Which are your go-to gunsmiths/retail stores?

[Chanty Wrassler]

Hi guys

Which are your "go to" gun stores for kit?

Cabela's

As for "professional tea-drinkers", I think many of us have been in shops where the hangers-on use the cramped space to try to stand close to you so they can eyeball your certificate and find out your name, then try to find out what you shoot and where; I never go back.

 

[nun_hunter]

The biggest problem with independent gun shops is they are set up by people who like shooting and think it's a way to make money from a hobby. This means they have an opinion on everything rather than just selling you what you ask for!

 

[Overlay]

Hi guys

Which are your "go to" gun stores for kit? I'm looking for recommendations for stores that provide you with a good level of customer service, knowledgable staff and a decent stock of equipment.

We are bringing our trade sales back in house after an unsuccessful link up with RUAG for the last couple of years so I am looking for recommendations from you guys and then I will get out and about and spread the Spartan word about...

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Hi Spartan Jim

Based solely on Real customer service:

Ivythorne sporting

The lawn mower shop at Paddock wood

William Evans at Bisley

Thetford guns

Andersons East Grinstead

Wison and Wilsons, Ramsgate

all the above have given me over the years exceptional service and my local gunshop - a relatively new business Ashford Guns deserve a mention for good service , they all listen to what you want, don’t try and sell you the next “ best thing “ are reasonable on prices and NO bull dung and importantly they keep to their word on ordering stuff in and delivery dates

I understand about delays etc, but taking your money, then E mailing to say it isn’t in stock will be in 6 - 8 weeks is a definite no no for me, I never use companies now who can’t supply a bonafide delivery time, I’m sick to the hind teeth of receiving Bull dung and no goods - it wouldn’t matter a jot if they were 25% cheaper I felt I had been robbed with some companies, it doesn’t happen now - because if I don’t get an honest and trueful answer - I find a business that will

 

[tarponhead]

Francis Lovell at Witney , always very helpful.

+2 for Francis Lovell, also Tony Manvell at Wiltshire Rod and Gun, Uttings for service on bits and optics, Braces of Bristol and Dauntsey Guns for ammo and bits, although their service can vary a bit. Simpsons of Newmarket are good and so are Shooting Supplies in Bromsgrove.

 

[danban]

I live in Suffolk and to be honest the best shops near me are simpsons of Newmarket and Thetford guns.
Mallard barn is good now they have a new guy in there.
For gunsmiths the best around here is think is richardsons in Halesworth. Not sure what they are like with rifles tho. But they are good with shotguns.
Regards Dan

 

[JTO]

The biggest problem with independent gun shops is they are set up by people who like shooting and think it's a way to make money from a hobby. This means they have an opinion on everything rather than just selling you what you ask for!

Sums it up quite well!

 

[JTO]

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!!!!

6 Weeks! You're lucky! And then it might not be what you ordered.
Don't part with the money until you know they have it in stock.
Don't burn your bridges by slagging people off, just vote with your feet.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

IMHO FA Anderson in East Grinstead is excellent with great customer service and a good range of gear(especially if you reload)...I'll be driving up there tomorrow. CH Weston is very good too but fairly small and a bit 'touristy' being close to the pier. Nice guys though. Theres a not very well known place in Hailsham called MFC Outdoors which has lots of airguns, knives, clothing and a few s/h guns. 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.

Interestingly enough my experience was exactly the opposite. Potters can seem expensive but if you take the time to talk to the chaps back where they keep the rifles I've always found them to be friendly and accommodating - even though I was only ever able to look at the cheapest of the secondhand rifles. Half the time with a pushcair as well. Andersons in E Grinstead on the other hand were rude, dismissive, expensive and ignorant - basically couldn't be bothered with me (and spoke a lot crap) the 2 or three times I went in there so I stopped bothering.

It's been 3 years at least since I last went to Andersons so if they have turned themselves around that's all good but I can't recommend them on the experience I had, unlike Potters who are great, but you do have to establish yourself a bona-fide rifle shooter.

 

[SussexSteve]

When I call a gun shop I like to speak to the Organ Grinder not one of his monkeys unless the said monkey A..knows what he's talking about and B...can make a decision !!

 

[Sheprador1973]

Interestingly enough my experience was exactly the opposite. Potters can seem expensive but if you take the time to talk to the chaps back where they keep the rifles I've always found them to be friendly and accommodating - even though I was only ever able to look at the cheapest of the secondhand rifles. Half the time with a pushcair as well. Andersons in E Grinstead on the other hand were rude, dismissive, expensive and ignorant - basically couldn't be bothered with me (and spoke a lot crap) the 2 or three times I went in there so I stopped bothering.

It's been 3 years at least since I last went to Andersons so if they have turned themselves around that's all good but I can't recommend them on the experience I had, unlike Potters who are great, but you do have to establish yourself a bona-fide rifle shooter.

Thats fair enough LHG...just goes to show how much its down to individual experiences and who happens to be working there at the time. In fairness, its a while since Ive been to Potters...will pop in again some time. Was at FA Andersons about an hour ago. Got there 4 minutes after closing (bad traffic). They re-opened the door and sold me the brass and primers with a laugh and a joke...and I'm not a local or particularly regular. Nice guys. maybe try it again yourself to see if you get a better reception? ATB, Shep

 

[Bandit]

Braces of Bristol , Ivythorne sporting good honest guys
sportsman never had a problem
Webb sales ,- uttings,Bush-wear ,Taclight

 

[slider]

Cluny Country Store. Always prepared to do a good deal, provided there is still a cut for them (basic business) .

 

[tika.308]

Mid Counties Blacking in Lichfield or Wynnstay gun room in Oswestry.

 

[Pedro]

Lakeland Guns in Cumbria and Malmo Guns in Lancashire. Never had anything but good service from both.

 

[SussexSteve]

I think it depends whose working the day you visited in both shops in my opinion!!

Thats fair enough LHG...just goes to show how much its down to individual experiences and who happens to be working there at the time. In fairness, its a while since Ive been to Potters...will pop in again some time. Was at FA Andersons about an hour ago. Got there 4 minutes after closing (bad traffic). They re-opened the door and sold me the brass and primers with a laugh and a joke...and I'm not a local or particularly regular. Nice guys. maybe try it again yourself to see if you get a better reception? ATB, Shep

 

[B&W FOX]

For a good Riflesmith in Bucks, Beds or Herts area I can highly recommend Jack at J.R. Firearms

http://www.jrfirearms.co.uk/

 

[SussexSteve]

Gunsmiths the man for me in the south is Neil Mckillop

 

[JTO]

Gunsmiths the man for me in the south is Neil Mckillop

I think Neil would have featured in a lot more responses if the OP had not put 'retail stores' in the thread title, making it look like he was looking for 'shop' recommendations.

 

[Spartan Jim]

Interestingly enough my experience was exactly the opposite. Potters can seem expensive but if you take the time to talk to the chaps back where they keep the rifles I've always found them to be friendly and accommodating - even though I was only ever able to look at the cheapest of the secondhand rifles. Half the time with a pushcair as well. Andersons in E Grinstead on the other hand were rude, dismissive, expensive and ignorant - basically couldn't be bothered with me (and spoke a lot crap) the 2 or three times I went in there so I stopped bothering.

It's been 3 years at least since I last went to Andersons so if they have turned themselves around that's all good but I can't recommend them on the experience I had, unlike Potters who are great, but you do have to establish yourself a bona-fide rifle shooter.

We have a very close relationship with Phil and the guys at Andersons in East Grinstead and have always found them very helpful, happy to order stuff in if they don’t stock it, and generally all round good guys and snappy dressers..

Mr G, our MD, has used them pretty much exclusively for probably 20 years so give them another go...we love them!

 

[Spartan Jim]

G

I think Neil would have featured in a lot more responses if the OP had not put 'retail stores' in the thread title, making it look like he was looking for 'shop' recommendations.

We supply a fair few top end gunsmiths around Europe so I’m definitely interested if you’ve got someone who you think we should be talking to... Fine Ballistic Tools springs to mind straight off that we have worked with for a while...