Gun Shop Stories

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I have heard plenty of silly, wrong, or flat-out falsehoods from all types of people in lots of places. Not worth the trouble of repeating other than to say most people do not know too much, so instead of admitting a lie was told and people kept repeating b.s. as gospel. My son is a dealer so I get an extra earful of his customer's and fellow employee's poop fairly regularly, too. Oh well, ignorance is not only bliss but common!

However, a large local gun shop has a special paid sight-in service (free with purchase of new optics). Not a joke they ask what distance to zero 100, 300, 600. Everyone says give me 600 cause farther is better of course. As you can guess this is simply a stadia line on a collimeter! Nothing specific to any given load and the gun is not fired to verify anything. Not kidding that I regularly hear people bragging about their 600 yard rifles. Ugh.
 
Having been on both sides of the counter I have seen many cringe-worthy events. A woman came into the shop and once I started speaking with her I could tell she was extremely upset. We had a look you gave your coworkers when someone sketchy came in so I looked over to Bob and gave him the look. Bob comes over (retired LEO) and we start talking with her, too. Turns out she was raped the day before and knew the guy. Bob got her some help. Another guy comes in, wants to see an AK and starts going on about converting it to full auto. He was shown the door, never saw him before and never since. How about a straw-buy with the girlfriend buying for the guy WHO WAS WITH HER.
Witnessed this one guy buying a 1911, higher end model $2000 or something. Didn't have a clue as to how it worked. Couldn't rack it, load it or tell you how to make it safe. Whatever.
 
Pawn shop, not gun shop but great deal: my son saw a DW 357 for $300 and knew I had been looking for one to replace the one I sold when going on a remote deployment and wife not wanting gun in house...He said there were 2 but the cheaper one looked newer and was much larger, I knew instantly what it was and rushed over to the pawn shop, sure enough it was a 357 SM, with 8" barrel and cut out light shroud, my dream gun. I haggled biting my tongue, knowing the actual value, finally settled on $165, I had brought $300 cash, but was more than happy to get it for less, it looked unfired, no box or tool though, easy fix from Ebay at the time this was 1992. I asked why so cheap and the owner said that they don't make bullets for it any more. Had to wait 3 long days to pick it up and then notified the owner that the gun will indeed fire 357 mags just fine, owner stated he had had the gun for 3 yrs and no takers because of the unusual caliber, being a reloader the Max was an easy fix with brass from Ebay, still have the gun with additional barrels and thousands of rounds through it.... 002.JPG
 
About 17 years ago, my mother realized that my stepfather wasn't going to be able to help in an emergency situation due to his dementia and I started teaching her to do something her father had never been able to teach her - how to shoot. We quickly found that she couldn't pull the slide on my Astra .380 so we settled on revolvers only. In looking at various stores, we stopped at a small place in Southern Illinois called "Hick's". She found three revolvers she liked, one of which was used (an SP-101 in .38 Sp.) and they let her take it out behind the store to a small range they had there. (I was smart enough to NOT try and tell her how to shoot it there. That would come later.) The distance was about 10 yds. and with the first three shots she was able to put them in the 9 & 10 ring. With the last two shots, she got a pair of bulls. At this point, she turned to the gent showing her and said "I'll take it."
There is something to be said for turning your mother into a "pistol-packin' Mama" !! :rofl:

Kevin Hicks and his employees do know how to sell some guns, don't they?
 

Speedo, if your gunshop address was 8-9 states closer, I'd have sworn you were describing the shop where I spent every spare moment of my teen years (and some 30 years after, as well). The owner chain smoked cigars, was very outspoken on politics (and most other subjects come to think of it) a great gunsmith, machinist, cabinet maker, etc., not to mention hunting partner, friend and mentor. RIP Werth.

Later years, my wife always asked, "How's Werth?" when I came in smelling like cigars.

Thank you for bringing back some very fond memories, Speedo!

Regards,
hps
 
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Bought a kimber 1911 from a local gun store. The owner was known as the gun nazi. I had another brand of 1911 that I wanted a holster for so took it unloaded in its box to see what the guy might have. His shop was a mess so asked him where they might be located. He looked at my gun and said I didn’t buy it from him so get the hell out of here. I said adios amigo . He is out of business now.
 
Bought a kimber 1911 from a local gun store. The owner was known as the gun nazi. I had another brand of 1911 that I wanted a holster for so took it unloaded in its box to see what the guy might have. His shop was a mess so asked him where they might be located. He looked at my gun and said I didn’t buy it from him so get the hell out of here. I said adios amigo . He is out of business now.
Super business model! My business mentor was my Dad and his partner. They had a car dealership. They always said; “We didn’t make any money when they bought from someone else, why would you run them off now?” Sell the best, fix the rest!
Back to topic:
I’ve been know to just hang around the gun counter listening for giggles. I live pretty close to a Cabela’s, boy is that fun. One day mister Know-it-all, 19 if a minute, told a young couple looking for a handgun for her that, ALL handguns are inherently inaccurate! I just rolled my eyes, the guy with the girl happened to notice that. He stepped back towards me and whispered with wide open eyes, “SERIOUSLY?” Very shortly he says; “Honey, it’s getting late, we got to go!” He winks at me as he walks by. One guy there sold my son’s Father-in-law two boxes of 17 fireball ammo for his 17 HMR. The story went kinda like this; “ya, I know it’s kinda pricy, it’s the really good premium stuff, you’ll love it!” You guessed it, he gets home, not even close! Not an hour latter he’s back to return it and he gets the cold shoulder. When the manager finally gets involved the reply was; “tough, you should’ve known better, sell it to someone who has one!” His reply back was; “No, you should’ve known better, this is a gun shop, right!” They walked away from him letting him stand there holding his shells. I’ve got a 17 mach IV and a friend who has a 17 Fireball so we bailed him out. Caveat emptor!
 
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Was in a LGS picking up some powder a while back, the owner was speaking with another older gentleman about how did his moose hunt back east go?
The gentleman who went on the hunt said he didn't get one, almost had it but right as he squeezed the shot off the moose hid behind a tree.

Let me start by saying I have never been moose hunting or seen a moose in person but from pictures it sure looks to me like the only tree a moose could hide behind is a
Giant Sequoia and they are all in CA.

I kind of chuckled, the fishing story about the one that got away applied to moose hunting.
 
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Was in Cabelas and noticed a young man looking to buy his first hand gun.
The salesman was trying to get this young man to buy a Desert Eagle 50AE.
That kind of stuff really gets on my nerves and I see it all the time. Big chain store gun desk dummy sees a customer, asks if they need help. The customer clearly has no idea what they need or want. But instead of the clerk asking questions and trying to guide the customer to what might suit their needs, and not ruin their attitude about guns, they just start suggesting whatever they think is cool.

I wonder how many people have been turned off to shooting because they got talked into some sort of overly punishing gun for their first.
 
I've got another Cabela's story. I always check their used gun section to see how many crappy Mauser's and SKS' s they have, and how badly they're over priced. I noticed a man checking out the Polish P-64 and out of the blue he ask's me what I think. I told him the trigger was terrible and it kicked badly. He thanked me and kept browsing. The sales clerk, a very nice and friendly guy, noticed the exchange and me if I had experience with the C&R guns they had just put out for sale. He said he wanted to look out for the customer's, he didn't want to get a bad reputation. I said the Walther P-1's were good, The CZ 82's were very good, but the ones on display were pretty beat up. Then the P-64. I said, You make your own decision, I know they look good." Look good? They were brand new. He opened the case,pulled the magazine and checked the chamber very smartly and dropped the hammer. He said, "Pretty stiff, but not that bad." I said "Now squeeze the trigger." His response was "Whoa, that's heavy, I had no idea. I'm going to warn customers before they buy. I like working here, but I'm not out to sell something like that unless the customer know's what he's buying" A fairly rare type of salesman.
 
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"Bob got her some help."

I hope that help was a police officer.

That and he directed her to other professional assistance. The poor woman was seething with anger, she could barely control herself she was so upset. She was a typical 50 year old housewife and she was seriously close to killing someone.
 
Not my story but "interesting" anyway.

Talk about Dumb and Dumber. At the gun stores I frequent, the clerks verify that a gun is unloaded and hand it to me with the action open. I verify it again myself and still keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Finger off the trigger unless I want to try it. I actually do trust that the gun is unloaded when the clerk hands it to me. The rest is just to maintain my own good habits.
 
At a local big TN retailer here I was looking at a Kimber. Clerk picks it up and it was already in a cocked and locked condition (never seen that before usually most are kept hammer down).

Salesman then proceeds to try to rack the slide to check for clear. With the safety engaged. Repeatedly. Becoming visibly frustrated. I politely interrupt. Sir, the safety is engaged. He waves me off. “They must have it locked, I will go get the key”. He walks off to go find.....the “key” and I walk next door to a different major retailer who happens to be next door.
 
Have another first time buyer story. This time the facepalm is for the customer. I walked into a store that stocks a large selection of Benchmade knives. I was there to trade a Savage youth rifle I didn't like for a Benchmade. A customer walks in, says looking for their first firearm. The organization scheme of this gun shop was mostly by caliber, rimfires then small carry rounds like 32, 380, 9mm etc. Clerk brought customer to the small carry round case to make suggestions. Customer "I am interested in the Smith 627 V-comp long barrel." I am facepalming in the back of the store. Had to stop listening at that point. Had a good chuckle with the clerk after the customer left empty handed.
 
My dad owned a chain of three gun shop/fishing stores starting in the 70's and sold the last one in 2006. I grew up sweeping the last store and stocking shelves.

I heard hundreds of stupid things during those years and pretty sure I said some of them, lol.

My dad HATED polymer pistols and still only owns 1911s and a Ruger Mark II target. But he was a shrewd businessman and sold what people wanted.

This is a pic of his handgun display circa early 90's...

Picture329.jpg
 
My dad owned a chain of three gun shop/fishing stores starting in the 70's and sold the last one in 2006. I grew up sweeping the last store and stocking shelves.

I heard hundreds of stupid things during those years and pretty sure I said some of them, lol.

My dad HATED polymer pistols and still only owns 1911s and a Ruger Mark II target. But he was a shrewd businessman and sold what people wanted.

This is a pic of his handgun display circa early 90's...

View attachment 893204
Your Father owned a GUN STORE? I sure wouldn't miss a Father's Day.
 
Not really a gun store story, but more of a memory. The first gun store I ever walked into had who; I assumed, was the store owner's mother or some sort of family member at least. Who was hooked to a breathing machine, setting on a couch, with a swollen foot propped up, and a dog on her lap watching tv. She was pretty much in the middle of store, very hard not to see. Also there's bird in the corner, but it didn't talk sadly.

He's a good son trying to keep a eye on her. Which is respectable, just a little out of left field for me.
 
My dad owned a chain of three gun shop/fishing stores starting in the 70's and sold the last one in 2006. I grew up sweeping the last store and stocking shelves.

I heard hundreds of stupid things during those years and pretty sure I said some of them, lol.

My dad HATED polymer pistols and still only owns 1911s and a Ruger Mark II target. But he was a shrewd businessman and sold what people wanted.

This is a pic of his handgun display circa early 90's...

View attachment 893204

Looking at that photo, I think it was late 90's since the Glocks are Gen 3s with the finger grooves and they came out in `96.
 
Was in Cabelas and noticed a young man looking to buy his first hand gun.
The salesman was trying to get this young man to buy a Desert Eagle 50AE.
That kind of stuff really gets on my nerves and I see it all the time. Big chain store gun desk dummy sees a customer, asks if they need help. The customer clearly has no idea what they need or want. But instead of the clerk asking questions and trying to guide the customer to what might suit their needs, and not ruin their attitude about guns, they just start suggesting whatever they think is cool.

I wonder how many people have been turned off to shooting because they got talked into some sort of overly punishing gun for their first.

A customer walks in, says looking for their first firearm. ...Clerk brought customer to the small carry round case to make suggestions. Customer "I am interested in the Smith 627 V-comp long barrel." I am facepalming in the back of the store. Had to stop listening at that point.

All I can say is that these buyers probably want these hand cannons because they use one on their action packed video shoot-em-up game. I know a lot of salespeople try to sell profitable items but I also believe they are showing the buyer what they ask for.
 
All I can say is that these buyers probably want these hand cannons because they use one on their action packed video shoot-em-up game. I know a lot of salespeople try to sell profitable items but I also believe they are showing the buyer what they ask for.
I think you’re absolutely right in many cases. I’ve seen plenty of instances where there’s some kid who’s just barely old enough to buy a gun, and he and his goofball friends are drooling over whatever looks the most tacticool. In my experience young‘ins like that need to figure out what they did on their own.

But I’ve seen probably dozen instances of people looking for real help and advice, because they needed something to protect themself, and the clerk wasn’t paying attention to any of the things they should like experience, hand size, hand strength, budget, etc. This happened to my dad right before my eyes and I actually told the counter guy we’d let him know if we needed him.

Some folks just don’t listen regardless of age, sex, demographic, or which side of the counter they’re on. So yep, some folks just ask to see what they want to see, and that’s that.

I try to mind my own business with strangers on the street, but I have used the “Oh you’re shopping for your first gun! Congratulations! You know what my girlfriend picked out?” Then I mention that the local range has women’s classes and guns to rent. It probably pisses off the clerks. Oh well. They don’t last long anyways.

In fact watching this happen multiple times has actually inspired me. When I retire from my full time career, I’d like to get a part time job for a few years selling guns, and helping folks get what they need would be a real pleasure.
 
Not a brick and mortar store but an Internet one. There is a company that sends out a catalog. I decide to look at it on line and type what makes sense to me - company.com. Oops - not them but a company that sells items for bears - what are those? Fat hairy gay men - not that there is anything wrong with that. My wife looks over and says - what the hell are you looking at?

I explain and google it to get the correct URL which is companyXYZ.com. Haha.

I meet a friend at the LGS and we are talking, I tell him this funny story. He breaks up and says - well, I did the same thing. My parents asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I told them to look at company.com. Mom calls later and says: Son, is there something you want to tell us? We are very supportive.

My friend is a big, heavy, bearded and hairy guy - not that there is anything wrong with that.
 
I ordered a 1874 Shilo Sharps years ago and had it sent to a local FFL. When I went to pick it up he had never opened it but proceeded to do so when I showed up. It was a beautiful gun, the wood and the deep blue was definitely 14lbs of art, everyone in the store looked at it and just gasped. Then one of the counter guys asks “Is it real?” To which I replied “if it wasn’t I wouldn’t be filling out this paperwork.”

It was funny to me.

In fairness to the FFL was also a hardware store he didn’t know much about guns, they had one guy that knew enough to be dangerous. The rest knew enough to refer you to the dangerous guy.
 
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