Strange to today's society-places you bought guns from

Kev · January 7, 2014, 09:07 PM

My Pops bought a WW2 issue Remington Rand GI 45 out of a pickle barrel in a hardware store for 25 bucks in 1950

Of course the hardware stores, Sears catalogs and other places to buy guns has gone the way of the dodo bird.
But where do you remember buying guns?

CWKahrFan · January 7, 2014, 09:31 PM

Speaking of Sears... My first shotgun had a Sears moniker on it but my Dad bought it slightly used for $40 (for me at age 14) at an old-timey combination mechanic-gunsmith-used-car-hangout place on the edge of town. It was a very nifty and tight 20-guage double-barrel which was great for pheasant hunting. It stood upright in my room in a very nice blonde-stained wood gun rack which I designed and made myself... next to my Stevens bolt-action .22 which was my constant companion (along with my wonderful spaniel and sometimes a buddy) on LONG hikes through fields, creeks and woods nearly every day after school in the early 60's.

mikejonestkd · January 7, 2014, 09:40 PM

My father bought me my first shotgun at Sheard's Ice cream parlor and gun shop in Bergen, NY......they are still in business after 40+ years.

They still have guns and ice cream....not a bad combo!

Nathan · January 7, 2014, 09:41 PM

Just hunted with a guy a year ago with a Montgomery Wards 12ga from where else...

Kev · January 7, 2014, 09:44 PM

Nice...I'd love to see a pic of ice creams and guns...

This is exactly the stuff I was hoping to read guys!
Classics!

markallen · January 7, 2014, 10:22 PM

I have never bought a gun there, but I remember looking at the rifles in our local Western Auto store. I did buy .22 LR ammo there though when I was a kid.

Tom68 · January 7, 2014, 10:41 PM

My first gun came from Otasco.... A store much like Western Auto. The Mary Carter Paint store in Cullman, AL used to sell guns. Don't know if they are even still in business now.

burrhead · January 7, 2014, 10:47 PM

"Of course the hardware stores, Sears catalogs and other places to buy guns has gone the way of the dodo bird."

Depends on where you live. The only local, brick and mortar gun outlet near me is a True Value Hardware store. Fifteen years ago the local grocery store/trading post did transfers.

bledsoeG19 · January 7, 2014, 10:53 PM

Christmas week I bought my govt model colt series 70 wiley clapp from the hardware store one town north of mine. Yep, they still sell guns. Not next door, in the store. I love it.

Kev · January 7, 2014, 10:55 PM

^^^^well I sit corrected^^^^^

I read earlier on here a guy bought his first Hi Standard at a local furniture store.

But now that I think of it, there is a swap meet (indoor) here by Fort Myers that has a guy selling firearms...

Chaz88 · January 7, 2014, 11:13 PM

Many years ago my dad and grandpa owned a GMC dealership/ auto parts store/ auto shop/ body shop/ auto upholstery shop/ auto machine shop/ gas station/ wait for it... gun store. Took up more than a quarter square block. My first guns came through that store.

Kev · January 7, 2014, 11:16 PM

^^thats awesome!!^^

crashxl · January 7, 2014, 11:44 PM

My first shotgun was a gift from my dad. My grandfather bought it for him from a little mom and pop gas station so he could join the high school skeet team. My dad placed 2nd in the southeast regional skeet meet with that $20 double barrel .410.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1389156288.107983.jpg

OcelotZ3 · January 8, 2014, 12:00 AM

My father bought his AR15 in '67 from a furniture store.

meanmachine1961 · January 8, 2014, 12:53 AM

My Dad bought my first handgun, an RG single action .22, at a grocery store/gas station a couple of miles from where we lived in Sheffield, Alabama. That must have been 1973 or there abouts.

towboat-er · January 8, 2014, 01:01 AM

Bought a surplus rifle at Rose's department store way back in the 90's.

RodTheWrench · January 8, 2014, 03:44 AM

In Baker City, Oregon - York's Market sells guns. They are kind of a mishmash of convenience store/grocery store/bait shop. I do think these kind of stores only still exist in small towns though.

In Utah/Idaho, CAL Ranch stores have decently stocked gun counters.

I remember my dad buying a 30-30 from a Coast to Coast store in the 70s. Kind of an auto parts/hardware store.

Aaron1100us · January 8, 2014, 05:20 AM

I bought a Russian Dragunov Tiger at a garage sale a year and a half ago lol.

Took these pics at the garage sale.

ATPBULLETS · January 8, 2014, 06:15 AM

Wwow....That's a kool looking gun... Great thread

I remember as a kid going to many different pawn shops... they were and still are places that amaze me... with all the variety of STUFF....

and as a kid... I remember the personalities behind the counter...man... the stories I remember hearing as a gun was passed across the counter for my father to shoulder and sight and inspect...

Nakanokalronin · January 8, 2014, 06:17 AM

I watched a video not to long ago of a someone in Canada buying a Tavor at a gas station. It depends on states, but some firearms and ammo can still be bought at hardware stores, it's just not as common as it used to be. I personally don't have an oddball place I've bought a firearm from.

Sight Unseen · January 8, 2014, 06:40 AM

I was visiting my cousin a few years ago and we went into a gas station/Hardee's and to my astonishment they had a fully stocked ammo cabinet. No guns but I still thought it was pretty cool. I actually ended up picking up a box of 9mm ammo that I didn't really need (this was before the current ammo shortage).

psyfly · January 8, 2014, 06:42 AM

We tend to forget that guns, once upon a time, were just another tool for sale. A store, of any kind, did not have to get the government's permission to stock and sell one.

Kev · January 8, 2014, 07:28 AM

Hey Psyfly
I don't think we have forgotten that, just been regulated almost to the point of taboo.

And on the pawnshops...Oh yes I do love browsing pawnshops.
Back in California as a kid, I always tagged along with Pops on his 2x a month excursions.

2 years ago I was back in Cali on vacation, so I walked into our old favorite shop and within a few minutes, it was "Hey your Bob's son"
Almost like family...sniff sniff

Kev · January 8, 2014, 07:30 AM

Aaron....
THAT IS INCREDIBLE!!!!

I have to ask what did she run you?

KMAX · January 8, 2014, 07:55 AM

I bought my first shotgun when I was fourteen at a general store in 1971. They sold gas, groceries, hardware, ranching supplies, guns, and ammo. They also fixed flat tires and did minor mechanic work. Mom actually had to sign for the gun, but it was definitely my purchase. They still sell guns along with all the other things, but we are in rural Texas.

Also, one of the best stocked ammo stores is a local supermarket not far from here. Sort of a local or regional chain store I think.

January 7, 2014, 09:07 PM	#1
Kev Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2013 Posts: 661	Strange to today's society-places you bought guns from My Pops bought a WW2 issue Remington Rand GI 45 out of a pickle barrel in a hardware store for 25 bucks in 1950 Of course the hardware stores, Sears catalogs and other places to buy guns has gone the way of the dodo bird. But where do you remember buying guns? __________________ "Classic over Plastic" Last edited by Kev; January 8, 2014 at 10:57 AM.

January 7, 2014, 09:31 PM	#2
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	Speaking of Sears... My first shotgun had a Sears moniker on it but my Dad bought it slightly used for $40 (for me at age 14) at an old-timey combination mechanic-gunsmith-used-car-hangout place on the edge of town. It was a very nifty and tight 20-guage double-barrel which was great for pheasant hunting. It stood upright in my room in a very nice blonde-stained wood gun rack which I designed and made myself... next to my Stevens bolt-action .22 which was my constant companion (along with my wonderful spaniel and sometimes a buddy) on LONG hikes through fields, creeks and woods nearly every day after school in the early 60's. __________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"... IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

January 7, 2014, 09:40 PM	#3
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	My father bought me my first shotgun at Sheard's Ice cream parlor and gun shop in Bergen, NY......they are still in business after 40+ years. They still have guns and ice cream....not a bad combo! __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

January 7, 2014, 09:44 PM	#5
Kev Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2013 Posts: 661	Nice...I'd love to see a pic of ice creams and guns... This is exactly the stuff I was hoping to read guys! Classics! __________________ "Classic over Plastic"

January 7, 2014, 10:22 PM	#6
markallen Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2008 Location: N E Ohio Posts: 221	I have never bought a gun there, but I remember looking at the rifles in our local Western Auto store. I did buy .22 LR ammo there though when I was a kid. __________________ Don't do anything Stupid. And don't let Stupid do anything to you.

January 7, 2014, 09:41 PM	#4
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,323	Just hunted with a guy a year ago with a Montgomery Wards 12ga from where else...

January 7, 2014, 10:41 PM	#7
Tom68 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 349	My first gun came from Otasco.... A store much like Western Auto. The Mary Carter Paint store in Cullman, AL used to sell guns. Don't know if they are even still in business now.

January 7, 2014, 10:47 PM	#8
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	"Of course the hardware stores, Sears catalogs and other places to buy guns has gone the way of the dodo bird." Depends on where you live. The only local, brick and mortar gun outlet near me is a True Value Hardware store. Fifteen years ago the local grocery store/trading post did transfers. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

January 7, 2014, 10:53 PM	#9
bledsoeG19 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2013 Posts: 135	Christmas week I bought my govt model colt series 70 wiley clapp from the hardware store one town north of mine. Yep, they still sell guns. Not next door, in the store. I love it.

January 7, 2014, 10:55 PM	#10
Kev Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2013 Posts: 661	^^^^well I sit corrected^^^^^ I read earlier on here a guy bought his first Hi Standard at a local furniture store. But now that I think of it, there is a swap meet (indoor) here by Fort Myers that has a guy selling firearms... __________________ "Classic over Plastic"

January 7, 2014, 11:13 PM	#11
Chaz88 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2010 Posts: 1,243	Many years ago my dad and grandpa owned a GMC dealership/ auto parts store/ auto shop/ body shop/ auto upholstery shop/ auto machine shop/ gas station/ wait for it... gun store. Took up more than a quarter square block. My first guns came through that store. __________________ Seams like once we the people give what, at the time, seams like a reasonable inch and "they" take the unreasonable mile we can only get that mile back one inch at a time. No spelun and grammar is not my specialty. So please don't hurt my sensitive little feelings by teasing me about it.

January 7, 2014, 11:16 PM	#12
Kev Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2013 Posts: 661	^^thats awesome!!^^ __________________ "Classic over Plastic"

January 7, 2014, 11:44 PM	#13
crashxl Member Join Date: January 1, 2014 Posts: 51	My first shotgun was a gift from my dad. My grandfather bought it for him from a little mom and pop gas station so he could join the high school skeet team. My dad placed 2nd in the southeast regional skeet meet with that $20 double barrel .410. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1389156288.107983.jpg

January 8, 2014, 12:00 AM	#14
OcelotZ3 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Posts: 229	My father bought his AR15 in '67 from a furniture store.

January 8, 2014, 12:53 AM	#15
meanmachine1961 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2009 Location: Muscle Shoals, Alabama Posts: 276	My Dad bought my first handgun, an RG single action .22, at a grocery store/gas station a couple of miles from where we lived in Sheffield, Alabama. That must have been 1973 or there abouts. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." Plato

January 8, 2014, 01:01 AM	#16
towboat-er Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2011 Posts: 146	Bought a surplus rifle at Rose's department store way back in the 90's.

January 8, 2014, 03:44 AM	#17
RodTheWrench Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2013 Location: Utah Posts: 365	In Baker City, Oregon - York's Market sells guns. They are kind of a mishmash of convenience store/grocery store/bait shop. I do think these kind of stores only still exist in small towns though. In Utah/Idaho, CAL Ranch stores have decently stocked gun counters. I remember my dad buying a 30-30 from a Coast to Coast store in the 70s. Kind of an auto parts/hardware store. __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." - Han Solo

January 8, 2014, 05:20 AM	#18
Aaron1100us Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2011 Posts: 235	I bought a Russian Dragunov Tiger at a garage sale a year and a half ago lol. Took these pics at the garage sale.

January 8, 2014, 06:15 AM	#19
ATPBULLETS Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2012 Location: Land between the Lakes Posts: 267	Wwow....That's a kool looking gun... Great thread I remember as a kid going to many different pawn shops... they were and still are places that amaze me... with all the variety of STUFF.... and as a kid... I remember the personalities behind the counter...man... the stories I remember hearing as a gun was passed across the counter for my father to shoulder and sight and inspect... __________________ http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/y...e/photo-25.jpg

January 8, 2014, 06:17 AM	#20
Nakanokalronin Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2006 Posts: 1,066	I watched a video not to long ago of a someone in Canada buying a Tavor at a gas station. It depends on states, but some firearms and ammo can still be bought at hardware stores, it's just not as common as it used to be. I personally don't have an oddball place I've bought a firearm from.

January 8, 2014, 06:40 AM	#21
Sight Unseen Member Join Date: October 7, 2012 Location: FL Posts: 55	I was visiting my cousin a few years ago and we went into a gas station/Hardee's and to my astonishment they had a fully stocked ammo cabinet. No guns but I still thought it was pretty cool. I actually ended up picking up a box of 9mm ammo that I didn't really need (this was before the current ammo shortage).

January 8, 2014, 06:42 AM	#22
psyfly Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 932	We tend to forget that guns, once upon a time, were just another tool for sale. A store, of any kind, did not have to get the government's permission to stock and sell one. __________________ Show me the data

January 8, 2014, 07:28 AM	#23
Kev Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2013 Posts: 661	Hey Psyfly I don't think we have forgotten that, just been regulated almost to the point of taboo. And on the pawnshops...Oh yes I do love browsing pawnshops. Back in California as a kid, I always tagged along with Pops on his 2x a month excursions. 2 years ago I was back in Cali on vacation, so I walked into our old favorite shop and within a few minutes, it was "Hey your Bob's son" Almost like family...sniff sniff __________________ "Classic over Plastic"

January 8, 2014, 07:30 AM	#24
Kev Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2013 Posts: 661	Aaron.... THAT IS INCREDIBLE!!!! I have to ask what did she run you? __________________ "Classic over Plastic"

January 8, 2014, 07:55 AM	#25
KMAX Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,185	I bought my first shotgun when I was fourteen at a general store in 1971. They sold gas, groceries, hardware, ranching supplies, guns, and ammo. They also fixed flat tires and did minor mechanic work. Mom actually had to sign for the gun, but it was definitely my purchase. They still sell guns along with all the other things, but we are in rural Texas. Also, one of the best stocked ammo stores is a local supermarket not far from here. Sort of a local or regional chain store I think. __________________ This is my gun. There are many like her, but this one is mine. I'm not old. I'm CLASSIC!

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