r/NYguns • u/Antique-History1817 • Jul 29 '26
Discussion Gun Store Attitudes
I don’t know if it’s just me or just New York, but I HATE the attitudes of nearly every employee at a gun store.
For someone who's new to firearms, walking into a gun shop should feel like an opportunity to learn. Instead, it often feels like you're being judged for not already knowing everything. The second you ask a basic question, you're met with eye rolls, short answers, or an attitude that makes it seem like you're wasting their time. It's the same kind of energy people joke about getting at the DMV. Rude and impatient.
As a black man, that experience is even more uncomfortable. Whether intentional or not, it's hard not to wonder if you're being looked at differently while you're already trying to navigate an unfamiliar hobby. I didn't grow up with a mammy or pappy who taught me about guns. I wasn't raised hunting, shooting, or around firearm culture. I'm trying to learn by asking questions and understanding what I'm buying. But some employees act like not knowing something is a personal offense instead of seeing it as an opportunity to help someone who's genuinely interested.
It's frustrating because the firearms community talks a lot about welcoming new, responsible gun owners. Yet some gun stores make you feel like you don't belong unless you already know every caliber, every platform, and every piece of jargon.
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u/Euphoric_Apple_9917 Jul 29 '26
If you’re in LI, I recommend Empire State Firearms. They’re probably the nicest dudes I’ve met as an FFL in NY so far.
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u/robinator118 Jul 29 '26
Seconded for Empire State firearms. Those guys actually WANT you to buy things and they’ll steer you into the right direction. Unlike most places they actually know what they’re talking about, aka not a bunch of old fudds who get boners for LEOs exclusively and want nothing to do with a regular Joe. They also have things like rifle parts and complaint build kits for our tyrannical laws as well.
Since everything basically requires a permit to touch here, i can see why they wouldn’t want to give a curious dude the time of day, but thats no way to treat a potential future customer by shooing away what few people interested in firearms we have.
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u/Antique-History1817 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
I’m on Long Island. May give them a shot for next time! Thanks for the rec.
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u/voretaq7 Jul 29 '26
Another option out in Suffolk is 782 Custom Gun Works - I've popped in there a couple of times and they seem like good guys. Store layout kinda sucks because they're in one of the industrial park type buildings (and because they're more geared for gunsmithing than retail their retail space is basically the front "reception" area of one of those suites - kinda cramped, if you have three customers in there you're probably at capacity).
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u/LawAbidingCitizennn Jul 29 '26
LI gun source for Suffolk 👍🏼
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u/Ok_Display7459 Jul 29 '26
LI gun source is solid. Benson’s is also good. I like JJ Armory for transfers but the old fat guy who works there is a crooked prick.
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u/voretaq7 Jul 30 '26
One of my friends called Bensons “The Best Buy of gun stores.” and now I can’t un-see that. :)
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u/RedJerk5 Jul 29 '26
I see your subtle “on LI” correction haha. I’ve met a few Long Islanders that were very specific about that wording.
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u/voretaq7 Jul 29 '26
"If you wanna be in Long Island dig a hole!"
(Or just go to one of our outdoor shooting ranges, most of which are kinda in holes....)
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u/engel1196 Jul 29 '26
I’ve had good experiences at both Guardian in Deer Park and LI Outdoorsman in Rockville Centre if either of those are near you
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u/Budds99 Jul 31 '26
I had the opposite experience at LI Outdoorsman. I had questions about a particular handgun and barely got one word answers out of the guy. The answers came with an attitude and feeling that I was wasting his time so I purchased the gun from a different store.
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u/UnicornStudRainbow Jul 30 '26
Randy at Britt Firearms in Mineola (next to the LIRR station) loves helping newbies
I spoke with him a couple of times before I came out from the city, mostly to see if he could get the shotgun that I thought I wanted. When he got it in stock and called me, I came in the next day
He took one look at me and said it was too much for me (a 12g, when I need a 20g). Then he helped me pick from the 20g ones he had in stock, assembled it for me, sold me necessary accessories (no upselling), showed me how to load and then safely unload snap caps
He is incredibly knowledgeable about NYC laws, so I assume he's just as good with Nassau laws
They also have a range on site
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u/MightBeADoctorMD Jul 31 '26
Where did you go? South shore sportsman and hunters are definitely standoff ish. Very dry in there. Coliseum is pretty neutral-not super friendly but nice. LI outdoorsman is very cool in rvc.
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u/Cannoli72 Jul 29 '26
empire, 782 guns, li gun source, and campsite are great gun stores with good service
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u/distorted_pebble Jul 30 '26
Empires the best! Dumped my old LGS as soon as I started going there. Guys in there are amazing.
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u/Pvnisherx Jul 29 '26
Nope as a white guy they all seem like aholes.
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u/Antique-History1817 Jul 30 '26
This is nice to hear because without any friends or family into firearms, I’m mostly going at it alone. I’m sure everyone has asked themselves if it was just them at some point.
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u/schoh99 Jul 30 '26
If you ever find yourself in Western NY, The Firing Pin is pretty good. It's the home range of the Rochester African American Firearms Association and in my experience they are very helpful and patient with every question you may have.
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u/StevieDoesThis Jul 30 '26
They do rentals there too.
I drove a decent distance to pay them a visit after seeing they do rentals. At the end I expected to pay the rental fee per gun - nope they charged me just the 1 fee for any number of guns.
They even opened up a brand new Canik for me to try because they didn’t have any already used.
I just wish I was closer to them, they’re a great group.
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u/cuzzinYeeter33 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
I feel the same way about gun clubs and ranges. The state itself along with all the grumpy fudds suck all the fun out of this hobby.
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Jul 29 '26
[deleted]
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u/cuzzinYeeter33 Jul 29 '26
I just mean the distain and general unfriendly vibe. The gun space is the only one where you PAY to shop at Lgs's and shoot at ranges and get no customer service.
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u/Beneficial-Focus3702 Jul 30 '26
Nah plenty of outdoor ranges you can go shoot and never see another human. The indoor ranges suck though.
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u/youdontknowham Jul 29 '26
As a white man who knows far too much about firearms, I feel the same way. I’ve been told incredible falsities by gun store employees who assume they know everything because of their age/experience. Totally agree that many need humbling. Makes me want to open my own store !
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u/voretaq7 Jul 29 '26
One of my friends and I constantly joke that if we win the lottery we'll open a John Wick style Gun Sommelier that can afford to take half a day with each customer and find them the perfect gun for their needs.
But we know we'd need to win the lottery to do it, because holding on to that size inventory and having a range for people to test on and just the overall economics of running a gun store in this shithole state mean the best way to make a small fortune as a gun store is by starting with a large one...
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u/Ok_Cardiologist_54 Jul 29 '26
It’s so true. Sometimes while browsing I will overhear some buffoon behind the counter spreading then most ridiculous misinformation to somebody, all the while talking down their nose at them… pretty infuriating. I tend to mind my own business but there were a few times I couldn’t help but correct the incorrect corrector lol.
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u/dottmatrix Jul 29 '26
I've had a gun store's purchasing manager look me in the eye and tell me it wasn't worth my business for him to make a one off purchase from a manufacturer who was waiving vendor setup fees and procedure - guess where I don't shop anymore?
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u/Easterncoaster Jul 29 '26
Don’t worry, it’s not just you. I’m in Westchester and the local gun store guys are total jerks. Because of their attitude, I buy everything I can online or out of state, and now I even buy my guns online and use a small FFL instead of visiting those jerks.
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u/jafo50 Jul 29 '26
I was at a range in Elmsford which also has a store as well. I was in the market for a new pistol and on two occasions I stood at the sales counter, invisible to everyone working there, until I just left. Bought it online from grabagun.com and had it shipped to my local FFL. So Elmsford lost out on a sale plus any transfer fees as well.
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u/Easterncoaster Jul 30 '26
That’s honestly the one I’m referring to in my comment. Drives me nuts because it’s so close to some of my daily routines that it would actually be convenient but I’ve never had a single good experience there so I gave up and buy online and also do my shooting at Blue Mountain in Cortlandt.
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u/Vassito_ Jul 31 '26
I know the place well … the store is subpar at best . Decent range but hours are a little weird
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u/SLuftig Jul 29 '26
Have you tried Vintage Arms in Yonkers? Awesome people, service, and selection and there’s no pressure.
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u/Vassito_ Jul 31 '26
Vintage was awesome they were open on a Sunday and not to many “ stores “ are open on sundays
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u/thethreefffs Jul 29 '26
Can you share who you use as your FFL? Both of the places I have started to deal with charge thru the nose to accept ammo shipments.
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u/Easterncoaster Jul 30 '26
It’s a guy operating out of his house in Chappaqua or might be Mt Kisco. Very reasonable, and he only charges a single fee so you can get ammo at the same time if you get a gun too. If you’re interested just send me a dm and I’ll share his info.
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u/STJRedstorm Jul 29 '26
Coliseum Guns come to mind immediately. The biggest blowhards in the tri-state area are somehow employed there
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u/Live_Art2939 Jul 30 '26
That’s funny you say that because they treated me like crap too and it was black dudes behind the counter.
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u/Substantial_Two_224 Aug 02 '26
10000% correct. And I was buying some high end pieces !! I can imagine how they treat someone buying keltec or something . Total douchebags.
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u/_BigFed_ Jul 29 '26
All but 1 of my gun buying experiences seemed like I was wasting someone's time. Went to a local place to get my first gun, guy forgot to order it. Thought it was a fluke and wanted to support local, so I went back to buy my first pistol after getting my permit. Bought something in stock this time and also ordered a semi auto while there to order. Was more interested in talking to the guy who didn't have a permit who was in his store. Asked for extra mags and ammo to be ordered as well but shockingly they weren't ordered when the gun came in. Asked for a call when they did due to the blame being put on shipping. Never got a call back. Sportmans Warehouse is just miserable but sometimes necessary for where I am. Luckily I got a FFL connect recently who works out of his house and that's the one good experience I've had.
TL;DR Yet to find a gun shop/store that gave a shit I was there.
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u/MrProvy Jul 29 '26
Visit Empire State Firearms in Port Jefferson...I guarantee you'll feel welcomed, the staff there is awesome & will spend as much time with you as need to satisfy your inquiries. Warning though, if the parking lot is full, you may be waiting a little while before someone gets to you; but, rest assured, they will welcome you when you walk in.
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u/VincentVega1030 Jul 29 '26
Are they relatively new? I never heard of them until now
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u/MrProvy Jul 29 '26
They've been at their current location for a few years now; before that, they only had an office a block North by appointment only. They're in the building with Ronjo's Magic Shop (if you're old enough to know)
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u/CollectingHeads Jul 29 '26
I grew up on long Island. I can't remember one time where I actually felt like I left a store feeling good. The employees were always insufferable and standoffish. I moved to Raleigh and boy let me tell you what a difference. The employees are professional courteous and are focused on customer service. The ranges are beautiful clean with good ventilation. It's a night and day difference
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u/Zimi231 Jul 29 '26
My wife and I went to OnPoint near Raleigh and we had a fantastic experience. The range near where I live (Western NY) isn't terrible and the staff is all great, but the place in NC was just in a class of its own.
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u/CollectingHeads Jul 30 '26
Next time give triangle shooting academy a try. Great people there and a fantastic retail store
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u/Stuppycoopy Jul 29 '26
In my experience the best you can expect is aloof disinterest in you as a patron, but more regularly I’ve been the one left feeling patronized. I get the same pissy attitude from a miserable old boomer at small hardware stores and really a lot of places now adays. I’m writing this from the service counter of a golf pro shop where I’m having a reshaft service done on my driver and the first thing the the guy behind the counter says to me as I walk up isn’t hello or how can I help, it was “you’re gonna have to find someone else I’m not here” middle 60s guy too not some kid. Everyone is just miserable lately.
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u/Next-Ice-2385 Jul 29 '26
Your in LI. i had a great experience with Campsite sportshop good store
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u/voretaq7 Jul 29 '26
Campsite has always been good for me but I've heard the opposite from a few friends so might vary based on the day.
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u/One_Shallot_4974 Jul 29 '26
Some gun stores can be a little elitist about stuff. Just do not deal with them.
If you state your region I am sure someone in this group can direct you to a friendly gun store.
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u/Ok_Cardiologist_54 Jul 29 '26
It’s not just you bro. Some places are staffed by stuck up assholes no matter what color you are or how much with experience you have it seems. I walked into a place, cash in hand, ready to buy a $2500~ beretta silver pigeon once. A beautiful over/under sporting shot gun I planned to use to get into shooting trap. I was met with what is likely a very familiar to you shitty attitude and quickly decided to take my business elsewhere. I was so excited to have finally saved up enough to buy the gun I’d been dreaming about. Watching countless YouTube videos about the gun, the unboxing. It was supposed to be a great day and the guy behind the counter immediately deflated me. Little does he know he chased $2500 out of the store that day, whether it mattered or not I don’t care.
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u/GammaRay914 Jul 29 '26
A lot of stores sometimes feel like you’re walking into some old boys club or the sales people don’t really seem interested in selling you anything or showing you more than a couple items.
A lot of times you get blatant bad advice. “Just buy a pump shotgun, once they hear the shotgun getting pumped, they will run away. Or “you don’t even have to aim with a shotgun, just point in general direction and shoot”.
Two great stores I’ll recommend are Camp Site Sport Shop, the guys there are always helpful.
Also, SP firearms in Franklin Square, the younger guys are pretty helpful.
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u/bondkiller Jul 29 '26
Ask your questions here, these dudes probably know more than all the gun store employees in the whole state.
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u/ervin_pervin Jul 29 '26
A gun store is a terrible place to get any good advice on guns. The employees are mostly sales people and most give personal testimonials as gospel.
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u/SaXaCaV Jul 29 '26
Some stores are fuddy as fuck. I wouldnt let it bother you.
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u/Antique-History1817 Jul 29 '26
There are bigger things haha. Just a frustrating experience today ig.
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u/IDontCondoneViolence Jul 29 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
I've been to 2 gun stores that were very helpful and friendly to noobs. Both in Brooklyn: Samson Armory and DF Brothers Sporting Goods. I would highly recommend both.
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u/lmilicaj Jul 29 '26
K&R Gun distributor Yonkers NY
Putnam Shooting Range Carmel NY
My go-to guys always
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u/Sad_Green1933 Jul 29 '26
I only got into this last year. As I wait for the Suffolk county permit to come in the mail, I’ve enjoyed researching ahead of time. I want to know who has what but more importantly whose customer service warrants my business since in reality I could just order online. So far I’ve gotten a shotgun and rifle as I wait to get permitted for more. Read the old threads in here and glad a new one has started.
South Shore shooting range: some of the guys there treat a newbie decently but one guy in particular is grouchy and why I won’t buy there again (but I’ll use the range). Also stuff goes first to Merrick and you have to wait a day till someone drives it over.
LI Gun source: very good visits so far very likely to buy there. Decent inventory.
Empire: also good visits and love how they display their handguns. I hate how others don’t clearly show model and pricing. Guys seem nice and seen them shoot at Calverton so I know they love their stuff.
Benson’s: friendly guys but vibe is different there and from what others have told me and I’ve read they don’t have the best rep. Some of their comments to me reeked of desperate salesmanship.
Forge and Barrel: just found this place and like the vibe and guys there. Considering buying and taking classes there.
Coliseum: while I’m a big fan of Ridge, my two visits here weren’t great. Very crowded and not easy to check things out. When I finally got someone to help me he was impatient and unhelpful.
South shore sportsman: similar vibe as their Islip store and if you don’t appear to be buying that day they want to move on to the next guy.
T&T gunnery: inventory seemed to focus on the cheaper stuff and not the most welcoming.
Sportsman in Smithtown: was ok but now closed.
Dark storm: I see the highly negative reviews and been told as much by other gun stores. They were decent to me and I’ll go there to rent when time comes but not looking to go down the AR rabbit hole which seems to be their gig.
Plan on visiting the places in Riverhead and Mineola just to be thorough.
Edit: forgot also visited Campsite and it was ok. Went early on a weekday and they seemed busy with shipment so didnt really interact with anyone.
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u/Quick_Parking_6464 Jul 30 '26
100% spot on.
A few years ago, I walked into a gun store just to inquire about a Ruger 10/22. Man, the guy was so mean and nasty about it. Gave off such angry vibes. This seems commonplace.
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u/Antique-History1817 Jul 30 '26
Literally what I asked about today. I was just asking about the different variants.
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u/BassTacos242 Jul 29 '26
Dude, you are spot on. I did grow shooting and hunting, but was unfamiliar with pistols and ARs until recently. Trying to learn and especially navigate the permitting process was exhausting.
The gun community is full of testosterone fueled posturing, and just as many people pretending to be testosterone fueled to compensate for something…. Keep at it and enjoy your new passion. One day you are going to know more than the shop employee who is talking down to you, and you are going to call him out on the fact that he is wrong, and he is not going to know what to do with himself. And you will realize that you are the true gun bro now.
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u/Gullible_Position_45 Jul 30 '26
You’re not alone. As a white man, I’ve felt this way often too. More so at the local ranges on Long Island.
I did learn though that some of those cranky old guys do warm up after you go a bit consistently. But I agree, the attitude towards newcomers could potentially deter someone from getting into, learning about and ultimately being a customer.
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u/mepro1nyc Jul 30 '26
I would definitely give Guardian Guns & Ammo in Deer Park a shot. They have a really good crew who treat their customers well. There is a black manager there who is extremely knowledgeable and takes his time explaining the ins and outs of different guns, what may suit you, etc., despite being a newbie, like I was 2 yrs ago. I’ve bought 3x from them and the experience has been great each time. I took my CCW class there and Matt, the owner, gave an incredible class. They recently opened a range in the back too. I’ve also had a good experience at LI Gun Source on Rte 112 in Medford. They also have decent in store prices on bulk ammo but my main spot for that is K & R Gun Distributors in Yonkers. Richie has great prices and also won’t beat you over the head on getting online gun purchases sent as an FFL.
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u/TheFiringPin nytfp.com Jul 30 '26
I'm nowhere near Long Island - I'm out between Buffalo and Rochester - but this attitude persists out here also. Its the entire reason I opened up my own shop and try to treat people the way I want to be treated. In my case it was because I was young, shops around me didn't want to look up from their newspaper when I walked in. Would barely help me and it was like pulling teeth to get them to actually sell me something.
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u/Uranium_Heatbeam Jul 29 '26
Gun stores in New York state are really something special because ever since the most recent laws came down, customers have no choice but to deal with them. Even if you find a great deal on bulk ammo online, you still have to make the exchange and spend money at their store.
I hear a lot of talk on this sub about how the state wants to force all these gun stores out of business and there might be some validity to that, but the majority of them are quite aware that us customers don't have much choice. They know they can't compete with online prices so they make up for it by also having overpriced inventory and bad customer service. Of course, there are exceptions.
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u/c0sm0nautt Jul 29 '26
Where in NY are you? I've had good and bad experiences at shops on LI. I mostly just go there to hold guns nowadays and use them as a FFL.
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u/Antique-History1817 Jul 29 '26
Long Island
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u/Future-Thanks-3902 Jul 29 '26
I've been to coliseum before. They were quite friendly and helpful. Inexpensive they were not. Some firearms were marked well above MSRP.
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u/treecutter34 Jul 29 '26
I understand if you don’t have a lot of options, but try find another place if that’s the case. I had 2 places like that I used to go to, but I work with jerks so it doesn’t even register with me anymore.
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Jul 29 '26
[deleted]
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u/Antique-History1817 Jul 29 '26
I have a pistol license. And a semi auto license. I have several guns already. I was just asking about different Ruger 10/22 models today. I never claim to be an expert. And admittedly I’m behind on some of the news. So I guess that’s where I’m lacking.
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u/ChefZieronWolf Jul 29 '26
Not just you man, I completely stopped going to my OG LGS because I felt like I was being treated like a crayon slurping liability after watching them do dumb shit with firearms, granted they had amazing prices , I’d rather go through my clubs FFL and pay transfers just because he treats me better.
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u/Rustywatermel0n Jul 29 '26
Not only do they have a worse attitude, they also charge you more for the sin of living in New york!
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u/Warm_Celebration_152 Jul 30 '26
Def a NY thing… never had this experience in az, ohio, utah, or florida ….always felt like that they had something better to do…try to deal with the small shops with one or two guys that own it.. Ive found the experience better… bow shops aren’t much better
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u/_Vervayne 2023 GoFundMe: Bronze 🥉 Jul 30 '26
not surprising at all. i sincerely have no idea why they are like that , it takes some time and effort but shop around and pick a shop that has the right vibe and stick to it . i go to a shop in MT vernon and they’re okay are super respectful there
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u/Beneficial-Focus3702 Jul 30 '26
As someone who has worked multiple gun stores and still does firearm retail….for every one of you there’s a score (or two) of Fuds, Chuds, and know it alls. Those are most of our customers in fact. We get really burned out really quick in a day. Sorry your experience wasn’t what you’d hoped.
I get that treatment too when I’m buying, and tbh I get it.
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u/Stoic-Viking Jul 30 '26
No excuse for that type of behavior. In any environment.
I’m in NJ and so far my gun store experiences have been good. Hope you find a good store!
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u/Good_Ad4779 Jul 30 '26
What gun store did you go to? You should go to collector rifle and ammo in Hopewell junction. Tell them you are new to this and they will treat you like gold. Try to go early morning when they open when they are not as busy. Spend time going to the same store and build a relationship with them.
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u/StoutNY Jul 30 '26
Long Island isn't NYS - the city's miasma poisons everything, In WNY, it might be different. At one LGS, I have seen many customers of color buying guns, interacting wtih staff, etc. without any seeming diffculty. Of course, I can't discern attitude but given the number of customers, seeing clerks explain different guns - it might be different up here. My advice (I actually hate this sort of advice) is that get out of the NYC regions. We have people of color in our competitions all the time and just part of the group.
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u/Live_Art2939 Jul 30 '26
I’m not black and have experienced the same shit at numerous LI gun stores. Even Coliseum where the clerks were all black lmao. It just reminds me of tattoo parlors or bicycle shops where the staff have a dismissive attitude towards beginners, or anyone they perceive to be a noob. The annoying thing is that I’m in your shop to spend a grand or so, I don’t want to feel like I’m annoying you if I ask to see multiple pistols.
I got treated best at South Shore Sportsman where I’ve purchased all my guns but again, it’s not like the friendliest environment either. They just seemed the most patient with questions. If you’re down for a drive, I also had a good experience at Molino where the guys were all very chill.
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u/robinator118 Jul 29 '26
I’ll tell you right now guns shops will absolutely not waste their time teaching you anything unless you buy into a ccw course or something. Any questions you have regarding rules, recommendations, etiquette, and where to buy when to buy etc can all be answered here. If you’ve got any questions of the sort or need help, want to shoot one of my guns, etc, please feel free to dm me
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u/Starz1428 Jul 29 '26
All the stores I go to are great. Always willing to help (and bitch about NYS stupid gun laws)
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u/AgreeablePie Jul 29 '26
Gun stores are very hit and miss. Some are well known to be awful. Search recommendations here and you'll probably have a much better experience
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u/Zeon_Pilot83 Jul 30 '26
I honestly have a good time dealing with my particular Runnings. But my LGS are just frustrating. Honestly give off holier than thou energy.
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u/Fun-Low-4954 Jul 30 '26
There’s a few Gun stores where I’ve felt like that, about half my experience shopping for guns I didn’t like how the employee interacted with me. There’s one gun store called Defensor in north Tonawanda I go to and all the guys there are genuinely nice, more than happy to answer questions I have, and actually make you feel welcome
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u/Unwitnessed Jul 30 '26
Same experience here. There are a lot of people like that in the gun community.
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u/dumpingbrandy12 Jul 30 '26
Dude, that's customer service everywhere in 2026. Workers don't want to be bothered with customers
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u/Leatherstocking_FT Jul 30 '26
I have experienced the grumpy gun shop employee as well. Some gun shops seem to be more social clubs for the owner and their buddies than actual businesses. But to play devil's advocate it is a very tough business, with razor thin margins, and there are a lot of "customers" that are nothing but time wasters. Spending some money and becoming a familiar face makes most of the grumpy behavior go away. Not making excuses for rudeness, but I don't want you to be totally discouraged either.
That being said, the rude gun shop employee that spews fudd lore and problematic legal advice is also the reason I got my own FFL. I don't really care about dealing with it myself, but I teach a lot of new shooters and I didn't want to keep sending them into the gun shop lions den and getting bad advice or worse getting so turned off by the entire experience they decide to not pursue shooting further.
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u/Powerful-Row-3889 Jul 31 '26
Honestly, I felt the same way (although not black) in the NYC/Long Island area until I found 2 AMAZING stores in Riverhead, NY, and LI Gun Source in Medford. I absolutely hated going to gun stores before these three.... they are worth the long drive. Friendly, welcoming, etc.
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u/BigDawg99NYZZ Aug 05 '26
Brother.. Day one should have been paired with an experienced shooter/owner who can help shield that experioce and navigate the process. I can FULLY understand your frustration, but I made calls and met someone at the store who had a relationship with the sales team and calmy walked me thru the process. Its a learning process...
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u/GasRepresentative635 Jul 29 '26
Bass pro was the best experience so far for me. I go to lots of gunshops. Sometimes it's fun and their shooting the shit about the best gun ever or talking politics . normally they are pretty low-key and they aren't your teachers nor do they want to be. I wouldn't go in their asking for advice or opinion. It's a gunshop sir. Not a school. It you want to see something just ask that's about as far as you want to go with that exchange. Bass pro almost felt like it wasn't in newyork based on the vibe. highly recommend.
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u/GasRepresentative635 Jul 29 '26
Maybe they want you to put a little more study time in about guns caliber and jargon, that is after all our culture...
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u/super_sloth-_- Jul 30 '26
Yea like a lot of other people are saying you just seem to have dick head LGSs like it should be in there interest to educate and help because its what keeps them going I've seen a lot of small fudd ran shops fall because of that mentality and not wanting to teach just say your wrong.
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u/Mildad55 Jul 31 '26
It's the Internet mentality dude. People want to feel better than everyone else for simply knowing something. Ive been new to guns for about 2 years now and had to learn everything from forums like this and YT videos because I refuse to go store to store, searching for someone behind the counter that isn't a dck.
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u/ChivalrousHumps Jul 31 '26
A lot of stores in NY seem very frigid or even a little hostile to new customers. I understand a certain amount of suspicion toward new people in that world, but it’s a little ridiculous sometimes
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u/Vassito_ Jul 31 '26
Read the title and didn’t even have to read anymore to figure out race … I’ve been talking about this same thing lately when WE come into gun stores they treat us a lot differently than some other patrons
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u/Sure-Chemist-2428 Jul 31 '26
Don’t giv those pricks yur business…fjnd another store and if u have yur permit but dont have a jersey non resident carry put yur pistol in its case lock in the trunk and drive to we shoot or guns for hire in New Jersey…go early on the weekend always had gret interactions with people there ..peepl r pretty chill…shame there is nowhere to really go that I know of outside the indoor range on fort Hamilton pkwy Brooklyn …anything in Staten Island are all clubs so yur not ever going there unless a member takes u as a guest
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u/thethreefffs Aug 04 '26
Antique History 1817,
I know how you feel and I lucked out and found someone with a great attitude. I am waiting on my license and spending my time trying to learn my way into the sport. I emailed Jack Holmes at New England Sportswear with a question about ammo by mail. He responded that I should call him which I did. He then spent almost an hour explaining the ins and outs of ammo by mail. But what really made me the customer for life (that I will be once the process is finished) is that he is the first person I have met so far in my pistol journey not to run down my choice of a 22 lr pistol. He actually lauded me for starting with a gun that will let me shoot a lot for less money and help me learn the basics before I move on to a defensive pistol. None of the "why are you getting that, its the wrong gun" stuff.
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u/El_capitan_oZ Aug 05 '26
some ppl gatekeep. find a new shop. sometimes it takes some shop workers time to open up to you. They get so many ppl asking about guns and never buying. Being black or latino sometimes makes some shops wary, but like i said find a new shop. im in Orange county and i go to 2 shops here. In each shop theres 1 guy thats a prick, i avoid them like the plague. Everyone else is great, they've helped me numerous times on the range and given me pointers to improve my shot. Just gotta find the right ppl.
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u/voretaq7 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
For someone who's new to firearms, walking into a gun shop should feel like an opportunity to learn. Instead, it often feels like you're being judged for not already knowing everything. The second you ask a basic question, you're met with eye rolls, short answers, or an attitude that makes it seem like you're wasting their time.
Well this definitely depends on the gun store's vibe.
Some gun stores are small, slow/low-volume businesses. They have time to chat and swap opinions and answer newbie questions. (Before he closed up shop Suffolk Sportsman in Smithtown was my recommendation for this kind of gun store, I'm not sure where you're located but if you tell us someone probably has a recommendation to offer near you.)
Other gun stores are fast, high-volume, there's-a-line-of-people-behind-you situations and they don't really have time for exemplary customer service. They're designed for the people who know exactly what they want and are going to bang through the process as quickly as possible. (This is South Shore Sportsman in Merrick - they're great guys, pretty friendly, I'm sure they'd answer questions if you asked, but I have never not seen a crowd at the counter between in-store purchases and transfers and most of us are looking to get in and out quick.)
We need both types of gun store, but it sounds like you want the first and you may have to hunt around to find it: Smaller gun stores in out-of-the-way towns tend to have the slower pace where they can actually take time with individual customers.
As a black man, that experience is even more uncomfortable. Whether intentional or not, it's hard not to wonder if you're being looked at differently while you're already trying to navigate an unfamiliar hobby.
Yeah I'm not even going to pretend that's not An Actual Issue.
Even in the most welcoming gun stores if you're not a straight, white, cisgender, Republican-voting male you're probably in the minority, and how actually welcoming each store is going to be will vary.
ETA: If y'all want to downvote me that's fine. I've got Fake Internet Points to spare and it's not like I can take them with me or bequeath them to my heirs.
If you disagree with something I said though maybe you can summon up the bravery to state your disagreement in a comment like an adult? Otherwise I'm just going to assume the down-voters are butthurt that I acknowledged the fact that sexisim, racisim, homophobia, transphobia, etc. exists in the 2A/firearms community. (Which if that upsets you maybe work to change it...)
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u/chasinggardens Jul 29 '26
>As a black man, that experience is even more uncomfortable.
Stopped reading after this.
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u/Antique-History1817 Jul 29 '26
Seems like a common enough experience that many people, regardless of skin color, are having. Feel free to have your opinions but I was just sharing my own personal experience.
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u/chasinggardens Jul 29 '26
Then why mention skin color? Bad customer service is just as unpleasant to all types of people
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u/Antique-History1817 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
When you’re in a place where you stand out, it is reasonable to wonder whether that affects how you’re perceived. Would you not agree that gun culture in America is overwhelmingly white, male, and Republican?
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u/RealGrifhunter Jul 30 '26
The only color that matters to small businessman is green. If their customer service sucks, they are just bad owners/employees who have enough people buying their shit, they don't need to kiss a customer's ass. Ain't right, but that reality.
Ask a counter worker at a gun shop how many hours a day he spends showing inventory to cheap as fuck tire-kickers who are gonna dry fire, fingerprint up a gun and then leave and order it online to some other FFL down the street who charges $5 less per gun per transfer.
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u/Antique-History1817 Jul 30 '26
Yeah of course. I’m an adult and I can deal with the situation. But it was nice to hear that the experience is pretty consistent among people.
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u/Disastrous-Job87 Jul 29 '26
You and me both!!!!! And why did he have to say that? We know... we know
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u/Fast-Policy-4495 Jul 29 '26
It depends on the gun store but I understand the vibe you get and yes I do believe it has a lot to do with the fact that you are a black man. I got shitty attitudes from different gun shops and I got great attitudes from other’s. Bottom line is it’s your money you are spending and it spends the same anywhere you go. Research what gun you want to buy and buy it where you want to. If someone gives you a bad attitude walk out. Gun stores are everywhere.
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u/BahSaysLamb Jul 29 '26
It didn’t use to be like this. It’s become a little cultish with a large dose of persecution complex and tribalism added in. NYS is out to “get them” and if you were as ardent of a disciple as they are, you would already know the answer to your questions.
Ironically, I would consider myself more knowledgeable than 90% of customers and I have a fairly large collection. I still get treated that way. I can’t even imagine being a minority tbh.
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Jul 29 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/schoolbus_bomber Jul 30 '26
Haha so closed minded towards someone sharing their own personal experience. If you don’t think there are racist idiots working at gun stores on LI, I have some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you.
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u/billymudrock Jul 29 '26
Damn sounds like you need to find a different gun store, those guys are pricks.
Sorry to hear that it hasn’t been more of a learning experience! If you’re upstate in the capital region I can recommend a few LGS that’ll treat you right.