Gun dealers

Bob Moates Sports Shop

Runcible — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:38:43 +0000

Location

Bob Moates Sports Shop

10418 Hull Street Road

Midlothian, VA 23112

United States

Phone: 804.276.2293

Fax: 804.276.2332

See map: Google Maps

I visited Bob Moates Sports Shop for the first time this past weekend, and I can't begin to describe how impressed I was.

From others' comments, I expected the store to be about the same size as Greentop. Not even close. Bob Moates Sports Shop is small and a bit shabby; not impressive or modern-looking at all.

Despite the humble setting the gun selection is absolutely top rate. It's not that there are a large number of handguns - relative to a place like Bass Pro Shops in Ashland the handgun inventory is small. However, Bob Moates more than any other retailer I've visited has the guns I'm interested in: self-defense weapons. Bob Moates has Kel-Tecs, Ruger LCP & LCR, "baby" Glocks, Springfield XD Subcompacts, Smith & Wesson Airweights, the nicer Taurus concealable revolvers, etc.

If you have a concealed handgun permit, you really ought to visit Bob Moates Sports Shop. My thought upon looking at the selection was that "these guys get it."

I spent a little time checking out the hunting and military rifle selection and, while I have little expertise in that area, the selection also seemed very considered to the potential customer base.

Anyway, I love the place and plan to visit again soon.

Dale's Guns

Runcible — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:28:15 +0000

Location

Dale's Guns

3017 Judes Ferry Road

Powhatan, VA 23139

United States

Phone: 804-794-8208

See map: Google Maps

Regulars at many Virginia gun shows, Dale's Guns also has a store in Powhatan.

Dark Sun Surplus

Runcible — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:39:18 +0000

Location

Dark Sun Surplus

581 Pantela Dr

Richmond, VA 23235

United States

Phone: 804.272.3026

See map: Google Maps

Dark Sun Surplus is a Richmond-area sales and service dealer with a large estate and appraisal business. Dark Sun is a significant presence at most Virginia gun shows, usually renting a large amount of floor space relative to other dealers. The company does not maintain a retail location and so is appointment- and show-only.

There's a surprising amount of hate for Dark Sun evident at a number of gun forums. Generally the reason given is that the owners are abrupt or rude - I haven't seen anyone accuse them of anything unethical or illegal.

While I haven't purchased anything from Dark Sun Surplus, I have lingered around the Dark Sun tables at two shows and haven't seen anything but polite behavior from the company's representatives.

DeGoff's Firearms

Runcible — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:12:44 +0000

Location

DeGoff's Firearms

8106 Mechanicsville Turnpike

Mechanicsville, VA 23111

United States

Phone: 804.746.0273

See map: Google Maps

DeGoff's Firearms is a small but well-stocked gun shop in Mechanicsville. It has a lot of the comfortable elements of a local business.

Dominion Shooting Range

Runcible — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:31:26 +0000

Location

Dominion Shooting Range

106 Turner Road

Richmond, VA 23225

United States

Phone: 804.276.2851

See map: Google Maps

As shooting ranges go, Dominion is Richmond's quick and dirty solution. It's in a dumpy old building next to Cloverleaf Mall off Midlothian Turnpike, and shooters are obliged to buy its proprietary range ammo. However, the ammo at Dominion is pretty cheap, and the staff is friendly to everyone and patient with inexperienced shooters. The range itself is old and a bit decrepit, but it's kept neat and tidy. Bottom line: Dominion isn't anybody's first choice but it's got convenient hours and gets the job done.

Gary's Guns & Transfers

Runcible — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:13:10 +0000

Location

Gary's Guns & Transfers

604 Hockett Rd

Manakin Sabot, VA 23103

United States

Phone: 804-314-8467

Fax: 804-784-8710

See map: Google Maps

Gary Lewis is regarded as one of the friendlier gun dealers in the Richmond area. First-time and other inexperienced gun buyers may find Gary offering guidance and advice more readily than some other local gun dealers. Experienced gun buyers will find his prices and selection competitive with other local dealers.

Gary's Guns & Transfers operates by appointment only from a residence in Manakin Sabot, but Gary and his crew are regulars at most Central Virginia gun shows.

Green Top Sporting Goods

Runcible — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:31:31 +0000

Location

Green Top Sporting Goods

10193 Washington Highway

Glen Allen, VA 23059

United States

Phone: 804.550.2188

Fax: 804.550.2693

See map: Google Maps

Green Top is a legendary Richmond-area shooting sports retailer. The store has a broad selection of new and used firearms: semi-automatic handguns, revolvers, hunting and military rifles, plus shotguns. Also, Green Top sells ammunition, holsters, cleaning supplies and other shooting accessories. And the store also has a knowledgeable staff eager to answer any of your questions.

Additionally, many local "gun guys" prefer to use Green Top as their local FFL dealer when they buy guns from remote sellers.

The only drawback to Green Top is that - on weekends, at least - it's a madhouse. So you might want to make your visit on a weekday.

I was surprised to see the address for Green Top as Glen Allen, because I had assumed it was in Ashland.

Southern Police Equipment

Runcible — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:00:31 +0000

Location

Southern Police Equipment

7609 Midlothian Turnpike

Richmond, VA 23235

United States

Phone: 800-542-5243

Fax: 804-323-5067

See map: Google Maps

From the company's official blurb:

Southern Police Equipment is a family - operated business established in 1971. Owned and operated by Karen Allan and John Crosby, whose goal has always been to offer the best quality products and sales representatives available.

Southern Police Equipment carries a large assortment of equipment and supplies for the Public safety professional or the general shooter: body armor, tactical equipment, chemical products, cleaning supplies, gun cases, range equipment, vehicle equipment, emergency equipment, law enforcement equipment, duty gear, knives and tools, used and new guns and much more.

Web site

Trader Jerry

Runcible — Sun, 31 May 2009 00:08:38 +0000

Location

Trader Jerry

34 Claypool Hill Mall

Cedar Bluff, VA 24609

United States

Phone: 276.964.4867

See map: Google Maps

Trader Jerry shakes everyone's hand after he completes a transaction. Trader Jerry and his crew are regulars at all the major Virginia gun shows and usually have a vast selection on the tables, at prices that are as low or lower than the other dealers' at the same show.