Gun Shops: What features do you look for?

[BillCA]

When it comes to finding a great gun shop, what things do you look for?

I started listing out the things that make the difference between good and great gun shops and thought I'd ask the members here.

I've listed 10 features of a gun shop and ask that you select only 3 selections. Select the top three most important things that you look for in a gun shop. I know selecting only 3 will be hard, so select carefully!

Use the discussion are to tell us what you think makes the difference between a good shop and a great gun shop.

[Soldier415]

[Waingro]

Mostly firearms, but you put down Friendly Staff. I don't care if there real nice or not, just as long as their helpful - but being friendly is a plus.

[dasmi]

There's no option for non-jackass employees. I'm not a gun expert by any means, but come on, some of things that gun store employees say are just stupid. So for me, selection, price, non-jackassery, friendly, and helpful.

[SemiAutoSam]

Employees that know the law and do not spread FUD.

[Colt]

They should be like Ade's!

[Black Majik]

Friendly staff, willing to transfer OLL, and reasonable prices.

[tcp]

For me most important is price, then selection. I'd like to be able to see and handle something I'm interested in and not feel like I overpaid. Friendly service is also appreciated but I'm not there to make friends or hang out.

[Ford8N]

1) Actually like all types of guns and shooting sports. And want to encourage young people to participate in whatever kind of shooting style they like, not just the shop owners favorite style. I've noticed that the majority of folks in gun stores are old white guys. Not good for the future of the hobby.

2) As was said, KNOW THE LAW and please, PLEASE quit spreading FUD about OLL's.

3) Lot's of used guns and surplus ammo. Every storefront FFL has told me that is where you make the money.

[GSequoia]

One item that is not on there and should be is a knowledgeable staff.

[bohoki]

what i like is price tags on items i hate having to ask how much something is an have the elitest response of "if you have to ask you cannot afford"

i was on 101 and someone said lets stop at a marin firearms store it was a little hole in a mini mall type place they had some white box .308 and couldnt tell me how much it was cause the guy who prices things wasnt there that day

every other ammo was priced with price stickers it was a bit annoying

[Black_Talon]

Here in SoKal, I'd be ecstatically happy if we just had some gunshops to go to. Back in the '70's, '80's and into the early '90's there were five to ten times as many gunshops in business in the LA, SFV, SGV, OC, and South Bay areas.

[Knight]

I use gun stores kind of like I might use a cheap hooker. I mostly use them for getting firearms and occasionally ammo. The FFL I go to, I simply call him up, tell him I want "X" firearm, he orders it for me, I go in when the gun gets there to make sure it's what I wanted and to do the paperwork, then ten days later I pick it up. I don't get optics or cleaning supplies, I almost never buy what's on the gun racks, and I don't ask questions. That's what the internet is for.

That's why usually I prefer dealing with the so-called "Kitchen Table FFLs," because their prices simply can't be matched by the FFLs that are full-time businesses*, and their overall business setup is geared more towards orders than selling what they have in stock. I did switch FFLs not too long ago because my old one would do stripped AR receivers, but not AK receivers, because he thought they were illegal. I don't like it when my FFLs talk back to me, so I discarded him and moved on.

That's not to say I'm not a nice person when I deal with a business. I just don't have a lot of patience, and my knowledge of the local FFLs gives me a lot of flexibility in where I can choose to go.

*With exception of sales and such. Still, 10% above cost? I have had many FFLs complain to me about how these small-time guys are taking all of their gun sales business because the small guys don't need as big of a profit margin.

[gwl]

I look for (in no particular order) . . .

- good selection of firearms and ammo (at least have some on hand)
- reasonable prices
- good staff (could be knowledgable, could be friendly, not a kiss @$$, just don't be an @$$)
- a range on site would be nice too

Hey, isn't that Bullseye in San Rafael?

[DedEye]

I chose price, customer service and OLL selection (mostly because it implies OLL friendliness).