Gun stores in Tampa?

[Harry Paget Flashman]

I am attending a convention in Tampa the week of 18 April 2005. Does anyone know any decent gun stores in the Tampa area? When I went on business to Jacksonville last Fall I Googled gunshops there and visited several websites to view their inventory before the trip. Got a good package deal on a CZ27, Ruger 22/45 and HSc Mauser .380 for my efforts.

My local FFL recommended Empire Gun & Pawn, University Gun & Pawn and Serbe Firearms (?sp).

I Googled Tampa and have a list of shops but found no websites of interest. If anybody knows the lay of the land and has a recommendation, it would be appreciated.

 

[10MMGary]

I have lived in the bay area for the last 20 something years. As much as I hate to admit it the gunshop selection is rather lacking in the City of Tampa proper. I personally do not care for either of the Pawn/gun shops you mentioned and I am not familier with Serbe Firearms. Now don't get me wrong there are some very fine gunshops in the area only you might have to drive a bit to visit. Wain Roberts firearms in Pinellas Park (5400 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park) is a nice shop with a good selection. When across the bay. I always stop by Bill Jackson's Sporting goods, an amazing total sporting goods store aside from the fact that they sell guns and also have a indoor range. (9501 US 19 North, Pinellas Park). The last time I was in A-Z firearms(9033 66th St. Pinellas Park)it had a good selection, but it has been a while. There is the Wyoming Antelope Club (3700 126th Ave, Clearwater). They have a 200 yard range if your interested. Also Deer Hunter Guns (2797 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater) has been good for me in the past. If your really up for a drive you can head north to Inverness and checkout Dans Gun Room (105 North Florida Ave), a great guy to deal with by the way. Or you can head south and visit Gun Craft in Ruskin (2403 21st Ave S.E.). It is a range, a sales shop and custom shop for building high end competition handguns. If you get a chance to visit with Ben Jones (if he is still alive) you'll never forget that visit. Additionally you could head east and visit Teneroc Gun Shop/Club/Range in Lakeland (3755 Teneroc Mine Rd) is an interesting place. These are just a few that came to mind, I am sure there are more that I have forgotten that are good shops. Hope this helped a bit.
Gary

 

[K-Man]

10mmGary hit most of the local shops. The only one I would add is Freedom Outfitters on Thonotosassa Rd in Plant City, just off I-4. Decent selection of rifles/handguns. There's Patriot Arms in Brandon - a place to visit if you have lots of money.

There's a gun show at the Tampa Fairgrounds on April 23rd and 24th. Not a big show mind you, but would give you something to look at if you're still in town at that time.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Thank you for the responses, K-Man & 10MMGary.

 

[Alfadog]

Gary and K-man pretty much nailed it. University Gun & Pawn probably has the biggest selection in Tampa and is always well stocked (at least every time I've been there). Discount Guns on Busch Blvd. is usually pretty well stocked with rifles and shotguns, but their handgun selections are pretty limited. I like the guys at Patriot Arms, but bring lots of money if you want to buy anything there.

My favorite shops in the area are Bill Jackson's (huge selection of new guns, some used guns) and Deer Hunter Guns (small shop, but great guys to deal with and a good selection of new and used guns--and right across the street from the original Hooters!).

 

[10MMGary]

Discount Guns is gone,

Mark the owner shut it down. He is now shooting guns instead of selling them he has open season on feral hogs, coyotes, armadillos and other non-indigenous critters on a 2,500 acre private preserve he and his family live on and he is caretaker of. A hard job I am sure but someone has to do it. Additionally he is careing for two breeding pair of redwolves (once common in peninsular Fla so I'm told) and some type of rare horses that are from Mongolia (if I recall correctly) for the Lowery Park Zoo.

As to University gun & pawns selection, every time I have gone there they had nothing but nearly empty shelves. The guy behind the counter stated that everything was at the gunshow. When I see them at the various gunshows they do indeed have a huge selection, and lots of people in line to look or buy. So I guess they must be doing something right. I'll have to plan a visit in between gunshows.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Returned from Trip to Tampa today with 5 used guns. Only had time to visit 7 or so gun shops but found some items I'd been looking for at decent prices. Had been looking for an H&R top break 9 shot .22 revolver and found a "Sportsman' (sic) for $159. Got a S&W model 10 with original box for $279 and a Browning 1922 (Herstal) .32 for $269.

Also found 2 must-have guns that I couldn't pass up...a Glock 21 for $399 and a Ruger stainless steel SP101 in .22 for $329.

Income tax refund has pretty much got it covered.

For the record, Empire Guns and Jack's Guns were helpful with directions and where to go to find what I was looking for. Discount Guns is out of business. University Pawn & Gun has a large selection of quality guns and Kastle Keep in Largo has a huge selection of quality handguns.