Which are your go-to gunsmiths/retail stores?

[hendrix's rifle]

Optics warehouse are great to deal with, along with bushwear. Bought a few bits from the above and never had any mither, anything that needed sorting was sorted quick time

 

[Sheprador1973]

This is a real bug bear of mine with so many shops I visit failing in some regard. Firstly, I point blank refuse to visit places that are rude but I also hate places where you walk in and some locals who have no life are sat there daily with a mug of tea chatting to the owners and despite walking in with your wallet open, nobody gives you much help. They are all too busy talking about shooting rather than actually being out doing it.

Knowledge is also key. You know the places you walk in to with a problem with a rifle (a gun you know inside out) that has a problem and the stock answer from the "expert" is "give it a clean, the gun will be fine"

Then there are places where they have plenty of knowledge (sometimes too much) and lots of stock with everything you need but they are so bloody disorganised that it takes an age to sort anything out. You might have to go back and if a small problem arises, despite being perfectly able to sort it out, they just ummm and ahhh and fart about. Cannot be bothered with them either.

You want availability of stock, prompt yet polite service, reasonable prices and quality knowledge in terms of all rifles, all stock, all maintenance and rifle work. As yet, Normal Clarke is the only place I have been that reliably always ticks those boxes. Never once have they let me down. Good on the phone, they put stuff by for you, they have lots of knowledge without being patronising. Many places could learn from them. It is a shame they are not slightly closer but the 70 mile round trip is always worth it.

Rings a few bells Cottis!

Worst thing for me personally is when you buy something online from a store and then get THAT dreaded email thanking you for your custom but saying your item is currently out of stock and they'll let you know when it comes in...usually in about 6 weeks. TELL ME YOU DON'T HAVE IT RIGHT NOW BEFORE I CLICK TO BUY IT PLEASE!!!!

 

[Rusty Gate]

Ive used Bushwear, Swillingtons, Uttings, John Norris and the Sportsman retailers in the past year and have recieved great service from all.

Must admit im a bit of a bargain hunter, so keep a keen eye on their promotions.

John

+1 John Norris & The Sportsman ( SouthWales )

 

[paul o']

Wonder web or who ever is cheapest , powder I pick up when iam out and about

 

[tozzybum]

Melbourne Tackle and Gun ,knowledgable ,local and deerstalkers as well.Livens in Burton friendly ,helpful and call a spade a spade and another + for Optics warehouse

 

[Kjf]

Wonder web or who ever is cheapest , powder I pick up when iam out and about

as above,

but ive had great service rfd wise from Derek at simply firearms in Oldham, and Mike and team at Kellbrook and also daff( Welsh warrior on here) cheshire gun rooms and macavoys in wigan

optics warehouse,

and For all stalking equipment, you can't beat Rob at Monarch country supplies

, but I have also used a lot mentioned in the above posts , who I wouldn't bother with at all!!!!

kjf

 

[kimh]

 

[Lever357]

Gilsan Sports, near scotch corner in Yorkshire.
Great service and unbeatable prices in big new purpose built premises.

Really?? I found the exact opposite I'm afraid and really expensive. Winchester .308 were £33 as opposed to £25 at Bywell Shooting Ground and when I asked for shotgun cartridge prices I was told it was impossible to have a list as the price changes daily and their cheapest were £200 a thousand which were there own brand!! Again, not cheap. The spaniel puppy was the only one happy to see me.

On line I have used CDSG and Dauntsey Guns for reloading equipment and supplies, both usually well priced and fast delivery. Fox Firearms at Diggle has a large range at good prices but is a bit .... disorganised!!

 

[samh6]

My go-to shop is Greenfields of Salisbury, always have a fantastic service and prices are great, easy to deal with via email and so far no ask has been to big with regards to getting stuff in.

Have used sportsman in the past, been good to me and will still use.
online: Uttings and Bushwear have been great, and are my go-to for clothing and non-licensable stuff

with regard to bad stores, the past experiences I have had were.... let’s just say eventually remediate by owners who heard to many poor stories of there own staff, have used them since which has been good.

i recognise the above same story with regards to “local professional tea drinkers” who seem to occupy shops with an ever so distrustful eye and always happy to offer unwelcome “advice”. I just ignor them

all in all quite lucky to be within an hour of some great dealers.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

as above,

but ive had great service rfd wise from Derek at simply firearms in Oldham, and Mike and team at Kellbrook and also daff( Welsh warrior on here) cheshire gun rooms and macavoys in wigan

optics warehouse,

and For all stalking equipment, you can't beat Rob at Monarch country supplies

, but I have also used a lot mentioned in the above posts , who I wouldn't bother with at all!!!!

kjf

How did I forget rob??!!! +1 for Rob

 

[Shootgun]

IMHO FA Anderson in East Grinstead is excellent with great customer service and a good range of gear.
The only local one to me I wouldn't recommend (just through personal experience) is Chris Potters in Tunbridge Wells. You might be ok if you're turing up in a Land Rover with a lab and dressed in tweed but they've never been very welcoming to me (in jeans and a T shirt, but with £ to spend) in there.

Totally agree, i spent thousand of pounds in Chris Potters and i only got appaling customer service.

As i am London based, I am highly recommending John Rigby&Co. Even though i'm only the regular Joe, i was always given a warm welcome from all the staff , including the managing director, and especially David Miles, the gun room manager, whom always acommodated my needs regarding ammo, accesories, and other RFD services.

Online wise, always dealt with Uttings, Bushwear and Swillington Shooting Supplies, and i cannot fault any of them.

 

[smullery]

Forest Lodge Guns, Wragby, Lincolnshire.

Stan

 

[Uncle f]

Braces of Bristol. But I know you deal with them and also more local to me William Evans

 

[jimbo1984]

Ed Bewsher at Edinburgh rifles

 

[bk]

I shoot thousands a year now and it comes from Brian Fox or CDSG
Both excellent

 

[User00001]

David Beer and his team at the Countrystore, Pampisford near Cambridge. Also Simpson Bros and Newavon Arms.

 

[Mr B]

Im currently using Edinburgh rifles for a number of projects. excellent service, down-to-earth advice and no nonsense.

Are you looking for something in particular, or on the lookout for decent shops to become distributors of your carbon goodies?

 

[Alantoo]

Dauntsey Guns, R and B Sporting in Ross on Wye, HPS at Newent.

 

[urx]

Another + for Ed at Edinburgh rifles
varied stock sensible answers and generally helpful knowlegeable chap

 

[nun_hunter]

Another + for Ed at Edinburgh rifles
varied stock sensible answers and generally helpful knowlegeable chap

Yep +1 on Ed too.