Three things I like in a gun store.
- Thread starter Cryogaijin
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swiftak
Member
sounds like Rileys in Hooksett.
A good store, I mean.
A good store, I mean.
jmresistance
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+1. That pretty much sums it up.
jmresistance
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There are 2 guns stores in my town (Seymour, IN) that I frequent.
1) Acme Sports = Great selection and prices. Lots of cool Class III stuff. Reasonably priced selection of Milsurp and used. Friendly and helpful staff (usually). Tons of ammo in-stock.
2) Bite the Bullet = Really great place to hang out and talk guns. Owner is super friendly. Nice selection of custom 1911s and nice wheelguns (mostly out of my price range). Reloading equipment and supplies.
1) Acme Sports = Great selection and prices. Lots of cool Class III stuff. Reasonably priced selection of Milsurp and used. Friendly and helpful staff (usually). Tons of ammo in-stock.
2) Bite the Bullet = Really great place to hang out and talk guns. Owner is super friendly. Nice selection of custom 1911s and nice wheelguns (mostly out of my price range). Reloading equipment and supplies.
VT Deer Hunter
Member
1. Its got guns
2. Ammo and various stuff for hunting WOOOOO!
3. Its a gunshop
2. Ammo and various stuff for hunting WOOOOO!
3. Its a gunshop
7thCavScout
Member
What do I like?....A store that has all their price tags facing up.
parsimonious_instead
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1. Longarms
2. Handguns
3. Ammo
The gunshops in my area are funny - the guys running and staffing them are decent, but it seemed like they're so bloody wary of new faces - at both of the ones I've gone to most frequently, they got friendlier and more welcoming each time I returned.
2. Handguns
3. Ammo
The gunshops in my area are funny - the guys running and staffing them are decent, but it seemed like they're so bloody wary of new faces - at both of the ones I've gone to most frequently, they got friendlier and more welcoming each time I returned.
Erik M
Member
I can tell you what I'd like to see, and that's guys manning the counter that don't follow you around like you are a thief if you aren't one of the 'old timer' regulars that just come in for free coffee and never buy anything. Everything is behind the counter or under glass, Ive never understood the 'buy something or get out' behavior.
Kentucky Outdoorsman in Corbin KY has a bad habit of this.
Mike's in Middlesboro KY knows how to treat its customers and has a huge used selection. They also buy guns for cash. On the last 2 weapons I've had to order in (Ruger Vaquero 357 and Savage Edge 223) they have beat Bud's online prices by $25.
Kentucky Outdoorsman in Corbin KY has a bad habit of this.
Mike's in Middlesboro KY knows how to treat its customers and has a huge used selection. They also buy guns for cash. On the last 2 weapons I've had to order in (Ruger Vaquero 357 and Savage Edge 223) they have beat Bud's online prices by $25.
22-rimfire
Member
A good gun shop has these things or the potential for these things: A reasonably good selection of firearms old and new; sales staff that are friendly and treat you with respect; and a good selection of ammunition including target 22 ammo. Sporting clothing, holsters, and opticas are a big plus as is fishing gear. You'll notice I didn't say "price". Fair and consistant prices are all I ask. .... and I will be back again and again.
I need to pay them a visit. Been to KY Outdoorsman in Corbin.
I need to pay them a visit. Been to KY Outdoorsman in Corbin.
parsimonious_instead
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- 791
Bizarre... sounds like every gun shop in NY I've seen - surprised to hear a gun shop in Kentucky of all places would be like that.
MrsSmith
Member
Went into one gun shop here locally when I was shopping for a new gun and no one gave me the time of day in spite of the fact that I tried every rental in their case, which would indicate to me, if I'd been on the other side of the counter, that the person was shopping.
What I like best about the LGS I frequent regularly:
1) When I walk in the door, they greet me by name, even if they're busy.
2) VERY affordable prices on everything (new, used, ammo, accessories, range time, etc.)
3) They didn't push the Walther PK380 or a revolver on me just because I'm a girl
4) When one of them gets a new toy, I get a text or call saying "come see what I got and shoot it!" Love that!
What I like best about the LGS I frequent regularly:
1) When I walk in the door, they greet me by name, even if they're busy.
2) VERY affordable prices on everything (new, used, ammo, accessories, range time, etc.)
3) They didn't push the Walther PK380 or a revolver on me just because I'm a girl
4) When one of them gets a new toy, I get a text or call saying "come see what I got and shoot it!" Love that!
rellascout
member
- Good prices & selection of guns, ammo & accessories
- Fair price on transfers $10 to $20
- Knowledgeable staff who gives and honest opinion & does not push people into this gun or that gun.
Most of mu new purchases are actually used from sources like gun broker, THR classifieds and other sites so a good price on transfers is important to me. I will occasionally buy something NIB and if the local dealer can get within a few $$$ I will go with them but if not I am going to buy it and transfer it. I like to be able to get small amounts of ammo for things I do not shoot a ton like Mak or 380 at the local without getting killed on the price.
I love to talk guns so a staff that knows their stuff has preferences but does not push them onto the consumer is what I am looking for.
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Stevie-Ray
Member
You sound like a Red Flag grad.
Lonerider357
Member
Reloading supplies!!!!!! The closest store from me that even carries ANY reloading stuff is 80+ miles away in Dallas! I get bullets from a guy I shoot with, Powder and Primers from another guy I shoot with. Brass online. I don't consider Gander Mountain a Gun Store!! Ever since I went in there to buy Trail Boss Powder, I normally get it for $13 a can, they wanted $29.95!!! They are a Clothing store who happens to carry some gun related stuff!!!
I like a gunshop where my buddies work and hang out, a place I can go & kill a couple three hours and talk guns & swap lies. It's even better if I can dig around and come up with something interesting. Call me a gunsnob if you like, but potmetal guns turn me off. I've had enough dealing with kinds these of firearms through the years. I want to see what I think of as classic designs- old and modern- in their different configurations and the chance I'll come across something I've never seen before. When I find something I want, I like it when we can work out a deal so I can buy it. There were several gunshops in Southern California like that, back in the day, like Pony Express, Cole's, Martin B. Retting's, B&E Guns and a others whose names elude me. Gunshops like this are still out there, but they are rare
Fishslayer
Member
Used guns
Good service
Selection
Dog friendly is a MAJOR plus to me. And not just gun stores.
My LGS isn't big enough to carry the kind of selection the big boys do. I always shop there first tho & if I'm in no hurry I'll order it. His prices are usually competetive with, and sometimes lower than the big boys down the hill. I like to support my local shop. He even has a table full of gun mags & chairs. He's almost always busy. I never go there if I'm in a big hurry to be somewhere else.
Good service
Selection
Dog friendly is a MAJOR plus to me. And not just gun stores.
My LGS isn't big enough to carry the kind of selection the big boys do. I always shop there first tho & if I'm in no hurry I'll order it. His prices are usually competetive with, and sometimes lower than the big boys down the hill. I like to support my local shop. He even has a table full of gun mags & chairs. He's almost always busy. I never go there if I'm in a big hurry to be somewhere else.
...I never go there if I'm in a big hurry to be somewhere else.
LOL!
MyGreenGuns
Member
1. Inventory!
2. Knowledgable/friendly staff
3. Fair pricing
(the whys)
1. I came to buy gun stuff. Not look at the 7 Glock 22s and 5 Glock 21s you call a 'selection'. Have accessories and parts! Have AMMO!
2. I dont need to shop here. I dont need attitude if you like a different gun than me. I dont like being eyed as a thief.
3. Why buy ammo here when I can get it cheaper online? Why pay 10% more on a gun that you've probably let some noob drop ten times?
^(Im a little miffed about the new owners of my closest LGS. Ive edited this a few times to remove as much 'low road' as I can)
My fave range likes to talk guns, you can ask anything you want and they'll tell you what they know. Noob or veteran, they dont care, as long as you're respectful and safe. The guy at the range knows me and my brothers all by name, that means a lot to me.
2. Knowledgable/friendly staff
3. Fair pricing
(the whys)
1. I came to buy gun stuff. Not look at the 7 Glock 22s and 5 Glock 21s you call a 'selection'. Have accessories and parts! Have AMMO!
2. I dont need to shop here. I dont need attitude if you like a different gun than me. I dont like being eyed as a thief.
3. Why buy ammo here when I can get it cheaper online? Why pay 10% more on a gun that you've probably let some noob drop ten times?
^(Im a little miffed about the new owners of my closest LGS. Ive edited this a few times to remove as much 'low road' as I can)
My fave range likes to talk guns, you can ask anything you want and they'll tell you what they know. Noob or veteran, they dont care, as long as you're respectful and safe. The guy at the range knows me and my brothers all by name, that means a lot to me.
Ignition Override
Member
A large selection of (metal and wood) milsurp rifles ranging from WW1-early 60s.
They are in the original configurations and nothing has been cut off or "sporterized" (ruined).
Too bad that no Memphis store has more than about a dozen.
"Al's Guns" in Clarkesville has a much better choice than all the gun stores here put together. That's where my Spanish FR8 came from a few months ago.
The other really good milsurp store is much farther, by I-30 just northeast of Rockwall/Dallas, "the Ammo Depot" in Caddo Mills, TX.
They are even open for a while on Sundays and the owner is also a pleasant guy.
This guy bought from an estate sale and even listed a very nice Enfield #4/Mk 2 for about $300 (sold two weeks before we arrived:banghead.
They are in the original configurations and nothing has been cut off or "sporterized" (ruined).
Too bad that no Memphis store has more than about a dozen.
"Al's Guns" in Clarkesville has a much better choice than all the gun stores here put together. That's where my Spanish FR8 came from a few months ago.
The other really good milsurp store is much farther, by I-30 just northeast of Rockwall/Dallas, "the Ammo Depot" in Caddo Mills, TX.
They are even open for a while on Sundays and the owner is also a pleasant guy.
This guy bought from an estate sale and even listed a very nice Enfield #4/Mk 2 for about $300 (sold two weeks before we arrived
:banghead.
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Fishslayer
Member
Absolutely! A gunstore should have a dog. Lacking that, they should be dog friendly.
One shop I go to, in El Cajon...where they Exchange Guns...
....has a "no dogs allowed" policy. Fair enough. Their shop, their rules... but I don't go there as often as I might if my best friend could go with me.
And I don't generally trust people who don't like dogs...
Roan
Member
1. Fair Prices. I'm willing to pay a fair price, but if I see a Mosin Nagant 91/30 in moderate condition for $279.95 and there's nothing special about it, I know I won't get a fair price on anything else.
2. Used guns. I tend to collect unusual and interesting weapons, so I always seek out the oddities. Having a few of these on hand is far more likely to get me to spend money, and they don't have manufacturing costs so they tend to be more profitable anyway.
3. Unusual Ammo. I understand that it's impossible to stock everything, but I do like to see a little bit of eccentric ammo on the shelf. I also know that sales staff won't know everything and they often get customers who can't understand that .45 ACP rounds won't fit in a 9mm. But, when I'm looking for 7.62x38r ammo, don't suggest that I'm mistaken and want 7.62x39. If you don't have it, that's fine, but offering to order it for me will probably get a sale.
2. Used guns. I tend to collect unusual and interesting weapons, so I always seek out the oddities. Having a few of these on hand is far more likely to get me to spend money, and they don't have manufacturing costs so they tend to be more profitable anyway.
3. Unusual Ammo. I understand that it's impossible to stock everything, but I do like to see a little bit of eccentric ammo on the shelf. I also know that sales staff won't know everything and they often get customers who can't understand that .45 ACP rounds won't fit in a 9mm. But, when I'm looking for 7.62x38r ammo, don't suggest that I'm mistaken and want 7.62x39. If you don't have it, that's fine, but offering to order it for me will probably get a sale.
beatledog7
Member
What I like in a gun store is not too different from what I like in any other specialty store:
1. Staff knows a lot about the items they have in their inventory and about similar or competitive items they can obtain.
2. A reasonable selection of on-hand inventory is well displayed (ever been in stores where you can't read the tags on items behind the case?) In gun store example, I don't mind if they have a pawn operation as this can help them pay their bills and thus keep gun prices reasonable.
3. Staff attitude is canted toward helping me make my desired purchase rather than selling me something.
1. Staff knows a lot about the items they have in their inventory and about similar or competitive items they can obtain.
2. A reasonable selection of on-hand inventory is well displayed (ever been in stores where you can't read the tags on items behind the case?) In gun store example, I don't mind if they have a pawn operation as this can help them pay their bills and thus keep gun prices reasonable.
3. Staff attitude is canted toward helping me make my desired purchase rather than selling me something.
Batty67
Member
Hah. I live 7-8 minutes away from SHooters, and do shoot there from time to time. Convenience speaks volumes. Some of their staff are nice and knowledgeable. Some...aren't. Pricing is not great either.
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