Is your local gun store always crowded?

[Beentown]

Main one here in Columbus area is always packed. You're usually waiting 10-15 people deep on the weekend to get help. Good store and best prices in town though. I've also noticed a lot more people at the range a go to and more bringing their kids to teach them how to shoot safely.

If you are speaking of Vances...

I haven't been there and not had at least 25 ahead of me. Including Tuesday, middle of the day shops. I buy at least 6-8 a year there a month and their volume is crazy. But they do give us good price also. When I see what they charge compared to the rest of the Nation I am happy.

 

[Fishslayer]

how do you know?

Ummm.... cause there aren't many 24/7 gun stores?

Probably the busiest "gun store" (leaving out the Turner's, etc) I go to is Duncan's in San Marcos. Generally they are slow till noon on weekdays. It's usually been a circus when I go there on weekends and usually busy when I go there weekday afternoons.

Hey! It's a gun store! I LIKE hangin' out there! I try to not be in a hurry when I go to any gun store.

 

[pockets]

Yep, Vance's is always busy. But at least they do have the 'take a number' system. Which can also be unfortunate....as more than a few times, I have watched a used gun I was waiting to buy be sold to someone with a lower number than I had. But hey, they have a huge selection, so there is always something of interest. And their staff is usually very patient, I've never felt rushed to buy over the past few decades.
If I want to be even more relaxed there, I arrive when they open on a Saturday morning and beat the masses.

.

 

[atomd]

The local shops around here aren't too busy. You might have to be the 2nd or 3rd guy in line to get someone to help you but you never have to wait very long. Cabelas on the other hand....they have a "take a number" system and sometimes they literally are into triple digits. A friend of mine went there to pick up a gun and had to wait almost 2 hours.

People can be really rude about it too...cutting in front of people....going to the counter for help when someone else's number is called, etc. I went to buy something they had on special and a kid in line in front of me had the number right before mine. He had 3 friends with him. He asked to look at about 9 different pistols and each time he was done checking it out, each one of his friends would spend a minute or 2 handling the pistol before handing it back. I don't make it a normal practice to buy guns from them anymore but sometimes I have gift cards and things to spend there so I do anyways.

 

[alsaqr]

Lawton is the third largest city in OK. We don't have a local gun store. There are several rip-off pawn dealers who have FFLs.

Nearest gun stores in Duncan, over 35 miles away. The guys prices are sky high and i won't buy from him. My guns come from a pawn dealer in another town: His price +$40.

 

[Sav .250]

If it is (crowded) .........The crowd is mostly guys just hanging around.
Seems like "social" hour is all day long.

 

[Hokkmike]

My LGS has very good prices. They will try to sell you what is in stock before ordering. They specialize in lower end economy firearms but you can order the more expensive stuff. The store is very politically active. Prices for trade-ins are bad. (I do that elsewhere) It is a small shop with a good volume. I am known personally (by name) and treated very well. While it is never crowded there is a constant flow in and out of people. I am told that the sale of firearms in gerneral, and hand guns in particular, is BRISK......

 

[mdauben]

Larry's in Huntsville is like that. Great selection, good prices, generally friendly staff and wall-to-wall customers just about any time I've been in there.

 

[Searcher4851]

The two I frequent most are usually busy. Both are small. privately owned. (not chains) Both have plenty of knowledgeable help, reasonable prices, and a friendly atmosphere. (the atmoshpere leads to a lot of jawing, hence there's always people there) Listening in on the talk can provide a wealth of information in itself. It's almost like THR, but without the search function. The third shop I frequent is newer, a little pricier, but is the only one well stocked with reloading components. Once word gets out about them, it'll be busy there as well, since their most reasonble prices are ON the reloading stuff.

 

[HOOfan_1]

greentop is so small and the isles so narrow its a waste of time to try and actually look at anything there most of the time. i slip in there at 1 or 2 on a tuesday if i can, and can actually handle the guns and shop. the isles are crazy narrow and its hard to handle a long gun, get it back in the rack without bashing the opposite rack...

That's what I am saying, surpised they have the full 36" ADA required width.

Wish they would buy that empty lot next door and expand

If it is (crowded) .........The crowd is mostly guys just hanging around.
Seems like "social" hour is all day long.

Yup that too. I go in and kick tires every once in a while, but it is because I am interested in buying, and I will eventually buy. I know some of the people just go and hang out, like they are hanging out at a bar and tie up the staff's time without ever buying anything.

 

[mortablunt]

I haven't seen the inside of a Maryland gun store, but the ones back home vary by the time of day and day of week.

 

[CountryUgly]

God yes!! Larry's Pistol and Pawn in Huntsville AL. Tiny store with little to no room for customers to walk. Great selection, great prices, great staff. Horrible layout and parking. Larry if you're reading this you need a bigger location!!

You speak the truth my friend. Great prices as long as you don't shop around, the parking is horrific, the staff is well rude and condesending at best and of course you can't walk anywhere without tripping over boxes of ammo or people. Do yourself a favor and ease on over to JC's or if you don't mind a 20 minute drive Jerry's Sports World.

 

[Ryanxia]

Mine is sometimes dead and other times packed, just depends on what time you go.