Gun Shops in South Carolina

[mgkdrgn]

AFAIK, there is no such list.

No, there =really= is such a list, and it's published by SLED. No FFL in SC can have anything to do with a gun on this list. You have to have a SC retail pistol license, in addition to your FFL, to sell, transfer, or even display for sale, handguns in SC.

The list comes from SLED .... and hasn't been updated since 1995! It basically excludes any "pot metal" gun that has a frame that will melt at under 800F.

 

[mgkdrgn]

With permission, I'll add this for the South Carolina folks. Does anyone know where you can obtain an actual list of the handguns that are not allowed for sale in shops in S.C.? I have a 2011 price guide and when I find something interesting, it turns out you can't get it here. Very frustrating to do the research for an unobtainable item. I know you can get cryptic info from SLED but I would like to see something more specific.

The "cryptic info" from SLED is the only info there is.

 

[LiquidTension]

I've done business with Upstate Armory for years at gun shows. Good prices and service.

Since the thread title is Gun Shops in SC, I'm guessing that the discussion doesn't have to stay in the upstate. Here's some shops in the Columbia area:

Shooter's Choice - huge selection, high prices, range with rentals. The counter guys are pretty good most of the time. Ask for Bill.

Palmetto Firearms - they try to be a police supply shop but do have some occasional deals on used stuff. New prices not so great.

Lawmen's - Obviously a police supply place. Good prices on new guns if you're law enforcement, average if you're not. I've gotten some really good deals there in the past, especially on used stuff.

Sportsman's Warehouse - big chain store. Big selection, prices as you'd expect from a chain.

Lexington Gun and Pawn - decent selection, terrible prices.

Palmetto State Armory - a black rifle paradise. All kinds of accessories, EXCELLENT ammo prices. You basically pay the same as if you ordered online.

Innovative Arms (Elgin) - not really a shop so much as a gunsmith and silencer manufacturer. They post here under Machine Gun Jenny. Some of the highest quality machining you'll see, and the custom designs live up to the "Innovative" part of the name.

 

[T2K]

In the Charleston area, I know of no good gun shops. But, to be fair, I mostly buy C&R stuff. I have a transfer dealer that works out of a small shop at his house.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Wow, my grandmother lives right next to Fast Cash Pawn Shop, and my dad lives about a mile from there off 221. I've been by there literally thousands of times and for some reason, I've never gone in. Maybe I'll check them out the next time I'm in Spartanburg.

Do they have ammo in decent prices?

 

[Six]

In Columbia, Best Deal pawn and gun on Two Notch Rd will sometimes have great deals on used guns. They also have reasonably priced FFL transfers ($20ish).

 

[Al Thompson]

mgkdrgn is an FFL holder and a great guy to do business with. He's just shy about advertising.

Liquid Tension is spot on about Columbia shops.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

S&R Gun Sales

http://sandrgunsales.com/index.html

near Lexington. $25.00 transfers.

Stan can get some things lower and some things average. Hard to compete with large shops, but worth a look.

 

[mgkdrgn]

mgkdrgn is an FFL holder and a great guy to do business with. He's just shy about advertising.

Liquid Tension is spot on about Columbia shops.

Oh, I'm not all -that- shy. ;-)

$20 Transfers ($15 for "first responders", active military, teachers), special orders 10% over my cost, shipping services and Consignment Sales (a specialty).

Mosin Nagant 91/30's. $120, very nice condition, good shooters.

 

[chrome7996]

I just bought the s&w bodyguard 38 today from the gunshop in simpsonville i cant wait to shoot it it has pretty good reviews.

 

[Al Thompson]

Chrome, they can be a bit difficult to shoot if your new to snubbies. Really got to hang on and rooooolllll that trigger.

 

[Danny540]

I can confirm Luthi's in downtown Greenville is good.

 

[John Wayne]

No, there =really= is such a list, and it's published by SLED. No FFL in SC can have anything to do with a gun on this list. You have to have a SC retail pistol license, in addition to your FFL, to sell, transfer, or even display for sale, handguns in SC.

The list comes from SLED .... and hasn't been updated since 1995! It basically excludes any "pot metal" gun that has a frame that will melt at under 800F.

Didn't know that. I'm guessing if it hasn't been updated since 1995 then any new design made after that year is probably good by default. I know of no reason why STI 2011s would be excluded from that list though. I have seen STI guns for sale, but I'm guessing the 2011 is probably a special order item due to the price tag.

I have heard of the "pot metal" stipulation though, but I don't know that it's ever been enforced. I've seen "pot-metal" guns like Jennings, Lorcins, Ravens, etc. for sale at gun shows and of course there are a plethora of quality polymer-framed guns that don't meet the melting point standard.

Wow, my grandmother lives right next to Fast Cash Pawn Shop, and my dad lives about a mile from there off 221. I've been by there literally thousands of times and for some reason, I've never gone in. Maybe I'll check them out the next time I'm in Spartanburg.

Do they have ammo in decent prices?

Unfortunately their prices on ammo are not very good, but average by pawn shop standards. Using 9mm and .38 special for reference, they're probably going to run you $16 and $20 a box for FMJ, depending on brand. You'd be better to go to the nearby WalMart and get them for $10.47 and $15.97.

I did see a nice looking Dan Wesson .357 last time I was there though, as well as a couple 9mm Norinco TT33 clones. All were reasonably priced. They're closed on Wednesdays, FYI.

 

[chrome7996]

Thats if Wal Mart has any i have been getting my ammo at Besu Guns there pretty low and they got good inventory on ammo i also get my ammo at traders sometimes but they are a little far for me.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Didn't know that. I'm guessing if it hasn't been updated since 1995 then any new design made after that year is probably good by default.

Not at all a good/valid guess. The 800F melting point rule is still in effect.

I have heard of the "pot metal" stipulation though, but I don't know that it's ever been enforced. I've seen "pot-metal" guns like Jennings, Lorcins, Ravens, etc. for sale at gun shows and of course there are a plethora of quality polymer-framed guns that don't meet the melting point standard.{/QUOTE]

Poly frame guns are explicitly exempted from the 800F test.

Please note that it is is only LICENSED DEALERS that can not sell these guns. Individuals still can own, buy, and possess them. If a Licensed Dealer is selling (or even -displaying-) a Jennings or Lorkin at a gun show, they are putting their license (and their $10,000 bond ... oh ya, really, $10K) at risk.

I have a shipment en-route to me right now from a person that used me for a transfer that is a prohibited gun. Fortunately, I know about it now and can simply refuse it when it arrives. THIS is why I prefer folks contact me first before they send a transfer my way.

 

[Carolina Drifter]

Freedom Gun and Deweys. Before Freedom Gun came along I purchased alot of guns from Deweys (always dealt with either Kendle or Dewey).

 

[SammyJankis]

Luthi's in downtown is a pawn shop but the staff are pretty knowledgable and they have a good selection. Allen arms is nice and clean and friendly but expensive.

 

[edwardware]

I've done business with Upstate Armory, and found them to be great guys. They offer the cheapest FFL/transfer I've found in the upstate ($15).

Regarding Besu in Simpsonville, when I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a sign on the door, approximately "No loaded weapons except for LEOs." Sitting in my car I called and asked the owner about this and got some BS about how dangerous it is to try a loaded weapon in a new holster.

I won't do business with anyone (gun shop, Sherwin Williams, etc) that won't allow me to carry. A policy forbidding the handling of loaded weapons would be good sense. A policy prohibiting me from carrying makes the owner an enemy.

 

[clueless]

Not to thread hijack, but since I just got a bunch of great info on where the shops are...

I am relocating to Spartanburg in June from Georgia. In Georgia once you have your firearms license (carry permit), you need only present that in order to purchase a gun (+ the standard form). Is it the same in S.C. or do you have to do the whole waiting period thing? (I am already not looking forward to the whole carry permit, must be concealed, gonna be naked without my .45 for about 90 days)

 

[ny32182]

There are no waiting periods in SC regardless; if you have a permit you can omit the NICS check, which saves you about five minutes.

You can have a loaded gun in your console or glove box with no permit also.

 

[clueless]

Thank you for that. Carry on with the shops discussion.

(oh, and any headway on open carry? Not that I open carry, but OWB holsters are a passion for me under a long shirt, and should it "peek" out, I would not want to get in trouble.)

 

[btg3]

^^^ A CWP also makes the deal easier for the gunshop. You'd think the FFL fee would be discounted for permit holders.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

James Firearm is where it's at hands down. Allen Arms is overpriced, Trader's is ok if they know you but unless you spot a good deal the prices aren't right.

http://www.jamesfirearm.com

Go see Chris and Brad on Hwy 14 you won't regret it.

 

[jojo200517]

T&K Outdoors has the absolute lowest prices I have found on brand new firearms, anywhere in SC. He is pretty much a one-man outfit in a trailer off John Dodd Road in Inman, so he has very little overhead...but passes the savings on to his customers (prices are consistantly 15% lower than other dealers in the area). If you need a new gun I would definately buy it from T&K. The only problem is that he only deals in new firearms, and does not take trade-ins.

Totally agree and just want to add from my experience.
I have to say that I have did business with him quiet a few times and it has ALWAYS been great. Friendly and knowledgeable guy. If he doesn't have it he can get it for you. Pretty decent prices on ammo and a decent selection. $30 bucks for FFL transfer. More stuff in that tiny building than you would think was humanly possible. Don't forget to look up when ya go in there to browse around stuff hanging on rafters. Oh almost forgot, decent selection of holsters too. Only con I can possibly think of is he doesn't have guns in a display case for you to stare at like other places.

Fast Cash Pawn shop on 221 in Chesnee is a step up from your typical pawn shop. The guys there are pretty friendly, even if they can't always tell you a lot about what's in the case. Prices are pretty good too, as is their selection of used firearms.

Has good selection for a pawn shop, staff is friendly and helped my dig thru 3 huge boxes of magazines he had to find one for my pistol.

In Spartanburg, Dunbar & Zimmerli Outfitters has guns priced a bit higher than others,

Dunbar also has gunsmith service. He is a tad higher on some stuff, also some reloading stuff.

Academy Sports often has guns at wholesale prices (or below), but you can expect the same extra paperwork hassle and uninformed staff as with most large chain stores.

and don't forget the walk to the front door if you do purchase a gun:banghead:
Personal Security Supplies in boiling springs is at LEAST 50 - 100 bucks too high on pretty much everything I seen in the store. I used to go there before I got smart enough to find other places. Also were horrid at jacking up prices during the obama panic thingy. Seen a chineese mak-90 for 950 bucks and 50 round boxes of .45 acp target ammo(offbrand cheapo stuff) going for 39.50 a box. Trying to be positive and not totally bash them tho, they have a large selection of safes. Not sure how prices are on them because I never really went safe shopping but if there like all the other items they are probably overpriced as well.

Now since I mostly focused on the area I know well I would like to mention one more that I haven't seen listed. I didn't see any handguns but there were some long guns, good selection of reloading powders. Oh and about every oddball caliber of ammo ever made. Kell-Co Groceries 7552 Lone Oak Road. (its in a house)

 

[John Wayne]

S.C. Mercantile & Gun is opening this weekend in Inman, SC. I've met the owner and have been by the shop before merchandise was in but have no idea how prices and selection will be. From my understanding, he intends to carry a little bit of everything (hunting, tactical, etc.) gun-wise as well as work clothing.

The owner is also planning on doing full-service gunsmithing on-site. Should be worth checking out if you're in that area.