright but some dealers want way to much. But it's definetly worth the $5 fee just to look around and the good deals on ammo. Buying one 50/rd box of .357sig itself pays for the entry fee compared to anywhere else in town. :)
 
I have purchased from:

McBrides
Heritage (under both management)
Sportsman's warehouse
Sportsman's finest &
Academy

*McBrides was expensive with decent service.
*Heritage used to be great (to the point of remembering which guns I bought and asking how I liked them). Lately their prices have been just ok, and selection stunk.
*Sportsman's warehouse they were busy, but took the time to talk to me about my choices. Prices were great and selection was nice.
*Sportsman's finest was a mixed review. The first time I got a fantastic deal on a 101, subsequent times were just ok price wise (except for the Colt Magnum Carry at $299, I am still mad I didn't grab that one right then. It sold the next morning before I had time to call them and have it held). Service was good, but spotty. Selection for 10K+ shotguns was fantastic, other stuff it was just good.
*Academy was a box store. If you go in expecting service you will be disappointed. Then again, they need to hold prices down somehow. The folks weren't rude, just disinterested.

All that being said, I am looking forward to trying the new Cabelas. I hear they have great opening day sales, anyone else hear the same thing?
 
I only personally know McBride's. I don't know how long they've been in business, but our own Art Eatman carries a Weatherby every hunting season that he bought there over 3 decades ago.

Independent businesses last for a reason-- service.
 
I've bought several new and used guns at McBride's, and haven't been disappointed with any of them. Twice a year, they have a 12-month no interest sale there which is VERY difficult for me to pass up. I figure I can pay off just about anything in 12 months.

When Heritage was under their previous management, I did a bit of shopping there as well. They were a good bunch back then, but I haven't been impressed with this new bunch.

Red's is very friendly and dependable. They don't have the lowest prices in town, but they are very helpful.

Sportsman's Finest ain't cheap on the newer stuff, as has been mentioned, but they are definitely worth checking out. I bought a used Ruger Blackhawk there at a real good price. They do have used guns there, and some of them have some pretty good prices. I know several of the guys there, and would feel comfortable with any used gun I bought there.

The other stores I looked through, but haven't bought anything there, so I would not be qualified to pass judgement.
 
Thanks again for all the leads...
I was wondering - is it common to buy new guns from out-of-state (avoiding sales tax?) and of course have someone do the transfer for me here?
If so, is there a reliable company out there that anyone could recommend?
 
I used to like McBrides when I was down that way, bought a couple of guns there and was happy.
 
I'm always trolling for new stores in the Austin area....

Thoughts:
Red's - prices are a little high but they have the advantage of having an indoor range at both north and south locations. I'm on a first name basis with much of their staff and enjoy spending time in the store. I do most of my new gun purchases there. Decent reloading supply selection.

McBride's - prices are pretty high, and in my experience service has been hit and miss. They do have an excellent new and used selection and occasionally there are deals to be found. Keep an eye out for their sales tags on items.

TexGuns - talkative and knowledgable service and they have a great inventory for a very small space. Good selection of used guns and C&R milsurp rifles. They have all sorts of uncommon ammo, magazines, grips and other paraphenilia.

Heritage - decent new and used selection. I've had some negative experiences with them over the years, there are some shady business practices and they aren't very communicative.

Cost Plus - I've visted three times and been turned off by the surly attitude and lectures each time. I'm spending $$$$ I don't need attitude.

Sportsmans Finest - beautiful store, great selection of new items at high prices. Small selection of used items, occasional finds. The layout and selection reminds me of McBrides in some ways.

I'm mostly in the market for used guns so I don't bother with Academy or Oshmans except for the occasional ammo purchase. They are almost always lacking in the knowledge and service areas. I'd rather pay a little more and support a local business.
 
Shameless plug . . .

my inventory is mostly botton feeders, so I can't help you on the revolver search, but if you find something you like somewhere else and you want it shipped to Austin I can do your transfer for $5.50

adrien
 
If I'm buying local, I'll always stop at TexGuns first.
(If I get bad service locally, I tend to hold a grudge--while I would like to support the local business, I can find just about anything cheaper online if the staff is rude/incompentent/etc)


If you need something shipped, you'd be crazy not to use adrien. It is a bit of drive, but at least its a pretty drive.
 
i dont have a storefront, just an office off 183 in North Austin and I run the gun show circuit and online orders.

if you happen to come by the Saxet Gun Show on the 3rd weekend of every month at 10601 N. Lamar Blvd between Braker and Rundberg (across from Chuy's, its the NEW Crockett Center) i'm always set up there. im also at the San Antonio Saxet show at 410/Broadway at the first weekend of every month.

[shameless plug] :D

at least come by and say hello!
 
Tejas Gunwerks

Check out Tejas Gunwerks. I have a store front I am currently expanding. Right now I pull everything out of storage. I have been in business for the past 11 years, primarily doing gunsmithing and attending gunshows. I specialize in and stock Rock River Arms (Premier Stocking Dealer), Bushmaster, DPMS (Distinguished Dealer 2003, '04), Colt, Armalite, Beta Mag, EOTech, Aimpoint and other accessories. I have some used guns I buy or trade at gunshows and I will special order anything. I have been a fulltime gunsmith for the past 10 years. I have completed or will complete the following Factory Armorer Courses this year: Bushmaster/ Blackwater, Colt 1911/M16/AR 15, S&W Revolver & Pistol Repair, Beretta, Remington 870/1100/11-87/700, Sig Pistols others will follow as time and money permits. I am the tall handsome guy Steve sets up with at the gunshow. Drop by and say hi.

Tejas Gunwerks
Terry L. Davis
3411 Andtree Blvd.
Austin, TX 78724
(512) 926-8082 (Shop, Fax)
(512) 947-2122 (Cell)
www.tejasgunwerks.com
[email protected]
 
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