Gun Shops in Oregon/Handgun advice

R

Rakekniven

New member
Does anyone know of either a good gunshop or a range with a good selection of rentals in Northwest Oregon? I'm in Corvallis, so anything from Eugene through Portland is easily accessible. The reason I ask, a female friend of mine just asked me for advice on buying a handgun after a recent attempted robbery on her apartment.

She has shot with her Dad, both handguns and rifles (in fact she just shot her first deer last weekend) so she is not a first time shooter.

The catch is, she only has around $300 to spend, so my advice is one of the following:

Ruger P95
Keltec P11
revolver in .357 (She has shot a .357 revolver before, and while it was a little more kick than she prefered, she had no problem with it and could easily practice with .38's)
Makarov (Belgian from JC Armory probably)

I would like to find a place where ideally she could shoot a variety of guns, but at least a store where she could handle a variety of guns.

Thoughts and Sugggestion?

[Edited for Spelling and clarity]

[This message has been edited by Rakekniven (edited October 15, 2000).]
 
It is great that you are helping this lady. I hope she finds a handgun she enjoys shooting, as well as on that fills her defensive requirements. The firearms you have listed are all good ones, within the $300 price range.

I respectfully suggest she consider a Ruger GP-100. This is an all-stainless, four-inch barrel, .357 magnum revolver noted for its high quality, its reliability, its rugged durability, its accuracy, and its simplicity. If you search the TFL archives, you find many postings that confirm this assessment. New GP-100s are available in the $300 price range; www.gunbroker.com is one source in that price arena.

I recommend the GP-100 for the reasons cited above. In addition, I recommend a .357 magnum due to its utter dependability, its potency, and the very wide range of loads that are available (both in .357 mag and in .38 Special). Not only are some .38 Special rounds cheap, easy and fun to practice with, but other .38 Special rounds (including +P) also have significant defensive capabilities. Furthermore, moving into any .357 magnum load (125 and 158 grain HydraShok for example) provides practical defensive "stopping power" equal to any handgun.

In sum, the GP-100 is a proven, high quality, inexpensive revolver. It essentially always works, with minimum maintenance. It will last several lifetimes. It is quite accurate. It is concealable (should that ever be desired), particularly in a lady's purse. Moreover, it chambers the .357 magnum/.38 Special, which provides the widest possible variety of ammunition options, including inexpensive plinking/practice and excellent defensive power loads.


[This message has been edited by RWK (edited October 15, 2000).]
 
Rakekniven,

I shoot at the Public Safety Training Center in Portland off of 82nd avenue (near Clackamas Town Center).

It's a newer facility with around 25 rental pistols.

Their phone number is 503-650-6677. I'll take you there as a guest if you email me.

------------------
NRA/GOA/SAF
Former USMC

Oregon residents please support the Oregon Firearms Federation, our local "No compromise" chapter of the GOA. http://www.oregonfirearms.org
 
Hey, Hey... another person near me... I still hold the offer open to come and meet Oregonians. Portland.. okay, 1.5 hour drive from here.. Corvallis is just right around the corner. Rakekniven.. do you want to meet and drive up to Portland to meet LongShot... lets say this weekend coming up 21st or 22nd? I have a Firebird with backseats so I have room (unless you have something that gets better gas miliage and I'll meet you in Corvallis). We can make this one huge get together. I can also email another person who lives in WA but close to Portland to see if he and his wife wishes to attend. Just an idea. My email is wayne32@uswest.net if you are game for this.

USP45usp
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by USP45usp:
do you want to meet and drive up to Portland to meet LongShot[/quote]

I'll be elk hunting that weekend, but I'd like to meet up with some fellow Oregonians in the near future.



------------------
NRA/GOA/SAF
Former USMC

Oregon residents please support the Oregon Firearms Federation, our local "No compromise" chapter of the GOA. http://www.oregonfirearms.org
 
Okay, maybe the weekend after that. One of the first things that I would like to do to get this going is for LongShot, Rakekniven, myself and propellerhead (that's the TFL name that he gave but I have direct email to him) to "sit" down and come up with a date/time. Also travel plans so we don't have so many cars in the parking lot if at all possible. That's four people (maybe up to six depending on the girls (Rakenkniven's new appretice and Propellerheads wife). I don't know how many other Oregonians are on this forum or others. For those who post on others, spread the word. I know that Oregon is cold and wet this time of year but what the heck, may as well meet other people. And in case you use the excuse.. I am shy and worry about meeting others.. well, put it this way, I haven't seen anyone else as intraverted as I. I missed the opportunity to meet others from TFL in Idaho.. I WILL NOT LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN! Now since I've scared the wits out of all the Oregonians.. lets set up a time/place/area to meet dang nab it!!!!

USP45usp

Longshot: Good luck. You do realize that if you get an elk.. the BBQ is at your place :D.
 
For just shooting, there is the Public Safety Training Center in Portland (already mentioned) and the Place to Shoot, 904 N. Hayden Meadows, Portland.

If it is guns that you are looking for, it is Keith's Sporting Goods or you are in the wrong place. They are Oregon's largest gun dealer, including Class III firearms. Located at 95 NE Victory, Gresham.

Robert
 
I would try Shooters Mercantile in Salem for a gun shop or The Place To Shoot in Portland. They have a few different styles and calibers to shoot.
 
As has already been mentioned, the cheapest prices in Portland are at Keith's Gun Shop in Gresham. Northwest Armory is about 5-10% higher. They shorted one Glock magazine out of a rebuild a friend of bought. There are two pretty good public shooting ranges but both have pro's and con's. The Place To Shoot in North Portland near the Columbia has about 25 firing lanes and a Tactical area for cops. The problem seems to be airborne lead. The word on the street is that they have until the end of December to clean up the lead or shut down. They have a manual pully system for targets; clothes pins hold up the targets. They rent about two dozen pistols. The Public Training range is run by a community college and the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is in the process of taking it over. The Sheriff's Office is using public support to offset his expenses. Excellent new facility, excellent ventilation, motorized targets, targets can be programed to turn. Con is that you have to buy their ammo. Clean Fire and it costs just a bit more than ammo at a gunshow. They rent a lot of firearms up to MP5's and AR-15's. There are also several gun clubs with indoor ranges. All of them are small. There are outdoor ranges, the best of which is Tri-County Gun Club. Many ranges including tactical. The local swat teams train there as well as the IPSC crowd. There is plenty of opportunity just take your pick. Hope this helps.
 
As has already been mentioned, the cheapest prices in Portland are at Keith's Gun Shop in Gresham. Northwest Armory is about 5-10% higher. They shorted one Glock magazine out of a rebuild a friend of bought. There are two pretty good public shooting ranges but both have pro's and con's. The Place To Shoot in North Portland near the Columbia has about 25 firing lanes and a Tactical area for cops. The problem seems to be airborne lead. The word on the street is that they have until the end of December to clean up the lead or shut down. They have a manual pully system for targets; clothes pins hold up the targets. They rent about two dozen pistols. The Public Training range is run by a community college and the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is in the process of taking it over. The Sheriff's Office is using public support to offset his expenses. Excellent new facility, excellent ventilation, motorized targets, targets can be programed to turn. Con is that you have to buy their ammo. Clean Fire and it costs just a bit more than ammo at a gunshow. They rent a lot of firearms up to MP5's and AR-15's. There are also several gun clubs with indoor ranges. All of them are small. There are outdoor ranges, the best of which is Tri-County Gun Club. Many ranges including tactical. The local swat teams train there as well as the IPSC crowd. There is plenty of opportunity just take your pick. Hope this helps.
 
Thanks to everyone for your advice. Due to the way things are working out, it's likely to be a couple months before my friend will be buying.

As to the Oregon TFL meet, that sounds great, although this coming weekend (Oct 21-22) is definitely out for me. What looks good for everyone else?
 
I'm in the Portland area also. I'm up for a meet. I shoot at Douglas Ridge Rifle Club in Estacada.
I'll also have to chime in that Keith's has the best selection and prices, probably in the State. I work in Salem and the only shop I know of there with decent prices is Good Guy's Guns on Lancaster.

Let's talk!
 
Shooters Merchentile in Salem has a number of guns to rent for $5. They also have fully automatic's to rent. Take extra cash as they really burn up the bucks in ammo.
Your friend could find a good used S&W, Ruger, or Colt revolvers at Shooters for $250 or less. Just picked up a S&W model 19 in cherry condition for $225.
I'd love to meet fellow Oregonians for a shoot of guns and breeze. Need an organizer.
The Gun Broker in Clakamas has 600 guns purchased from Fish and Game. Confiscated and service guns. Used by great prices.
Your friend will have no problem finding a good used 357 revolver for less than $300.
 
I second the recommendation for the Gun Broker. I cannot give you a price comparison because I haven't been in the market lately, but I've purchased 4 or 5 firearms from them and like their staff and service.

------------------
NRA/GOA/SAF
USMC '87-'91

Oregon residents please support the Oregon Firearms Federation, our local "No compromise" chapter of the GOA. http://www.oregonfirearms.org
 
This thread does not need to go on forever, however, Royd Jackson, the owner of The Gun Broker is not known for bargains. It is true that he bought up a lot of Fish & Game Commission S&W revolvers but you can do better just about anywhere on revolvers. If you want a revolver try 911, Fishermans Supply, or even Shooters Emporium in Salem. Shooters Emporium will have prices close to The Gun Broker. Keith has the lowest prices on any firearm but no after sale service.
 
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