Controversial question are gun shops good enough

[Utectok]

I have to agree. When I was a kid I loved gun shops and there used to be two in the local town… now I actually can afford to buy stuff I avoid them like the plague. Mostly they are incompetent rude arrogant and unhelpful people running them. Nowadays I drive two hours each way to buy primers and powder simply because it’s a shop that is helpful and actually has stock and will hold it for you. It’s appalling how many times if been told yes we have that and drive an hour to the shop only to be told on no it’s sold or not available.

 

[nun_hunter]

Agree to your first and second points entirely

My local gun shop has closed due to a death of the owners, I loved the guys and am now trying to find a new one.

Re the guns I want a particular stock in .308 that takes the actions that I previously stated. As for the attitude of these messages bring little to no sales. Should I not quote on my work as I might not get all of them? I have money in the bank and the variation ready on my ticket. I’m time poor during the day so evening searching and emails are my only option. These dealers are missing out by not replying/ answering these enquiries

A bit of a drive but Sussex Guns in Battle is pretty much the only place I use as Jeremy who owns it has never failed to order in random niche rifles or ammo for me in the past.

He's a decent business owner and amazing gun shop owner with great customer service skill. His customer service must extend to his suppliers too as he never seems to have an issue getting hold of anything you ask for.

He's never tried to sell me something I didn't want or tell me what I had spent time researching was the wrong choice. He's honest about his margins and mark ups but will try and do a fair deal.

He's worth a phonecall at least, and once he knows your name/face and you follow through on your orders to turn up and pay for them you'll be looked after.

 

[TheGoatAssassin]

A bit of a drive but Sussex Guns in Battle is pretty much the only place I use as Jeremy who owns it has never failed to order in random niche rifles or ammo for me in the past.

He's a decent business owner and amazing gun shop owner with great customer service skill. His customer service must extend to his suppliers too as he never seems to have an issue getting hold of anything you ask for.

He's never tried to sell me something I didn't want or tell me what I had spent time researching was the wrong choice. He's honest about his margins and mark ups but will try and do a fair deal.

He's worth a phonecall at least, and once he knows your name/face and you follow through on your orders to turn up and pay for them you'll be looked after.

Thats fantastic to hear glad there’s some about, some good stories on here

 

[BenBhoy]

I'm very lucky that I have a proper spot on RFD within 15 minutes of me. No bullshité, no upsell, knowledge, goes above and beyond to help or find another solution or just do some digging for you.

Before that my other local one was crap, too expensive & so snobby. If I went in right from work, overalls & shîtty boots then virtually blanked. Go in wearing mustard trousers & pink shirt and they can't do enough. Nah.

 

[TheGoatAssassin]

I'm very lucky that I have a proper spot on RFD within 15 minutes of me. No bullshité, no upsell, knowledge, goes above and beyond to help or find another solution or just do some digging for you.

Before that my other local one was crap, too expensive & so snobby. If I went in right from work, overalls & shîtty boots then virtually blanked. Go in wearing mustard trousers & pink shirt and they can't do enough. Nah.

Im jealous tbh

 

[Tim.243]

Interesting thought process that, and I would actually agree with that synopsis….. makes sense

Just like dive shops are "basically" staffed by volunteers with some who just want to be behind the counter.
The get free air fills and pool time also a little discount on kit but with out the number of "staff" these shops would not function.
Some staff were best making tea than advising on a set of twins 2 regulators and a dry suit lol

 

[Tazz]

I think it is a bit different because you're forced to go to RFDs/gunshops due to the laws, to an extent.

Which is good on a way because it's nice to go to an actual shop not just online/Amazon. Even if they never have what you want.....

Plus a good Gunshop will be able to give good advice options and guidance that’s certainly the case with Stephen and Son and Donaldsons Guns my two locals. Also if you want to maintain a decent local gunshop you need to spend your money in there

 

[TheGoatAssassin]

Plus a good Gunshop will be able to give good advice options and guidance that’s certainly the case with Stephen and Son and Donaldsons Guns my two locals. Also if you want to maintain a decent local gunshop you need to spend your money in there

I agree with this to a degree, however in the first aforementioned gunshop (the servicing one) I bought a brand new rifle, optic and wildcat mod. Plus the various chintsy things we all like to buy, pocket knives, cloths, targets etc

So even when you are spending a few quid its not the always the relationship you’d expect

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I spent all last Thursday at my old pals gun shop in Bavaria getting some work sorted out by his two sons, both gunsmiths plus a good few hours spent in his one man shop to chat/ catchup with him in between his customer visits. One of them a local forester picked up 1,000 .308s for the main office and asked ref any .25-06 available, "yes I have some old stock" says Klaus, he brings it out 5x 20 packs of Federal & 6x 20 packs of another US maker. Prices he for asked was 28 Euros per pack for Federal & 32 Euros for the other ones Hm,Hm,Hm went on for a good 20 minutes with the forester before he (bit the bullet and bought them) but not before asking for even more discount and that for last centuries price tags IMO. Klaus said it was often so.

 

[opticron1]

And so we come to the following conclusions........ In addition to a separate Forum for shooting friendly Hotels/B&B's/Guesthouses as discussed previously..... We need a Forum to give folk a good heads up about RFD's with the following info :-
1) Are they helpful
2) Do they have the stock they advertise
3) Can they get stock quickly and at an honest price
4) Do they have good comm's (and can can understand NVC @Stalker62 )
5) Are they worth another visit
6) Are they worth recommending
7) Are they interested in you and what you are asking for
and 8) Do they have a kettle and time for a chat......

 

[Martiniblack577]

And so we come to the following conclusions........ In addition to a separate Forum for shooting friendly Hotels/B&B's/Guesthouses as discussed previously..... We need a Forum to give folk a good heads up about RFD's with the following info :-
1) Are they helpful
2) Do they have the stock they advertise
3) Can they get stock quickly and at an honest price
4) Do they have good comm's (and can can understand NVC @Stalker62 )
5) Are they worth another visit
6) Are they worth recommending
7) Are they interested in you and what you are asking for
and 8) Do they have a kettle and time for a chat......

Only issue is - could end up being very subjective. Although I have no hesitation certain players would be mentioned more than once!

 

[hw101]

Edinburgh rifles provides fantastic advice and service. I suspect that’s why most of us love to buy from Ed and his business seems to be growing!

 

[enfieldspares]

Of course if a "gunsmith" is on the 'phone to you and/or answering your emails or talking with you in person at his place of work then when and how does he have time to actually do any gunsmithing?

 

[old keeper]

The trouble is, shooters love their hobby/work/passion and like nothing better than having a good old chat about it. This is fine unless you are a couple of customers down the line. The salesman is between a rock and a hard place especially if the customer is likely to spend a large sum of money.

 

[Brighty3006]

No Will the chippy. Simpson Brothers Gunshop. Always utterly excellent

 

[Will the chippy]

No Will the chippy. Simpson Brothers Gunshop. Always utterly excellent

Ooh never been there, I'll look them up

 

[Brighty3006]

Fantastic shop. Have everything you ever want to look at. And couldn't find nicer staff.

 

[Julian S]

John at Southpoint Firearms in Callington is very good. Got to know him when I stored my guns there while moving from Kent to Cornwall.
Always down to earth and no BullSh. No hard sell but very knowledgeable and helpful. Nice shop to go to.

 

[Taff]

You need to try dealing with customers, questions like
You have no 7mm wsm on the shelf ? Never been asked before sir, how many packets do you want ? I don,t need any just looking.
I need a 300 win mag, planning on shooting out to 700, I will need a scope as well something in the $400 range(200 pounds), planning on shooting goats.
Will these bullets kill a horse ?

 

[Hell Toupee]

A bit of a drive but Sussex Guns in Battle is pretty much the only place I use as Jeremy who owns it has never failed to order in random niche rifles or ammo for me in the past.

He's a decent business owner and amazing gun shop owner with great customer service skill. His customer service must extend to his suppliers too as he never seems to have an issue getting hold of anything you ask for.

He's never tried to sell me something I didn't want or tell me what I had spent time researching was the wrong choice. He's honest about his margins and mark ups but will try and do a fair deal.

He's worth a phonecall at least, and once he knows your name/face and you follow through on your orders to turn up and pay for them you'll be looked after.

That’s great to hear. Jeremy has always been brilliant. I’m no longer in Sussex but when I was it was him I went to 100% of the time. If you are local, it’s worth making the effort to look him up.