Gun Stores in the Twilight Zone…

[Kerf]

Anyone else found one of those gun places where you think you’re stepping back in time about forty or fifty years ago?

Rather than flying somewhere, I prefer to take an extra day or two and meander my way there. Taking my time on the local highways and byways, rather than the interstates and stopping in small towns to make inquiries about guns for sale, or someone local that can repair or work on guns. And I use the phone book yellow pages and look up likely places to stop. Also, the local newspaper will sometimes have guns for sale listed, or even better a local gun show at the VFW hall. And I’ll stop in the local gathering spot for a beer or a coffee and inquire who does gun repairs.

So I’ve ended up in a lot of gun places in the middle of nowhere; people’s homes, garages, barns, out buildings and small huts that are crammed with every thing under the sun in the way of guns. Several places only used natural day light for lighting, having no electricity. (Plus I collect anvils and planes, and antique tools in general, so those will usually come into play also.) Out in the hinterland, with nothing nearby in terms of civilization. I’m amazed that in the age of the Internet, places like that can still exist. You’d be surprised how many brand-new in the box, sitting on the shelf for 40 years, rifles or handguns you can locate that way, and at a very good price. (I won’t mention the used, no-lock, mint M25 8 3/8” .45 colt @ $275.00 from a small pawn shop I stumbled onto earlier this spring. I’m not here and I didn’t say that.)

So the next time you have a trip to make, like for vacation, or business, think about leaving a day or two early and maybe visit the twilight zone along the way. For me, it sure beats spending my time and money at the local gun shops in my area and seeing the same ol’ same ol’. You know, staring at row after row after row of black plastic, sometimes just isn’t worth the trip.

kerf

 

[Speedgoat]

Sounds like you'd like Kesserling's in NW Washington

 

[bcp280z]

Just wondering as most of my business travel is out of state, how do these backwards shops with no electricity do FFL or state to state transfers? Is it under the table?

 

[Kerf]

Speedgoat,

I don’t think I’ve ever been in Kesserling’s, as it doesn’t ring a bell. I was in a large store which I believe was in Spokane, or east into Idaho, and attempted to buy a rifle there. They had a Biathlon Basic w/ scope and bipod attached for a very cheap price, used. My impression was that they didn’t want to sell the gun at the marked price and used the excuse that they were unable to do the background check at that time. (They’d rather sell it to someone local, after they changed the price tag.) I considered waiting around a few days and making an issue of it, but didn’t. If the seller isn’t a willing seller, why bother?
Ran into the same situation at a Cabela’s, in WV or PA, I think. They had a custom Mauser in .257 Roberts, with a 10X Unertl scope for $600.00. I wanted the scope; it was worth the price alone. I offered them the six for the scope alone and they wouldn’t do it. That always happens when you get “Managers” involved. They always have that CYA syndrome and back away. Knuckle heads. You don’t always win.


Bcp280z,

I was in a gunsmith’s shop that had no electricity (Amish). He powered his lathe, milling machine, and drill press, by a series of 5 or 6 leather belts that ran across the field to a fast moving stream that you could jump across. I was looking for a broken case extractor because I tore the rim off a .222 and it was stuck in the die. We were hunting groundhogs. He had one, which saved the day.

He also had Nosler Zipedo bullets, 6mm & .22. I bought all he had, save a few boxes, for his regular customers. (Don’t want to be a hog.) That was a score in itself. I still have a few of those boxes left over in my reloading room, somewhere.

He also had one of the finest selections of custom-built rifles by famous stock makers & gunsmiths I have run across anywhere. Those were too fancy/expensive for me, but I did purchase three Sako heavy barreled rifles (one with a 8X Weaver) in .222, .22-250, and .243. Not caring much for the .243 cartridge, I sold it, which paid for the other two rifles, bullets and broken case extractor. And, BTW, those three packages were waiting for me when I got home.

So, my point is, you never know what you’re going to find or where or when you’re going to find it, but you really have to look. It also helps to have a copy of you’re local gun shop’s FFL and CASH.

And, no, I’m not looking to do anything illegal, nor am I suggesting that for anyone else.
Play safe,

kerf

 

[Speedgoat]

Yeah Kesserling's is in NW Washington on Old Highway 99, basically the outskirts of Burlington, technically Alger.