Gun Shops in Orlando

[Calibre44]

I’m coming over to Orlando next week with the family for a few weeks holiday. While I’m there, I would love to visit a Gun Shop. I’ve found the following addresses from threads on THR and wondered if any of you folks could recommend one from the list to visit, or indeed recommend any others. Also, I’m not sure which ones are ranges only – again any advice would be appreciated

SHOOT STRAIGHT (407) 889-0842
1349 ORANGE BLOSSOM TRL S
APOPKA, FL 32768

SHOOTING SPORTS OF ORLANDO INC.
6811-12 VISITORS CIRCLE
ORLANDO. FL 32819

OAK RIDGE GUN RANGE (407) 857-5663
632 W OAK RIDGE RD
ORLANDO, FL 32809

EAST ORANGE SHOOTING SPORTS (407) 679-1995
7210 GARDNER ST
32792

RIEG'S GUN SHOP & RANGE (407) 859-1066
5512 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TR
ORLANDO, FL 32839

Now for the naive question: are there any particular protocols to be observed whilst looking in a Gun Shop in the States? i.e. are you welcome to just look around? I do want to purchase some items for my BP Pistols, but to be honest; I really want to see some handguns up close. Not necessarily to handle – just to see some would be good, if only to bring back some lost memories.

 

[kingpin008]

I can't advise about the shops you listed, since I'm in MD - but as far as "gun shop etiquette" I'll just say this: be polite, ask questions, and let them know (if they couldn't already tell by the accent) that you're from the UK, and are just experiencing a bit of "kid in a candyshop" disease. I'm sure they'll understand, and be happy to let you look and touch as much as you want.

Hope you have a good time!

 

[TBeck]

I lived in Orlando a while back.

Shoot Straight is a fantastic store with a great staff. You'll love it.

Shooting Sports used to have some real nitwits running it. I don't know if that is still the case. One friend asked about them ordering a particular rifle and was told that he had no need for a rifle like that. Uh-huh.

Oak Ridge was a small store run by a nice guy and his wife when I was there.

I never went into Rieg's of the other so I can't speak to them.

Most stores will have a "no loaded weapons" sign posted. This isn't because the store doesn't believe in your rights, but because of the amazing number of stupid people who (still) bring loaded guns in and wave them around at the staff and other patrons.

 

[xsquidgator]

Welcome to the US and to Orlando!

My personal experience with these shops...
No knowledge of Shooting Sports.

I would recommend against Oak Ridge Gun Range and against Rieg's. Both are stores and ranges in one place. Oak Ridge in particular is in what I think is a not very safe part of town, same but not quite as bad for Rieg's. I've bought several guns from Oak Ridge Gun Range and used to shoot there a few years ago, until I wised up and quit going there because I didn't feel it was safe enough. The neighborhood's a bit rough with rough clientèle, and the times I was there I found no range supervision and people doing some scary unsafe things. I would stay away.

Shoot Straight is an ok store, and has a very nice, clean looking, well lit range. I've bought several firearms from them, not the cheapest but not what I thought were horrible prices, and they will lower the price if you ask (for gun purchases). I've only seen their Casselberry store but have been told the one in Apopka is nice, too. Both have ranges and will rent guns. Probably the most expensive of all these that I know of but not bad (especially considering you'll be converting pounds to dollars! ) Shoot Straight seemed reasonably friendly, supervised, and safe to me.

I like East Orange Shooting Sports and still go there from time to time if it's raining and I can't shoot at my private club outdoor range. Reasonably friendly and it is supervised and safe.

Bottom line, I would recommend either Shoot Straight or East Orange. If you try Shooting Sports and like it, please let us know how it went for you!

 

[Greybeard7]

Well, I moved from Apopka in 1989, but I enjoyed it while I was there. If they still have the bowling pin matches try to observe. I was amazed when a shooter, in three strings in the .45 class, downed all 6? pins in an average of less than three seconds. I actually got some store certificates for coming in third in the revolver class a couple of times. (Very low turnout those nights. )

GB7

 

[RobXD9]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/orl-guns1908mar19,0,3007539.story

Several Orlando area gun shops named in this trafficking story.

As for Shoot Straight Apopka - they're too darn smug for me. They mostly walk around thinking they're ***** don't stink cause they work at a gun shop.

And when another poster said their range was well lit - he wasn't kidding. It might as well be an outdoor range. Downfall to that - you'l never be able to practive with your tactical light.

I wouldn't waste my time with them.

 

[mekender]

SHOOTING SPORTS OF ORLANDO INC. - they closed years ago, owner was involved in cocaine and weapons offenses, or so ive been told...

there are 2 ranges/shops near the disney area to check out...

1 is the oak ridge range... the guys there are used to dealing with people from the UK, so youll find a lot of respect...

the other is the one is on 37th or 38th street and john young parkway... its right across the street from the orange county jail... the best part is that they have full auto rentals...

if you want a place to look at guns, just head to the north end of International drive and go to Bass Pro Shops... youll not find a bigger selection anywhere...

also, if you want to find a good bar, at the intersection of International Drive and Municipal Dr there is a place called cheers... its much less of a tourist bar than all of the other ones on the I-drive strip...

do yourself a favor and dont do a whole lot of driving around the orange blossom trail area... its not a nice area... the oak ridge area isnt nearly as bad...

 

[putteral]

How about Bass Pro?

 

[RobXD9]

Bass Pro shop - haha if you don't mind getting bad information when you ask questions.

Was looking at a beautiful para once. Was told I was "holding it wrong." If I "hold it that way I'll get slide bit somethin' fierce!"

Of course, I was holding it with my thumb over the top of the safety...correctly that is.

He told me to grip it under the safety. I said, "Oh, and in the middle of a gunfight if your thumb kicks the safety on, what do you do?"

He goes, "You plannin' on gettin in a gunfight?"

Moron.

Oh, the other thing about Bass Pro - expect about the highest prices around. They've got a pretty penny in rent to pay on IDrive.

Rob

 

[Calibre44]

Many thanks for all the advice folks - lots to think about.

Got to get up tomorrow morning at 3am to get to the airport to check in in time for the long flight - phew!!

thanks again
John

 

[R127]

Hey Calibre44, if you're looking for blackpowder stuff then you should check out Buffalo Bill's Shooting Store! Really cool place that pretty much specializes in BP guns and accessories.

Buffalo Bill's Shooting Store
3014 Corrine Dr
Orlando, FL
Phone: (407) 896-6793

I would also reccomend Shoot Straight in Apopka. It has a good range and a good selection. AFAIK you shouldn't have any trouble renting some things that are prohibitted in your country and trying them out on the range.

As for your naive question... Buffalo Bill's and Shoot Straight have always been friendly to browsing in my experience as are most of the more professional gun shops. If you get a bad vibe from one place just leave and go somewhere else. Americans have hundreds of millions of guns and we Floridians are among the worst of the lot! We've got shall-issue concealed carry licenses, no bans on any particular type of firearms and most relevant for you, lots of gun shops in every city! If the store's not busy you should just go up to one of the salesmen and say "Hey man! I'm from the UK and they don't let us have all the cool stuff you guys get to have! Mind showing me some stuff so I can take home some memories, maybe hook me up with some rentals to take on the range?" You should be golden. Most of us wish you guys had less oppressive firearms laws and would be happy to help you get a taste of freedom. Just be careful who you call a Yank if that is your natural inclination, some of us in the South take that as an insult.

 

[scurtis_34471]

Some of these shops rent guns. You could actually go shooting if you want to.

 

[Billy_H]

I've not been to the Orlando Shoot Straight, but we have on here in Tampa and it is a pretty nice store with a big inventory. It should keep you busy for a while looking around.

And Bass Pro Shop would be a great place to just walk around and kill some time. Anytime we are over in Orlando the wife and I always stop there and usually end up bringing home something hunting related or the like...

 

[XDKingslayer]

Go to Shoot Straight. That place is cool. The employees are great.

 

[Calibre44]

Buffalo Bill's Shooting Store sounds great!

Off to bed now and tomorrow I'll be in your great country

Thanks again guys

 

[Rembrandt]

....SHOOTING SPORTS OF ORLANDO INC. - they closed years ago, owner was involved in cocaine and weapons offenses, or so ive been told...

Wow,....stopped there while on vacation about 6-7 years ago, we rented machine guns (MP5 and Thompson), had a great time. Seem to recall the owners who started it were a couple of attorneys. I was surprised at how many Japanese tourists were there renting guns.

 

[mekender]

i worked for the broadway pizza there in the circle that it was on... when i worked there about 5 years ago, that street was almost completely vacant.. the building that the range was in is a church now if i remember correctly...

 

[Calibre44]

Many thanks

Just a quick post to thank you folks again for your advice.

Unfortunately, due to a tight schedule, we only had time to go to Bass Pro but really enjoyed seeing the cases of handguns, especially a case full of Single Action Armies. Watching guys buy ammo and Black Powder straight off a shelf in an aisle brought home to me the freedoms you have in the States.

I did buy two cleaning mats, a handgun case for my BP revolvers and some cleaning gear so I was quite happy.

Also had some interesting discussions with a few older shooters I came across who made it quite clear what the US Gov could do with any plans they might have to limit gun ownership and also where they could stick it

Hopefully the following isn’t off topic as Mustangs did carry guns, but a real joy was the day we visited Fantasy of Flight. I was admiring the graceful lines of a P51C, when to my delight a couple of guys appeared with a tractor, towed it out, fired it up and then proceeded to beat it around the airfield a few times. Seeing a WWII Warbird taking off from a grass runway was almost enough to make me faint. I’ve seen a number of P51D fly over here in the UK but never a C version so this was a day I won’t forget.

A truly magnificent aeroplane – of course it needed a British engine to make it fly and sound right. Here’s a pic for any aviation fans.

This was our second visit to your great country and it only makes us want to visit more of it.

 

[kingpin008]

Calibre44 - Glad you had a fun trip, and glad you made it back home safe! It is amazing, isn't it? As much trouble as we have here with keeping the anti's at bay, we still have a ton to be thankful for.

BTW - you know, now that you have the cleaning supplies and that nice new case for your BP pieces, we expect to see pics. Nice, shiny guns, in a nice, new case. What could be better?

 

[Sato Ord]

I live about an hours drive from O'town, If you get to Melbourne check out Action Gun on Aurora Road. Just east of Wickham Road on the south side of Aurora.

Nice little shop, good prices, people there know there stuff, and they have a nice little indoor range.If you come on a Saturday expect to take a number and wait a little bit to get onto the range. Still, it's nice, and the wait isn't usually too long.