Suggestions for Gun Shops Around Merced

[LMNO]

I'm helping a friend of mine buy his first firearm. He lives in Merced and, aside form the local Big 5 stores, is not familiar with any gun shops or pawnshops in the area (and is a little paranoid about asking around).

I tried searching online and only came across two shops that apparently have closed down and a range that seems to have mixed reviews on customer service.

I was wondering if any members on this forum might be able to suggest a good shop where he may find a good deal on a new or used shotgun, or do a PPT on one if he finds a good deal. If he can take his FSC test at the same place, that would be great as well.

Thanks,

[Pinto]

Drive north to Turlock & go to Alquist Arms. You won't be disappointed.

[PseudoTsuga]

Alquist is good, but what you really want to do is hit Stage Stop Gun Shop in downtown Atwater.
Great shop, low prices. Davidson's is their distributor; they can get anything and quickly. Their prices are great, too.
I bought a vp9 from them last year for $599! Everyone else was charging $699.
And don't waste your time at Gunrunner.

[brianm767]

Drive north to Turlock & go to Alquist Arms. You won't be disappointed.

+ about a 1000 for Alquist, best prices Ive seen in Cal, other than maybe Turners in the south sale prices. I guess I have to check out Stage Stop, never heard of it.

[Jules]

I go to Alquist most of the time, sometimes Stage Stop.

[duckman1]

Stage stop is good but so is Alquist.

[iluvmycolt]

Another vote for Alquist.

[Hdawg]

Drive north to Turlock & go to Alquist Arms. You won't be disappointed.

Best gun shop I've ever been in, hands down. They have two locations in Turlock now. The new one by the freeway has the best selection but the original location down town is my favorite. It just has a better feel to it. I like to stop in and say hi to Richard and the guys when I have a little free time during the day.

Give them a try. You won't be disappointed.

[SoberClurichaun]

Alquist is probably your best bet since it's close to you. I personally don't go to them anymore. They have two locations in turlock as well I believe. Was told they wouldn't be shutting the old store down because business is so good.

[Thorsen]

Another +1 for Alquist and Stage Stop. Can't go wrong with either. Whatever you do, DO NOT go to Gunrunner in Merced. Worst gun shop I have ever been to. Wouldn't give them a dollar of my business if they were the last shop on earth.

[DRPoolio]

Big fan of Alquist here. If you go to the new store near the fwy though give yourself some time. Grab a number and be prepared to wait for some help. Even so, I live almost 100 miles south but always plan a stop when I'm in the area on business.

[Thorsen]

Big fan of Alquist here. If you go to the new store near the fwy though give yourself some time. Grab a number and be prepared to wait for some help. Even so, I live almost 100 south but always plan a stop when I'm in the area on business.

With SSE gone, their wait times are back to normal. You don't even have to grab a number anymore. The last couple of times I have been in there, there were only a handful of people in there.

[DRPoolio]

With SSE gone, their wait times are back to normal. You don't even have to grab a number anymore. The last couple of times I have been in there, there were only a handful of people in there.

At the new store? Waited 35 minutes on a Wednesday afternoon just to pick up a gun 2 weeks ago.

[ccoyle]

I have never purchased a firearm from Gunrunner, but I have been to the shop a few times to look around. I don't know why they get such bad reviews - the staff have always been very courteous to me during my visits.

Have never had a bad experience at Alquist's, either, although they are usually very busy. It pays to know what you want in advance of a visit there. A check of their webstore will tell you what they have in stock.

Stage Stop doesn't do nearly the sales volume that Alquist does, thus their higher prices. But they are not above haggling, so it doesn't hurt to ask. I haven't been to the Atwater store, but the staff at their shop in Mariposa have always been great.

[PseudoTsuga]

I have never purchased a firearm from Gunrunner, but I have been to the shop a few times to look around. I don't know why they get such bad reviews - the staff have always been very courteous to me during my visits.

Have never had a bad experience at Alquist's, either, although they are usually very busy. It pays to know what you want in advance of a visit there. A check of their webstore will tell you what they have in stock.

Stage Stop doesn't do nearly the sales volume that Alquist does, thus their higher prices. But they are not above haggling, so it doesn't hurt to ask. I haven't been to the Atwater store, but the staff at their shop in Mariposa have always been great.

Well, they rotate staff between the two shops, and Mariposa is my home town, so I can say from experience that the Atwater staff is just as good. Another nice thing about the Atwater shop is they have a little section under one of the counters where they do consignment guns as a ppt so as not to take up a "one in thirty" slot for you. Pretty good deals too.
I got a practically brand new glock 27 with three mags and all the original stuff in the case for $399. I mean, it looked brand new. Easily less than a hundred rounds. I saw a beautiful h&k usp compact .40 with night sights for $599.