Martin B. Retting

[GTKrockeTT]

I copied it the way it was written. He edited it. Your a little late Donger.

"You're" I got your back Ohsmily.

But, back on topic. I've got no love lost for Rettings, prices are high, CS is low. Award-losing combination.

[rorschach]

Come to think of it, whenever I used to go to Western Auto, I was the only English speaker there. Everyone else, sales hacks included, were all metric speakers. I guess that explains the unusual amount of nickel and gold plated 1911's with pearl grips and engravings of livestock, cockfights, or mexican coat-of-arms.

[Cato]

I like Retting. You have to be sure NOT to visit the store when it's busy (ie weekends). The workers get stressed and are bound to give an attitude. They have to deal with rude WLA customers often too. Once I was there and some Santa Monica Patrician was angry that his pair of $2K shotguns had fallen out of DROS after the 30 days. He expected Retting to let him have the guns ANYWAY! This was totally his fault. Who among us let's that happen? I pick up my guns no later than day 11! I saw another customer who couldn't accept that you have to be 21 to purchase a handgun. Duh!They seem to get a lot of foot traffic being the only real gun store on the West Side. By that I mean a fully dedicated gun store; not, a range/gun store or a fishing/gun store. The fact that they have the used rifles and shotguns out pulls in many customers too. Im in my early 30s and have bought three pistols there over the past few years and havnt had a bad experience. If anything, I find Retting to be TOO nice.

[drclark]

In general, I only buy firearms at gunshops unless there is something I really need. Otherwise, I do prefer to buy ammo, cleaning supplies, etc online. As far as I know, my only two brick-n-mortar gunshops that are within a half hour drive are either Retting in Culver city or the Redondo Beach Turners. There's also the Culver City Big-5 but I'm not really counting them since they're not a true gunshop (i.e. limited selection, no handguns, etc). There may be others in the LA-southbay area (within 20 miles of LAX), but I have not been there yet. If anyone knows of a good shop in the area other than those two please post.

Comparing Retting with Turners, I find that both are relatively competitive price wise. 2 yrs ago, my girlfriend and I bought a pair of XD's. Retting had a better selection and had a better price on the two we wanted. To be fair, Turners had a slightly better price a few weeks later during one of their specials but only on the 9mm. In general though, Retting usually has a better overall selection; for instance they are the only place close by that actually has a few 870 police-magnums in stock.

Rettings prices on new guns seem average; not great, but also not extreme. I think that their used guns can be a bit overpriced (however, I suspect that the used guns have more profit margin and are easier to haggle over). I have come to the conclusion that I have to get at least $100 better price on an internet sale for it to be worth my while. You have to figure shipping, the local FFL fee, plus I still like to be able inspect/fondle a gun I'm about to purchase. As for going to shops further away, I have to factor in the cost of gasoline for two round trips (day of dros and pickup day).

As far as customer service goes, its been hit and miss in both shops. It largely depends on the individual you are dealing with and when you go. I do notice that when my girlfriend is along, we generally get better service than when I am looking by myself. Then again, I'm usually just browsing and would prefer to not be bothered until I have decided I actually want to buy something.

All I really ask, is that once I have decided to buy, that the people working the counter are knowledgeable enough to complete the sale process as efficiently as possible, and can answer basic questions about the product or purchase process that I might have. They need to have a basic knowledge of what is and what isn't legal or at the very least be able to give you a link or phone # for the DOJ when they are not sure.

I absolutely detest getting lectured by a clerk about what is or isn't legal when they are wrong.... So far, I haven't had a problem with Retting. Turners in Redondo however is a different story.

Just my opinions,
drc

[ramon]

Rettings Good

Treated me real nice-but I'm an old fart!

[Diabolus]

Retting's blows, I hope it goes under. The same "rude" WLA people are the ones keeping it in business and they give everyone a hard time about doing a PPT.

In general, most of the employees at the majority of gun shops are anti-social.

[Enzyme]

Doubt it'll happen anytime soon. They've been in business since the 20's, and they've been in their current location since 1953. They must be doing something right...

Retting's blows, I hope it goes under. The same "rude" WLA people are the ones keeping it in business and they give everyone a hard time about doing a PPT.

In general, most of the employees at the majority of gun shops are anti-social.

[Diabolus]

Maybe it is just me - I get turned off by pricks.

[Hunter]

Doubt it'll happen anytime soon. They've been in business since the 20's, and they've been in their current location since 1953. They must be doing something right...

FYI, They are one of the largest dealers in the state with a reported 9,963 firearm sales from 2003-2005, or just over 9 guns a day.

[SemiAutoSam]

My 77 year old father tells me MBR has been around long before Machine guns were outlawed in california.

Can you imigine going into MBR and buying a MG.

I wonder if their employees were rude back then They only had real gansters to deal with in the 1920's not the wanna be's.

[Cato]

My 77 year old father tells me MBR has been around long before Machine guns were outlawed in california.

Can you imigine going into MBR and buying a MG.

I wonder if their employees were rude back then They only had real gansters to deal with in the 1920's not the wanna be's.

I remember talking to one of the workers about MP5's. He remembers when Retting carried MP5's! Can you imagine?! Wow those were the days!

[daskraut]

I have been shopping at MBR for 25 plus years. After a break of about 10 years, I went back (last year) and found a huge improvement in attitude!. Like someone said, when they get busy, they get stressed, it happens. Please try and remember that for every gun or ammo "buyer", they have 25 dumbnonononos asking really dumb questions and they do not spend an f--king dime, they just waste alot of time. Also please try and remember that some of you guys "may" go in there with a bit of a supierior attitude due to your extensive knowledge of firearms and all related laws. It is like a total gearhead going to a car dealer and expecting the salesman to know all the specs and performance of said vehicle in question. And, remember, these guys do not make a lot of $$ in addition to having to put up with all this crap, so maybe a smile and a "hearty hand clasp" may not be there to welcome you, but don't take it personally.

[Moonclip]

I won't go to Gunslingers in Glendora anymore. I bought my first handgun there eight months ago and they were okay, but their attitude has gone to pot since then. Maybe if they'd stock up a little they'd get more buyers than browsers.

Sorry you had a bad experience. The owner can be a bit testy but they are very knowledgeable there. IIRC you got a good deal on a Ruger security six. The stock can be a bit thin though I noticed. I think the door says too on the open hours something like closed at 5pm or when I feel like it!

[Moonclip]

Come to think of it, whenever I used to go to Western Auto, I was the only English speaker there. Everyone else, sales hacks included, were all metric speakers. I guess that explains the unusual amount of nickel and gold plated 1911's with pearl grips and engravings of livestock, cockfights, or mexican coat-of-arms.

I actually knew the guy that made the ornate grips! I almost bought a set of jade 1911 grips once myself! As another example of Western Auto price gouging and insanity there is a Ruger PC9 carbine for sale there at over $700!

Don't be surprised if something comes down there eventually involving straw purchases or too many of their guns and ammo ending up in Mexico.

[ballistic]

Martin B.

I remember going in there as a teenager many years ago and thinking it was heaven. Lots of used rifles and shotguns you can handle without having to ask the guy behind the counter.
Now, many years later, I still like to go there to browse.
I have a few times purchased a handgun or rifle there at a fair price.
The prices are mostly on the high side.
Please, somebody tell me a place in So. Cal that does not have high prices.
They have never been rude or discourteous to me. But, I don't go to gunshops looking for conversation. I will rarely talk to the salespeople unless there is something I am genuinely interested in.