How you know you found a good gun shop

[brighamr]

1) When going over the prices for your new gun, mags, sling, and ammo; the store owner says he'll throw the mags in for free along with the sling. (Without any haggling, etc. He just decides to give you free stuff)

2) When you go into buy scope rings, the store owner offers to install them and level your scope for free on the spot.

3) When you walk in, the different counter workers ask you how your recent match went, and if you have any tips for beginners. Most of them remember you buy name.

4) When you're researching a new gun, the counter guy willingly lets you handle over 15 guns without hesitation. Even when he understands you wont be buying one "today" but want to learn the different features/etc.

5) When there's a rare gun you really want, the owner orders it for you at no markup. (literally, orders the gun at the internet price you find, then transfers it to you for $10)

6) You know you found a good gun shop, when you can recommend it with confidence to everyone you know.


This is a long list. Fortunately for me, my local shop (Shedhorn Sports in Ennis, MT) fits every single number. After having gone to "unfriendly" shops in the past, its just amazing how nice and informative this shop is. I went in looking to research AR15s about a week ago, and due to them being knowledgable and helpful, and letting me play with the ARs for over an hour; I ended up buying a brand new M&P, plus 1000 rounds of ammo.

This week, I went in researching 1911's. They actually took out about 15 models from the glass cases, clipped off the zip ties and let me play with all of them. Completely understanding I wasn't going to buy one, they still took the time to explain field stripping, different aftermarket items, etc.

Maybe I'm just in too much shock, but I've decided to give them 99% of my business from now on. They just work too dang hard for it I will be buying an STI in the near future, transferring it through the shop for $10, but because I like the shop so much, I figure to buy my holster, mag holders, ammo, etc from there (even if some of these are priced a bit more than the internet). It's just worth it to me to support a really good gun store.



Anybody else have a gun store that you think is the bee's knees? Do you pay a little extra for the service and knowledge?

 

[Hokkmike]

When you experience a problem after the sale and the owner says that he or she will "make it right".

 

[foghornl]

My favorite shop is a small chain..2 stores and an indoor pistol range.

Knowledgeable guys, courteous and professional, treat everyone the same. Not always the best prices, but great service.

Few years back, I bought an extra mag for my KP-90 Ruger on a Saturday. Took it home and I could only put 3 rounds in it. Went back to the shop, 1 guy took apart the mag, said spring was in wrong, and loaded 8 rounds into it to show me. Gave me the box of ammo that he loaded the mag from. The shop called me the following Monday and said "Would you like to exchange that mag? We just got more in."

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

1) When going over the prices for your new gun, mags, sling, and ammo; the store owner says he'll throw the mags in for free along with the sling. (Without any haggling, etc. He just decides to give you free stuff)

To me, this indicates that he's either marking up the price of the gun enough to cover accessories or is planning on covering the charge somewhere else. He might take a loss if he thinks you will come back and cover the cost of those items in other accessories and ammo, but somehow, those items need to be paid for. TANSTAAFL.

 

[whistler]

the gun store i buy from gives you a life time warranty on new guns and has a inhouse gunsmith and shop i

 

[Monkeybear]

I don't know how a gunstore owner is going to be able to throw free mags/slings and sell guns with little to no markup.

I am just happy with decent prices and friendly staff. I still gotta drive out to Tomball Pawn to get that.

 

[NavyLCDR]

7. When my wife is shopping for a gun and the sales people deal with her just like the Army ranger buying a gun next to her. IE: they never say "all the ladies like this one" with a gold tooth grin or they don't hand the gun to me first if she is the one who asked to see it.

The last gun gift for her that we bought together was her .460 S&W. Today I am going to surprise her and take her to get Millenium Pro in .45 (10 round capacity version) for her to carry for our 20th anniversary.

 

[brighamr]

To me, this indicates that he's either marking up the price of the gun enough to cover accessories or is planning on covering the charge somewhere else. He might take a loss if he thinks you will come back and cover the cost of those items in other accessories and ammo, but somehow, those items need to be paid for. TANSTAAFL.

I completely agree with this statement. Gun stores need to make a profit, and as such they do markup items. My point was, he realized the markup and threw in some cheap incentives to make me happy. I would have paid full price, but because of his extra effort, I'm much more inclined to shop there in the future.

The little to no markup I mentioned was on custom orders. If I order my STI, I'll pay the internet price and a $10 transfer fee..... compare that to the california shops that charge as much as $50 to transfer plus $25 DROS fee.... I feel pretty happy about my new situation

 

[ochmude]

I've got a local shop that I absolutely adore. I walked in there one evening after work, just because I saw the "open" neon sign. The owner walked up to me, shook my hand and introduced himself, as did I. I browsed for awhile, not really intending to buy anything, just wanted to check out the inventory. I said goodbye and left.

Over a month later I found myself in need of some ammo. I was near that store, so figured I'd buy it there. I walked in, the owner saw me, greeted be by name (had only been in the store that first time, over a month ago), offered me a soda, and asked what he could do for me. Told him I needed 9mm ammo. He asked what I needed it for (i.e. target, protection, etc.). I said just some cheap WWB for fun. He said another shop in a neighboring town sells 100 round bags of 9mm reloads cheaper than anything else he's seen. He then called the shop to see if they had any bags of the ammo in stock, which they did. I was speechless. I thanked him for the effort and better customer service than I've ever seen in my life, and said I'd still like to buy the ammo from his shop.

He's earned me as a loyal customer from now on. Even if it costs me a little more, I'll buy from him. If it's gonna cost a lot more, he's more than willing to match prices. Fantastic shop.

 

[Mr White]

You know you found a good gun shop when your wife has them special order an oddball set of dies for your Christmas present and then several days after Christmas, your buddy gives you an almost new set of the same dies (.32 Win Spl) and you go to return them without the receipt and the store owner says "Yep, I remember her coming in with your sons and ordering them. The one with the dark hair and freckles sure knew his guns. If you haven't used them I can give you your money back."

At that point, the appropriate response is "That's ok. Just give me a pound of 4350, a box of .32 cal bullets and 1000 CCI #200 primers and tell me what I owe you."

 

[boredelmo]

Here's mine.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=347129

 

[woof]

Q - How do you know you don't have a good gun shop in your area?

A - When you read a thread like this and cry.

 

[moooose102]

i havent found anything like that, yet. i just downloaded a list of gunstores within a 40 mile radius of me. i am going to be checking them out over the next couple of months. if i am lucky!?!?

 

[Chrome]

+1 woof, +1.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[David N]

It would be helpful if you tell us where "Ennis" is. Remember that people from all over the country if not the entire world may be reading your posts.

In general I agree with you. When I was new to guns I bought a pistol from a local shop. People on the internet said I paid too much for it. But when I field stripped it and couldn't get it back together all I had to do was take it in and the resident expert showed me what I had done wrong. He didn't charge me anything for his time.

It's tempting to think I can save by buying ammo mail order but by the time I pay the shipping costs it's hard to save much. I also enjoy knowing I'm supporting a local business.

 

[XDandy]

the gun store i buy from gives you a life time warranty on new guns and has a inhouse gunsmith and shop i

Where is this Whistler? I live close to Fort Worth and definitely haven't found this gem yet.

 

[Black Knight]

There used to be a gunshop in my hometown that I felt was great. His best and trusted customers were allowed behind the counter to check out something they liked. I was fortunate enough to be one of them. Too bad the guy that owned it passed away a few years ago. It was a small shop and everyone was treated like a long time friend.

 

[Pilgrim]

When the owner says, "The wife wants to know if you will join us for supper?"

Pilgrim

P.S. She's a great cook.

 

[Cougfan2]

When you say you would like to see a certain firearm and they don't spend the next 5 minutes trying to tell you why it's a piece of junk to show their VASTLY superior knowledge of all things firearm.

 

[sm]

When they have a dawg on premise that pours the coffee, offers customers do-nuts and provides quality service during and after the sale.

Ma is too busy doing special orders, inventory control and the bookkeeping.
Pa is doing the on site gun smith needs.

Kids come in and the bathrooms are spotless as is the rest of the store...well...except that shop area where Pa gun smiths, and even it is pretty nice and kept up.

 

[Tob]

I'm treated fairly at my local shop. Good thing too, its the only one for many miles.

 

[230RN]

8. They don't have one of those "no loaded guns-no exceptions" signs on their door.

 

[brighamr]

"There used to be a gunshop in my hometown that I felt was great. His best and trusted customers were allowed behind the counter to check out something they liked. "

I forgot to mention that. When the owner was putting my scope on, I asked about flip down sites. He didn't have any in stock, so he opened a couple websites on his comp and invited me behind the counter to check them out. First time that's every happened.

 

[brighamr]

Neveravictim - fixed location (Ennis, MT)

 

[Moonclip]

When they are open EVERY day of the year. I know one.

When you are allowed to smoke! Rare in CA.