A recent thread brought up memories of the iconic San Francisco Gun Exchange that was located on 2nd Street in San Francisco. Nate Posner was the owner and eventually his sons ran the store. It was one of, if not the last, gun store in San Francisco that I frequented in the '60's.

There are many memories of this store and other San Francisco establishments such as the Wells Fargo Headquarters with their display of WF firearms and other memorabilia.

Ellingson's was another great Sporting Goods store just down the Peninsula in Burlingame.

What are your memorable places that are no longer in business?

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Mike Maher #283

Davis Sporting Goods, Phenix City, Alabama.
Literally right across the Chattahoochie River from Columbus, as in right on the bank at the west end of the 13th Street Bridge.

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Georgia On My Mind

Montana Gun Works in Great Falls, run by Mike Stuckslager who was known to many in Smith and Wesson community. I was stationed on the Blackfeet Reservation up north and would always stop in after court. That was an old time gun shop, with a wood stove, table full of gun mags, and couch full of old coots busting balls. He died in 2003 and the store died with him.

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Rule of law, not a man.

I knew Mike .....lived in GTF for about 20 years. And you are so right, his shop was a true old timer shop.

Randy

Andy Anderson's n OKC. The .22 that I used before I went into the service was not available when I got back. It took awhile before I could even think about buying one and when I did, I bought a Winchester Model 74. It was a jamomatic, most were not. Andy let me trade it back for the full price that I had paid and I bought a Remington 121A and was very happy. Andy let me buy the gun on credit, both the Winchester and Remington and I paid five bucks a month, no interest. Some of the used doubles that he had would bring tears to your eyes because you couldn't afford them, even though they started at about eighty dollars. That was a 20 ga. Ithica quail gun. Their gun repair shop was upstairs and they also stored some Evinrude motors up there. I remember thinking that the 33 HP Speedi-four was as big as I would ever see. What a mistake.
Later on they moved to a new building, new area and it was never quite the same.

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Mighty 90's,Trying 4 a 100!

RPM on John's Island. Far away from anything, low overhead, huge place with an outdoor range. One of the last old time gunshops in these parts. I bought my first rifle there, a 30-06 Savage 110 that I still have.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

My mind is old and weak, but Fred Davis had a gun store in Falls Church VA, IIRC. He was a bench rest shooter and was one of a small group who started up a high-quality gun magazine in the very early seventies. AFAIK, it was he who brought Franz Marktl to the US. Franz worked out of Fred's shop in the early seventies.

I left the DC area in 1975. In 1998 I returned to Fairfax VA and learned that Fred had been killed in an automobile collision many years before.

Sad.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Ray’s Sport Shop — North Plainfield, New Jersey

My understanding is that the children of the deceased owner sold the land for millions of dollars to the auto dealership next door.

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

King's Gun Works, Glendale, CA. It's been gone for a while now. I remember going in there and seeing autographed photos of Chuck Norris behind the counter. Well known and respected, at least before the current millenium. I'd read that the quality of their gunsmithing had declined towards the end, and that they had started contracting out some of their work.

Fortunately, my Series 70 Gold Cup (original grips, FYI) was worked on by them when their quality and reputation were still quite good.





* Apologies for the poor photo quality.

Barnard's Gun Shop, Lansing MI. It was a small shop that ran a lot of new and used gun's through it. If I saw something that I wanted, Jim would fill out a bill of sale, and let me take it home. I would stop in weekly and make payments until it was paid for. Most of the time, I would have two of three open slips going. For pistols back then, I would have to go and get a permit to purchase from the Sheriff and take it back before I could take it home. Just a neat little shop that I fully supported.

Colosimo’s in Philly. Used to get .38 wadcutter there for $5 a box. Put out of business by a hostile city gov’t, protestors, and some very bad choices. They made some sales they shouldn’t have, giving those who wanted them gone the legal leverage they needed.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

Another gun shop in OKC was Mashburn Arms, located a few doors from Andy Anderson. He also moved and it was never the same. He made some wildcat rifles.

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Mighty 90's,Trying 4 a 100!

Bixler's Hardware Store, Carlisle, PA. I bought my first centerfire revolver there, a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt back in the late 1970's or early 1980's. I still have it. I think it was one of the longest operating hardware stores at the time.

Walter's Gun Chamber in Baltimore. A little hole in the wall shop with tremendous inventory. The owner retired and I contributed mightily to his retirement fund. I got some good deals there, ended up having to sell a lot of them when I lost my job, but I still have the Colt Python I bought there back in the 2000's.

An old gun shop that I used to like in the 1960's was Irv Joffies on South 52 street in Phila. A great old shop that used to have old used guns on racks that you could browse over. He moved to West Chester Pike in Upper Darby in 1968 and stayed in business until the 1980's. A good salesman and gun smith.

Gil Hebard Guns, Knoxville IL.

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Common sense isn't so common.

I remember that shop! I used to live in Clifton Heights in Delaware County, PA and I went in there a lot at the West Chester Pike location.

There are a couple. The "Sportsmans Den" in Stratford CT used to be my fathers favorite gun shop. I remember feeling like a kid in a candy store going there with him, and its the shop where I got my first real hunting boots when I was 11 - a pair of Sorel Pack Boots.

The Conn. Gun Exchange in Monroe. Still in business, but in name only. My old man bought me my first shotgun there on the morning of opening day of bird season when I was 12 after I managed to split the barrel on an old .410 single shot my dad was loaning me. It was also Stan's first day in business, and his first new gun sale. We became friends with Stan until his passing. The gun was a sweet Savage model 67 pump in 20 ga.

One more. Old Norman Islib ran a gun shop out of his basement in Shelton, CT. Hunters Corner was the name, I think. A buddy and I did our best to support Norm in his old age, but he still decided to retire in about 1982. He had a wall display full of Colt SA's - SAA's and New Frontiers - any barrel length, finish, caliber - $500.00 until gone. That's where I got my Colt New Frontier .44 spl.... If the weather was nice, and Norm was in the mood, we would shoot a round of clay birds in his back yard, or help him test fire any used guns he got in before putting them up for sale.

Fact is, I can think of a lot of gun shops that have come and gone over the years. Even here in PA, there seems to be less and less mom & pop type guns stores anymore as times change. But, I am still lucky there are a few shops left around the area where I can go in, sit down, have a cup of coffee, and tell a few tall fishin tales.

Larry

There are a couple I knw that are stil in existance. Mayfield Gun in Mayfield Ohio has evrything you want and more. He is just chuck full of older S&W and Colt revolvers.
The other one is just over that PA border from OH near Youngstown. I was there 1x with Bam Bam to do a transfer. I do not recall the name. His shop was in a building behind his house. He has as many used guns than new AI. Also all kinds of assorted things to buy. Bam Bam knows the name of the shop.
As far as past stores the Outdoor Store in Wellsville, NY was an all aound private sportsmans store long gone. Fishing and firearms. I miss that one.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Abercrombie and Fitch NYC. My grandfather put the breakroom kitchen cabinets in that store back in 1959, and they had tons of guns on the shelves, he said.

I miss Newly's in Dodge City . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

The Jewel Box downtown Phoenix.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Bell's Guns in Franklin Pk IL on Mannhiem Rd (Route 45).
First gun shop I was ever in, and the first time the old man let me fire a gun in their indoor range, 1964.
Also bought my first gun there, a Colt Combat Commander 9mm brand new at Bell's in 1973 when I got out of the Corps.
Things went down hill for Bell's Gun when the orig owner sold the gun shop in the 90's, I believe.

Edelman in Montgomeryville Pa, right on 309. Lots of guns, accessories and a big reloading selection. When they sold it, the owners bought Kimber.

Schrank's Smoke 'n Gun- Waukegan, Illinois. Closing in two weeks after an over 50 year run courtesy of J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Gun Dealer Licensing Act.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

My brother and I stumbled across this shop and have been frequent flyers there. The proprietor has an amazing stock of quality handguns.

I miss both Bob Chow's Gun Shop on Mission St., San Francisco, CA ... AND ...Bob Chow. The construction co. I worked for moved its headquarters from So. Calif. to San Fran. I was just perfecting my home shop attempts to build custom Colt Govt. M. 1911s for USPSA competition. On my first trip to San Fran. I made time to visit the shop. Bob was sitting on his stool at the rear of the shop. I visited with a very gracious host for over an hour. We discussed every aspect of customizing the Colt that I could think of. Over the next few years I visited the shop every time I was in San Fran. I enjoyed the shop even when Bob wasn't there. Sadly, my company obligations took me to the East while Bob was still alive and I wasn't able to travel to his funeral. I felt his death as a personal loss. .......

They also had a shop in Horsham, their catalog was attached to the Herters catalog.

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U.S.A.F---E-7--Retired

They bought tons of bringbacks from GIs at nearby Ft. Benning. Must have been every type of machine gun and pickelhaube helmets made on top shelf. It was a great old time gun shop.

Building had been a bar and had trap door over river to dump "guests" after getting all their money. Story was Patton threatened to wipe out Phenix City if any more GIs went swimming from that bar and many others like it. It was a "rough" town! Got cleaned up in 50's under martial law after Deputy killed Attorney General on instruction of local mob. Several books and a movie were made about the corruption.

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PTLAPTA!

Oxbow Gun Shop, Roscoe, IL; Mortenson's, Rockford, IL; Blackhawk, Belvidere, IL

Esman’s in Pitcairn outside of Pittsburgh Pa. For years the just about took up the front page of the Shotgun News. I spent a small fortune there over the years. Anything you wanted they had.

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Who are those guys?

Em-Roe Sporting Goods on West Washington St in Indianapolis. Started in the early 1900's in that location. Huge amount of guns in a single floor store. Mom and Dad bought me my first gun there. It had amazing amount of new and used guns.

The state bought the building about 1970 and razed the building to make way for the Indiana Convention Center.

Em-Roe's moved 2 blocks East and across the street into a multiple story building. With the move, athletic equipment got priority over guns and fishing gear. Guns were then on the 4th floor. It didn't seem to be as many as before as Em-Roe's expanded the other sporting goods areas and team sales. They had a great in store gunsmith there from Europe named Egon. Em-Roe's gave up guns in 1982 and the main and suburban stores closed in the early 90's. Now they only deal with local team sports equipment needs.

Sunday Ads: Be a Good Sport! - Historic Indianapolis | All Things Indianapolis History

I don’t know how long he was in business, but Peeble’s Gun Shop in Arlington, Texas is one I remember from the late 70’s. He worked on several of my older handguns and the quality was top notch.

Been out of business for several years.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Mine, 1982-1995. Spent quite a bit converting the garage with security etc. I could get anything you wanted: Let me shop price and I guaranteed rock bottom. Need it today? If'n RSR (out on east hwy 50; they weren't as good after the move to Metric Drive) had it, you'd have it by sundown for a price. I sure did hate sending in the sales tax ticket and check every month though. Zoning board and the ATF did me in. Joe

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Behavior Creates Destiny

Deans in Atlanta at 1110 W. Peachtree NW.

Regards,

Tam 3

Topperwane's (spelling), down town San Antonio, TX

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Keep Shootin' and check 6

Weatherby's on Firestone in Southgate (I know they moved-don't know if they are still open). Still have a 338 mag I bought there.

Fowler's on Rosemead in Temple City/Firestone. Some black powder went off and blew the shop up (SERIOUSLY=several were killed).

Pony Express in Van Nuys. Just retired to go hunting, I think. Bought several Randall's there.

Of course, King's in Glendale with Al Capone (seriously, that was his name. Had a Colt Commander they put together.

Treptow's in Milltown, NJ. Had a very 50s' feel to it. Got several good guns there.

Max Ellison’s Gun & Smoke in Sikeston, MO, Gateway to the Bootheel, has always held a special place in my heart, especially after Max went to USP Terre Haute for NFA troubles. Max died in prison after confessing to tossing a drug dealer’s girlfriend off the third floor stairwell of her home when Max tried to steal the dealer’s cash in the early 80’s. Mike Neece’s Poplar Bluff, MO shop was also great until Mike and the Yankee Gov’t got crossways over imported switchblade springs. Last I heard, Mike went back to Club Fed a couple years ago for selling a stolen gun to a retired FBI agent . . .

(All of the above confirmable via your favorite inter web search thingamajig . . . )

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

30+ years ago there was a popular gun shop here called Pioneer Guns. It sat on a corner of a large, busy intersection. The front of the building was mostly glass. Twice, in 6 months, a crew ran a pickup into the building, loaded up and made good their getaway.

The guns nor perps were ever found. The insurance company said that to qualify for continued coverage a reinforced storefront would have to be built and the rates would rise drastically.

The owner sold out. The property is now part of a very popular bar & grill. They just serve different shooters now.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

...to add to Big old Dave's list above. Carter's Gun shop and Gas Station near Shabbona IL outside of town on US Route 30. Had a dark, grimey room with a rack of every kind of long gun(all used) and glass cases with handguns. I stumbled on them in 1964 a few months before I was drafted. Bought a Ruger Standard 22LR, a Colt 1903(traded off) and my first revolver, a big old Colt 1917 with 2 half moonclips(still have it). Many years later I realized the 1917 has a bulged barrel, has been refinished, etc. Probably not worth much more than the $25.00 I gave for it.

The gun racks had lots of used Winchester lever guns, mostly 32-20s it seemed. Farmers liked them for pest control.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

A few pages from the 1970 catalog.

Had we only known then what we know now

Masterbuck54

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Most call me Pete- SWCA#3248

Yep.

I didn't really know him, but my Dad did. I had been to his gun store a few times back in the day. He was probably one of the best sources of knowledge for Bullseye shooters, and a real great guy.

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Common sense isn't so common.

"Pony Express in Van Nuys." I forgot about them. Marty M., care to comment?

I just thought of Jerry's Sport Shop in Mountain View, CA. I wanted to purchase their S&W stain glass sign.

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Mike Maher #283

Dicks Gun Room Cayahoga Falls, Ohio. Closed a couple of years ago. Worked there in the 70s part time. I cannot remember ever wanting a firearm and them not having it. Unbelievable floor stock. 30,000 $ and down. But no Junk. Miss Dick and Chuck.

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"I'm feeling MUCH better now"

Dinn Brothers in Bay City, Texas.
A hole-in-the-wall shop on main drag
back in 60’s that kept a young handloader
supplied with powder, primers, and bullets.

Another was Grant Ilseng’s in Houston.

Hill's Inc. in Raleigh NC.
Started as a Harley dealership back in the 30's in the downtown area.
In the 50's moved out to US1 and began sporting goods and boats.
Later changed to guns, reloading supplies, hunting and fishing on one level. Another section was Schwinn bikes and Toro mowers. That actually meant something at one time.
Very large stock of guns for the time and place.

My parents used to indulge me, as a young gun geek, to go into the store and examine and explore. At age 12, my Dad got me a MEC 600 JR shotshell loader and this business was the only one for many miles that sold loading gear.

In 1974, age 16 I actually got a job there and thought I was in heaven. This store was very well known from many counties around and recall many of the very flush customers coming there and getting nearly everything they'd need for hunting trips to Alaska, Canada, Africa, etc.
The manager became like a 2nd Dad to me and mentored me on many aspects of shooting and handloading.

Owner died some years ago and his kids mainly viewed the place as a bother. Closed and gone now. But will always be in my memories and some that I very much value.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Pretty much just the local Western Auto and Hardware. Growing up as a kid I remember seeing .22 rifles and ammo laying on the shelves in the aisles. They even sold used .22 rifles out of a wooden barrel at the end of the aisle.


Reminds me of Pat McManus' Grogan's War Surplus in Blight Idaho:

"On the lot next to the store, Grogan had carefully arranged the rusting wreckage of a dozen or so military vehicles in such a way as to conceal what had once been an unsightly patch of wildflowers. Most interesting of the vehicles was a Sherman tank."

A great read.

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Isaiah 41:10

Western Surplus in Inglewood=bought my Super Blackhawk there in 1976.

My first shot gun came from Davis. A Remington 11-48 16ga. That's been close to sixty years ago and I still have it.

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Old Age Ain't For Sissies

Jensen's in Tucson, the original location on Pima. Started to go downhill in the early 90s-I had already moved away. I think the kids that took over had something to do with the end of the business. Great store in the 70s and 80s. Bought my first S&W, a model 13, there in 1977.