It was all I could do to not drop him like a sack of dirt.

You cannot go by the NCIS numbers any longer. Several states require a NICS check even if you give someone a gun. Several others require a NICS check when picking up a gun from a gunsmith after repairs.
The NICS numbers have been very inflated for several years.
And yes this fall is definitely the time to buy a gun, there are more sales, seals and consumer rebates going on than ever in the industry.

I've known a few good gunshops in my time...some good enough just to drop in and visit a little while.

Used to go into Starkey's in El Paso quite a bit. Fellow named Juan worked at the counter, a good egg for sure. Then there was a place called The Rifle Rack, just a small hole in the wall in my neighborhood. An old fart from Georgia manned the counter there. Made friends with him and dropped in often because he was right in my neigborhood.

Place in Pocatello named Doc's Gun Barn was pretty awesome. Doc Blanchard was a great guy...had his Winchester collection all over the walls and it was worth going in just to see those. Doc was the kinda guy who'd pull your leg some if he liked you. He's dish it out and he could take it, too.

I've known gunshops whose doorways I'd never darken again, too. There used to be a particularly disagreeable old bastard who worked the counter at Kempf Gun Shop in Michigan City, Indiana. I'd go in there when I was up to visit, hoping that old buzzard would be more pleasant each time I went in, but he was just a sourpuss, sarcastic old prick each and every time. The last time I saw him I had to restrain myself and just point my nose toward the door.

Here in DFW, I've seen one gunshop I liked and where I was treated as I like. That was on the square in Denton. I think that shop's been gone for fifteen years maybe. I've been to Elk Castle, they thought I was in there because I wanted them to do sex to me...no thanks. Winchester Gallery, no thanks. A couple others, not impressed.

I think the days of great gunshops are behind us. Sad.

I stopped going to the LGS. I hate a salesman telling me "this here is what you need" without knowing anything about me. I do my research online, go to the LGS or big box to get to hold the gun and make sure it's a good fit, then buy it online.

My favorite LGS is relatively small, and is in a small town which does have a Wal-Mart, which is the only local competition he has now after another sporting goods store got blown away by a tornado this Spring. Not sure if they will rebuild or not. All that having been said, the LGS is also a pawn shop which helps his business. The owner is almost always there and he IS their business. He has built a clientele who respect him and his opinion. Also, in my opinion, the gun shop who takes trade-ins also has an advantage for people like me who mostly buys used firearms as I look for hard to find calibers and older rifles. And there are many around here that do the same. There is an Academy 30 mins. away from this LGS, but from what I have seen in Academy and Wal-Mart is that they generally carry the basic calibers (243, 270, 30/06, and now the Creedmors) which just doesn't always do it for many gun nuts. It is rare for me to go in this LGS where there is not at least 1 gun leaves the store. It's generally crowded. So...I think that those LGS's who have built a business and reputation will stay, those who haven't, or the blowhards in life might find themselves padlocking the doors for the last time.

There are a bunch of mom/pop stores near my house. Have gotten fantastic service at one and would certainly use it again, but they moved from less than a mile away to about 20 miles. Not sure I'll drive that far.

Most of you Houstonites will also be familiar with Carter's County, which is also close to me. I have never been in there and not been exposed to total a**holery. Just complete jerks every, single time I'm in there. Brought in a colleague that's a rich guy but new to shooting. I told them upfront he was looking for a high-end shotgun and might also be interested in a couple of pistols. This guy would've spent $10k in there and not even thought twice. They literally made fun of him because he wanted to buy nice guns and not start with beginner firearms and then have to buy new ones later. Every time he'd ask to see an over/under, the guy would stare at him, roll his eyes, and then begrudgingly show the piece. I used to go in there all the dang time and will not go back. Just total dicks.

I too typically buy my guns from Academy, but I buy mass produced stuff I've already sampled at Athena gun club. Glocks, etc. Won't buy one until I've already shot and know I like it.

cameron: which Carter's location were you at?

I10

It wasn't an isolated incident. It happens (happened) every, single time I went in there.

Ok thanks

If I visit a shop of any kind to do any test driving I feel somewhat obligated to be a customer as payback for the service I received. Especially non-corporate places. I don't feel right going to a man's small business, feeling up his product, then buying online, leaving him with nothing.

So they kept treating you poorly and you kept returning? Did you ever buy anything? I had several people who used to speak highly of Carters? Haven't thought anything about them in years because I haven't been in that area.

I used to go a lot and yes, I bought plenty of stuff from them. No guns, but ammo, accessories, etc. I have literally never spoken to a person that had been to Carter's and not been treated badly by at least someone. That's what they're known for here in Houston.

I haven't been in at least 5 years, so maybe it's gotten better. I don't plan on going back at any point.

Don't mistake what I posted, I have only heard about Carters from people who knew of the place. I always heard they were the go to place in Houston and you say you bought plenty of accessories there. I never asked too much about personalities.

FWIW, I've been going to the I-10 store since the early 80's. Never had a bad experience. Gotten to know some of they guys behind the counter pretty well. I've found them to be good folks, and much more knowledgeable than the guys behind the counter at Academy. They aren't necessarily shy about sharing their opinion, which to me is a plus. As one of Carter's old ads used to say: " We won't send you elephant hunting with a BB gun".

OTOH, if you know what you want, and Academy happens to carry it, the price will likely be lower. YMMV

Thanks, this seems to be more in line with what I had heard, but again my information came many years ago.

I have not been in Carter's in years, but the one on Treaschweig was always manned by jackholes, and I oughtta know. I worked there when I was going to SHSU.

Don't care much for Carter's myself, have been going to Carol's in Wharton on 59S for about 8 years now. Taylor has been in business since the 60's and is very knowledgeable and helpful. Fair prices and may deal. He is about 80 miles from me, but stop in when in the area.

Used to live in that area, I guarantee I know which store you are talking about. The owner is a piece of work, and so are most of his employees. He tried to do me dirty on deal once. I have never given him any of my money again. And he is usually one of the biggest exhibitors at local gun shows. There is a gun shop in Brazoria, Williams firearms, if he doesn't have it he will order it for you and his prices are fair.

My problem with LGS is that they mark everything at MSRP and want to negotiate. Tell me the price you are willing to let it go for and lets move on. I feel like I'm buying a car every time I walk in a LGS. You have to build a reputation of buying things from their shop before they shoot you a straight price. Not all are that way but I won't step foot back in the shop if I get that vibe.

I have not bought a gun from a local gun shop in the last 15 years. I just don't like dealing with LGS. I buy all my guns on line with the occasional big box store purchase (cabelas/academy). Online is almost always the least expensive especially when you take into account the 8% plus sales tax a LGS has to charge.

LGS don't carry what I buy. They cant fill my needs.

Ya'll remember Rays Hardware and Sporting goods?? long time ago, when Ray was alive. If there were too many people in there NOT BUYING just looking, or a black or Mexican. He would simply turn the lights off and yell "closing for lunch" Run everybody out, reopen some minutes later.

They don't have what you want to buy because they don't cater to experienced hunters. I walk into a lot of shops and you'll see a row of ARs and a row of entry level budget bolt guns. The best LGS have built a customer base of experienced hunters not the walk in "I don't know what I want or what a reasonable price to pay for something is" client.

HCH28, I'm almost 100% certain you never were in Ray's. Back in the early 70's if Rays did not have it then most likely you did not need it. And they did not care if you bought anything. Ray just didn't like you standing around breathing up his oxygen...

Buzz, I remember the first time I walked into Rays. First I almost didn't get there because it was in such an awful neighborhood and that yellow paint with bars on all the windows wasn't very inviting. But as soon as I opened that door and looked to the right I knew I was in gun heaven. I liked Ray, and contrary to what many people said he did have a sense of humor. He once told me that outside of public museums he had the largest collection of Lugers in America? Another thing I laugh about when listening to some of THF experts, Rays smiths upstairs would sell a 1/2 pound of powder if you wanted. I haven't been there in 25 years, but next time I go pay homage to Juanita Slusher and her sixguns I might just stop by that old yellow building and my way back.

I wasnt talking about Rays. I was talking about all the new gun shops that have popped up. I've never been to Rays but it sounds a lot like how Nagels used to be in San Antonio. Anything you ever wanted and didn't but the stuff wasn't priced to move at Nagels. I think he was real proud of his stuff.