March 03, 2009
Looking for a good gun store?
Unfortunately, good gun stores are few and far between, at least in Southern California. I did an on-line search for "Best Gun Stores" and found this posted on a gun forum:
Best: The California Rifleman. Paul is great on customer service. Better than any other gun store I have ever been to. It is a small shop with a relatively small selection, but the friendly atmosphere more than makes up for it. They also have great prices. The other owner is not nearly as friendly, but OK.
I can vouch for the accuracy of that post. The California Rifleman was located in Ventura, and it was the best small gun store I've ever found, with an owner who went out of his way to answer any and all questions without complaint; gladly took special orders; and charged better-than-fair prices.
I was quite disappointed when a family squabble resulted in Paul closing up shop, leaving Ventura without anyone interested in customer service.
The same forum yielded this comment on what was perhaps my least favorite gun store:
Worst by far: is H&S sales. The owner Harry is an A@@h@@e. I walked into his store once with a $1000 bucks in my pocket ready to pick up my Kimber Tactical Pro. After looking and not seeing one in his case I asked him how much one would cost, He looked at me and said " I will not waste my time figuring it out unless you have money for it." I said well then I would hate to waste my money on your time, I guess I will spend it else where. Previously I had asked him to look at something in his case and he said unless I was buying somthing he was not going to waste his time showing me anything. Well over 10 guns later he can kiss my money good buy.
A few posts later, this fellow wanted to set right a grievous injustice to the proprietor.
I've purchased a few guns from Harry at H&S. You unfairly characterize him as rude and arrogant wtih no customer service skills.
To be fair, you should have also said he is a racist.
While I can't vouch for Harry's racist nature, I always got the impression that he hated all customers equally, regardless of race, creed or color.
I ordered my wife's Remington Wingmaster 20-gauge Youth Model from Harry; it was as unpleasant a buying experience as I've ever had, and when I left the store with it tucked under my arm, I vowed never to buy another from him.
Within a couple of years Harry's store was gone, leaving Ventura with only one more independently-owned lousy gun store and the local Big 5 sporting goods. Before you know it, Big 5 was the only player left, and their selection was awful.
But there's a happy ending to this tale: Paul's back in action. I visited his new store, located in Ventura's East End.
Business was booming, thanks to Obama's stated desire to revive the Assault Weapons Ban, and Paul was his friendly self, fielding questions and special orders with a smile and a laugh.
He tells me he'll be moving back to the better part of town within the next couple of weeks, but until then you can visit him here:
Uncle Paul's Exchange, 1107 Scandia Ave., Unit A, Ventura, or give him a call at (805) 659-5000.
Best little gun store in SoCal, I guarantee it.
Posted by Mike Lief at March 3, 2009 09:32 PM
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Comments
I visited Uncle Paul's the other day after reading the post. Great staff, very helpful. I guess I expected "Uncle" Paul to be a geezer, but actually he seems younger than your little brother. Small store, for sure . . . don't plan to swing a shotgun in a wide arc to see how it feels. Smallish inventory, but deliveries came twice while I was there so they are building it up. Great addition to the community.
Posted by: The Little Coach at March 6, 2009 12:23 PM
We discovered Uncle Paul's Exchange at a gun show in Ventura and we were impressed. I have since purchased a Glock, a Springfield XD, and 9mm ammo from Uncle Paul's. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. If I ever need anything else, Uncle Paul's will be my first stop. So far, I haven't had to look elsewhere.
New address:
Uncle Paul's Exchange
2057 Goodyear Avenue, Unit J
Ventura, CA 93003
805-659-5000
Posted by: Nancy at January 26, 2010 09:09 PM