Virginia gun store

T

tackdriver

New member
Question for my fellow Virginians:

What would you consider the best gun store in Va. for selection of new and used handguns WITH a range and range rentals?

Thanks!
 
Hmmm, I'm in NOVA and we have a great shop called Virginia Arms Company but they don't rent. Thats in Manassas. Then there is the G&A Warehouse, not as good as VAC and doesn't rent. In the Dulles area there is the Blue Ridge Arsenal, they have high prices, bad staff and very little in the way of used handguns (last i saw). However, they do have a range and allot to rent. The range is dimly lit, dirty and hot...oh yeah, the owner voted for Obama. Take that for what its worth....There is also Gilbert's Small arms but I have not been there in years. Good luck.
 
I used to go to Gilberts all the time they have a nice selection of used handguns. I only stopped because they won't let me shoot my shotgun on the weekends which is when I shoot. You will pay more for a new gun if you are not a Gold member.

I now go to the NRA range so I can shoot my shotgun.
 
I did not have as much trouble with Blue Ridge Arsenal as the previous poster had. Try here:
http://www.blueridgearsenal.com/

They didn't have what I wanted, frequently, but they had a wide selection of rental firearms and I found them reasonably accommodating with regard to using their range. If you absolutely must have rental guns and a range, I'd have to recommend you at least consider Blue Ridge Arsenal.

The best range in VA hands-down is the NRA range. Get there early. If you haven't been there before you need to take a little test before you qualify to sign up for a slot. Good folks, and the range is clean and well run.

There are no rental firearms there - its strictly BYO. But a nice range. You can't fire RPGs there, or 20mm cannon, but damn near anything else is okay!

If you're visiting the NRA range, you may as well make a pilgrimage of it. There is the national firearms museum there that really shouldn't be missed - it is remarkable. And in the attached store is a wide assortment of books, if you're into looking at different books on firearms, history, and shooting.

A great way to spend a Saturday, if you are so inclined.

Regards,

Doc
 
Thanks for the replies.

I'm not looking for a range as much as I am looking for a gun store with a great selection where my wife and I can go and try on some new firepower. I am strongly considering a must-shoot before buying policy.

We ARE considering a trip north, though, to visit the NRA museum, newseum and spy museum.
 
While it does not have a range, Green Top in Glen Allen (right near Richmond and the Gander Mountain store) has a pretty healthy selection of handguns. I've always had good service there, and the staff is first rate IMO. The place can be a zoo on weekends though.

One of my favorite gun stores is Dominion Outdoors in Fishersville (on I-64, just by the I-81 exchange), but it too does not have a range. They have a pretty good range of things, from high end 1911's to pocket pistols to single action six guns (and right now for a tad under $4K, you can guy the Barrett m99 .50 sitting on the counter). They post some (but trust me, not all) of their inventory on www.gunsinternational.com (custom search under sellers name for dominionoutdoors).

I just don't know any stores with ranges other then Gilbert's, and their prices are way over the top, IMO (compared to what I pay closer to home).
 
I'm going to get in a ton of trouble for recommending them, I know, but Silver Eagle Group has a pretty good selection of handguns for sale and rent, not to mention three very nice indoor ranges. I shoot there regularly, and they're a very good crew.

(Seriously, guys, please don't derail the thread with SEG criticism!)
 
Another vote for Green Top.

Virginia Arms is another great store, with a great staff, but it's smaller. A fair selection of consigment guns. I love Virginia Arms.
 
Roanoke Firearms, in Roanoke obviously, has the largest pistol selection I've found in the Roanoke and New River Valleys, but I think their prices are on the high side. You can see some of their selection at roanokefirearms.com. I have bought a few accessories in there, but never a firearm.
 
Thanks folks. I'm pretty well settled with Trader Jerry's II in Salem as my gun shop of choice, just looking for somewhere with more to offer in rentals than every model of Glock (why?).
 
I'd say there's no range in the NoVa area that compares to the NRA HQ. Well ventilated, well managed, 50 yds and no limits on what you shoot. Only problem is its gotten a lot busier over the last 2 yrs.

For gun shops...I've had the best service and support from Greentop 50 min South in GlenAllen. Great prices...great selection...very little baloney from any of the counter guys and they stand behind everything they sell. They carry the widest spectrum of stuff I've seen. Their used gun selection is huge and seems pretty well cared for. No rusty fingerprints!

I've never had any problems with Blue Ridge, but I've only used their range. If you're a Glock nut...they look like your kind of place. Otherwise the staff has only seemed helpful to me. But...I've had a couple lemons that Greentop when above and beyond to earn my biz--and their prices have always been lower than anyone but Gilberts and they have a bigger stock, in most cases
 
VAHunter said:
I'd say there's no range in the NoVa area that compares to the NRA HQ. Well ventilated, well managed, 50 yds and no limits on what you shoot. Only problem is its gotten a lot busier over the last 2 yrs.
Click to expand...

almost no limits--their backstop is rated up to .460 Weatherby Magnum, and they don't allow birdshot or buckshot--slugs only through your shotguns. But anything else is fair game.
 
Gilberts Small Arms Range in Newington Va.

The best gun store I have ever bought from hands down.

Excellent range as well with competitive prices.

The only down side is that it STAYS busy.

Outstanding selection of used guns at great prices usually.

Their new guns can be a tad pricy.
 
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