Strange to today's society-places you bought guns from

My first 22 rifle was purchased at our local hardware store.it was a savage, single shot, pull choke. I paid .50cents for a box of 22lr. I was 10 years old, my Mom made the purchase.
 
Bought a 20 gauge shot gun from Western Auto when I was a youngster back in the late 60's. In 1981 I bought a used S&W Mod 39-2 at a pawn shop in my home town of Seguin. A couple weeks later, I saw a brand new one in Gibson's for the same price. Doh! For those who don't remember Gibson's, it was the place to go until Walmart ran them out of business.
 
Jo6pak said:
About 20 years ago I bought a pistol from a co-worker. Not so strange you say? Well he brought it into work and showed it to me right in the production area. We exchanged money and I kept the pistol at my work station for the rest of the day. There was no thought of it. Heck, every time someone bought a new gun, bow or knife they brought it in for "show and tell." I'm guessing if you tried that today at most places you would get fired or arrested.
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I remember those days, and you're right that most employers now would have you fired or arrested. Fortunately, I don't work in one of those places. There have been many times when my boss, a hunter, has had a rifle or bow sitting in the corner of his office.
 
I bought a .410 from Western Auto and the barrel was marked "Western Auto". I bought a Russian Rifle through the mail back in the 60's sometime. I just recently sold it auction and it went high because it had no import marks. I bought a .22 at either Woolworths or Grants, too long ago to remember.
 
I bought my first Mauser out of a 55 gallon drum at Gibson's dept. store for 15.00 back in the early 70's.
 
A bar. No, seriously!

I haven't done it myself but, there is a place called 'The Sportsman" in Sonora, CA that features a working bar and gun store. I have yet to buy anything from there(prices high and limited selection), but make it a point to take friends there just to have a beer and a laugh.
They've had dual status as combined sales since the 1940's.
The owner/bartender is a kick in the pants and says she has CCW but rarely carries it while working. I asked her why, she said "Honey, most of my regular customers have their own and everybody in town knows it."
 
Thats almost shocking for California, but then it is out in Sonora..
I thought there was a CCW rule about booze and guns.....
 
Maybe Not So Strange

I always ask at yard sales if there is any militaria, hunting, or gun related stuff for sale. I got an 870 Wingmaster that had been sitting in the back of the deceased's closet. Looked like no one even moved it while painting. Had off white paint drips on it. $40.00 got it in my car.
Most of the other offerings haven't been of much interest to me.
 
I'd have to hear the story again, but as I recall it, my dad traded something or other while riding on his school bus for a late 1900's Winchester.
 
They still sell guns in hardware stores. I purchased a Cricket .22 at Reeves Ace Hardware in Clayton GA a couple years ago. They have a good assortment of AR's hunting rifles, airguns, handguns and a few shotguns...at the end of the isle displaying hand tools IIRC.
 
Longs Drugs in NV,(before they were bought by one of the BIG chains) - you could go in there, buy a rifle, handgun or shotgun - no waiting period, walk around the corner from the guns and get ammo and reloading supplies, walk to the back of the store and get a bottle of your favorite liquor; then meander over to the Scrip counter for those mood meds.

One stop shopping at its finest!...........:D
 
I fear that someday the FTF transactions will be a thing of the past. Sad.

I was too young but recall drooling over the guns at the local hardware store as a youth.

As an adult, I've bought guns FTF at garage sales and gun shows and met folks in their living rooms and parking lots after seeing sales ads.

The coolest place was in a corner convenience store/restaurant. I wandered in and they had an FFL with guns for sale. I seized the unique opportunity. I bought a 20 gauge Mossberg, and for laughs for the receipt souvenir I also bought a catfish plate, a 6 pack of beer, and a dozen eggs.

Total, $217. Still have the receipt.

A great memory.
 
I bought a .22 from Western Auto when I was about 14...gave them the money, they gave me the gun. In 1971 I bought a Remington Nylon 66 from Sears Roebuck & Company for about 70 bucks. Only paperwork on that one was a sales receipt, and the gun doesn't have a Serial Number. I still have it and it is still a straight and reliable shooter.

In Jr. High I took my .22 single shot to school to work on the stock in wood shop. Took the school bus both ways, and when I took it home the bus driver said I had done a real good job and it looked better than new. Those were the days............
 
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