Gun shop etiquette , rookie question.

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If you just don't have a case and need to carry the gun into a store, use safe range rules:

Bolt action rifle-muzzle up, bolt open
Lever action rifle-muzzle up, lever open
Slide action rifle or shotgun-muzzle up, slide back
Semi auto rifle or shotgun-muzzle up, action open
Side by Side or superposed shotgun- muzzle up, broken open

Double action revolver with crane-muzzle up, crane open
Single action revolver -muzzle up, cylinder removed
Semi auto pistol-muzzle up, slide locked open, magazine removed

The employees in the store can easily see that the gun is safe in this condition.

...muzzle down is not as safe, because in a crowded store the muzzle is liable to sweep someone when it's raised. I know, it's arguable, but it's what I was taught and it makes sense.
 
First, a phone call to see if they even have a smith on site, then ask for references just like you would for a good auto mechanic. Most important only let them work on one firearm at a time until you can judge their work yourself. I've heard too many nightmare experiences to ever give out more than one gun at a time to an unknown (by me) gunsmith. Some of them are excellent but some shoudn't be allowed to touch tools.
 
When I take a gun to my local gunshop, I always walk inside and warn them that I'm going out to bring one in. They might think I'm a little paranoid, but everyone on staff OC's semi-autos. I just don't feel like taking a risk at getting shot. :)
 
willypete said:
1. Call ahead, or walk in ahead of time to let them know what you intend. Unless you know and are on good terms with the dealer already.

2. Casing the gun? I'll take it or leave it. I've brought "nekkid" guns into stores plenty of times. If some fool pulled a gun on me for that I'd leave immediately, call the cops, and put out the bad word on that shop among friends and club members.

Those of you who are saying case the gun... ever been to a gun show? Yeesh.

I can see casing to prevent damage to the firearm while transporting (especially with other guns potentially clacking around with it), or if the shop owner requests it, but that's about it.

3. Unload, unload, unload, unload, unload, unload, unload.

4., 5., 6. Unload.
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Exactly this. And make sure the action is open.

My LGS won't touch a gun, cased or otherwise, until the owner opens the action and shows clear.

Of course, this is because some of the counter people aren't the brightest. I remeber a guy who brought in a Winchester 94 and a Mauser K95. The counter lady was taking the info on the winchester and asked "12 gauge?" The owner politely replied, "No ma'am, 30-30."

I can see where she got confused.
 
I recommended carrying the firearms in cased for several reasons:
1. It protects the firearm from being bumped, dropped, etc in transport.
2. The LGS will have something to store the gun in JIC it needs repairs.
3. It's discrete. Not every LGS is in a gun-friendly area.
4. It helps prevent the "squirrels" who hang out in shops from blathering on about what they know about the gun.
5. It shows that you care about the firearms if you are looking to trade. One customer of ours brought his in loosely in the trunk. His guns had all kinds of nicks and scratches. He obviously didn't care for them like he should have.
 
I had a friend ask this question. He had no case so I suggested he carry it with the slide locked back, no magazine, with the grip facing forward and barrel pointed to the ground and make sure it is clearly visible.

I suggested a case but he wouldn't go that route. He was looking for a holster for his pistol. I asked him how it went and he said fine.
 
Same topic, slightly different question. I'm new to guns and when I go in to look at a gun, what should I do when handling a gun? Obviously don't point it at anybody, but other than that can I rack the slide? Take the magazine out? Dry fire? Where do I point the thing when I do try it out? Thanks!
 
I always come in with the gun held in some way not read to fire, clear it and hand it to whoever is behind the counter. Not rocket science.

Frankly no gunshop in this area could ever afford to "draw down on" someone walking in or require some sort of notification around here.

In the first case because they would be shut down by the cops and in the second case because it is obvious they are freakin' scared of either guns or people and thusly should not be in either the industry or sales.

[edit]
As for what you can do with a gun you're looking at ... I take my queues from the person handling it.

So if they execute a crisp clearing procedure and hand it over, I know this is not some collectible piece with a ten thousand year history. If they do, well, different story. Oh yeah ... And I tend to aim at cleiling lights for dryfire and sight checking.

To be honest though you are way overthinking this. Be safe, be confident and don't treat it like some sort of super special secret agent location. They have a sign saying they sell guns, it's not the local CIA office for super operators who are doing you a favour by allowing you to be there. They are salesmen selling you a hobby item that happens to be a great defense tool.
 
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M-Cameron said:
i think if someone in a gun shop drew a gun on me for bringing in an uncased gun(and carrying it in an obviously non-threatening manner IE: vertical and hand not one the grip)........im pretty sure i would instantly leave and call the police.....
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I vote for that one as well....
 
You have several guns that need to be inspected and be serviced. Call and set up an appointment. You will be instructed as to the rules of the particular shop. Showing up with a trunk load of firearms might not be the best way. I worked in a gun shop for years and the gunsmiths area can be pretty tight and making room can be tough sometimes. I would bring one or two at a time until I established time-frame, pricing and confidence.
 
Wow, only 22 posts before someone suggested the phone.

1. Call the store. If you can't find the number in your phone directory, Google "Gun Stores in [Your City, Your State]. Google should have not only address and phone number but possibly operating hours and, more importantly, driving directions.

2. Explain your problem to the guy who answers. Be sure to get his name. ("Jeremy told me...") Find out if they even DO gunsmithing, or send it out. (Maybe Google "Gunsmiths, [YC, YS]").

3. IF they can help you with your problems (and I really wouldn't put more than one gun at a time in), ASK THEM how they would like the weapon handled.

Should you have done this in the first place, you could have solved your problem in five minutes, not five days...

My tuppence,

ed
 
Funny subject, and it brings to mind a dilemma I've had a couple of times.

I bought a 1911 pistol in a pawn shop one time. When the transaction was completed, I asked the guy if there was a bag or box I could put the piece in to carry it out. He didn't have anything. I felt a bit awkward carrying that thing out of that shop on a busy downtown street.

Just recently, I traded up a S&W model 29 at a gun show. Again, no box or bag. Best option I could think of was to grip it by the body and not the grip, pointed backward. I walked past the deputy at the entrance with that thing in my hand. It did get a second look, but luckily, that was all.:scrutiny: Well, I guess it wasn't that strange to see a guy carrying a gun, at a gun show.;)
 
thezoltar said:
First, a phone call to see if they even have a smith on site, then ask for references just like you would for a good auto mechanic.
Click to expand...

If you were my gunsmith and gave my name and number to some guy I don't know, it would the last work you'd ever do for me, and I'd make sure everyone know about your lack of discretion.

Regarding phone calls... don't be a phone shopper. Call to ask about store hours if you absolutely can't find that information online. Don't ever ask them to look for items in stock and ESPECIALLY don't ask about pricing. Be a good customer and take a ride to the store to do your shopping.
 
The last few "stand alone" gun stores I've been to are locked up tight. When the counter crew finally notice me and buzz me in I'm sure they have given me a good eye-balling.
Going to a department store with a gun shop or in a "mall" I'd call or go in and ask if I can bring a firearm in for trade or service first.
Remove or open the bolt from rifles as needed. I field strip pistols and carry both long and hand gun in a case to carry them into the store.
I've been presented a firearm, drawn on once, at a gun store and it was the last time I went to that store. And the last for most of my friends, too. A store employee or owner that draws on customers is in too much of a wind-up for me. Or her/his store is in an area I wouldn't go about in unarmed.
 
theCloud said:
Same topic, slightly different question. I'm new to guns and when I go in to look at a gun, what should I do when handling a gun? Obviously don't point it at anybody, but other than that can I rack the slide? Take the magazine out? Dry fire? Where do I point the thing when I do try it out? Thanks!
Click to expand...

can I rack the slide? Yes
Take the magazine out? Yes
Dry fire? NO
Where do I point the thing when I do try it out? Not at anyone.
 
I go to a gun shop where there might me seven people looking at guns, swinging them around and trying the actions. I am more worried about those newbies, then the gun store guys are worried about me and my uncased M14 I laid on the counter.

They all carry. Its a gun shop....people bring guns to a gun shop....case, no case, it doesn't matter. They know that the guns have to come to them, cause they ain't coming to you... It isn't like a range, where there are bullets in the guns....unless you get someone that does it on purpose.

Screw discretion. If someone wets their pants because they saw my black gun while walking across the parking lot, too bad. Become an American already... That's why we don't have open carry in many states... Guns are scarey things that shouldn't be talked about, or seen.... BS!

Besides, I have bought plenty of guns from them and they didn't give me a box or nothing. I was like...uhhh....you gotta a gun sock or something? "Why, the gun shop guy asks" "Just throw it in the back seat of your truck Its fine. You live in America not Russia." After that, I relaxed more, and he relaxed even more...

Sounds like you got the case of newbie jitters. That's normal. Go to the gun shop, get to know them. Relax. Uptight people make them uptight... Feel it out, Try not to point a weapon at me though...I hate that...
After all, they just want your money like every other store you go into...

Now, going to the Pistol Bureau or a Police Department is a whole different can of worms. Citizens with guns scare them, cause they know you can probaly shoot better than them...:eek:

All the above....tongue in cheek....:rolleyes:
 
All good advise, one that I would repeat... don't leave the cases with the shop....
The rest is pretty much common sense and good etiquette ...
A phone call to them first, get a name, set a time.. It sounds like you do not have that much experience.. ask the shop how they want to handle it... and if you are not sure about how to make the weapons safe, explain that to them and let them open and check the weapons...
 
Lot's of bad advice!!



Here is the real deal:

Without a case -- don't make the employees have to guess as to what you are bringing in. That would be rather rude and unprofessional. Get straight down to business!

Gun in hand -- speaking of getting straight down to business this is the way to go! They will surely take notice and you will get attention right away!

Wave the gun around -- make sure everyone sees the products you have to offer. Not every single individual in the store will be a walking textbook of knowledge. This way every employee will get a chance to chime in and you'll increase your odds of closing a good deal!

Loaded (magazine and chamber) -- that way the stores employees will know that the firearm might be fully functional or at least have the ability to feed live ammunition. Knowing this will definitely fetch you a few extra dollars!


Since we're on the topic, clothing can really make a difference between a good deal and a bad deal.

Thinking of dressing nicely?
Collared shirt?
Dress pants?
Fancy shoes?

Forget about it! That screams sucker! Be prepared for a low ball offer if you choose to dress snazy.

Taking in to consideration all of the above tips the best way to dress,

Black hooded sweatshirt -- covering most of your face.
Black pants and shoes.
Dark sunglasses or a bandana covering the rest of your exposed face would be exceptional -- unless you have a solid poker face! But who really does right?

This gives the impression that although you aren't swimming in excess descretionary funds you still have a few dollars to your name. The middle of the road type of guy.
 
Carters Country in Houston prohibits bringing in cased guns, all guns must be unloaded and out of cases before you enter. It's also a range, and no you can't put your guns in a case when you go back there to shoot ether.

Now if you shoot at Gander Mountain a few miles away from them, they want all guns cased when brought into the store and put a zip tie on case as you enter.

Call ahead and ask. The staff will appreciate it since there is a lot of folks that prefer to do business totally opposite of others.
 
Normally, I take them in cased.

Uncased, I go in empty handed and let them know I plan on bringing an uncased firearm in for whatever reason.

One customer of ours brought his in loosely in the trunk. His guns had all kinds of nicks and scratches. He obviously didn't care for them like he should have.
Click to expand...
You could say the same about me if you looked at my guns. Granted, any time they go somewhere, they are holstered or cased, but, like all of my tools, they all have nicks and scratches from use.

I'm not extra careful with my ratchets and sockets to keep them from getting scratched up and dinged, and my firearms are treated in a similar fashion.
 
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