30 plus years ago when I was stationed outside Warrenton, Virginia there was located there the best gunshop I have ever see. It had a large outside range for pistol and rifle (free use) and hundreds of used and new guns to choose from. At any one time their were 5 clerks on duty plus a gunsmith and they were kept busy. If they didn't have a used gun you wanted they would put your request on a waiting list and within a couple of weeks(or less) someone would trade it in. You could even state the condition you wanted and they told you in advance how much it would cost. If you changed your mind, no hard feelings, someone else would be standing behind you to buy it. The name of the place was/is Clark Brothers. Anyone living in that area know about this place?
"The ideal gun shop"
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Dionysusigma
Member
Hey, if you're gonna dream, dream big--it costs just as much
Something I always wanted to see was a place where if you purchase a gun of any sort, they give you 100rds free or something like that. Extra mags. Hell, there probably is... I'm just missing out
The closest one to perfect I've ever been to was in California, about 10-13 years ago. (Before all the B.S.) B & B sales in Westminster CA, near Huntington Beach. I have no idea if it's still there or not. They had 2 stores, and one of them was where the cops went for more firepower (AR-15's) when those guys with full-auto AK's and bulletproof vests robbed the bank in L.A.
Anyway, the store was HUGE! Forklift pallets of ammo for sale and over 20 sales people working the floor. You actually had to take a number to get service, but never took more than a few minutes. The prices were outstanding. At the time it was a 2 hour drive for me, but I did it many times.
They had their handguns in normal display cases, and they had one of each model under glass. At the time they didn't carry a couple of brands like "Star" for example. But in every other brand they had one of each model. They had guns like Wildey's, Desert Eagles, Freedom Arms .454's, in the dozens or half dozens. I don't think I've ever seen more than one Wildey for sale at a time anywhere else since then. The most amazing thing? The guns under the glass were all display models!!!! My buddy bought an HK SP-89. The let him see the one under glass, and when said "I'll take it" they put that one back and got an unopened one and filled out the paperwork. Same thing with my Springfield 1911 that I bought for $339 in 1992. At the time the best price I could find for the SA was $479.
So, I guess my ideal gunshop would be similar to the above, with a complete shooting range, and you would be able to rent any gun you wanted, not just a select few. And, have holsters from some of the custom makers available instead of a little wall with 6 year old "Uncle Mikes" generic fit-all holsters.
Anyway, the store was HUGE! Forklift pallets of ammo for sale and over 20 sales people working the floor. You actually had to take a number to get service, but never took more than a few minutes. The prices were outstanding. At the time it was a 2 hour drive for me, but I did it many times.
They had their handguns in normal display cases, and they had one of each model under glass. At the time they didn't carry a couple of brands like "Star" for example. But in every other brand they had one of each model. They had guns like Wildey's, Desert Eagles, Freedom Arms .454's, in the dozens or half dozens. I don't think I've ever seen more than one Wildey for sale at a time anywhere else since then. The most amazing thing? The guns under the glass were all display models!!!! My buddy bought an HK SP-89. The let him see the one under glass, and when said "I'll take it" they put that one back and got an unopened one and filled out the paperwork. Same thing with my Springfield 1911 that I bought for $339 in 1992. At the time the best price I could find for the SA was $479.
So, I guess my ideal gunshop would be similar to the above, with a complete shooting range, and you would be able to rent any gun you wanted, not just a select few. And, have holsters from some of the custom makers available instead of a little wall with 6 year old "Uncle Mikes" generic fit-all holsters.
Moparmike
Member
One with counter help that doesnt disrespect my political leanings. Ozark Armory 2 has one crazy guy that I just cant stand to be around for more than 5 minutes. Loud, obnoxious, very dogmatic, and politically somewhere to the right of Hitler. He insists that people who dont vote directly Republican party line are wasting their vote and letting the terrorists win.
One that doesnt feed me crap about "You cant handle pistols when you are under 21." Last time I checked, the only thing I couldnt do was buy one.
I always feel like I am being watched and scrutinized for some reason in my local gunshop.
Marko: Marko, that would be great. Even my mom would come there, but you might consider making the gun-sales floor no-smoking. Some people have a hard time breathing.*
George: I love it. In my area I am afraid it would go out of business unless you had a crapload of advertising.
* My city passed an ordinance for restaruants to do that. I am only advocating the voluntary, not the .gov mandate.
One that doesnt feed me crap about "You cant handle pistols when you are under 21." Last time I checked, the only thing I couldnt do was buy one.
I always feel like I am being watched and scrutinized for some reason in my local gunshop.
Marko: Marko, that would be great. Even my mom would come there, but you might consider making the gun-sales floor no-smoking. Some people have a hard time breathing.*
George: I love it. In my area I am afraid it would go out of business unless you had a crapload of advertising.
* My city passed an ordinance for restaruants to do that. I am only advocating the voluntary, not the .gov mandate.
JohnBT
Member
Re: Clark Bros.
I don't get up that way too often anymore, but I just dug this up from the UVA Cavalier Daily compliments of Google...
"Route 29 also offers the best in efficient, one-stop shopping. If Junior Joe Bob is about to turn the big one-oh, pop into Clark Bros. for a squirrel-'n'-opossum shotgun. While there, you can pick up a few pounds of night crawlers, and maybe a canoe or two. Hey, the sign does say "Guns, Fireworks, Canoes and Live Bait." Clark Bros. serves your everyday country-living needs."
I suppose they still have the range out back and all those large caliber, not for sale, military arms up on the walls.
JT
I don't get up that way too often anymore, but I just dug this up from the UVA Cavalier Daily compliments of Google...
"Route 29 also offers the best in efficient, one-stop shopping. If Junior Joe Bob is about to turn the big one-oh, pop into Clark Bros. for a squirrel-'n'-opossum shotgun. While there, you can pick up a few pounds of night crawlers, and maybe a canoe or two. Hey, the sign does say "Guns, Fireworks, Canoes and Live Bait." Clark Bros. serves your everyday country-living needs."
I suppose they still have the range out back and all those large caliber, not for sale, military arms up on the walls.
JT
Black Snowman
Member
The ideal gunshop is the one I make money off of
Brian Dale
Member
Marko,
You're gonna have me driving to Knoxv'l all the time.
It'll be worth it.
You're gonna have me driving to Knoxv'l all the time.
It'll be worth it.
yayarx7
Member
Ya'll have to check out the Bullet Trap in PLano, Texas.
It has all the features you want in a store, check it out!
http://www.bullettrapinc.com/
It has all the features you want in a store, check it out!
http://www.bullettrapinc.com/
Here in DFW, they are closing a shopping mall near Six Flags over Texas. In my fantasy world where I have an unlimited amount of money, I'd purchase it and turn it into the largest shooting store the world has ever seen. Each cornerstone store would become different types of ranges... Cowboy Action, Tactical, Trap and Skeet, Long Range, etc.. I'd have every rental gun imaginable. Each of the small shops in the body of the mall would become small, specialized shops that cater to specific crowds. There would be a Milsurp store, a Black Rifle Store, a 1911 store, a Class III store, a hunter's store, a Tac Gear store called "Skunk's"... the possiblities are endless. I'd have the best prices in town, hire a bunch of old farts that know everything, young guys that are eager to help, girls that are easy on the eyes, and cater to everyone under the sun. It'll have a food court, too. One of the food places could specialize in big game, another in fowl, another one in good ole' american cheeseburgers...
I haven't decided what to name it yet, but I'll worry about that after I get the endless supply of money.
... the possiblities are endless. I'd have the best prices in town, hire a bunch of old farts that know everything, young guys that are eager to help, girls that are easy on the eyes, and cater to everyone under the sun. It'll have a food court, too. One of the food places could specialize in big game, another in fowl, another one in good ole' american cheeseburgers...I haven't decided what to name it yet, but I'll worry about that after I get the endless supply of money.
Abominable No-Man
Member
I like Marko's idea. Sounds great, except I would like to see it with free coffee 24 hrs a day and a bunkroom in the back . Oh, yeah, and a sign that specifically encouraged loitering inside....
'Course, I'd never be at home and would probably end up divorced....
ANM
. Oh, yeah, and a sign that specifically encouraged loitering inside....'Course, I'd never be at home and would probably end up divorced....
ANM
Abominable No-Man
Member
One thing I forgot to mention....I would like it to have REAL coffee, you know "Coffee-flavored coffee!" And doughnuts, too. (Ever listened to that piece by Denis Leary? It was hilarious!)
ANM
ANM
Missouri Mule
Member
My idea of an ideal gun store .....
#1 is willing to sell me what I ask for...
#2 answers my question in a non condesending manner....
#3 doesn't insult me by making absurd offers on my potential trade in on one of their over infated new prices.
if it was "gold" when I bought it new, it is still gold if I trade it back in.
For me it is all about respect!
Don't respect me you will not get my dollars!
That really is all I ask of the local gun stores, and is also why I buy elsewhere.
#1 is willing to sell me what I ask for...
#2 answers my question in a non condesending manner....
#3 doesn't insult me by making absurd offers on my potential trade in on one of their over infated new prices.
if it was "gold" when I bought it new, it is still gold if I trade it back in.
For me it is all about respect!
Don't respect me you will not get my dollars!
That really is all I ask of the local gun stores, and is also why I buy elsewhere.
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