Ronning Arms Modesto

[Lancear15]

I know if Ron R. keeps having customers and range members that have been around long before it was Ronning Arms treated like crap by his employes bussiness is going to fail.
I stopped using Ronning Arms the day a fat commando employee walked up on me in the range while unsnapping his holster demanding I dump my brass I had just picked up of the floor. My Brass!!! Only one in the range. No left brass sign.
Not to mention I had been picking up my brass at that range for ten to twelve years.
He then proceeded to walk me out of the range with hand on his pistol.
I paid for my targets, left my membership card and never went back.
Barnwood Arm on the other hand in Ripon has allways been great!

If someone removed retention and put their hand on their gun in an aggressive manner and made demands, I definitely would be calling the police.

I can second that Barnwood Arms in Ripon treats you right. I have a year membership there.

[goldleviathan]

Ronning Arms is the worst (IMO)

I've worked for a major satellite television company for over 14 years. We received an order from Ronning Arms for a satellite system for their shop. So we sent out one of our most experienced installers to do the job. It turned out to be one of the worst transactions we've ever been involved in.

The owner Ron Ronning was hostile upon arrival with what the installer described as an "anger management issue". (Not exactly the kind of person who should have access to firearms.)

He demanded that Ronning Arms receive a "residential" rate for service instead of the "commercial" rate that was required. The installer cannot set special pricing. This is beyond his pay scale, which should be obvious everyone except Ron.

Ron was furious about the commercial rate so he demanded the installer complete additional work at no charge. Ron cancelled the order and then changed his mind multiple times during the installation, refused to pay for the work that was done, raised his voice, became aggressive, verbally insulted the installer and followed the installer around micro-managing the entire time.

Finally when the installer could take no more of the abuse, we as a company cancelled the order and asked the installer to return to our office.

Then we proceeded to get no less than 15 harrassing phone calls and voicemail messages from Ron.

Apparently during the installation and prior to Ron's more serious outbursts, a small cardboard box (that housed a portion of the unassembled satellite dish) had been disposed of in the Ronning Arms dumpster located in an alley behind the gun range. This would be normal on a commercial job.

However, when the installer was recalled, the dish was already assembled and the small box was no longer necessary. The entire dish was returned to the warehouse assembled and the box was left in the trash.

Well you would have thought we had set his store on fire with the insults and foul messages he slung our direction. It was the most ridiculous example of a temper tantrum that any adult has ever committed.

Remember I've been in the business for 14 years and NEVER has anyone acted so juvenile.

He was extremely aggitated and demanded the same installer come back to his "gun" shop to pick up the box.

I was not sure if this was some kind of veiled threat or not but needless to say we were not sending any employees out after hours to deal with some angry gun toting psycho.

Now as a gun owner myself, I would never use this place anyway. Besides the fact it's in a seedy part of town, the place is a complete wreck and the employees seem to have a chip on their shoulders.

I use Alquist in Turlock for supplies, and Gunrunner in Merced for it's large range. Both of which are in a different league than Ronning Arms in terms of professionalism.

I wouldn't give that place a cent of my money.

[PowderBurn1]

Yeah Ronning and Sierra arms both IMHO are no good.

[goldleviathan]

I just noticed there is another thread on calguns forums about Ronning Arms titled "Crappy Gun Stores". Follow the link to read more.

[louscamaro91]

Barnwood gets my vote it is the best shop to go to in the central valley. They have a range with a Wilson Tactical Elite to rent!! tried it the other day, stock any gun you could want or can order it no problem. Say what you want but for the Modesto/Stockton area Barnwood is a One stop shop! I don't work for them but I do run a business in the same town and strongly encourage people to help out local gun stores

[Fire in the Hole]

My neighbor lady, who is widowed, age 50 has started taking the local tactical handgun courses with my wife. She will be taking the CCW class next week. She came to me and asked for help deciding on a SD handgun. I took her to our local range, and let shoot Glock, Sig, S&W, and HK, just to see the differences. Then we drove to Barnwood Arms in Ripon 8 days ago. We "test drove" three guns there. There were charging $22.00 per box of cheap range ball ammo, and you can only shoot their ammo. They didn't have any .45 ammo in stock. They did have a fairly good selection of handguns. After much consideration, and with my input, she decided on a Glock, model 27, .40 caliber. With Trijicon sights to be installed, gun case, holster, and various accessories, she paid about $1,000. It was hard to get a salesman to stay with us to finish the transaction. They kept answering the phone, or going on a coffee break, while we were there to spend money.

I overheard one of the salesmen giving out totally false information about legal transportation of guns, open carry, and CCW in CA. I stayed quiet. My family has bought 3 guns from them in the past. I will probably do business with them again in the future, but I think they should get educated on the relevant laws, and pay better attention to a customer that had driven and hour and a half, spent time, gas, and money to do business with them.

[thefifthspeed]

Barnwood gets my vote it is the best shop to go to in the central valley. They have a range with a Wilson Tactical Elite to rent!! tried it the other day, stock any gun you could want or can order it no problem. Say what you want but for the Modesto/Stockton area Barnwood is a One stop shop! I don't work for them but I do run a business in the same town and strongly encourage people to help out local gun stores

I used to buy from them but I stopped going to Barnwood and only shop at Sierra now. It seems unless you are over 40 years old you don't get help at that place. I also got yelled at last time when I was at their range because I was picking up my own brass and according to them I had to leave it for them

They lost my business

[caoboy]

If you guys are looking for a decent range, in the CV, check out the one in Linden, San Joaquin Rifle and Pistol Range.

50, 100, 200 yard ranges, pistol range, and the last time I was there it looked to be 2 or 3 more ranges being prepared.

Only thing you can't shoot is shotguns. $12 bucks all day, no range officer, and there is a sign that 'says' you can't pick up your brass.

As far as gun stores...I can't say anything good about ronning or barnwood.

My boss says that Doc's in Ripon is the spot to go to. Haven't been there yet though.

There's a shop in the 'ceres' area on hatch called Down Range. Haven't been there yet either. Sierra I've been told wasn't the greatest either.

[GB88]

i've been to down range, it's in ceres on mitchell and the gun selection is more of "i can order it" type. the guy there is cool though. i just go to sierra

[Gary13]

While I shoot at Barnwood, I have not purchased a handgun there. Alquist had the same CZ 75b for $50 less. Sierra is about the same as Barnwood. I do like the guys at Barnwood, and for that matter at Sierra and Alquist.

[offrdmania]

I live around the corner from Alquist and have always had a great experiance. Unfortunately they dont do much in the way of black rifles. For that I use Rhino up at JK Supply Co. Its a longer drive but the service is unmatched anywhere else.

[chuckdc]

I live around the corner from Alquist and have always had a great experiance. Unfortunately they dont do much in the way of black rifles. For that I use Rhino up at JK Supply Co. Its a longer drive but the service is unmatched anywhere else.

Last time I was there, about a week or 2 ago, they had quite a few "black rifles" there. 2 different customers were getting demos, and a young lady about 20 or so was doing the showing.

[Gary13]

The young lady was probably the son's girlfriend. Pleasant. Only seen her in there once, but seems to be learning the business.

[duckman1]

Fire in the Hole I too have had the same experience at Barnwood. I purchased 4 guns, scopes, cases, cleaning supplies and ammo from them spending a small fortune. I have had trouble picking up guns after the waiting period with the last 2 taking 45 and 90 minutes respectively. I purchase 2-3 guns per year and have moved my business to Alquist Arms in Turlock. It will be a cold day before I darken Barnwoods door again.

[Meka]

Does anyone know whats going on with Ronning Arms in Modesto? I have not be in the shop or range for awhile. I was shocked when I went in today. It looks like they are close to shutting the doors. The place looked trashed. And no stock. Are they ok?

Well, Ron Ronning is in jail. I guess Ronning Arms will be shutting the doors for good.