What' Your LGS Like?

[KalamazooKid]

High Caliber Firearms northwest of Kalamazoo MI. Out in the country and just down the road from me. Small shop that specializes in cerakoting and gunsmithing. Their gun inventory is relatively small but they can order anything and will negotiate price.

The vast majority of my purchases these days are vintage revolvers and they'll do transfers for $25. Very friendly and enjoyable to visit with - the stools in the pic are where I fill out my paperwork.

 

[Muss Muggins]

My two go to's are like the neighborhood coffee shop. Plan to get insulted when you walk in. One has more stock than the other, the other has a four lane indoor range. and a pretty good in-house gunsmith. Either will order what you want, and they'll let me do transfers for free. They're each long time personal friends. I helped the range guy disassemble the range at the local PD he brought it from, move it 35 miles south, and reassemble it when he was starting his business in the 80's.

The two LGS's are 35 miles apart. I buy guns and accessories from each, although I admit I buy more accessories from the range guy because that's where I shoot, and he's in my hometown. I buy more guns from the other guy. I pay what they ask, which is always reasonable. I don't do transfers for stuff I know they can get, and I help them professionally when I can.

Keep your LGS happy, he'll keep you happy . . .

 

[pharmer]

There are a dozen LGS within 20 miles of the house. More if you count the pawn shops. Each has an "attitude and atmosphere" of it's own. The shop "downtown" is more a museum, walls lined with milsurps with a single display of sale items. Holsters are the main business so there's that. I use the shop across from the PD, limited selection but excellent customer service. The shop behind the WalMart I have not been in, they moved there from a better location. I quit using them when they charged $75 to ship a gun for me. Out a little further, the shop on the south side of Kissimmee is most excellent. Well stocked, great counter help and they have a range out back. I have gone there since I moved to Florida over 38 years ago and the "new" building is outstanding. Prices are pretty high though. Lastly, "The Armories" have 2 locations that are well stocked, priced competitively and attend the local gun show every time. As long as they "play nice" they will continue to be at the show. Since I have given away 5 guns and sold 2 this year, I guess I'm not the best to comment on the gun biz currently. Joe

 

[two-bit cowboy]

A tale of two friends....

I can walk a quarter mile down the hill to my pal Wild Bill's. He's had two S&Ws in the shop since we met a dozen years ago. I own 'em both. No charge for bringing stuff in for me, and his ammo prices come from the '90s.

Wanna' test fire something? Walk around back!

Great conversation, and Bill's wife's coffee and fresh, out-of-the-oven pastries (always a goodie bag to carry home) add an unbeatable personal touch.

Bill's had an ffl for 40+ years. He's a machinist and can make anything for a gun or anything else.

The other guy is Bob at a pawn shop about 30 miles away. We've done business in both directions. Always fair, either way.

It's the old conservative guys' retreat most anytime of day so thick skin required: jaw-jackers, jokesters and just plain ol' good folk hang out there to talk guns, politics and anything else that needs talked about. The mix of semi-auto guys and we wheel-nuts make for fun times. 'course, Bob's a Thompson Contender connoisseur so we indulge him, too.

There's a big (for this area) sporting goods store with lots and lots of new S&W inventory about 50 miles away. Sort of cold and uninviting in contrast to my friends' places. I don't get there much.

As I get older friends are more important than guns, but guns are still high up there. Nice to have places to cuss and discuss both.