Bay Area gun store prices

[bountyhunter]

On a scale of $ to $$$$:

$ bargain of the century
$$ low to average prices
$$$ average to high prices
$$$$ overpriced

here's how I rate them:

Tabor's (San Bruno) $$$$ guns
$$$ accessories

Targetmasters (Milpitas)$$$$

Jackson Arms (SSF)$$$$

Imbert & Smithers (San Carlos) $$$$ new guns
$$$ used guns

Krausewerk Collectibles (San Mateo) $$-$$$

City Arms (Pacifica)$$

Traders (San Leandro)
$$$$ regular prices
$$-$$$ sale prices

Sportsmen's Supply (Campbell) $$$

Think that's accurate or am I all wet? I'm not familiar with other shops such as Reed's, Irvington Arms, and others I can't think of right now, so how would you rate them?

Kerley's (cupertino): $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$

Sportsmen's supply has always had the lowest prices I could find, Targetmasters is just OK, Reed's is a little higher.

[1911_sfca]

The problem with just doing your shopping on the internet is you still have to have someone receive it - locally the only place that will do that is Imberts, Tabors, Jackson wont receive from out of state and Imberts wont receive a new gun from another dealer period! Then you have the $70.00 they charge you on top of whatever you paid for the gun and shipping plus the 8.25 sales tax so deal of the century suddenly becomes average to no deal at all.

Another one is High Bridge Arms in San Francisco. I inquired there once about it and I believe they said it was $50 including DROS.. might be different now but I know they do em.

[1911_sfca]

Irvington Arms = $$-$$$
(BEST SERVICE AWARD!)

I bought a gun there after recommendations on this board, and was very unimpressed. The owner was swearing almost nonstop, couldn't fill out the DROS correctly, then started to blame it on me and spent a long time on the phone with CADOJ to figure out how to correct it.

I would recommend not going there. There are plenty of other good shops in the Bay Area.

[Ratters]

I bought a gun there after recommendations on this board, and was very unimpressed. The owner was swearing almost nonstop, couldn't fill out the DROS correctly, then started to blame it on me and spent a long time on the phone with CADOJ to figure out how to correct it.

I would recommend not going there. There are plenty of other good shops in the Bay Area.

That is very odd. I've done four or five transactions through the shop and it's been a very positive experience each time. Are you sure it was the owner Martin? Hmmm. Well, sorry bout your experience but they still get a very high recommendation from me.

[TonyM]

That is very odd. I've done four or five transactions through the shop and it's been a very positive experience each time. Are you sure it was the owner Martin? Hmmm. Well, sorry bout your experience but they still get a very high recommendation from me.

+1 here.

Bought a pair of Vulcans from Martin and he did a PTP Transfer for me on my Benelli. I can only say that from everything I saw and heard while in the shop is that he's "good people". If you don't get along with people then you might not get along with him.

[C.G.]

I only dealt with Martin and his partner once so far; he went out of his day just to do a DROS and everything went smoothly.

[Clodbuster]

Gunshops have something called rent they have to pay...and in the Bay Area, it's quite expensive. Not supporting the local retailers is a great way to have them close up shop. Another gun store gone is something that'll make the local gov. jump with joy. Saving money is fine and dandy, but gun owners are a dying breed in CA. The majority of newbies will not buy weapons over the 'net, and without physically looking and touching and feeling one in their hands, wouldn't even owning one.
I was at Reed's this weekend, and with their "bad" customer service, and "overpriced" arms, they added 2 new shooters to CA. If you want to preserve gun ownership in CA, it's not how many cheap firearms you personally own, it's how many firearm owners there are that matters.

Just my 2 cents.
Clod

I've pretty much given up on the gun shops. I order EVERYTHING through the internet, use Guns America, or whatever and have it shipped to my FFL dealer. Big advantage is it cost WAY less $$$. Trick is you MUST find a FFL dealer thats not going to bend you over.
Reeds wants 1679 plus another 138 in sales tax AND DROS fees for a SA Socom. You can get the same rifle for 1450 out the door and that includes DROS and shipping when ordered through the net.

[Turbinator]

I bought a gun there after recommendations on this board, and was very unimpressed. The owner was swearing almost nonstop, couldn't fill out the DROS correctly, then started to blame it on me and spent a long time on the phone with CADOJ to figure out how to correct it.

I would recommend not going there. There are plenty of other good shops in the Bay Area.

Would you kindly verify who it was specifically that helped you when you did your transaction?

Turby

[Turbinator]

Gunshops have something called rent they have to pay...and in the Bay Area, it's quite expensive. Not supporting the local retailers is a great way to have them close up shop.

Fair enough, but I've got to maximize my own limited resources. I will support those that I feel give me a fair deal for my dollar - I won't go out and overpay just to ensure that some other guy makes a good living. At the same time, I don't expect people to just give it all away, but again, we're talking about finding a balance here.

I think the complaint most people have are the shops that charge way too much for an item - and apparently there seem to be enough of those shops around.

Turby

[BigMac]

That sounds like me... Once in a blue moon I cant get my stuff together and even I have bad days. Blowing the DROS usually get my undies in a buch. If I have to do it more than twice I am not happy or fun to be around. Funny though, I don't swear all that much. I actually make an effort to not swear for my daughter, who hates it.


Sorry to hear you didn't have a good experience here.

[hkfooey]

[skyblue]

Used to patronize American Gun Exchange in Antioch. Rick and Fred were always very friendly and helpful and until they closed shop, their prices were the best around these parts. Stopped in one day and was dismayed to find that they had closed the business!

I didn't patronize Antioch Armory until Alan and his staff took ownership, as the previous owner wasn't as patient with this newbie's questions. Just wish AA had a better selection of used firearms and more C&R, as I find that new guns lack character and just don't do it for me.

I can highly recommend Contra Costa Collectibles in Walnut Creek as THE place to go for used military arms, as the selection is usually good and the prices fair.

[artherd]

I owe the very fact that I have a Barrett to Montana Hawk in Cotati, CA.

I called the owner and told him I'm interested in one, he promised to get back to me on exact price, etc.

Well turns out about 4 days pass, and I call again. MH Clerk lost my phone number but the owner called Barrett and they said only 2 CA rifles left unsold. On the spot Doug said "I'll take it, bill me.". Eventually I called and he said "oh yeah, we ordered you one, glad you called "

Then he sold it to me for MSRP at a time when other vendors were gouging beyond that. I'd bought a total of 2 other guns from Doug at the time, he went way over and beyond for a new-ish customer IMO. Earned my business.