What's Your Favorite LGS in Virginia?

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1894

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I'm new to Virginia - Crystal City. For my POS truck to pass the safety/emissions inspection, I have to put some miles on it to reset the monitors for all the sensors. If I've got to drive, I want a decent destination.

I'd like recommendations of your favorite LGS that's somewhere in the neighborhood of 50+ miles from Crystal City. I probably won't buy anything more tomorrow than a box of .357, but if they live up to your recommendations, maybe more in a few months.

Please keep responses within VA - I want a place where I can buy whatever they're selling if I have the cash.

Thanks in advance!

1894
 
If you go to Virginia Beach I work part time (retirement job) at The Armory on Indian River Rd.
We have a web site www.the-armory .com where you can browse. Im there most mornings and would be glad to say hello to any THR member, might even take you to lunch.
 
It's not a gun shop, but in many ways it's better than a gun shop -- The Nation's Gun Show in Chantilly (near Dulles Airport). The next one is coming up October 2 - 4. Anything that you might find at a gun shop, you'll find there, with several vendors to choose from.
 
Another vote for the Nations Gun Show in early October. Prepare to spend a couple of hours, at least, to go through it all.

Dawson's Small Arms in Woodbridge. It's not too big and the prices are typical but they have a surprising variety of fishing, guns, gear and reloading supplies.

Clark Brothers in Warrenton. A lot of everything. If the item is available in northern Virginia, they will probably have it. There is also a target range in back if you get your ammo there. And it is the closest place to Crystal City that sells real black powder if that is a consideration.
 
50 West Armory - hands down.
It's right down route 50 (almost to route 28) in Chantilly.
They are new, but friendly and the selection is nice.
They also have an armorer on site.

For bonus points, you can walk two doors down to F3 Tactical for all sorts of nifty gear.
The Italian eatery next door is good, and there is a Lowes nearby.
 
Green Top!

Looks commercial but it really is an LGS. They had so much business they had to move to a bigger building. They have amazing prices on Used guns and better than average on new. I have an LGS 2 minutes from my house and I will drive 40 to Green Top instead.
 
Dang, you started off with "favorite VA gun shop" and I was gonna say Bob's in Norfolk because they always have .22...

But then you said northern VA.
 
I would say Green Top is best for handguns in the Richmond area , not so much for shotguns or rifles .

I mainly use buds now , they just don't stock what I like and their prices and customer service is not as good since they moved into that bigger building ( formerly Gander Mountain ) IMO .

They do fill the parking lot much more than Gander Mountain ever did and just drive past Bass Pro unless you see something on sale in one of their fliers , or you are looking for clothes .
 
Guys,

Loudoun seems nice, and Green Top will be visited, just not tomorrow.

bikerdoc, VA Beach is a little farther than I planned to go tomorrow. But, let's set something up for spring time. You get lunch, I'll get the ammo. Something tells me you get the better end of that deal, but that same thing tells me I'm probably gonna learn enough from you at the range to make the difference!

It's looking like Dawson's and Clark Bros. for tomorrow, with a possible stop at 50 West Armory.

pdsmith505, Gimme the info dagnabbit (ok - please?). I plan on being in VA for a while.

Thank you all for your input - and don't stop just 'cause I've made plans. Sometimes it's worth a drive for a cool place.

1894
 
Virginia Arms Company is a great shop in Manassas. It is my top pick. A new indoor range and retail shop opened 10 minutes away from it called Elite Shooting Sports.

Two other ranges in NOVA are the NRA HQ range (off I-66) and Sharpshooters in Lorton (off I-95). Both are indoor ranges. Sharpshooter's has a retail area and rentals.

Down in Woodbridge are Quantico Tactical, All Shooters Tactical, and Gander Mountain. They are minutes apart from each other.

Good prices on FFL transfers in NOVA are Quantico Tactical ($17) and the Gun Dude in Falls Church ($20).
 
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Another vote for Greentop, or as I call in with tongue in cheek on these forums, "Ali-Babba's House O Guns"...(the home of the forty thieves). If I can't get it at Greentop, I probably don't really want it.

My wife and I stop there two or three times a week, just to visit, spread our good cheer, and annoy the staff (and I'm there when something good comes in). Hey, we're old and retired. What else have we got to do? If they'd put in a coffee bar, we'd probably never leave.

Which I'm sure is why they DON'T put in a coffee bar.

Oh...and I forgot.

Colonial Shooting Academy in Richmond (and one in Virginia Beach). And we're both members, and I still forgot it. We go there at least once a week.

Large indoor range, with two, well run, ranges open to the public. They rent guns, including class III, offer classes, have a nice gun/accessory/clothing store, friendly knowledgeable staff, and very nice amenities.

http://www.colonialshooting.com/
 
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pdsmith505, Gimme the info dagnabbit (ok - please?). I plan on being in VA for a while.
Click to expand...

Fine, fine...

Bob's is in the dead center of Norfolk. Pretty good selection, bottom floor is the main store, second floor is the ammo and safes, and the top floor is a pistol range. Gun prices aren't the cheapest I've seen in the world, but they aren't bad. Ammo prices generally are reasonable, and can be, in the case of .22, quite good (0.06/rd for bulk). They have a decent reloading section and generally have powder and primers in stock.

I'd also be interested in a Hampton Roads THR meetup... see some of the faces behind the names.
 
Sharpshooters.Down I 95 at the Fairfax County Parkway and 2 lights toward Fort Belvoir. The Gun Dude in Falls Church on RT 7. Sharpshooters has a range and The Gun Dude is just a small mom and pop store with good people.
Have fun.
Joe
 
I just remembered another one that might be closer to the OP.

Clark Brothers guns in Opal, (Near Warrenton). A gen-U-wine, "old timey" gun store. The really interesting stuff isn't what they have to sell, it's the stuff on the walls that's tagged "Not for Sale." The place is pretty near a private museum that happens to sell guns and ammo...and has a range out back too.

Use of the range is free, (bring a gun) but you do have to buy your ammo there. Ammo is a little more expensive than some places, but those places don't have a range either.

It's located just north of the intersection of Rt 29 and Rt 17 on 29. Look for the bear on the roof. You'll know it when you see it.

http://www.clarkbrosguns.com/
 
Virginia Arms Company in Manassas is the best gun store in Northern Virginia for defense and tactical guns. Friendly employees and none of the typical gun store commando know-it-all bs. They have the biggest selection of pistols, ARs, AKs, and tactical shotguns. On the other hand if you are looking for a bolt action hunting gun or a double barrel shotgun it's not a good place to go. If you want hunting items I would go to Gander Mountain in Woodbridge.
 
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