Cool old gun shops

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David Hall

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sorry, I didn't know where to put this, Admin please move if you can find a better place.

Was having a discussion with a freind about cool old gun shops. You know, the place with more guns in wood or blue than cerakote and plastic. I've got nothing against modern firearms, I own several. I'm spoiled by the fact that I have two PSA stores and CBC industries all within a 20 minute drive from my house, I''ve got three box stores(we won't count Field and Stream), and numerous smaller guns shops. Anything I need current production is no more than a click of the mouse and a transfer fee away. Most of these shops are newer and don't bring in the cool consignment stuff that we try to hunt down. There's definitely some joy in going into a shop just to see whats shows up in the consignment counter. Its like finding the hidden Easter Egg. There is one real good shop in West Ashley(Carolina Rod and Gun)that is where all the cool stuff ends up. There's a newer shop in Ladson(Allied Arms) that has some nice stuff, but no real steady stream of older stuff. we have one shop that could be a nice destination( I wont name them), but the owners are so fickle, I don't stop by there anymore(they actually get upset if you want to buy anything). I grew up in Raleigh and Hills was always the place you went to look at guns. I know back in the day, there was a huge gin shop in Hillsboro, back behind The Daniel Boone Inn, I haven't been that way in 25 years, i don't know if its still there or not. Anytime I'm on the road, I always stop in any gun shop I see if I have time. Any other shops out there? BTW, I'm the same way with old Auto Parts/ Machine Shops.
 
David Hall said:
I know back in the day, there was a huge gin shop in Hillsboro, back behind The Daniel Boone Inn, I haven't been that way in 25 years, i don't know if its still there or not.
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You mean Colonial Gun Shop and they’ve been gone for quite a while ... a little paperwork problem with a couple different agencies.
 
There was a gun shop years ago in NY that offered decent prices, accessories for what they sold, supported gun lws in that state, and helped new shooters to begin a new lifestyle. Now that gun shop is called Dick's Sporting Goods - eliminating guns in their stores.
 
I was visiting the wife’s family in Bennington, VT close to a 100 years ago that had wood and glued steel. After asking about garland parts, I left with a box of USGI parts that he wanted to get rid of! Cost me maybe $100 for around $250 of parts!
 
Infamous1 said:
Mid South Guns in Wagram trips me out every time I walk in there.
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lasttombstone said:
MidSouth is worth the drive from where ever you are, especially if you like old side by sides.
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I know of no other gun shop in NC, SC or Va that has as many NICE wood and blued steel guns.
Well worth the trip for anyone on our forum.
 
NCFubar said:
You mean Colonial Gun Shop and they’ve been gone for quite a while ... a little paperwork problem with a couple different agencies.
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Back 30 or 40 years ago Colonial Gun Shop was the place to go to for S&W and Colt revolvers. One day when the store was downtown Hillsboro I was there when a delivery truck brought in close to 100 Smiths and nearly 50 Colts . Back then Colt Pythons were only $35 to $50 more that Big S&W Bore magnums in presentation cases. Hind sight!It's a shame that the owner wasn't more carefull with his 4473's and his inventory book keeping.That was the downfall
 
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There aren't many left. I remember going to Colonial when I was a kid. Spent some time at Hills too. I've got to get to Mid South one day. Love the look and feel of old Model 12,s, 21's, and A-5's. Don't see many of those at shops I frequent now.
 
I can tell you if you're ever in New England you can find old gun shops. I call then shops not stores as they only sell guns and usually fix them also.

If you find yourself in Hooksett, NH look up Riley's. Plan on an hour.

They are getting rare though...
 
I used to hang out at the Gun Exchange in Whiteville after closing time. Old Kenny and the "crowd" would sit around an old heater and tell jokes and drink luke warm beer. It was nothing to see customers come in and ask for something and Kenny would start digging around under the counters and usually come up with what the person wanted. I once saw him pull out a Model 12 still in the box! That was one cool place.
 
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Jeffncs said:
I was visiting the wife’s family in Bennington, VT close to a 100 years ago that had wood and glued steel. After asking about garland parts, I left with a box of USGI parts that he wanted to get rid of! Cost me maybe $100 for around $250 of parts!
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Did they have tinsel & mistletoe too?
 
Downeast said:
I used to hang out at the Gun Exchange in Whiteville after closing time. Old Kenny and the "crowd" would sit around an old heater and tell jokes and drink luke warm beer. It was nothing to see customers come in and ask for something and Kenny would start digging around under the counters and usually come up with what the person wanted. I once saw him pull out a Model 12 still in the box! That was one cool place.
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Yep. Used to stop in there frequently when I had s job they took me through Whiteville. Cool place.
 
LOVE MidSouth in that regard.

Used to be a cool one in Chatham County. Woody's Store. Hardware store/gas station/gun shop out in the middle of nowhere. It was an awesome place as a kid. They quit selling guns in the 90s I believe.
 
I always thought that if I had a gun shop I would set aside a corner with some old chairs, a coffee pot, gun magazines, maybe a shelf with old books. Then throw in a few Fuds and Gardeners (young guys that like to spray ammo around like water through a garden hose) and listen to the BS. :D
 
Windy Hill is sorta like what you describe. Last really cool gun shop I can remember was in Charlotte. It was Collias Lawing when it was still on Central Ave across from the Salvation Army.
 
For a while, there was a shop on the north end of High Point. I believe it was part of Colfax G&A. My wife bought me a shotgun there (she told the guys she wanted one of those guns that goes Clack Clack before shooting). I took it back and traded for a shorter barrel version of the same Remington. My recollection is that the store had a lot of comfortable seating and was designed to have a cigar club kinda atmosphere. Pity it didn’t succeed.
 
NCFubar said:
You mean Colonial Gun Shop and they’ve been gone for quite a while ... a little paperwork problem with a couple different agencies.
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I had a buddy that worked there way back when. When the time came to shut it down, he called me up and said come up here quick. When i got there he says come with me in the back and take what you want, the owner said we can have at it. There were tons of accs back there and all the employees were digging through and taking big boxes full of stuff to their cars. They had gotten most of the good stuff by the time i got there, but i opened a box buried under some cheap stuff and found a new in package 75 rd drum for an ak and 5 new in package ar mags. I left happy. I cant imagine what some of those guys got though. The shop closed the following week.
 
Colfax G&A is decent, but their stock has dwindled quite a bit. They used to have a room that had dozens of shotguns and rifles you could look at...but last I was there it was down to around 10 and they were of questionable quality and condition. Their pistol selection is decent as far as wheel guns.

Windy Hill is a good place to look around, but they seem to be very proud of it and their prices can reflect as such. But it is one of the few places I know that has firearms, ammo, reloading stuff, gear, and a rifle/pistol/skeet range.
 
There are a few shops around me, but American Jewelry and Pawn in Rocky Mount. NC has always been my go to LGS. They will trade, order in new, and negotiate prices. It's a small shop, but they work with customers. I've been to other shops in the area, but they are not people shops. On even believes if you didn't spend $1000, you are not worthy of their service.

http://americanjewelryandpawn.com/
 
Ledford's Trading Post in Hickory NC is a great place to stop by. Lot's of black powder and a rather impressive library of gun books. They also carry a fair amount of milsurps, but you have to be there at the right time. They buy collections and do a lot of horse trading.

iu
 
Been to the Aisle pawn shop in Mooresville. Not too bad. Lost of old milsurp and new stuff. Prices are kinda high, but if you have cash, he'll pull a price outa his ass and work with ya.
 
Old Leaksville Gun Shop in Eden was mostly classic lever actions with punitive price tags when I stopped by, but I suspect a lever action guy would love the place.
 
thrillhill said:
LOVE MidSouth in that regard.

Used to be a cool one in Chatham County. Woody's Store. Hardware store/gas station/gun shop out in the middle of nowhere. It was an awesome place as a kid. They quit selling guns in the 90s I believe.
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I bought an old tractor mounted firewood saw from him a few years back, along with some spikes for nailing barn beams together. He was liquidating the hardware store at the time. Cool old guy.
 
Have gun-will travel said:
Back 30 or 40 years ago Colonial Gun Shop was the place to go to for S&W and Colt revolvers. One day when the store was downtown Hillsboro I was there when a delivery truck brought in close to 100 Smiths and nearly 50 Colts . Back then Colt Pythons were only $35 to $50 more that Big S&W Bore magnums in presentation cases. Hind sight!It's a shame that the owner wasn't more carefull with his 4473's and his inventory book keeping.That was the downfall
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I wondered what had happened to them. I bought a couple of shotguns from Colonial many, many moons ago. Remembered hearing rumors, but that was back in the day before everyone had internet access and cool message boards. I miss both Hills and Colonial.
 
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