(TX) In need of a new gun shop

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J

J.J.

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Jul 14, 2003
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Central Texas
Here’s the situation:
I am a college student living in San Marcos Texas. I decided to go to where i bought my first pistol to look over some revolvers so I could see what it is I wished to save up to purchase next. I was informed by the owner of the shop that he is closing down next week. That really upset me because; he has always been nice to me when I went in to drool over a gun. The owner had some of the best prices I have ever seen. And he was always polite. (He was open 2 days a week and mainly did gun shows....getting out of the business all together.)
I decided to cruise around to see what the other gun shops were like, and I was sadly disappointed with the way i was treated, and the prices. For Example he had a little NAA .22 mag mini prices at less than $190 he quoted me a price of $150 after looking at it for a min (let me tell y'all if i had any money I would have gotten it to support this gentleman anyway i could.. and cause... it looked fun) Other gun stores had it for 250's to 270's.

To make a long thread short:
So does anyone have a suggestion for a good gun shop around my area? I really hate to have to drive all the way up to Pflugerville or into central San Antonio but it seems that may be my only viable option.


(I really hate to see that store close, something about it being where i bought my first pistol just makes me sad...lucky I was able to purchase from him once)
 
sorry to say i can't help you with your quest but i sympathize, been there done that.

Luckily i now live within 10mins and an hour respectively of two "Good" shops, one a mom and pop place (AAMI in Angleton), the other one of the most well known shops in the Houston area (Fountain Firearms).

took me about a year to find and catalog as good, bad, indifferent, "i'll never shadow THAT doorstep again" the shops within reach of me. sadly the nearest shop to my home is one of the worst i've ever visited....

but as i said after i found AAMI and Fountain i haven't really had a NEED to look anywhere else for about 90% of my gun stuff.

well anyway just thought i'd say i feel for you and good luck.
 
I can recommend Dons guns on the 410E access road at fredricksburg in San Antonio and the powderhorn on the 410E access road just before marbach take 410 west Vally Hi exit turn around and stay on access road going east big yellow sign on your left .

Great folks in each shop.

There is also

Dietz Gun Shop & Range Inc
421 Range Rd, New Braunfels, TX 830-885-4662
I haven't been there in 20 years but it it was good back then with an ok range.
 
Have you tried Petmekkies (sp) in Austin? Been there forever and excellent reputation. Were the biggest gunshop in Austin when I was growing up 100 years ago.
 
Hmm I never heard of Petmekkies, but Heritage Firearms off 183 in Austin had good guys and decent prices ($25 transfers also).
 
McBride's in Ausin has the best selection I've seen in town. Prices are generally full retail though. They also have a good selection of used guns. I've also bought from Heritage, but that was at the Austin gun show. Where is Petmekkies?
 
With gun shops thinning in central texas and prices very high sometimes I shop at Academy sports and outdoors. They have a small but quality selection and good service.
 
There's a little hole-in-the-wall gun shop in Austin called, originally enough, Cost +10% Gun Shop.

A fellow named Jim runs the place, and he has great prices on everything. His ammo is the cheapest in town. His cost+10% is cheaper on many things than Heritage's cost+10%. I buy S&B .45ACP there all the time for $9.75 a box.

His business is listed as Detection, Inc. in the phone book, as he also sells alarm systems. He's located in on a little offshoot of Burnet Rd. called Burnet Lane, which is right at Justin and Burnet. If you know where the old Academy was located on Burnet, his shop is right behind it.

The only downside is that he charges 10% to do a transfer, up to a max of $50. However, that also means that it costs less than $25 to transfer things like Mosins and K-31s.

Detection Inc
(512) 454-3073
6706 Burnet Ln
Austin, TX 78757

Good luck.
 
Never heard of Petmekkies - nothing close to it in the Austin yellow pages.

McBrides is pricey, but has a good selection.

Red's (Pflugerville and Oak Hill locations) has both shooting ranges and guns. Prices seem to be a tad better than McBride's.

I used to buy a lot at Heritage, but since an unpleasant shopping experience with the new owners, I've been taking my business elsewhere.
 
Texas Guns (original, huh?) is off 1604 west past the 10 interchange. Exit Bandera, go left about four miles at the Eckhardt intersection on your right. Midsized place, has everything from 1911s and AR15s to high grade skeet guns. Pretty decent prices, they'll special order ammo for you without requiring body parts for downpayment ;) like a few places I've been.


I'm fairly new to the San Antonio area, but they of the four shops I've hit had the best prices and selection.
 
Wow, a larger turnout of responses than I expected. And it was just what I was afraid of, close to an hours drive to look at guns from now on it seems. Whenever I have a free weekend I will check out some of the recommendations I was given.

Dietz- I go to the range when I can but I will say that the "shop" doesn't have much

McBride’s- doesn't seem to treat me nice I think it’s because I am young...I get indifferent treatment.

Reds- Treats me about like McBride’s does. And well when I was under 21 they acted like I had the plague and didn’t like me in the store. They wouldn’t let me touch anything… grrr

My biggest problem is the employees see me and just ignore me for the longest time. I may not have the money now but I am going to eventually buy something… but when I am not spoken to or just plain ignored… I will spend my meager savings somewhere else.

One place I was treated with courtesy at was Cooks (I think that’s the name) but that is way up past North Austin. Just thought I would add to what I have experienced.

Again thanks to all, and keep ideas a coming.
 
Cook's in Pflugerville is now Red's. I usually get indifferent reatment there too. It's feels like a good ol' boy's club or something. It's starting to get a little better now that I've been shooting at their range a little more. The problem with he service at McBride's is that they are always soooo busy when I go in there on Saturdays. They are great people though. They always give my son a piece of candy if they have any, and have a nice comment about how big he is getting. Of course my son has been shopping there with me since he was a few weeks old:D
 
I feel your pain on the getting ignored score. I started shooting in my early 20's and it took some time to overcome gun store employee's perceptions of my intent, interest, knowledge, and buying power. The phrase "Money talks and ******** walks" applies too readily here. This is why I only buy from McBride's when I absolutely have to. My initial interactions with them were not positive.

In the end I'd pick one place and frequent there to build a reputation as a knowledgable and friendly customer. If you aren't making frequent purchases this is probably your best bet for getting decent service. I'm not happy with that situation but it seems to be the accepted norm at most gun stores.

Only place in Austin not mentioned that I know of is Hank Fleming (gunsmith) who shares space with a dealer on South Congress. However, he mostly has C&R stuff. I've never heard of Petmekkies either, I'll ask about it next time I see Red, he'd probably know the history.

Cook's is now Red's Indoor Range North. While I agree Cook's customer service was decent their prices were outrageous on many items. SIG P225 for nearly $700!?! They also left the indoor range in a very poor state of repair necessitating some major work by the Red's folks.

Red's - I shoot here weekly and buy several guns a year. I initially got a cold shoulder as well, but am on a name basis with much of their staff now. Prices are fair. If you head to the south store talk to Mack or Red. North store see if John is there, extremely helpful and friendly.

Heritage - Great prices on new stuff, interesting used guns as well. (Especially the 1911's) I've had a couple of iffy dealings with these guys, but still buy several guns a year from them. They occasionally get good C&R rifles at cheap prices. They treated me very well on my 1st visit, which is a rare gun store experience for me.

McBrides - Wow, selection. Wow, high prices. Still, bought a couple of rare things there as they actually had them in stock. Employee attitude and knowledge vary WIDELY and this has bothered me in the past. The guy behind the counter should know the difference between a magazine and clip IMO, especially if he's dishing out concealed carry advice like an expert.

Academy and Oshman's are usually pretty low on expertise but sometimes real deals can be found on CZ's, Smiths, and a couple of other brands. Definitely the cheapest reliable source of ammo for me.

Wish I could help with San Antonio or San Marcos/New Braunfels locations. Don't mean to threadjack, but I'm very interested to hear any opinions on Austin gun stores or small places I might have missed.
 
JJ, have you asked him why he's getting out of the business. This may be a good opportunity for you. I assume you're going to Southwest or whatever they're calling it this week, and I also assume you need some sort of job... everyone wins.
 
He does most of his business at gun shows... this location is i guess right beside his house and he is open 2 days a week at it. He is an older gentleman said he is tired of traveling...

Here are a few reasons why that wouldn't work,
1.) He doesn't know me at all...
2.) Gun shows are Fri., sat., and sun. I do have classes on Fridays so that’s a negative...
3.) I would spend more money than I have on guns
4.) Also I don't know enough about guns to handle my own at a gun show. it would require much training...

Man that would be a dream job though.

Besides... I work for the evil corporation called Wal-Mart... And get paid better than most. (9.55 An hour) A very crappy job true....
 
Texas Guns (original, huh?) . Midsized place, has everything from 1911s and AR15s to high grade skeet guns. Pretty decent prices, they'll special order ammo for you without requiring body parts for downpayment like a few places I've been.
Click to expand...

Last time I went in there with my IRS refund I was one of 3 people in the store. I waited at the counter for 15 min while the guy took an extended personal call. He didn't even look up. I walked around the store for another 20 min and was ignored by the rest of the staff that was too busy jaw jacking with each other.

Still trying to be patient I looked at the prices: $315 for a stock 10/22
Lorcins for $219, plane jane Llamas for $450.

Their prices mixed with craptacular customer service has made me never want to go back.
 
There is also a place called Doc's Guns in New Braunfels - the address is 1111 Walnut Street. I've never been inside, but it's a bit closer than Austin or S.A.
 
TIMC-
What is the name of your shop? I might like to stop by to check it out. As I said though i am a poor student so it takes me a while to save up for a gun. Eventually I get the money saved and am able to purchase one. I am not a big buyer I am lucky to get 2 guns a year so don't get your hopes up.

edit: maybe i should have pm'ed this.. ahh well...
 
There is a nice little shop in South Austin called 'Tex-Guns' at 5330 D Manchaca Rd. Take IH-35 north the exit Ben White/290 West to San Antonio. After about 1.5 miles take the exit for Manchaca south (back under 290). Tex-Guns is just north of Stasney on the right. I usually stop in there every Fri. after work to browse. His selection is not as good as McBrides but the prices are 10% less. I have the owner to be friendly and a fair dealer.
 
J.J.,
I've had nothing but good experiences with Heritage. They've always been nice, and their prices are the best in Austin, I think. However, they are small and selection is limited. They're always willing to order things, though. Unfortunately, it's the furthest away in terms of Austin gun stores, from San Marcos--you'd have to come all the way up I-35 to 183, then north on 183 ALL the way to Anderson Mill. They're on the northeast corner in a strip mall with a sign that says, "GUNS."

If they don't have it and I can't order it off the internet, I go to McBride's. High-priced, but the biggest selection around AND an upstairs gunsmith and reloading shop. McBride's was a little aloof to me, probably due to being a woman, until the day I bought three guns from them. Now, all smiles.

In general, I've noticed gunstores are aloof towards the young and the female. You can cure this little problem by visiting them frequently and by spending money. Although, I must say, you shouldn't HAVE to have this problem.

HankB, I'd like to hear your Heritage story, if you'd care to share it via pm.
 
Hank Fleming is a great guy to do business with. He has smithed on several of my guns and handled a couple of transfers for online sales for me. I though his shop had relocated from the space he used to share with that gun shop on South Congress.
 
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