Best gun shops in the Twin Cities?

[JoeH]

I'm even more ashamed to share that I bought my 686 in Gander Mountain. You live and learn.

Ditto. We all make mistakes.

[Snowgun]

I bought at ammocraft too, their selection is minimal but Ron will gladly order and they are my choice for transfers.

+1

Great for transfers for sure, very helpful and affordable. And you get to pet nice doggies while you wait for paperwork.

[1911fan]

I'm not quite sure I'm following you as to "setbacks"?

Or is this something that I'll understand when I meet him? Like a lisp or something?

Not that it matters. I just am not sure exactly what you mean.

He's been robbed a couple of times, and its a sore point with him... He popped one guy several years ago and I think its been tough on him, He got hit again last month, and like I said, it was a sore point with him and now someone went and ripped that wound open.

[ComradeBurg]

There are three main gun shops I frequent.

Ron down at Ammocraft is a great guy to deal with. As previously mentioned his selection is pretty minimal but he'll order practically anything you need. He also has very good prices and of course you get the company of his dog. Likewise if you have any questions you'll get an answer without the high and mighty attitude you get at some other stores (I'm not going to name names but there could be a word that rhymes with sander in the company name).

I've had good luck with Gunstop. As noted the store is kind of clubby. They can come off as cold or even somewhat rude at first but if you strike up a conversation with them they'll warm up a bit. There is no dancing around the bush, they tell you exactly what they think. Their prices are usually good and their selection is pretty decent (the selection on the reloading side is excellent).

Frontiersman is the other store I like to frequent. The staff there are friendly and helpful and the selection is pretty good to boot. I've noticed their prices are a bit higher than the other two I've mentioned but I haven't seen anything outrageous. They'll help you out and answer any questions you have without being condescending.

[justaguy]

I have heard Gander Mountain is pretty good.

[westhope]

I've gotten some good deals at Cabela's by using their "Cabela's Visa" discounts they offer 4 or 5 times a year. Basically $100 off on a $500 gun to $250 off on a $1,000 gun. When that was used, the guns were cheaper than I could have gotten elsewhere. The $100 to $250 off must be spent at Cabela's, but I just keep those until need to buy another gun.

[thunderoussilence]

Oh, also, while it's not necessary, a shop that also has a good selection of high-end knives would be great. However, like I said, it's not necessary. I usually order my knives online from New Graham Knives (great prices and very friendly over the phone). I do know though that usually gun shops concentrate on their core business - firearms, so if there is a place that has both - awesome, if not - no problem.

Price is fairly important to me. $20-$30 more is no biggie. $75+ more is a bit of a problem for me. I'll pay a little extra for better service. I just don't want to spend too much extra because it adds up after a while. The place I used to use (not in this state - it was before I moved) had both. Great customer service, and the best prices in probably 100 miles.

I suppose I could always buy through them and do a transfer via FFL here, but I like to pay for my guns in cash whenever possible. The last time I bought something from a gun shop with plastic, the card company put a lock on my card and it was a pain to get resolved. Supposedly (according to the rep I spoke with) - anything with the name "police supply" or "guns" etc. causes an automatic lock on the card. Ever since then I've paid cash. It's easier for me. At one point I bought a prepaid VISA card that I would replenish to use for gun purchases so that if it got locked, no biggie b/c my main CC would still be fine. I gave it up though once I saw how much they were charging me in monthly and per-transaction fees. At one point I didn't use the card for months. The monthly fees added up and put my card into the red. So I got rid of that too and like I said before, I just pay with cash.

What do you consider high end knives? I have had gerber,buck,beretta. Non of them have stood up to my everyday abuse. I carry Emerson,Strider,ZT. A high end knife of any real quality will easily run you over $150.Good luck on your search.

[thunderoussilence]

I called Gun Stop several times now, each time asking about if they could get them in, etc. Each time they tell me they'll call me back. It's been over 6 months now though of phone tag.

Before I do that, I'll pop into Gun Stop physically and see if I get anywhere.

Why would you even consider going to Gun Stop? They should be trying to earn your business, not the other way around. There are plenty of great places around the Metro to deal with, and all have comparable prices. There is no need to waste your time with BS like that.

Also, I would check with Thunderjohn on the board. He is a local dealer out of Savage. He is great to deal with, and his prices are very competitive. He has had pretty much the cheapest price on every item I have ran past him. Any new items I order go directly through Thunderjohn, and I don't bother to shop around.

Thunderjohn is a rockstar I have purchased 7 guns from him, he is always my first call.

[TCFurDad]

What do you consider high end knives? I have had gerber,buck,beretta. Non of them have stood up to my everyday abuse. I carry Emerson,Strider,ZT. A high end knife of any real quality will easily run you over $150.Good luck on your search.

A totally valid question since it's all subjective anyways, right? I too have Gerber, Buck, CRKT, and then some Dollar Store specials and whatnot. I consider Gerber, CRKT, and Buck to be middle-of-the-road type quality, although I'm sure Buck makes some winners and I just haven't seen them. I did have a Buck assisted opener that was nice, but I ditched it before I moved up here to avoid any trouble over the definition of an "auto knife".

Anyways, what I consider "high end" (and I apologize if I come off as a pretentious jerk or a "fanboy" saying this, I don't mean to) - is stuff like the better Spyderco knives, Benchmade Blue and Gold class (not red class), also some of their Black Class, such as my Doug Ritter RSK knives made by Benchmade. They even made 250 or so recently with CPM M4 steel but I missed the boat I will admit that I have some lower end Spydercos that I love, like my Delica and Centofante (3 or 4, I forget). I hear that Cold Steel is great and I actually just ordered their catalog out of curiosity. I think I've kind of illustrated my personal definition of "high-end". Again, it's all subjective anyways and a matter of perception. I know that some of the knives that I consider "high-end" were made in China while some Bucks or CRKTs may be made in the USA - so take my perception/definition with a grain of salt.

I'm happy to pay $150+ though for a good knife. I got tired of spending money on knives that I wasn't totally enthralled with, but were inexpensive and have been concentrating on buying knives that I plan to keep indefinitely. Microtech knives seem nice too.

But I just want to be clear - my saying that Buck, CRKT, Gerber, etc. are middle of the road knives doesn't really mean anything. I don't profess to be any type of knife expert. Feel free to completely disregard that statement if you disagree. It's just a matter of personal preference.

[sawgrass]

I think you guys just have the wrong parts.
Larry is friendly and chatty.
Marv is a sweetheart.
Al always has a soft smile.
The guys at Bill's laugh a lot.
I will say, so far I've seen just about ZERO personality at Bullseye, Shooter's Supply.

Ok, my real question. Does Thunderjohn have a shop?
If so where is it?

Thanks,
Sawgrass

[Stradawhovious]

My list..........

The good ones (in no particular order)
Bills
GunStop
Frontiersman
Metro pawn (be prepared to bs for a while and dicker.... Its a pawn shop. Their prices are high, but move)
Thunderjohn
SHR sales

The bad ones
Gander mountain
Cabelas
J and S custom (good ole boys network. If they don't know you you aren't worth their time. I've seen it with countless customers there. )
Bullseye. (Just shady)

[livnlg55345]

A person has to consider that in any interaction there is going to be people that rub a person the wrong way from both sides of the counter. So, out of spite people will dismiss various gun shops in the metro from their list of places to shop. To each his own! But, when you consider that some of us as customers are abrasive and perhaps snooty in our interaction with staff at various places....reap what you sew.

And, some us as customers are never going to be satisfied. Nitpicking to Nth degree. Whining about the price....or wanting them to throw in this or that. Be real unless there is large mark up there is no wiggle room. Places have to pay staff, keep the lights on, keep phones on, pay for carrying inventory, and in the end make a profit.

People are perpetual tire kickers or as one store owner calls them "Be Backs"....cause if you knew what you wanted you would just go online to a place like Bud's or other vendors and have it delivered to your dealer of the day like Roger at BPR....and be done with it...... But, people want to trade...and well....although Bud's does trade ins....shipping a handgun at a min...is 40 bucks. So that eats in to a deal right quick plus chasing around to ship a handgun....

I do not think places that can not figure out straw sale fiasco deserve business, you can fill in the blank there. Or, perhaps that drug dealing seems to run in the gun range owner ranks; think Armored Fire and Inrange former owners..

Tis like politics to each his own. But, to me my pocket book does the talking. Best deal gets my money hands down! Why stew over stuff that is not serious.

[Stradawhovious]

Why stew over stuff that is not serious.

I agree with the vast majority of your post. There are equally as many pissy customers as there are pissy people behind the counter. The people that get my pocket book open are those that go above and beyond with their service. Can I get bullets cheaper online than I can at GunStop? I sure can..... But I choose not to because John Walton is a hell of a great guy to deal with. If I wanted to put up with the snooty holier than thou people behind the counter at some of these gun shops could I get a better deal? Maybe, but at that point it's worth the extra shipping from Buds since I don't feel like dealing with unplesant people.

In my book, attitude as a business owner or employee is everything. I appreciate and respect your ability to overlook mediocre to downright nasty customer service to get a deal, I'm just not one of those people. I guess I'm one of the "catch more flies with honey" kind of guy. If you work at one of the stores on my "Bad" list, I aplolgize if it rubbed you the wrong way, but it is what it is, and my opinion is based on prior experience. The good news is that these businesses don't ever have to deal with me again, and some, I'm sure, would consider that a blessing.

Also, should people take other's recommendations with a grain of salt? You'd better believe it. This is the internet. Anyone can have a voice here..... Anyone.

ETA..... I'm not trying to start a pissing match here, since I think that you and I are mostly on the same page, I'm just trying to explain my rationale.

[Holland&Holland]

I've gotten some good deals at Cabela's by using their "Cabela's Visa" discounts they offer 4 or 5 times a year. Basically $100 off on a $500 gun to $250 off on a $1,000 gun. When that was used, the guns were cheaper than I could have gotten elsewhere. The $100 to $250 off must be spent at Cabela's, but I just keep those until need to buy another gun.

The $100 off of $500 I have seen many times, but I am feeling very left out of the fold by my boys at Cabela's when I hear that ther is something called a $250 off of $1000. How common are these and what seems to be the factors causing one to get these.

[Belgiboy]

I've gotten some good deals at Cabela's by using their "Cabela's Visa" discounts they offer 4 or 5 times a year. Basically $100 off on a $500 gun to $250 off on a $1,000 gun. When that was used, the guns were cheaper than I could have gotten elsewhere. The $100 to $250 off must be spent at Cabela's, but I just keep those until need to buy another gun.

The $100 off of $500 I have seen many times, but I am feeling very left out of the fold by my boys at Cabela's when I hear that ther is something called a $250 off of $1000. How common are these and what seems to be the factors causing one to get these.

A cabelas credit card will put you on the mailing list.