Didn't realize there were so many folks here from Fresno. I spent a number of years there and still have friends I keep in touch with who live in the Central Valley.
John McCormick is a great guy but he squeezes every dollar out of sale. Can't blame him. I bought my first handgun from John in 1970 (oh my!) when he was a salesman at Herb Bauer's. John's wife passed about 2 years ago and I heard he was thinking of moving mack to Arkansas where he grew up.
Gilman-Mayfield (Bob Gilman and Bill Mayfield) are very knowledgable. They don't keep a large inventory, however. Last time I was in the shop I was disappointed when I realized that I have more guns than they have on display.
I bought my first gun from Herb Bauer's in 1967 (oh my!). Herb was always the biggest gun dealer but he did jack the retail on everything. But, if you wanted to actually handle a particular gun, he had it in stock. Herb died a couple years ago and his brother, Reggie, took over the business.
In the 1970s Bob and Bill were also working at Bauers. Bob was a salesman (sold me my first Colt 1911 in 1973 for $135 retail) and Bill was the resident gunsmith. When McCormick left Bauer's and opened his own shop Bob and Bill went with him and ran the gunsmith operation from that location. After a few years they split and opened their own store.
Can't comment on the other places mentioned as they came long after my time in Fresno, but I can recommend dropping in on John McCormick and Gilman-Mayfield.
Wow, this has been quite a trip down memory lane for me.
