OT: Gun shops in South Florida

[SFRanger7GP]

I live in South Florida and have yet to find a good gun shop. There is a pawn shop that is close to the house. The owners are real nice and will order anything I want as well as transfer stuff I buy from other dealers. However, their main market is military style weapons and "black guns". That seems to dominate the market here in South Florida. For accessories and other goodies I end up driving to Gander Mountain in Palm Beach Gardens or ordering from good old Cabelas. Browsing for firearms? I have yet to find a place.

Does anyone know of any gun shops in Florida that carry more traditional style firearms? Do they offer decent prices to buy used firearms? I have had good luck with selling on gunbroker but I travel so much I just do not have the time. Combine that with the frustration of shipping now days and it is often better to settle for less money to avoid the hassles. I am trying to cull the herd down and get rid of all the safe queens. However, it seems like I sell 2 and buy 1!

[Catshooter]

SF,

You don't say where in south Florida you are hunting for a good candy store.

I am new to south Florida (Largo), and I too am still searching for what I consider a good one. Evil Black Rifles are the rage, it's us types who are backwards these days.

I'll keep ya posted, do the same for me, would ya?

Thanks.


Cat

[SFRanger7GP]

I'm outside of Fort Lauderdale.

[Bruce]

A few years back, there was a decent shop in West Palm Beach - right off Military Trail. Just can't remember the name of it. The other one that comes to mind is in Stuart, but that is another hour north and guess what? I can't remember the name of it either.

I lived in Loxahatchee for 5 1/2 years (job requirement) and I must say one thing.

One of the happiest days of my life was looking in the rear view mirror and seeing the Palm Beach County sign for the last time!

Does anyone know of any gun shops in Florida that carry more traditional style firearms?

Yes. Just get on I 95 or I 75 and go north. After about 5 or 6 hours, when the air is fresh, the people friendly and there are real native trees - just stop and ask and there will be a shop nearby.

If you get to the Deland area, there are a few good shops near there. Ocala has a few also. Believe it or not, Jacksonville has a few (Green Acres is one) and thier gun shows are not bad. Lakeland has some real good shops and there is one downtown where the owner is top notch to deal with. He has an Army/Navy type store and again, I can't recall the exact name but it is something like Vet's. The gun show(s) around Orlando are sometimes a good source. The shows in Lakeland can not be beat IMHO. Try to go to the one's put on there by the Lakeland Rifle and Pistol Club (http://lrpc.org/LRPCwebsite/) at the Lakeland Center and you will be very happy. There is another organization that holds shows there, but not in the LRPC class.

The absolute best traditional type shop that I have ever known is right here in the small north Florida town of Mayo. Daddy's Gun Shop (I have no ties). He has a very good selection, is fair and treats his customers right.

Here are a few unusual levergun examples he had this morning. NIB, top eject Winchester Wrangler 16" barrel, 1 of 300 (engraved receiver) 32 WS (no saftey or rebounding hammer) SRC for the low 700's. Winchester Model 88, 284 Win in about (conservative) 90% condition for low 1,200's. A consignment Winchester 1894 32-40 w/ octagon (20") barrel and 3/4 mag for low 900's in VGC. These are all collector grade rifles.

[SFRanger7GP]

Bruce, I think you are spot on about the driving north for 5-6 hours. We moved here a little over 2 years ago (took a new job) and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't say "I want to go back to Texas". Sounds like I need to take a road trip to North Florida. My wife and I were talking about driving up to Tampa this morning to go to the Px at McDill. Maybe we should drive a little further and see some gunshops.

I have found more hunting/shooting friends in Argentina than I have found around here in South Florida. This forum is great to read and comment on hunting and firearms with like minded people.

[RIHMFIRE]

theres a bass pro off the florida turnpike...
about 15 minutes north of kendall....and south of sunrise....
they have guns and hunting but cater to fishing....

[SFRanger7GP]

Thanks, RIHMFIRE. I have been to the Bass Pro Shop there and the one in Miami. They make Bass Pro Shop look BAD. I think I own more hunting gear and firearms than they have on display. The Gander Mountain at Palm Beach Gardens is much better.

[dr walker]

I am on the west coast, but much of the same here. Although we do have a decent local gun shop. It is a smaller shop with great prices and they actually have reloading equipment and supplies. Rusty had posted at some point of a good gunshop in Okeechobee, but I dont know the details.

[Bruce]

Just a note about buying guns in the Tampa/St. Pete areas. There is/was a three day waiting period on long guns in those two counties, even at gun shows. I went to a show in Tampa once, never again. That is probably one reason the Lakeland show has so many good private collections for sale.

[CaptainFinn]

SFRanger7GP, I moved out of South Florida four years ago and never looked back. Mot of the gun stores were the small 'pawn shop' variety and I didn't see too many that kept a inventory other then used guns. There was a S & W stocking dealer called 'Guns and Knives' out on 441 in Davie, and a smaller place called Al's out in Pembroke Park.

I used 'Only The Best' firearms in Pompano for ordering/transferring my firearms. One caveat, they are pretty much a black rifle/tactical pistol/class III shop. Not a lot of traditional stuff on display. In-stock items are mostly assault rifles and high-end pistols, but Vito (the owner) always handled transfers quickly and efficiently.

There is a SASS club that meets in West Broward at Markham Park, the Gold Coast Gunslingers (1st Saturday of each month). Most of the members are more of the levergun/traditional firearms crowd, if you stop by they'll welcome you with open arms and I'm sure more then a few of them can recommend some decent gunshops.

[Pete44ru]

I ran accross three pretty good gunshops the last time I was in Florida (think Gulf coast).

I disremember their names, but here's where they are:

1) Port Charlotte, Tamaimi Trail (RT 41)

2) Downtown Sarasota (Main St ?)

3) South 1/2 mile off Rte 4, at the 1st exit East of the big Seminole gambling casino that's about 10 miles East of Tampa.

.