Good shops to find firearms and accessories

[mlmmitchell07]

I live in the southeast metro area and only have a Gander Mountain and Dick's Sporting Goods in the area. Gander seems expensive and Dick's does not really have pistol accessories etc. I do not mind driving to a good shop, but I am having a hard time finding them. Does anyone have some shops in or near the Twin Cities that they would recommend.

Your input is appreciated.

Mike

[mrokern]

Frontiersman - St. Louis Park (my personal favorite, Marv takes phenomenal care of me)

Bills Gun Shop - Robbinsdale and Circle Pines (Doug at Robbinsdale has always done right by me)

Wolf's Den - Hugo (only been there a couple times, selection is small, but price is good and service is friendly)

Gunstop - Minnetonka (best reloading shop bar none..and John on that side of the business will answer whatever questions you have, no matter how new you are..., guns are cheapest of the metro stores, I just don't care for Larry's attitude on his side of the business)

For accessories, Streichers in Plymouth is hard to beat.

Our own thunderjohn has amazing prices on new firearms. Check the classifieds. Great guy, absolutely excellent to deal with.

-Mark

[EAJuggalo]

depending on what you're looking for, Sportsman's Guide in South St. Paul is usually worth a trip. Otherwise it's Gunstop, folks from the board or internet order for me.

[bowfisher]

Not a great deal of experiance with them. But the guys at J&S custom guns in lakeville are very nice and helpfull.

[plblark]

My impressions:
Gander: Over priced and spotty on wether you get someone who knows guns or not. It's part of their business but not the focus of their business.

Frontiersman: Marv has always been helpful even when busy. (If you ask my wife, sometimes too helpful... I SWEAR he's a ventriloquist and he has the new gun "buy me" voice down pat). Good selection, reasonable prices, layaway program. Lots of rifles and shotguns.

Gun Stop:
Reloading: It's THE place to go. John may not tell you what you want to hear but he WILL tell you what you need to hear
Guns: Great prices that are consistent. No markup and then sale stuff. Good inventory, Great sign out front

Bill's: Rentals - you can try some guns before you buy a similar gun. Only down side is that the rentals could be cleaned much more frequently. Prices vary but they have good selection. Generally knowledgeable staff. I prefer the Circle Pines store and range. It's closer to me, has a different feel to it and is not as busy when I care to go in and shoot. Doug, Ryan, and Teresa are excellent folks. The rest are probably good too I just haven't had a chance to deal with them.

J&S: Been in twice. won't be back. Prices high, workers more interested in their own conversation than customers. Lo-balled my dad on a gun, citing the wrong gun in their pricing. then the price on what he wanted to trade it on was high.

Ahlman's: worht the drive. Rifle / Shotgun selection is incredible!

[45Badger]

I'm moving to Minneapolis area (western 'burbs) in next couple months. This is really helpful so far. What shops have best selection and prices on used guns?

Also, who has best (lowest) fees for inbound transfers. I've never bought a new gun on-line (prefer to negotiate with local seller), but I am a pretty active buyer, trader, seller, swapper. Average cost of a transfer where I live now is $20, and cheapest is $10. Are transfer fees same in Minneapolis area?

[mnglocker]

I'm moving to Minneapolis area (western 'burbs) in next couple months. This is really helpful so far. What shops have best selection and prices on used guns?

Also, who has best (lowest) fees for inbound transfers. I've never bought a new gun on-line (prefer to negotiate with local seller), but I am a pretty active buyer, trader, seller, swapper. Average cost of a transfer where I live now is $20, and cheapest is $10. Are transfer fees same in Minneapolis area?

Gunstop will more than likely have the lowest transfer fees, Frontiersman varies depending on how well you know the guys.

[mrokern]

Burnsville Pistol Range is $20 for transfers. That's the cheapest I've found in the metro.

[livnlg55345]

Probably be best option Burnsville Pistol Range as you can download an FFL from Roger's web site and this way you ge the FFL to the seller quicker. This saves a bit of a hassle.

The GS charges 25 for new items not stocked and 50 for items that are stocked in the store for transfers.

The Gunstop has great selection of guns and relaoding.

The Bill's locations have the ability perhaps try before you buy anywhere most of the popular guns and they host fall and spring shooters show (Robbinsdale location) with factory reps there to hawk their stuff

Bill's and The Frontiersman will be higher priced then GS.
The Goose Mountains have obscene prices.
IE used Glocks for what you can get a new from GS for.

J&S in Lakeville has some nice stuff with prices to match.

There are other places like Capras in Blaine, and then for Reloading stuff there is Wolf's Den in Hugo and the new place in Woodbury. Joe's over in St. Paul.

We have two Cabela with in driving range with Rogers being a short trip up 94.

Striechers probaly has the best selection of holsters in the
metro.

[monschman]

whats the new place in woodbury??

[1911fan]

There is the new place in Lake elmo, do not know the name nor have I visited, but the HammAR said they were good.


Al's in White bear lake does transfers on used stuff for 15 to 25 depending on how much he likes you and the hassle of the deal

new stuff, if he carries it, you can buy it from him almost always than you can get it online (if you are honest and include shipping and fees')

Striecher has a lot holsters but I think Bill's has a wider selection of civilian carry options than does streichers. Half or more of Streichers stuff is LEO belt gear.

[plblark]

Bullseye Shooter Supply in Lake Elmo

[Rem700]

Theres a private ffl in the Ham Lake area that does transfers for $10.

[mrokern]

Striecher has a lot holsters but I think Bill's has a wider selection of civilian carry options than does streichers. Half or more of Streichers stuff is LEO belt gear.

Unless you're a lefty...

It also pays to ask the guys at Streichers what they have in the back. Lots of stuff isn't on the racks.

[richark1]

Burnsville Pistol Range is $20 for transfers. That's the cheapest I've found in the metro.

+1. They will also do transfers on Sundays which is huge for people who work over 70hrs/week...