My recent visit to City Arms

[Steyr_223]

"They had an AZEX AK on the wall "

How much? Dmitry is a great guy to deal with. I have not seen him since he opened City Arms..

http://www.city-arms.com/

I use to see him at the San Jose and Cow Palace shows..Will check them out soon.

[1911_sfca]

Can you give a bit more detail about the knife lines that they carry? I am in the market for a couple of new knives. Also, any idea whether they carry auto openers?

Thanks..

[code33]

I just picked up a SOG Twitch II, spring assisted, folder today from there. It looks like their knife sales are doing pretty well. A bunch got sold over the weekend.

Auto openers, as in switchblades? No.

[M. Sage]

Can you give a bit more detail about the knife lines that they carry? I am in the market for a couple of new knives. Also, any idea whether they carry auto openers?

Thanks..

No auto-open, but they have assisted-open. They've got my favorite brand: Kershaw. A few other cool ones, too.

[Scope]

I'm in the south bay, but I think I will make a drive up there sometime to check it out. I've grown tired of Reeds, and Sportsmen's Supply has a limited collection.

[lunde]

Scope, you wrote:

I'm in the south bay, but I think I will make a drive up there sometime to check it out. I've grown tired of Reeds, and Sportsmen's Supply has a limited collection.

It is definitely worth the drive. If you take Highway 280, it is rather scenic, too. I enjoy the final drive into Pacifica, seeing the ocean and the coast.

[dfletcher]

I've done a fair amount of business there, from transfers to consignment to purchase and they are always helpful and courteous. I recall having to get a DSA FAL deal done pretty quickly - SJGE was losing their license and I had to do the transfer from SJGE to City Arms pretty quick. They helped me out straight away, did the paperwork, faxed FFL and such. And he gave me a free scope mount when I did the pick up. Great store to deal with.

[M. Sage]

Scope, you wrote:It is definitely worth the drive. If you take Highway 280, it is rather scenic, too. I enjoy the final drive into Pacifica, seeing the ocean and the coast.

If you take Sharp Park Road down from Skyline (Hwy 35) if it's a clear day, stop at the turnout about 1/2 way down the hill and have a look out over the ocean. If the conditions are right, you can see the Farralon Islands out there.

My wife and I took a walk on Milagra ridge (right next to that spot) and we were watching whale spouts out in the ocean.

If you want a REAL scenic drive, drive up on 1. Beautiful.

[schizrade2]

There is no better store in NorCal. They are good friends and great businessmen. FAIR and HONEST.

I bought my last gun in Cali from them. HK P2000 .40S&W. My soon to be wife bought her first gun from them. HK P2000 9mm. Uncle Vlad helped my Fiancee to select the best handgun for her. he didn't try to sell her the most expensive one and walked her through about 10 guns from 1911's to Glocks. She just happens to have excellent taste and appreciates quality made products, thus the HK.

I have resolved to buy my Pistols from them when at all possible even though I could get it cheaper here.

[lunde]

They also have consignment sales. I picked up this gem at City Arms a couple years ago: a like-new Colt Python with Royal Blue finish and four-inch barrel (I added the Nill grips).

[Juliet Lima]

The prices really surprised me they were much lower than any of the gun shops in the East Bay.

Really? I doubt it...however, I may make a drive out there this weekend to take a peek.

[gimmejr]

Compared to Reeds and Sportmas Supply, City Arms prices are better.

[BossHog]

Went there for my first visit tonight for a transfer and their Glock prices are lower than all of the other local gun shops I've visited.

[D-503]

I'm so pleased to see that others feel the way I do about City Arms. They had some ugly opposition in town when they opened their business, and even a (failed) burglary by a guy who drove a car through the front window. They've worked hard to earn their reputation.

The low prices are nice, but good customer service is more important to me. Vladimir and Dmitry have been friends and not just someone to buy stuff from.

That said, they are human beings who are capable of making mistakes, and they aren't all-knowing about every gun that was ever made. Not all their advice will be perfect for any given person. Personally I'd rather have an occasional dud product than go to a shop where there is never anything new to choose from.

That said..

+1, yep, they are my kind of guys. NO COMPARISON TO THE THE GUN STORE IN MILBRAE which is closer to me but will never patronize for the shear stupidity of the owner treating his customer.

If you are talking about Frank Tabor, I beg to disagree. I have had seen him in less than stellar moments too--but he is a man of his word, has vast knowledge that he is usually willing to share, and has talked me out of more than a few purchases that in hindsight were things that would have been a waste of money for me. Honestly I've told myself at least twice that I wouldn't go back to his shop, but in the long run I would have been cheating myself to do so. He's done me right in more ways than I can tell in a few lines.

Given what I read about experiences people have in other parts of the country, I feel very fortunate to have a choice between going to City Arms or Tabor's, let alone the other outstanding resources we have in the bay area.

[D-503]

...And that Python is a thing of beauty!