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GUN SHOPS

chuckchuck Member Posts: 4,911
edited May 2002 in Ask the Experts
After reading about grumpy gun shop owners I would like to respond. Owning a very small shop where I cut every corner to help save my customers. I must put my 2 cents in. Do most people really beleive the small gun shop can compete with the Xmarts. Thank about it price is controlled by volume. The small gun shop may buy one or two Mossburg 835 for example. The Xmart or large sporting good chain may buy 500 of any one gun for the distributing center and supply all Xmarts in thier region.Who do you thank gets the price breaks. Another thing I encounter frequenty is a person will buy their gun,scope,ring/bases and sling and swivels studs at the local Xmart and come on down to the shop asking if I would mind mounting the scope,. boresight it,drill stock and mount sling studs. I say sure the total charge will be about 35.00. His next comment is I have a friend that said you did this free for him. I respond, but your friend Jimmy purchased all his item from me. I must be doing somthing right my business is increasing about 25% a year.
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Comments

  • chuckchuck Member Posts: 4,911
    edited November -1
    I have been reading about the BAD GUN SHOPS, First let me tell you I am not a gunsmith or do I own a gun shop. I am 65 years old and have been in a lot of gun shops in my life, I have yet to meet a GOOD gunsmith that wasn't a little crankie, and all so their prices are allways a little higher than your K-mkart stuff, If you don't like your local gun shop, the next time you have a question about a gun Ask your K-mart person, all so get them to repair them. Gun shop people have to make a living,which inclues Rent, Utilities, and time, Your K-mart and wallie worlds can be bought out by Rossie O and do away with all gun stuff, and if you have ran off your local gun shops, where do you buy your gun stuff. Do some thinking
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  • chuckchuck Member Posts: 4,911
    edited November -1
    Id love to support my local gun shop, but all of their products are amazingly over priced. (ammo that costs $6.99 at Academy cost $10.00 here, etc.) Is this a gun shop trend, or is this place just over-priced?
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  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My experience (in the Kansas City area) is, in general, the same. They are cranky and their prices are high. But, I will say this, the repair work done (Admire's in Lee's Summit, Crossfire in Independence) was good to excellent. I also found an independent gunsmith whose business is in a special shop at his farm (Mark Pursell, Liberty Mo) who does superb work, is not expensive, will not feed you any Barbara Streisand, and he's not cranky either!


    P.S. Why is it so many of them are cranky?
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The krankyness comes from all the chemicals they are around I think... Kinda like the Mad Hatter thing. The Mad Gunsmith..

    Visit me http://www.geocities.com/gunsmithlee
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  • binderbinder Member Posts: 242 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    gun shops do have to make a living. for the guy from Lee-Summit , if you call a dealer in Braymer Missouri, Name of Earl Lynn- He does it out of his house, and his prices are not as bad as local gun shops in bigger towns that have a lot higher rent and overhead. My name is pronounced BIN-der and I have been buying for a time now. He is about to retire in the next few years, and he is slightly hard of hearing on the phone, he knows me. Braymer is about 25 miles southwest of Chillicothe, and east of POLO. It is probably about an hour from K.C.
    so you have a choice, travel or higher prices, of course you could also look up the dealers associated with gunbroker.com and you may find someone closer.
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  • niklasalniklasal Member Posts: 776 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How do you become a gunsmith?

    I don't really care about doing it for profit, but I love tinkering with stuff. Maybe when I get good I'll hook you guys up with some service!

    My gun is prettier than yours, and it's a Glock!
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with you guys about maybe paying a little more for your firearms needs at the local Gunshop, I know a penny saved is a penny earned. But Kmart or wally world does not have a big firearms inventory. And on that traggic day of sept,11 kmart pulled every firearm they had off the shelf Nationwide. I have not heard yet of one gun dealer in business for himself doing such a thing. From reports I have heard local dealers worked very hard to meet demand for their firearms. That gives us freedom loving people another shot in the back from chain stores. As for grumpy gunsmiths Im not sure what makes them that way maybe its because their good at what they do, and they know people like me ocasionaly need them.

    Rugster.

    Rugster
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  • JIM STARKJIM STARK Member Posts: 1,150 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My gunsmith is grumpy because when he is blueing and runs out of beer and can't leave the shop....He nips on the bluing rinse water....something like the mad hatter......I'd guess??????

    Edited by - JIM STARK on 05/01/2002 17:13:33
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  • thunderboltthunderbolt Member Posts: 6,041 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Your gunsmith may be irritable because he only gets paid for his work. Talking and free gunsmith lessons don't pay the bills. Take the hint, leave your gun and go home.
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a gunshop here in Beaumont, TX that is like a second home to me. I never even bother to compare prices cause I just don't care. I know the guy may be more expensive than walmart, but I want to support his business. He always helps me out, when I have questions, and his prices a always very reasonable. If you live near beaumont and are looking for a dealer check him out. Boby Goza @ 10-32 Supply in downtown beaumont on Neches st. Tell'em Lee sent ya. He'll take care of ya, and make sure to pet the dogs when your there, otherwise Taz wont get any attention from anyone :) LOL (he's really spoiled...)

    Visit me http://www.geocities.com/gunsmithlee
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  • PiadeaPiadea Member Posts: 146 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In 30 years I've bought one gun in a chain store and I still feel guilty about it. People in the gun business are the best (some better than others). If you like to talk about them (guns) as much as you like to shoot them (and I assume that's true 'cause here we are) Then the local shop or smith is where you're goin' to spend that quality time.
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  • BlokeyBlokey Member Posts: 284 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've NEVER gotten a good deal at the gun store I "frequent", they charge full price for everything! The 'smith is mean and crotchety (must be required to join the guild ;) ) and the indoor range is filthy.
    Sometimes I use their FFL for transfers but mostly I go to a local pawn shop. Everytime I mention that gun store to the pawn shop FFL, he gestures as though getting a shaft up the backside! :O
    Having said that, I patronize this particular gun store because I can BS with the guys all day about guns, their range is the closest to where I live, they always have the ammo and supplies I need and their gunsmith has never let me down on any work I've given him (and I am VERY * about the condition of my guns).

    These things give your local gun store a special place on the American landscape. I hope they're still around for a long time, be glad the next time you visit one! ^
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  • BlokeyBlokey Member Posts: 284 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've NEVER gotten a good deal at the gun store I "frequent", they charge full price for everything! The 'smith is mean and crotchety (must be required to join the guild) and the indoor range is filthy.
    Sometimes I use their FFL for transfers but mostly I go to a local pawn shop. Everytime I mention that gun store to the pawn shop FFL, he gestures as though getting a shaft up the backside!
    Having said that, I patronize this particular gun store because I can BS with the guys all day about guns, their range is the closest to where I live, they always have the ammo and supplies I need and their gunsmith has never let me down on any work I've given him (and I am VERY * about the condition of my guns).

    These things give your local gun store a special place on the American landscape. I hope they're still around for a long time, be glad the next time you visit one!
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  • k.stanonikk.stanonik Member Posts: 2,109 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I like the shop i go to, they are family owned and treat you like family, They encourage the guys to hang out there. The smithy will tell you if he can do the work or if he would rather not because he hasnt done it for awhile. I'm even talking to them about possibly workin there a couple of weekends a month to help pay for my addiction.
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  • MFIMFI Member Posts: 7,899 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We arnt too cranky to deal with since everyone that comes in is a potential sale and we cant afford to lose anyone. The only time we do get cranky is when the customer starts telling us about all the great deals at Wallyworld and **Mart and why dont we have the same prices. Or the guy who buys his Savage package gun there then wants us to buy it for close to what he paid. Other wise we are happy to see you.
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've been in some shops that are just plain strange, but my first gun shop where I got into shooting was a real nice Ma and Pa place. They were ever so patient with my being a newbie. I'd still shop there if I moved back that way. My current local shop is much the same and has also been a great source of info and encouragement. I do go elsewhere for this or that, but I buy plenty from them and their range is the best I've ever used. Been going to them for a decade and I really love those guys.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • GreenLanternGreenLantern Member Posts: 1,647 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't really shop the 'Marts' partially because they don't have anywhere near the selection of goods. Even for the little things like cleaning supplies and such. The gun shop where I frequent though has some pretty good deals from time to time. I know the gunsmith won't steer me wrong. The only part I balk at is that he doesn't own the store and that guy is a real d*ckh**d! Sometimes the gunsmith puts his own stuff up on consignment and the day he wasn't there I was looking at a SAR1 when I asked him if the gunsmith was willing to deal on price. He said, "No! He's had a lot of people look at it!" If I'd have been a little quicker I'd have said "Looking is one thing, buying is another!". Everything I've every bought he usually drops a coule of bucks off. So now everytime I see something that's there but isn't the gunsmiths I have a battle of conscience deciding whether or not I want to give the owner any of my money.
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  • SixStringerSixStringer Member Posts: 131 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How does one tell the difference between trying to make a living, and trying to rip you off? Winchester 115 gr. FMJ = $10.00 for fifty rounds at my local gun shop, $10.98 for 100 rounds at Walmart. $9.02 more.. is that "just trying to make a living?
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  • Wild BillWild Bill Member Posts: 155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I might go into a gun store to LOOK at something I want to buy, but primarily I buy most of my guns and ammo online. The bottom line is I get the same products at lower prices.

    "Gun control is not about guns; it's about control." "If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson."
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