gudel
Member
So I might be traveling to Virginia, Maryland, DC for a week during the Memorial weekend. What's the climate in these area during that time, is it still cold? Any particular good gunshops to visit?
Virginia and Maryland visit
- Thread starter gudel
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American By Blood
Member
The climate is humid. Really humid. Like, the-British-used-to-issue-pith-helmets-and-khaki-shorts-to-their-DC-embassy-guards humid.
usp9
Member
Weather the end of May can be nice, 70's-80's, cool nights. Won't find too many gun shops in DC as they're illegal. Virginia is a friendlier gun state than Maryland, however I'm too far south of DC to steer you to a particular one close by DC area.
While here there are some great places to visit. Number one on the list is Arlington National Cemetary, a most solemn and moving experience.
Dulles air and space museum.
Smithsonian air and space in DC, and any other National museum for that matter.
Mt Vernon
Annapolis has some great restaurants
While here there are some great places to visit. Number one on the list is Arlington National Cemetary, a most solemn and moving experience.
Dulles air and space museum.
Smithsonian air and space in DC, and any other National museum for that matter.
Mt Vernon
Annapolis has some great restaurants
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CajunBass
Member
I don't know how far it is from where you'll be, but if you get down toward Warrenton, Clark Brothers Guns is worth a visit. 10016 James Madison Highway, Warrenton, Va.
The NRA has a range and museum in Fairfax. http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/nrahqrange/
The NRA has a range and museum in Fairfax. http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/nrahqrange/
Capital Punishment
Member
Stay out of MD/DC if you can. 
Although there are some good sights to see in DC like above mentioned.
Just make sure you wear a good pair of running shoes, as thats the only MD/DC approved method of defending yourself
Although there are some good sights to see in DC like above mentioned.
Just make sure you wear a good pair of running shoes, as thats the only MD/DC approved method of defending yourself
CajunBass
Member
Clark Brothers has a little bit of everything. Handguns, rifles (both black and "sporting") shotguns, black powder, crossbows, and they do have some milsups. They also have a rifle and pistol range, and a couple of traps for shotgun shooting. Friendly knowledgable staff. Competitive prices
The place is both a gun store, and a museum. It's well worth the stop, if for no other reason than just to look around.
The place is both a gun store, and a museum. It's well worth the stop, if for no other reason than just to look around.
gudel
Member
do these guys have rentals?
I would like to take my family to shoot.
I would like to take my family to shoot.
usp9
Member
Clark Bros. is good. Found a Walther TPH there last trip. Virginia Arms in Manassas is a great store also, but a bit of of a ride, as is Clark Bros., from DC.
Best restaurant in Annapolis is Northwoods, in fact one of the best in the whole area IMHO, and there are many fine restaurants in the DC area.
http://www.10bestrestaurants.com/restaurant-directory/restaurants-maryland/northwoods-287.html
Best restaurant in Annapolis is Northwoods, in fact one of the best in the whole area IMHO, and there are many fine restaurants in the DC area.
http://www.10bestrestaurants.com/restaurant-directory/restaurants-maryland/northwoods-287.html
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CajunBass
Member
I don't know if they have rentals or not. I do know they have let my wife take a used gun to the range and shoot it before she bought it. You might be able to work out something with them. Their range time is free, but you have to buy ammo from them. Based on what I pay at another range where I can bring my own ammo, but pay for the time it works out about the same.
Their phone number is 540-439-8988 if you want to give them a call and ask.
Their phone number is 540-439-8988 if you want to give them a call and ask.
RNB65
Member
Green Top is always a fun place to go. They've got a bit of most everything. Located just off I95 a few miles north of Richmond.
http://www.greentophuntfish.com/
http://www.greentophuntfish.com/
Never eaten at buddys, but i hate that place with a burning hatred of a thousand suns. I used to deliver food to that place, oh its nasty, they dont even have a dumpster, just a van they fill with garbage and take it out when its completely full, its sooo nasty, and the long walk to deliver food to the place. Other than that, it looks nice on the inside. And the manager is a..well, i dont want to give arts grammaw a heart attack, so ill play nice and say, hes a butthead.
CajunBass & usp9, thanks, I'll have to stop in next time I'm in the area. I wasn't far from Virginia Arms last time, wish I'd known it was there.
Bit of a drive from DC/NoVa. Not that interesting, either, but I'm biased. Their milsurp selection blows and their ammo is in no way cheap or varied, unless it's 30-06 or 30-30 or .223. I still patronize them though, because they're the closest shop to where I live by a good margin.
Bit of a drive from DC/NoVa. Not that interesting, either, but I'm biased. Their milsurp selection blows and their ammo is in no way cheap or varied, unless it's 30-06 or 30-30 or .223. I still patronize them though, because they're the closest shop to where I live by a good margin.
johnmcl
Member
More on Virginia Gun Stores
Hi all,
Do stop in at Clark Brothers. They've been in business forever and are school buddies with JE Rice, another icon although in the hardware business. Rice is the kind of hardware store you'd see on any good Main Street. I miss them.
Virginia Arms is in Manassas. They are my primary shop and a ton of fun. Stop in and say hello to Bernie.
There's also "Security Warehouse", or something like that. They are two miles south of Bernie and are alittle pricier, but have a better powder selection.
Also plan on stopping in at the NRA headquarters in Fairfax. There's a state of the art indoor range and a eye-popping museum.
John
Hi all,
Do stop in at Clark Brothers. They've been in business forever and are school buddies with JE Rice, another icon although in the hardware business. Rice is the kind of hardware store you'd see on any good Main Street. I miss them.
Virginia Arms is in Manassas. They are my primary shop and a ton of fun. Stop in and say hello to Bernie.
There's also "Security Warehouse", or something like that. They are two miles south of Bernie and are alittle pricier, but have a better powder selection.
Also plan on stopping in at the NRA headquarters in Fairfax. There's a state of the art indoor range and a eye-popping museum.
John
gudel
Member
Which one of these shops that have large selection of handguns? I'd like to see some stuff that we can't have here
Rolling Thunder Weekend
Maybe that's why you are coming but if not, you should be aware that Memorial Day weekend is when Rolling Thunder is held, specifically Sunday but has an impact all weekend on the region - 100's of thousands of motorcycles converging on the District - its really a tremendous experience but I have also seen a number of tourist that had no idea and were not too happy about it.....
Something to keep in mind
Maybe that's why you are coming but if not, you should be aware that Memorial Day weekend is when Rolling Thunder is held, specifically Sunday but has an impact all weekend on the region - 100's of thousands of motorcycles converging on the District - its really a tremendous experience but I have also seen a number of tourist that had no idea and were not too happy about it.....
Something to keep in mind
chaim
Member
The only predictable thing about Maryland and Northern Virginia weather this time of year is that it is unpredictable. So far this year we've had days in the low to mid 80s and yet on other days it can still get pretty chilly, especially at night. By mid to late May it won't likely get very cold anymore. However, at night it is possible that it could drop as low as the 50s (but unlikely). Day temperatures by late May could be as low as highs in the low 70s, or it could be in the low (or some years in the mid) 90s. It can be nice and sunny, or there can be nasty thunderstorms. Late May in this area, you need to be prepared for everything. Bring sunscreen and rain gear. Bring shorts and short sleeves, but also have a long sleeve shirt or two and a light jacket for evening, just in case. And yes, by late May be prepared for some nasty humidity (though you will miss the worst of it in late June-early August).
As for gunstores it might help to know what part of the area you may be visiting. MD has some good stores, and some indoor ranges that rent. Gilberts Indoor Range in Rockville rents, the physical plant is very clean and modern (almost attractive in a utilitarian sort of way), and I believe they actually rent Class III. Drawbacks of Gilberts however include a requirement to take a safety class first, you have to join as a member (but they have monthly as well as yearly memberships so you can get by with something like $30+range time) and you have to buy their ammo. I'm not sure but I think the range in Glen Burnie (I'm thinking its called Select Fire, but I'm probably wrong) rents Class III and I know for sure that they do have rentals. On Target near Ft. Meade rents. If you'll be up in the Baltimore area I like Continental Arms and they seem to have a decent selection of rentals. I don't know who rents in VA but if you'll be there you probably should check out the NRA range in Fairfax.
American By Blood
Member
The range in Glen Burnie is indeed called Select Fire.
Leatherneck
Member
When I was in there last week talking to jim Rice they seemed pretty much the same as they've been for twenty years. Helpful staff, well-stocked old timy hardware store with a bit of everything. They lost their FFA over that strawman decoy a couple years back.
TC
johnmcl
Member
Both Are Good
Gudel: The second shop is 'Guns and Ammo Warehouse'. They are two miles south of Virginia Arms on Rt 28. I was there earlier today and I think they expanded into the next store. At least it seems bigger to me.
As far as handgun selection, both Virginia Arms and Guns and Ammo are about the same. They have very nice selections different styles.
Leatherneck: I didn''t mean I missed Rice. I meant I missed stores like them. We used to have half a dozen in Manassas and we are down to about one.
John
Gudel: The second shop is 'Guns and Ammo Warehouse'. They are two miles south of Virginia Arms on Rt 28. I was there earlier today and I think they expanded into the next store. At least it seems bigger to me.
As far as handgun selection, both Virginia Arms and Guns and Ammo are about the same. They have very nice selections different styles.
Leatherneck: I didn''t mean I missed Rice. I meant I missed stores like them. We used to have half a dozen in Manassas and we are down to about one.
John
XLMiguel
Member
VA Gunshops
There's also Potomac Arms in Old Town Alexandria, worth a look, some interesting militaria, but sometimes uneven prices/service. Shooters Paradise and Gilbert's down rt 1 in Woodbridge are OK. Blue Ridge Arsenal does rent, but the range is poorly supervised and their prices were silly last time I was there. VA Arms is IMO the best gun shop in the area. NRA range & museum are certainly worth a visit.
A bunch of THRers ave been known to gather at the NRA Range on Wed & Friday nights, check Rallying Point for details. Hope you enjoy your visit.
There's also Potomac Arms in Old Town Alexandria, worth a look, some interesting militaria, but sometimes uneven prices/service. Shooters Paradise and Gilbert's down rt 1 in Woodbridge are OK. Blue Ridge Arsenal does rent, but the range is poorly supervised and their prices were silly last time I was there. VA Arms is IMO the best gun shop in the area. NRA range & museum are certainly worth a visit.
A bunch of THRers ave been known to gather at the NRA Range on Wed & Friday nights, check Rallying Point for details. Hope you enjoy your visit.
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