Sportsmans Warehouse - Portland, OR

[Zip06]

So I was going in to buy some firearms related items and big as can be on the front door is the sign that all firearms must be checked for my protection. Oregon has a shall issue law and a concealed handgun license is an option. Thats it for Sportsmans Warehouse.

 

[Carlos]

That's bad. Well, I still need to buy things there, and it's so darned close to JCGC.

Guess I'll, cough, leave the gun in the car.

 

[schadenfreude]

No one pays much attention to that sign. I saw four people packing when I bought my 1911 this week and spotted two people last night while I was shopping.

 

[wintermute76]

Sportsmans Warehouse in MN has the same sign, I thought it applied to bringing in guns to sell, when I realized they don't sell used guns....

I carry anyway, here in MN they technically have to ask you to leave even if they have a complying sign up, which it isn't


Now at Gander Mountain, they say the same thing (check your firearms) but after it says it does not apply to carry permit holders.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...on the front door is the sign that all firearms must be checked for my protection.

That's like store that tell me I need to show three pieces of I.D. before they'll accept a check—for my protection. It's a lie.

I don't do business with anti-Second Amendment bigots.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

I brought a shotgun into Sportsman Warehouse in Salem to be sure of a recoil pad I was going to buy. They checked the shotgun to see if it was loaded and put a sticker on it identifying it as mine and not theirs. Then went about my business in the store carrying said shotgun. Maybe that is the sign refers to.

ZM

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

They opened a Sportsman's Warehouse' in Phoenix back, oh, guessing, six months ago or so.

The first couple of times I went to the store I was pleasantly surprised to find a huge selection of reloading supplies and I was thrilled thinking I could find nearly everything I needed in one stop.

But, as the weeks rolled on I started realizing the store wasn't re-stocking such things as 30.06 brass, 6.5 X 55 brass, certain bullets (particularly lead cast for handguns), common rifle dies, etc. That was becoming discouraging since it meant I was wasting gas and time for a one way trip of nearly 50 miles.

I spoke with the gentleman in charge of that area and he said the Corporate Office orders stock and it's not necessarily based on consumer popularity in any one store but what they have in stock at the main warehouse they divy up to all stores.

So, now, I'm back to having to drive to several small 'mom and pop' stores to get what I need.

In doing that it reminded me that even the smaller shops are cheaper than Sportsman's Warehouse. For example, Hornady and Speer bullets run about $2.00 per hundred more at SW. Powder is general a couple of dollars cheaper at the smaller stores, etc. and, now, the selection at the smaller stores is acually better.

I asked about the possibility if they would ever sell curio and relic guns and the answer was simply, 'No.' and the idea was that the company doesn't want to deal in used weapons of any kind.

I'm also a fisherman and I noticed that they didn't tailor their stock for the fishing in Arizona. They have a TON of Muskie lures and I'm willing to bet there isn't one muskie within 500 miles of Phoenix. And, they had very, very few in terms of trout and bass lures and that comprises the majority of Arizona fishing (catfish excluded).

I suspect the store in Phoenix won't survive the commercial market long if they don't take on a philosophy to stock according to what the local market wants.

Otherwise, it's a great store.

I sent my thoughts off to Sportsman's Warehouse via the internet and never received nary a response. They either don't respond to individual e-mails or they could care less what the buyers want.

I realize this has nothing to do with a sign about weapons in the store but I thought I'd share my other thoughts.

 

[Carlos]

Now, that's just a plain stoopid way to run a business.

 

[JSR]

Though I haven't seen the sign at the Salem store I would bet that it applys to firearms brought in to be boresighted,scoped,etc. After reading about all the stupid things people do at public ranges and the "it went off while I was cleaning it" stories, I'm sure theres more than a few out there that would be dim witted enough to unknowingly bring a loaded firearm into a store.
I wish there was a mom & pop store here that beat their prices. The only shop in the area that has a good supply of components was selling 458 cal Hornady 350s for $19.95 a box. The Warehouse under $16. I was buying most everything online and happily paying shipping,until they moved in.
J

 

[JamisJockey]

I'm going to bet they are referring to guns being brought in for gunsmithing, etc.
The local gunshop I frequent has a sign that is a little more clear

We're glad you have a concealed firearms permit. For everyone's safety, handling of loaded firearms prohibited.

 

[Zip06]

I have not noticed lower prices at Sportsmans Warehouse but did enjoy the incredible inventory. Some of their prices would be hard to justify, for example on-line you can buy a dozen Surefire Lithium batteries for $15 from the manufacturer. Sportsman sells them for $3.00 each. Ammo is slightly higher than at the gunshow. Firearms prices are not particularly competitive either considering other gunshops in the local area. Losing my business won't exactly bring them to their knees but that type of policy has led me to change some of my buying practices.

 

[Carlos]

Well, at least the primer prices are good. I think their clothing prices are good and, yes, the rest of the inventory is impressive, store-wide.

They certainly don't stock up on enough commie-ammo for my tastes, and I can get powders cheaper elsewhere. Why no Dillon reloading equipment; i.e., case guages, trimmers, etc.?

So, Keith's, NW Armory, Bi-Mart, GI-Joes will all be getting my continued business.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I did notice that the only rifle ammo they carried was the high priced 20 round boxes of popular rifle brands (and nothing in calibers like 7.62 X 39, 7.62 X 54R, etc.) and the handgun ammo they carried were Eagle, PMC, and other more popular non-discounted brands and there was nothing in 'odd' calibers like 7.62 X25, 9 X 18, etc.

In all fairness to the store they do have a great clothing return policy.

My wife bought me an insulated vest there, and since it was a tad too tight, they took it in exchange without any receipts. Cool.

 

[ilike9s]

OK so where is this place I'm in Hillsboro?

 

[schadenfreude]

82nd Ave just South of Johnson Creek Blvd.

 

[ilike9s]

Thank you schadenfreude.

 

[chetrogers]

Does the store your talking about have a big moose or elk our front..I went to a place on 82 last week and i liked what i sall there..Didnt notice a sign but was looking either..

 

[schadenfreude]

Yeah a big bronze elk right in front.

(I assume it was bronze)

 

[chetrogers]

I was there for a while and had a good time.There was an older guy there that was dealing with the pistol section at the time i was there he was very nice to everyone and it made me want to buy a taurus from him "didnt have money then or yet"The prices seemed average to me nothing special and i didnt care for there safe selection but i think i will be buying my next Pistol from them.

 

[Zip06]

Chet - You can do much better on prices in the Portland area than Sportsman's Warehouse. Try Keiths in Gresham. You will get the best price there but expect no service after the sale.

 

[chetrogers]

Zip06- I have heard that they arnt to nice there.Is that correct or incorrect.I dont like to give my money to bad people .Im a newbie to handguns and i dont like to feel like a complete idiot when talking to people ..Thanks for any info.

 

[Zip06]

They aren't bad people they just want to move merchandise. They don't want to provide a lot of customer service because the sales guys could be selling more merchancise when they are listening to your problems. In 2002, I heard that Keith sold over 7000 firearms. If you know what you want and have done the research this is the place for you. Rock bottom prices.

I'd buy from them without hesitation.

If you want excellent customer service go to a smaller dealer (volume wise) like Fisherman's Supply and talk to them as long as you want. Pay a bit more but they are much softer in their approach.

 

[chetrogers]

zip thanks for the responce..I have been to Fishermans before seems like they had mainily Glocks and i dont care for there safetys "personal thing'.I will have to check keiths out for sure..

 

[schadenfreude]

I would rather have my prostate worked on 3 times a week than spend dollar one at Keith's. The worst pre sale customer service I have ever seen in any field. I'm a business owner too so I know something about what it takes to give good service and the bottom line on sales. Jerks all of them. It only takes one bad experience to lose a customer. I had 3 there.

NW Armory were a nice group of people. Very helpful. The problem I had was them saying a firearm was new when I could tell it was used. Whatever, I bought my Beretta there and felt good about it.

Sportmans warehouse though, were great. The gun counter guys are very helpful. Their price was cheaper than I could find on gunbroker, gunsamerica, or any other online retailer. I even stated I didn't want the demo gun so he got me an un-opened pistol from the back. I'm not saying that everything is great at SW. The kid at the knife counter was rude so I asked the manager to come and get the items I wanted and he gladly did.


my 2 cents

 

[chetrogers]

schadenfreude-I have heard that from allot of people.I really dont know what to think i mite just have to go in there and see for myself.I personally love to deal with a smaller business in Oregon City "Phoenix armory" The guy in there was great when i bought my sar-1.I havent been there in a while and i mite stop in there and see if he could order the gun i want and how much it would be.I really would rather pay more for a gun and have a nice person sell it to me..I would rather spend 50 bucks more from a nice guy "Just a pet peeve i guess"