Gun stores in SoCal

[1911jerry]

I will be in SoCal next week on a business trip. I have time to hit 2 gun stores on Monday and 2 on Friday.

Would like to stay on the west side of the 605 freeway on Monday and anything east of the 605 on Friday.

Socal - give it to me straight, I need two can't miss gun shops for each day. I love hand guns the most, so who ever has the best selection of new and used hand guns will help me out the best.

Thanks guys. I am driving down from the SF bay area, so anything along the way on the I-5 corridor is also helpful. Can spend mucho time on Monday and Friday.

Thanks

Jerry

[TKo_Productions]

You gotta make it out to LA Guns in West Hollywood. They're on Sunset Blvd, but aren't open Mondays, so you'll have to hit them on Friday.

Check out their website for their extensive online gallery of categorized weapons, as well as their contact information, hours (they don't open until 11:00 am), and address:

http://www.laguns.com

[Jeff Rambo]

I'd recommend staying away from LA Guns... a bunch of elitest in my opinion. But others have different opinions.

[accordingtoome]

I just found Rettings off the 405 by LAX. I like that store a lot so far. 310 837 2412

[GTKrockeTT]

I just found Rettings off the 405 by LAX. I like that store a lot so far. 310 837 2412

good selection, high prices, bad attitude.

[accordingtoome]

good selection, high prices, bad attitude.

ohhhh explain please.. i duno about them yet and any info would be great. There XD prices were cheaper then Turners Sale prices.

[Jeff Rambo]

good selection, high prices, bad attitude.

+1 You can get what you need there, just make sure you know what you want and know what you are willing to pay. Other than that, you will deal with overpriced items and a holier than thou attitude on part of 95% of their employees. It's sad too, because this is the cloest gun store to me. I avoid the place at all costs and have only have to go against my wishes to never step foot back in there once when I needed eyes & ears on a whim.

[accordingtoome]

+1 You can get what you need there, just make sure you know what you want and know what you are willing to pay. Other than that, you will deal with overpriced items and a holier than thou attitude on part of 95% of their employees. It's sad too, because this is the cloest gun store to me. I avoid the place at all costs and have only have to go against my wishes to never step foot back in there once when I needed eyes & ears on a whim.

k jeff i need some examples.. i spent about an hour there and bought my XD last week. was a nice guy, answered all my questions and did all the paperwork in 10 minutes.

[CALI-gula]

good selection, high prices, bad attitude.

I like Rettings - I have never had any trouble with them, and have found GREAT prices on select items - a few weeks ago, I was buying a Kel-Tec SU16CA, turn around and saw a Marlin Camp Carbine 9mm that was like new, looked unfired for $329 - bought it! Bought both of my Benelli 1014 "US Flag" model M4's from them at $1349 when everyone else was selling them at $1549. Last September, I bought a first year (1967) Browning BAR Belgian gun, in .30-06 with a 2 digit serial number, like new in the box with all its papers, for $519, WELL worth the price.

So they may not be great on all of their new guns, but if you look around, they are often better on price then other stores. One such example is the basic ParaOrdnance Wart-Hog, not the Nite-hog, no night sights, not stainless - Turner's lowest price is/was $719 (I think just last week) while Rettings had it for $679.00.

I have been dealing with Rettings on at least a monthly basis since 1993. There are only 2 salesman there that might get short with you, especially in the past 3 years since SB15, the new HSC, and the safe-handgun demo went into effect - these 2 guys also have much more to do now days, with some management changes at the store, so they are more busy than they once were. But most of there staff is patient. I have dealt with Keith, Kevin, Dale, Doug, Alex, and recently Randy on numerous items over the years, and all were always helpful. However, being a regular customer for that long, maybe I get treated differently than a first-time customer? It's likely. I have seen some of the guys get short with some people that ask some outrageous questions that border on hinting at there doing something illegal.

However, to be honest, I noted that 1911jerry specified he was interested in handguns the most, new and used:

Rettings is one of the few dealers in CA that will NOT display or sell consignment handguns in their store that are not on the SOJ "Approved"list. You will NOT find any choice Colt Pythons, early Smith Model 27/29s, Steyr GBs, Randall 1911's, or an obscure Coonan .357 or Mateba on their shelves.

If they do sell consignment, it is only because it is on SB15 or it is SB15 exempt, or a long-gun.

HOWEVER.... I do note that his username is 1911jerry, and he might be interested to know that Rettings is one of (if not the only) stocking dealer of new Nighthawk Predators and Talons in all of SOCAL, having nearly every model they make on display. They have also gotten many of the Les Baer guns back into the store recently.



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[losangeles]

Lots of good info here about Rettings. That's not far from me but I've never been there but think I should pay it a visit. When I want to check out guns and get the shopping experience, I don't mind LA Guns in West Hollywood and Turners in various locations.

When it's time to buy, I wait for deals, like with Turners which has weekly specials (because their ordinary prices are too high) or I go to GalleryOfGuns.com to order and have them shipped, usually to Bain & Davis in San Gabriel because they seem to have the best prices, plus I like to give those guys business because their good folks and good business people.

[Addax]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum, but not new to firearms.. I am a member on other forums, specifically G/K forum (I collect German G/K43 rifles as you can tell)..

Anyways, 1911jerry, try hitting up Gunrunner in Duarte, CA. They are just shy (west side) of the 605fwy off the 210fwy in the city of Duarte.

Paul, the owner is a great guy and has built a pretty solid reputation and he has a really nice store..

I have known Paul for a long time and he will treat you right.

Best Regards,
Chris

[1911jerry]

Thanks guys, keepthe info coming. How about ADE's? I hear the SoCal boys talking about them all the time?

Also, Who carries V V n320 powder in the LA / orange area? I need some and all our stores are out.

Thanks

Jerry

[zatoh]

King's Gun Works - Kings Gun Works
1837 W. Glenoaks Boulevard, Glendale, CA
818-956-6010

http://www.kingsgunworks.com/

Prices seemed to be okay. Staff seemed to be nice too. They have new, used/consignment and C&R handguns there.

Gun World
2412 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506
818 238-9071

Sort of high prices. Mostly new stuff. Very few consignment items. Good transfer dealer though (my preferred dealer). Pleasant staff. Nice "back room" stocked with merchandise.

Rich's Arms in Whittier CA
6604 Gretna Avenue
Whittier, CA 90606
Phone: 562-695-9275
Fax: 562-463-9996

Lot's of stuff to see, lots of consignment stuff. Cool walk-in vault that he'll let you check out. Don't let the cluttered entrance deceive you. Crotchetty guy but really nice underneath.

Happy hunting!

[1911jerry]

Just got back from SoCal.

Went to both Fowlers/Stockade on Monday. Bought the last 2 bottles of VV N320... sorry guys. We are sold out up here in NorCal.

Fowlers is nice, lots of guns and the people were pretty nice. I spent about $100 between the 2 stores.

Also went to ADE's. Great guy, not much to look at, but I would buy a gun from this guy because of his customer service. No sale at this place.

Only had time to hit one store on my way out of town, so I hit Martin B. Retting. Nice store, Rude people. I asked a question about a frame on a Wilson Combat, he said he didn't know and walked away. I gaurantee you I will never buy a gun there. I had my eye on one of the NightHawk Talon's, but will look elsewhere ..... Did not buy anything after that, even though the wife wanted a S&W revolver. I told her to wait till we get back home.

Slid by Kings and Rich's?, but they were not open yet?

SoCal, you got some good stores. Thanks for the advice.

Jerry

[GTKrockeTT]

Just got back from SoCal.

Went to both Fowlers/Stockade on Monday. Bought the last 2 bottles of VV N320... sorry guys. We are sold out up here in NorCal.

Fowlers is nice, lots of guns and the people were pretty nice. I spent about $100 between the 2 stores.

Also went to ADE's. Great guy, not much to look at, but I would buy a gun from this guy because of his customer service. No sale at this place.

Only had time to hit one store on my way out of town, so I hit Martin B. Retting. Nice store, Rude people. I asked a question about a frame on a Wilson Combat, he said he didn't know and walked away. I gaurantee you I will never buy a gun there. I had my eye on one of the NightHawk Talon's, but will look elsewhere ..... Did not buy anything after that, even though the wife wanted a S&W revolver. I told her to wait till we get back home.

Slid by Kings and Rich's?, but they were not open yet?

SoCal, you got some good stores. Thanks for the advice.

Jerry

don't say we didn't warn ya.:D

[CALI-gula]

Only had time to hit one store on my way out of town, so I hit Martin B. Retting. Nice store, Rude people. I asked a question about a frame on a Wilson Combat, he said he didn't know and walked away. I gaurantee you I will never buy a gun there. I had my eye on one of the NightHawk Talon's, but will look elsewhere ..... Jerry

I am extremely puzzled by this; did he come back after walking away with an answer?

Some of the guys will go to the back of the store to check their files or catalogs, check a computer, or check with one of the seniors for an answer. They'll often come back with an answer, but at first, yes it seems like they walked away without helping.

Then again, if you look back at my post, there are at least 2 guys that work there that I could imagine doing this, without regard, and those are the 2 guys where as Jeff Rambo warned, "make sure you know what you want" and as I would like to add, make sure you know all your own answers and already know what you want to buy; its unfortunate, but those 2 guys can be real short with people they don't recognize, ESPECIALLY on a Saturday or Sunday when they are most busy.

They are the only unique gun store for many miles, besides LA Guns (not including Turners' which is mostly all production new stuff). Because of this, they get VERY crowded on the weekends. They are much more helpful during the week when they spend more time with each customer. But in all cases, I have noticed their helpfulness has become more scarce in the past 2 years.

I am betting you got one of those 2 guys, whom I avoid, so every experience I have with that store is great. I will actually WAIT to not be helped by them if I can.

Sorry I recommended them, and then they were rude - that plain sucks. :(

.

[GTKrockeTT]

thing is, i work in culver city during the weekdays. i used to go there with some frequency during my lunch hour. i could be in the store with just a couple other people, and they still lack in the customer care department.

[floorance]

thing is, i work in culver city during the weekdays. i used to go there with some frequency during my lunch hour. i could be in the store with just a couple other people, and they still lack in the customer care department.


+1 Here...I work in Marina Del Rey and also stop by from time to time during my lunch breaks. It's hit or miss with the service there, sometimes i get waited on hand and foot, and other times they just ignore me.

[CALI-gula]

It's unfortunate, but I believe both GTKrockeTT and floorance.

Rettings indeed has changed in the past few years since so many other stores have gone out of business; I can give you a list of 10-plus gun stores in the Los Angeles area that have closed in the past 5 years.

I have noticed Rettings' treatment with other customers (especially those having many questions) can be very dry. I am wondering if the closing of so many others stores has inadvertently, even if unintentional, given them an attitude of "buy from us or buy from the store 20 miles away".

I will also back-up losangeles' statement on Bain & Davis; Pete is a great guy - they are not a stocking dealer, but they get a lot of rare stuff in the store and they are very easy, very good customer service. I used to buy a lot of things from Emmet who is no longer there, but I see Pete has replaced him with just as capable and friendly people. However, I guess my word means crap since you had a bad experinece at Rettings and I said they were so great. :rolleyes:

.

[TacFan]

ohhhh explain please.. i duno about them yet and any info would be great. There XD prices were cheaper then Turners Sale prices.

ohh really, how cheap were they ? Can't be less than $479 :eek:

[GTKrockeTT]

bain and davis are good people.

[1911jerry]

I have 2 wilson Combats, a CQB and a Tac Elite. I wanted to know a little more about the Pro model. He walked away, never to be seen again... actually, he just went and putz'ed around the counter. I see why you avoid this person. Everything thing else at the store was nice, except I didn't see any reloading stuff.

Thanks for your responses

JS



I am extremely puzzled by this; did he come back after walking away with an answer?

Some of the guys will go to the back of the store to check their files or catalogs, check a computer, or check with one of the seniors for an answer. They'll often come back with an answer, but at first, yes it seems like they walked away without helping.

Then again, if you look back at my post, there are at least 2 guys that work there that I could imagine doing this, without regard, and those are the 2 guys where as Jeff Rambo warned, "make sure you know what you want" and as I would like to add, make sure you know all your own answers and already know what you want to buy; its unfortunate, but those 2 guys can be real short with people they don't recognize, ESPECIALLY on a Saturday or Sunday when they are most busy.

They are the only unique gun store for many miles, besides LA Guns (not including Turners' which is mostly all production new stuff). Because of this, they get VERY crowded on the weekends. They are much more helpful during the week when they spend more time with each customer. But in all cases, I have noticed their helpfulness has become more scarce in the past 2 years.

I am betting you got one of those 2 guys, whom I avoid, so every experience I have with that store is great. I will actually WAIT to not be helped by them if I can.

Sorry I recommended them, and then they were rude - that plain sucks. :(

.

[radioactivelego]

ohh really, how cheap were they ? Can't be less than $479 :eek:Well the Stockade is allegedly the largest Springfield Armory dealer in the nation...