Your favorite TN gun shops?

[taliv]

it's likely that some gun-store owners are not internet savvy, and have no desire to become so. or perhaps they'd rather do their internet sales through an auction site than their own page?

maybe, the owners prefer to use their limited resources developing relationships with people in their community instead of chasing every possible avenue of gun sales.

 

[disneyd]

But, for the life of me, I cannot figure out why some shops get so much attention, and others don't, regardless of where they're situated.

I think you are working the problem backwards. Coal Creek Armory is a nice shop with a good selection, good staff, and a nice indoor range. Word of mouth has spread that info pretty well and I think the number of hits you are seeing for them is due to people hearing the name mentioned and then going to the internet to find details on the shop (address, phone #, etc.).

It probably helps a lot that their staff tends to NOT tick off the majority of people who walk in... generating more positive word-of-mouth (and more revenue).

I have been in a lot of shops lately and I don't think many operators realize how much the first impression matters. Most people won't come back if they don't have a decent experience the first time they walk in. The only way you can get away with treating the customers badly is if you have a monopoly in your area.

 

[Monkeyleg]

disneyd, that may be true to a certain extent. But the shops that are staying on my site are doing so because they're getting customers from their area who've never even heard of them before.

For example, the owner of Cosner's Gun & Knife Shop in Bedford, IN told Shooting Industry News magazine that he has been running TV ads, newspaper ads, and all sorts of other promotions for years. He thought everybody knew about him, until he was on my site. He was surprised to have new customers come in and say they'd never heard of his store until they saw it on my site.

Anyway, just color me confused.

 

[brett30030]

The best place i have ever been to was Benton Shooters Supply. If i was to make a gun store out of thin air, it would be Benton Shooters Supply. I cannot comment on prices, etc. But the layout of the store, etc is exceptional. It must be the male equivalent of what women feel when they go into a clothes store. You can pick-up and browse, etc. I have not been there in about 5 years, but it is my pick

 

[lesjones]

Here in Knoxville, Coal Creek Armory for guns, gunsmithing, and pistol range. Very knowledgeable staff, plus used guns and milsurps.

South of here I stop at Benton Shooter's Supply whenever I'm down 411. A salesperson there once told me they stock 1,400 firearms and I believe it. Not the lowest prices but a huge selection and a very nice store.

 

[Mordoc]

Farnsworths Firearms in Vonore. They have display cases full of WWI & 2 firearms and other trophys. Lots of surplus rifles and old sporting guns. Worth a visit just to see it all.

 

[22-rimfire]

Monkeyleg, I think web sites like yours are a great idea. I generally look in the telephone book or yellow pages for gun shops. The internet yellow pages are my first choice for looking for an out of town gun shop. Sometimes I like to visit gun shops when I'm traveling and staying overnight for the entertainment value. Buds in KY is high on my list to visit next time I get to Lexington KY area. I am going to bookmark your site.

Not all gun shops have web sites. Many do not want or feel they need a web site. For the most part, a nice web site just gives more credibility to a small business, but frequently does little to nothing for sales. Web sites for retail sales are great though and I feel almost a necessity these days (example, Cabelas, Cheaper than Dirt, Bass Pro, Midway, etc.). Businesses like Gander Mt could probably profit from having a sales oriented web site but I believe they do not participate in the catalog mail order business.

 

[shaggycat]

Franklin Guns has good stock with friendly staff, but is a little pricey. I am a fan of Guns N Leather.

 

[demon]

Here in Winchester, I go to Hero Gear. They have a good selection of defensinve firearms.

 

[taliv]

fyi for those in the upper cumberland area, there's apparently a new gun store opening up just east of cookeville at hwy 70/i-40. i haven't been yet, but some friends told me about it last night. their grand opening is supposed to be next month.

is kind of interesting because within 10 miles of cookeville, we now have
S&R
Tenn Tactical
Top Gun
Bend of the River
and two new places i haven't been yet, in addition to about 4 pawn shops and two walmarts that sell guns.

that's quite a lot of competition for such a small demographic

 

[Steelharp]

It's a small store, but:

www.eastsidegunshop.com

Bill can get anything you want... at a great price.

Tell him ol' Mikey D... sent ya!

 

[Cacique500]

tagged

 

[Gurnard]

Middle TN:
Another vote for Guns & Leather in Greenbrier. 20 or so minute from Rivergate, nice shop, nice people.

 

[ProguninTN]

Friedman's

Friedman's Army-Navy Surplus in Nashville is a good place.

 

[tercel89]

Tennessee Gun Country is Clarksville Tn Rocks!!!!
Great selection , Great prices, great people . I am good friends with the owner and he is very friendly and helpfull .

 

[LibShooter]

Gunny's Indoor Shooting Range in Maryville is mostly about the range. But their inventory of guns and accessories is growing. Really nice folks, too.

 

[Erik M]

I've been meaning to get to Frontier Firearms in Kingston. I've heard good things about those guys.

Smoky Mountain Outfitters in Morrstown is a nice little shop.

Thumbs up for both of these honorable mentions. I do quite alot of business over the Internet with Natchez Shooter Supply. I dont know if they have a storefront or are catalog based though.

 

[22-rimfire]

I like the idea of your site. Since I'm in Tennessee, I don't see many listed. In my area, there are quite a few fairly good gun shops who are not listed on your site. Guess they chose not to advertise. Have you been putting in any effort for more listings?

 

[420Stainless]

You can say that again! I live about a mile from them and no longer even go in. When I moved here 5 years ago I would drop in occasionally--not once was I ever greeted or my presence even acknowledged. On several occasions I walked in with several hundred dollars in my pocket and ready to buy but walked out again after waiting around for someone to look at me like they thought I might want to spend it there. On each occasion I went elsewhere and spend a good change either at Classic Arms on Germantown Road or Sportsman's Warehouse.

My wife is getting ready to buy--I've already decided that when she decides what she wants, we'll purchase it at RangeUSA. They don't carry a wide selection, but they appear willing to order for you and will charge a small markup over their cost. Nice folks there, especially Scott Kilby, the owner. He's always dealt with me in an honest and aboveboard fashion--I doubt he will be any different when it comes to selling me a gun. I had him give me a price on an FN FNP for a friend and he gave me a good quote. Too bad the friend still hasn't made up his mind, but that's his problem, not Scott's.

I generally go to the one in Southaven since I'm a Mississippi resident. I actually like the attitude of the Guns & Ammo sales folks. No hard sell, no pressure - just tell them what you want to look at and they'll show it to you. Plus they have the best overall firearms inventory of any place in the area.

As others have said - Classic Arms has friendly service and a good selection. I sometimes shoot at Range USA - they are very good people and a nice facility.

 

[Byron]

On Target Indoor Shooting range in Murfreesboro is very good. Byron

 

[ishida]

Austin's Tennessee Firearms in Oak Ridge is awesome. Their in-shop stock is limited as they are still starting up, they they can order pretty much anything you want at a fair price. The staff is knowledgeable, and they are good people.

 

[Monkeyleg]

I like the idea of your site. Since I'm in Tennessee, I don't see many listed. In my area, there are quite a few fairly good gun shops who are not listed on your site. Guess they chose not to advertise. Have you been putting in any effort for more listings?

Glad you like it. I haven't been as aggressive as I should in contacting new shops to get them on the site. Shops in southern states are more difficult, as the owners aren't as open to the idea. Or maybe it's my midwest accent.

 

[c919]

Guns n' More, 5612 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN. Very knowledgable and friendly folks to deal with. Predator Custom Shop next door for gunsmithing services.

^^^ No longer exists.

CCA is awesome and I have to give Randy's on Broadway an awesome two thumbs up as well. Randy's is definitely smaller, but it's a great little store.

 

[GraceOutcast]

Range USA in Memphis is my first stop. Not much selection but they will order anything. They also sell on consignment. If you buy a new gun you also get 2 free range passes and several discounts. They are all extremely friendly and help you in such a way that you'd swear they work on commission.

Classic Arms on Germantown in Memphis is also great. Very nice selection that also has used firearms. If you are looking for blunt honesty and a very knowledgeable staff it's the place to go.