Gilmay Guns in Fresno is closing down business.

[mcsoupman]

Sad to hear of the problems. I moved back to OC about a year ago. When Mayfields was on Ashlan I used to go there all the time. Bought my first shotgun there and my first pistol. Still have them both. I frequented most of the shops in the area but always made a point to stop in there. When they moved to Shaw, stuff just wasn't the same.

I think their closing is part of the long saga of the crap we put up with in CA. Sure capitalism dictates that some thrive and some don't but we sure make it hard to thrive here.

[iluvmycolt]

I went there once, saw the price of their pistols and rifles and never went back. The customer service seemed decent, but the prices were ridiculous.

[SARC_Mike]

Apples to apples, Gilmay was always too expensive. Example, glock 19...645.99. Um, what? I thought this was their starting price and they were negotiators. Not so...that's the final pre-tax price. Take it or leave it. Of course I left it. All of the guns were too damn expensive. Good news is JR's is taking the building to do a clearance shop!!! I'm excited to see that place open.

[SARC_Mike]

What a bunch of bull**** here about Gilmay Firearms,best customer service in the valley, Bob and Bill are top notch,
all gunsmiths are lagged right now, their prices are better than most in the valley,
they always back up their work, there has been many a time when Bob should have charged me a fee or more than he did and gave me a break, with this kind of complaining its a wonder ANY shop stays open, if they're closing its most likely because they have had their fill of California and may be relocating-
Bob, Bill, Sharon, staff-thanks for the great service and you will be missed!
Ninask

Please give me examples on how their prices are better than most in the valley?!?! That's just not facts.
As for their service, well that's subjective. My opinion is it was pedestrian at best.

[Renaissance Redneck]

Even my "old" go-to shops have raised their prices since the latest scare started. For instance, if you went into a certain shop in Clovis a couple of years ago, they'd quote you a nice price for guns. Now, they'll quote you MSRP. (that's been my recent experience anyway). Except for nuances in customer service, and in-stock selection, I'd say most of the local gun shops are beginning to become more and more like Herb Bauer; up until lately, it has been a SELLER'S market, and they have all taken advantage of that. I'm guessing there will be a bit of a "shake out" as the market stabilizes.

I buy guns differently now. I only go to gun shops to browse, buy SSE handguns, and buy reloading supplies. I actually order my guns now (usually online), and have them shipped to FFL's that don't have shops, nor inventory. $40 + DROS, discounts for multiple items in a single shipment (I was quoted $50 + DROS for 5 lower receivers in a single shipment). I'm not here to advertise or knock anybody; PM if you want to know where I get those prices.

Cheers!

[SARC_Mike]

Theres no doubt that all of the shops have taken advantage of the sellers market that was created, however for this specific topic, Gilmay went way above the norm. I can not speak for Herb Bauer because I haven't been in there in years, but in a model for model comparison of instock guns in the valley Gilmay was always more than the other shops in town. I have a rule, if I can get it for 100 dollars less at the range...THE RANGE!!!... then its over priced!

[cgates]

I have no experience at the old shop, or with the gunsmithing end. About a year and a half ago I was looking for a G26. Gilmay was close to me....they wanted $850 OTD. $850! for a glock 26? This was when i was looking via Galleryofguns. I actually sent them an email inquiring about the price, thinking it was incorrect. Nope - they were at $850, everyone else in town was low to mid $600s. So they were off the charts even before all the firearms stuff went crazy last year.

I would have paid maybe just a bit more for the convenience and time savings, but a $200+ premium for a then easily obtainable pistol ordered via galleryofguns (ie didnt even have to front the funds to have inventory on hand) made no sense. I am surprised they survived as long as they did.

[russ69]

Most retail stores try to stay open for the Christmas sales season. For some stores that is the thing that keeps the doors open all year. It's weird to close for December unless you have to.