Recommend any Portland ME gun shops?

[jamz]

Looks like we're leaving the People's Socailist Republic of Massachusetts to move up to the Portland Maine area. the only sad thing about that for me is having to leave my favorite gun shop in the world, Four Seasons Firearms. Can anyone recommend any good gun shops in the Portland area? Or ones to stay away from? I'm used to a shop with no commandos, morons or helpless clerks, if that helps.

-James

 

[Connecticut Yankee]

Kittery Trading Post is the Largest in Maine

The KTP, just over the New Hampshire border, is the largest in Maine and one of the largest in the NE. They are about an hour or less from Portland and have a website. The people are reasonable, they have a good to great selection including a lot of used guns and some Randalls. There's one gunshop/fishing shop in downtown Portland but only has about a half dozen guns. I'm not from Maine but I hope this helps.

 

[TheFreepster]

If you're willing to drive a little, up around lewiston there is "The Stone Gun Shop" its great. Literally a bunker in some guy's side yard but with an unbelievable selection and great customer service. Ten dollar FFL transfers!

 

[OEF_VET]

Really, the only choice anywhere within a reasonable driving distance of Portland is the Kittery Trading Post. Nowhere else in the sate, or quite possibly the region, will have nearly as large a selection. Of course, I've never been to the place Freepster mentioned, so it could be a good place too.

To get to The KTP, take I-95 to Kittery and get off at Exit 2, IIRC. Follow the signs to the Kittery Shopping District and KTP will be a very large yellow building, with an enormous arrowhead on it, on the left. The shooting sports section will be upstairs. The rows upon rows of longguns are enough to keep a gun nut busy for hours, fondling different weapons. Then there are the multitude of handgun cases.

There is a small shop in Biddeford, near 5 Points, which should be avoided at all costs. It's a little shop, off of the owners' house. The prices he charges, and the amount he gives on trade are horrendous. Heck, he may not even be in business anymore, the last time I was there was back in October of '96.

 

[Harbinger]

I also recommend the KTP for the massive amount of guns.

TheFreepster,
You sure about that gun shop's location? I live in Lewiston and never heard of it. Did a quick search on the net and there was a small blurb I found about a Stone's Gun Shop out in Buckfield. If that's the place you're talking about, I'll have to go take a look out in dem dere boonies.

 

[BlkHawk73]

First of all, congrats on having sence to leave MA, but also, we ask that you not bring the stereotypical Massitude with you. Being a gun person you peroberly don't need to worry as much - just don't expect warm welcomes from most real Mainer's. Portland's just a few short miles from me. (I ain't livin' in land of Chitwood)

Ok

Now KTP will have the biggest selection but they don't always have the best prices, especially on used firearms. Some clerks ae ok, others are terrible, arrogant, and unschooled. Thier ammo/reloading dept is very well stocked too but again - prices are up there.

The shop in Biddeford OEF-VET mentioned has got to be Norm's. THE worst shop I've ever been in to and also the one single place that has more crap flying around than a manure truck during a rollover.
There's Howell's in Gray on 202. Not a bad selection but also kinda overpriced unless you're one of his cronies. Got lied to and cheated there once so I'll never return anyways. (advertised one price, charged another ) Some nice high end shotguns though. Some clerks have that know-it-all attitude
I currently use Gulf of Maine gunsmithing on 302 in Raymond. Small shop with limited selection but a great guy to talk to. There's gunshows occasionally (www.dipromo.com) has most but a Lewiston show is one of the best. (March 19/20) Biddeford and Waterville shows are kinda blah.
There's some others if you want a bit of a drive and depending on what you're specifically interested in.

There's also a few good ranges/clubs in the area too. Falmouth Rod & Gun and Scarborough Fish & game. I belong to the first one.

Also, get used to lower prices than what you're accustomed to in the Commonwealth. And it's ALL legal up here.

 

[OEF_VET]

BlkHawk73,

Yep, Norm's was the name. That unscrupulous son of a motherless goatherder really put the boots to me when I was yet a newbie in the gun trading arena.

(Now, keep in mind I just admitted that this occurred when I was a relative virgin to gun trading.)

I had a post-ban (happened in Oct. '96) Colt AR-15A2 with something like 30x30rnd mags, 5-6x20 rnd mags, Harris bipod, GI cleaning kit, soft case, and a whole mess of other related odds 'n ends to go with it. Well, I was spending WAYYYYYY too much on ammo, because the darn thing was too addictive. So, I decided to get rid of it and get something a bit less expensive to shoot. Well, I happened upon Norm's one day and went in for a look. I should have never darkened the doorway. By the time it was all said and done, he got my AR, while I was left holding a Russian SKS w/ 100 rnds of 7.62x39 and a Hi-Point .380 w/ 100 rnds of ammo. He definitly got the better end of that deal.

I soon realized just how badly I had been taken and from that day forward, I've been adamant about not recommending Norm's. Of course, a lot of the blame rides squarely on my shoulders because I accepted the deal. However, in my defense, I didn't know any better and at the time, there wasn't exactly a huge internet-based wealth of info available such as there is now. (Thanks in great part to folks like Oleg.)

BTW, there use to be a small, but fairly decent gun show in Sanford, about twice a year. It was held at the Sanford-Springvale Rod and Gun Club on Rte 4, just south of Rte 109. If it's still being held, it's worth the time (or at least it was).

Frank (formerly of Sanford / Springvale)

 

[BlkHawk73]

BTW, there use to be a small, but fairly decent gun show in Sanford, about twice a year. It was held at the Sanford-Springvale Rod and Gun Club on Rte 4, just south of Rte 109. If it's still being held, it's worth the time (or at least it was).

That show is now held at the amory in sanford. Still a nice litle - repeat - little show but good none-the-less.

 

[Connecticut Yankee]

Riley's in Hookset(?) NH

I have never been there but Riley's in Hookset NH is supposed to be another large emporium. It'd be a drive from Portland I guess three hours each way min. but it might be worth it - anyone from NH can give some facts?

 

[Monkeyleg]

You can find the information the folks at Riley's provided me with here.

There was a long thread complaining about the service at Riley's. I emailed the URL to the thread to the manager, and she was really appreciative, and said she'd try to make sure the problem didn't happen again.

Just my .02.