So Cal... This is an old timers' thread... gun shops from days gone by

[camvoncrosshair]

My father bought his first gun at Grant Boys in Orange or Costa Mesa back in like 1970, a Ruger Standard. IIRC, there was also a Grant Boys at the Puente Hills Mall, where he worked in the late 70s and early 80s. there was also an Oshman's, so I might be confusing that. he did buy some items from whatever store it was though.

there was Sportsman's Emporium in Norco. small place, very hunting focused.

at one time there was a store in a shopping center at the corner of La Sierra and Magnolia in Riverside. I dont recall the name, it might have simply been La Sierra Guns, or Riverside Guns, or maybe just Guns.

I fondly remember the dept stores selling guns. Kmart, JC Penny, Sears, Gemco, and Best Products. I was about 15 when I got my first shotgun after saving up for a while. Best had the, well, best price, for a Mossberg 500 so thats where we went. my dad had to buy it for me of course. Best was mostly a catalog type store, where you ordered items at a counter then they brought it out from the storage area. they actually had a conveyor that sent items down from the second story. it was so awesome waiting then finally seeing the Mossberg box come down, then have the guy just hand it to me to walk out the door.

[OlderThanDirt]

Every few months, a thread like this pops up again and I don't get tired thinking about "how it used to be".

I think B&B Guns was the ultimate with their advertised: "20,000 guns in stock".

It was cool to drive around SFV and hit B&B, National Gun Sales, Reloading Center, and whatever that cool military surplus place was.

There used to be a place in Ventura called H&S Sales. It was a party supply and beer brewing equipment shop that also had an FFL. You could buy a C&R gun and walk out the door with a beer at the same time. (If they sold tobacco, they would have hit the ATF Trifecta).

When the brady law passed and panic buying set in, there were people lined up all the way out the door with DROS paperwork in hand already filled out.
Soccer moms buying party balloons saw guns laying all over the counters as they were paying for their party stuff. It was pretty Kool!

Someday, when we have our state back from the politicians who confiscated it from us, things will be this good again.

Yup, originally Mr. Suds before they split the store to not scare away the party supply customers. Walked in one day for some beer making supplies and walk out as the owner of an AK47. I used to love watching Harry run undesirable customers out of the store.

[Marquand]

I have heard from several sources that B&B got screwed when LAPD returned all the guns after the shootout and refused to buy them.

According to the legend, they set up a special display with all the "actual guns used in the NoHo shootout by LAPD" at huge markups and blew them out quick.

Slightly off topic: There is a super cheesy docudrama made about the NoHo shootout. When they run into B&B one of the officers says

"I can't believe people are allowed to buy this stuff.."

I yell at the TV when I see that. If I am not mistaken, all gun stores have been chased out of the LA city limits since then.

Please allow me to shed some light on this event. I worked at B&B in North Hollywood from 1992-1998 and was one of the store managers actually present at the store during the morning of the 1997 North Hollywood bank robbery. At approximately 9:30am we opened our loading gate to frantic knocks from members of the LAPD and upon doing so we could hear fully automatic weapon fire in the distance. I personally handed out Remington 870 and 1100 shotguns, AR rifles, dozens of loaded magazines, and cases of ammunition to the LAPD officers who requested them.

We were visited that afternoon by the NoHo station's watch commander who assured us that everything we had loaned the officers would be returned. All of the rifles, shotguns, and ammunition were returned by the close of the next business day along with the grateful thanks of every officer we had dealt with.

There was no "screwing" regarding the department not purchasing the guns. I don't recall any of the firearms even being offered for sale to the department. All but one were put up for auction and the proceeds were given to the department (specifically the LA Police Memorial Foundation if I recall) - a rare show of generosity from our owners, trust me.

There was no display put up in the store nor were any of the guns offered for sale in the store though many people asked. We kept the loaned firearms secured as there was a strong possibility that some might be needed as evidence. After we were sure they would not be required, they were auctioned off as mentioned above.

While the store and those of us personally involved were indeed condemned by Diane Feinstein and threatened with criminal prosecution for allowing firearms to be released without the proper paperwork being filled out, no criminal or legal charges ever resulted that I know of and the business did not close because of the incident. I left B&B in 1998 and the store was in business for two more years afterwards. The failure of the business was largely due to financial and personal issues between the owners.

Oh, and thank you Bobby for mentioning that God-awful docudrama that aired afterwards. It certainly didn't represent the facts that day. Our wholesale business (Bumblebee Wholesale) was one of the primary suppliers of firearms and equipment to the LAPD, the CHP, and most other CA law enforcement agencies and we were on good terms with each of them. The LAPD didn't barge in and demand anything from us that day...they pleaded with us for help and we gave it without hesitation.

[Garand1911]

I remember Gun heaven, and Brass rail, and beach cities in redondo.
I think RNJ was in the south bay, i walked in and saw one of the sales guys sitting down digging his nose. They went out of business after getting busted for illegal gun sales, i think they were converting glocks to FA.
I bought my first Ar15 at B&E guns, they went out of business when the son of the owner was alledgedly selling guns out the backdoor, did some jail time. They came back as Z gallery, still see them at the gun show, same cast and crew, they cant get an FFL, so no gun sales.
Western surplus was fun, you never knew if you were gonna get robbed in the parking lot. That place was full of gangsters ..."yo boss man where da ARs at? Where da ARs at ?"
There was a guy in gardena, used to run ads for cheap 9mm. I stopped by, and it looked like no one was in there, the place looked trashed. Came back a few weeks later, same thing, place looked like an earthquake destroyed it. Went inside and the guy comes out from behind the pile of dumped boxes on the floor, and i ask for the 9mm ammo thats in the sales ad, he pulls out a couple boxes from the rubble. I was like WTF ?

[Eat Dirt]

Please allow me to shed some light on this event. I worked at B&B in North Hollywood from 1992-1998 and was one of the store managers actually present at the store during the morning of the 1997 North Hollywood bank robbery. At approximately 9:30am we opened our loading gate to frantic knocks from members of the LAPD and upon doing so we could hear fully automatic weapon fire in the distance. I personally handed out Remington 870 and 1100 shotguns, AR rifles, dozens of loaded magazines, and cases of ammunition to the LAPD officers who requested them.

We were visited that afternoon by the NoHo station's watch commander who assured us that everything we had loaned the officers would be returned. All of the rifles, shotguns, and ammunition were returned by the close of the next business day along with the grateful thanks of every officer we had dealt with.

There was no "screwing" regarding the department not purchasing the guns. I don't recall any of the firearms even being offered for sale to the department. All but one were put up for auction and the proceeds were given to the department (specifically the LA Police Memorial Foundation if I recall) - a rare show of generosity from our owners, trust me.

There was no display put up in the store nor were any of the guns offered for sale in the store though many people asked. We kept the loaned firearms secured as there was a strong possibility that some might be needed as evidence. After we were sure they would not be required, they were auctioned off as mentioned above.

While the store and those of us personally involved were indeed condemned by Diane Feinstein and threatened with criminal prosecution for allowing firearms to be released without the proper paperwork being filled out, no criminal or legal charges ever resulted that I know of and the business did not close because of the incident. I left B&B in 1998 and the store was in business for two more years afterwards. The failure of the business was largely due to financial and personal issues between the owners.

Oh, and thank you Bobby for mentioning that God-awful docudrama that aired afterwards. It certainly didn't represent the facts that day. Our wholesale business (Bumblebee Wholesale) was one of the primary suppliers of firearms and equipment to the LAPD, the CHP, and most other CA law enforcement agencies and we were on good terms with each of them. The LAPD didn't barge in and demand anything from us that day...they pleaded with us for help and we gave it without hesitation.

Thanks for posting your on the scene knowledge about the event

[Omil]

I remember Gun heaven, and Brass rail, and beach cities in redondo.
I think RNJ was in the south bay, i walked in and saw one of the sales guys sitting down digging his nose. They went out of business after getting busted for illegal gun sales, i think they were converting glocks to FA.
I bought my first Ar15 at B&E guns, they went out of business when the son of the owner was alledgedly selling guns out the backdoor, did some jail time. They came back as Z gallery, still see them at the gun show, same cast and crew, they cant get an FFL, so no gun sales.
Western surplus was fun, you never knew if you were gonna get robbed in the parking lot. That place was full of gangsters ..."yo boss man where da ARs at? Where da ARs at ?"
There was a guy in gardena, used to run ads for cheap 9mm. I stopped by, and it looked like no one was in there, the place looked trashed. Came back a few weeks later, same thing, place looked like an earthquake destroyed it. Went inside and the guy comes out from behind the pile of dumped boxes on the floor, and i ask for the 9mm ammo thats in the sales ad, he pulls out a couple boxes from the rubble. I was like WTF ?

IIRC, Beach Cities Armory started out in Manhattan Beach on Sepulveda, that was a cool store and they open a second store on Aviation, very nice little family business. I did most of my purchased from here, along with Martin Rettings in Culver City. After all this B&B came along...those days was prime times, unlike nowdays!

[DanB]

Sad state of affairs you all have to live with. I moved to the SF valley in 1968after discharge from the Marines. Used to visit all the Valley and W Hollywood/Culver City gun stores back then.
I remember riding my unlicenced dirt bike south on Reseda Bl. into the hills or up Topanga to Sant Sue. with my .22 ruger slung on my back to go varmit hunting. Wonder what would happen if I tried that now? We fought the sat nite special bill around 1987 and won!! I left CA. in 1989 and never looked back.

[H K corporate assassin]

B and B North Hollywood.

[RedFord150]

...always hang out at "The Gunsight", on the east side of the 57 (near an old Gemco!) The owner, George DiLeo, even taught me reloading. .... George was never without a lit cigarette, ...I miss the Gunsight...

George did the Trigger Job on my GP100 back in the early 90's. Yes, he was Crabby and always had a cig in his mouth. I would put up with both to be on the receiving end of his Gunsmith skills. One of the best 'Smiths I have ever seen.

[RedFord150]

Anyone from Whittier remember that old gun shop on Lambert Road?
It was across the street from the Bargain Barn, West of Gunn Ave. The name was Frontier guns or something like that. They had a lot of taxidermy in the window, and shop.

I remember them, but not fondly.
High prices and lousy attitude. These are the guys that made 'undecided' folks turn anti-gun.
I think I went in there twice and left without spending a dime. Never returned after the second visit.

[Dingotech]

Sherwood's in...what? Van Nuys? I loved going there.

[vonuscyg]

I remember waiting for the gun ads that were in the Register on Thursdays. B&B Sales and B&E Guns always had their sales ads coming out in that newspaper.

I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but there was also Jack's Gun Shop in Costa Mesa, just south of the 405 freeway, off Harbor Blvd. It was run by Jack (gunsmith) and his daughter, I think she was. I remember they would often have parkerized Springfield 1911s on sale in their ads in the same Register paper. I ended up buying one from them.

I bought a number of guns from B&B Sales in Westminster. That building reminded me of a fortress, not having any windows that I could remember.

Bob and Esmerelda of B&E Guns were cool to deal with. Their son Zac was a character. He used to try to sell me stuff by bringing over a gun to me and saying "This could be yours!" Anyone else get this from him?

Not really a gun store, but I bought a lot of ammo from Sportmart when they used to sell it. Can't recall if they sold guns too back then.

I bought my first handgun from a gun shop in Westminster, but I can't seem to recall the name. I'm pretty sure it was located on Westminster Blvd, somewhere near Springdale or Bolsa Chica street. I think you had to walk up a flight of stairs to get to it. This was back in the mid 80's, and I don't know when they closed. If anyone remembers the name, please chime in. I'd appreciate the memory.

[sandsnow]

I remember Jacks. Bought my automag 3 there.

[RedFord150]

I remember waiting for the gun ads that were in the Register on Thursdays. B&B Sales and B&E Guns always had their sales ads coming out in that newspaper. ....
I bought a number of guns from B&B Sales in Westminster. That building reminded me of a fortress, not having any windows that I could remember.
Bob and Esmerelda of B&E Guns were cool to deal with. Their son Zac was a character. He used to try to sell me stuff by bringing over a gun to me and saying "This could be yours!" Anyone else get this from him?....

Same thoughts for me on the ads.
Yes, B&B was a fortress. I think I bought 1 gun from them.
B&E was great. Yes, I remember Zac's line. He was great. He would show me anything I wanted and that line came with it.
I bought my GP100 from B&E in 1990. When I picked it up, they were giving a T-Shirt to another customer. I told them I just bought a new gun from them, where's my T-Shirt? they happily gave me one for free. My Dad joked that I spent $300 (1990 price for a GP100) on a T-Shirt and got a gun for free.
Good times :-).

[hellayella]

Slim's Gun Shop in Riverside