Positive Experiences?

B

Bella

New member
There are numerous threads and countless posts here about negative experiences related to gun shops and purchases. While I believe it might help others avoid them, I also believe that sharing positive gun shop experiences could also help. Who knows, the bad places might even learn something.

I will start with two positive gun shop experiences.

We have a local gun shop here that has a gunsmith on staff. Last year, after bird season, I took my semi auto shotgun in there for a thorough cleaning. The smith asked how much I had fired the gun. I hadn't fired it much. He said if I insisted, he would perform the service. He had broken the gun down and told me it wasn't shot enough to require a complete cleaning. He didn't want to charge me for an unnecessary service.

There is a Walmart in Carson City. Occasionally the person working the gun counter is this little old lady. She looks like someone's grandmother. She is more knowledgeable and helpful on gun related stuff then most young men I have dealt with. If you ask for a box of certain ammo, no matter how uncommon it might be, she hands you exactly what you wanted.

So, let's see if there are any other positive gun shop experiences out there.
 
In general most of my positive experiences have been when the LGS folks appear courteous, answer my questions in a truthful manner and genuinely act like they're glad I came in. I do not mind them trying to steer me toward what they have on hand as long as they do it in a truthful ethical manner. The reality is this happens more than not, but obviously it’s human nature to remember the negative experiences over the positive ones.
 
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Larry's Sporting Goods in Oregon City, Oregon was always a fun experience. Hundreds of used guns in racks on the floor from old trap doors to used modern guns.

A spent an afternoon at a pawn shop in Everett talking with the owner, on a slow day, who showed me just about every handgun in the case. Fun day, too bad that shop is gone now.
 
I am really fortunate to have two great shops within driving distance.

Dennis at Burnt mill smithing in Churchville, NY has been the only person that I let work on my firearms when they need action work. Plus, he has kept my wish list for years and calls me whenever he finds something I just can't live without.

Beikirchs in East Rochester is a great shop, good prices and pleasant folks to work with.
 
Many good experiences at Gun Stores

Shooters:

I've had many good experiences at guns stores. My favorite is to shop at smaller private owned stores where they can "adjust" the prices. When you buy from big box stores that also sale guns there is no price dickering. I will say that at the one truly big gun store (that is only a gun store) I've shopped at even there they will "adjust" price some or at least try to. (Salesman goes to ask manager.)

Most of my bad experiences have been at gun shows where they have what I want to but they want too much for it.

Gun auctions are a mixed experience. I've only bought one gun at an auction and got it at about fair market value.

Live well, be safe
Prof Young
 
Agreed, most smaller dealers are more helpful and avoid bs. Retailers often have sales people who can be gun ignorant, but sell ice to an Eskimo. I have had to step in once or twice to help someone with a decision because an old Russian 50cal was not an ideal plinker for a beginner, but definitely for the shop that probably bought the shipment by weight.

Smaller shops seem to have more knowledgeable ppl. Before these forums they were the ones always happy to do the research for me or help with whatever problem I might have had.
 
I tend to prefer the smaller dealers as well for the reasons mentioned, and tend to avoid the larger ones, again for the reasons mentioned.
I will say however that I've made two purchases of used firearms at a VERY large dealer who has a location near in St. Louis county Missouri and been very pleased with the deals that I got on them as they were very good deals regardless of where they were obtained.
 
There are exactly 2 local (within a day trip drive) LGSs here.
One is helpful & I've usually had positive experiences there.
The Other, which is withing walking distance, isn't helpful or positive.

Guess which one I go to?
(Gun shops take note either positively or not):)
 
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