Sportsman's Supply in Butler, PA

[JCF191101]

Sportsman’s Supply is where I usually go to buy my firearms. I’ve had good and bad experiences there depending on which “counter guy” you draw. As has been mentioned Curt (the mountain man) is an open book for great information and a pleasure to deal with. I’ve had bad experiences with several others up there who generally act like I’m wasting their time.

Their prices can be very competitive at times. Usually it’s very well within reason and better than other local shops. Which is why I keep going back to be honest. I usually know what I want before I even leave the house so if the price is right I’ll put up with some attitude to be honest.

When I bought by 442 they were $10 higher than Buds which IMHO is an excellent place to be. But last week when I bought my M&P9 I did pay quite a bit more than what I was under the impression was the going rate as I shelled out $529.00 for the gun with an out the door price of $569. I thought that was a bit high for an M&P9 but hey, I was willing to pay it because I wanted to go home with it that day. Capitalism works like that and I’ve no problem with it.

[elitefirearms]

Originally Posted by 2dogs

I am glad to hear it.

I have been there several times over the years, and I always leave shaking my head. Service was okay at best. My most recent visit they tried to steer me toward what they had, as opposed to what I was looking for. I was told Stoeger Cougars were not possible to get. Sportsman's Warehouse & Gander had them, and continued to restock them. From about 5 guys that I know, they get a big thumbs down! Again, maybe things have changed, but I made two visits in the past 12 months.

As for cheap, again, I have to disagree. Look online for prices & you will see cheap. I would prefer to buy locally, but not at a place that has high prices & an attitude. The best price/service in a local shop that I have seen is in Saltsburg. Check out Bee's Guns & you won't make a trip back to Sporstman's Supply.

I know defending a "competitor" dosent make sense but some gun manufactures like Stoeger, Benelli, Beretta,Kimber and a few others want a huge commitment when you want to carry their products. For example Kimber wants me to throw down 15k just to carry their guns and for some stores that is to large a price for the guns (especially Kimbers). So just because they dont carry Stoeger guns dosent mean they are a bad shop. It just mean they dont carry that brand. I dont carry Stoeger because you have to be a Beretta dealer to get them (which requires a substancial commitment to them). Also remember when you buy off of the internet I always tell people to add at least $75 to the price for shipping ($35) and transfer (ours is $40). And if you have problems with that gun you have no one to turn to. Your pretty much on your own. Its always good to keep the buisness local and if you keep your local gun shop happy it will pay off when you need help the most.

[2dogs]

Originally Posted by elitefirearms

I know defending a "competitor" dosent make sense but some gun manufactures like Stoeger, Benelli, Beretta,Kimber and a few others want a huge commitment when you want to carry their products. For example Kimber wants me to throw down 15k just to carry their guns and for some stores that is to large a price for the guns (especially Kimbers). So just because they dont carry Stoeger guns dosent mean they are a bad shop. It just mean they dont carry that brand. I dont carry Stoeger because you have to be a Beretta dealer to get them (which requires a substancial commitment to them). Also remember when you buy off of the internet I always tell people to add at least $75 to the price for shipping ($35) and transfer (ours is $40). And if you have problems with that gun you have no one to turn to. Your pretty much on your own. Its always good to keep the buisness local and if you keep your local gun shop happy it will pay off when you need help the most.

Thanks for the explanation of how the process works. Again, I was told that they were impossible to get. If the shop had told me what you said, I would have left with a different mindset. I felt as if they were lying to me, especially when there were so many other shops that had them on the shelf. Others have posted that they have had them (cougars) there recently. I can only speak from my experience.

As far as the other stuff - I tend to agree, and I would prefer to buy locally. However, a lot of online shops offer free shipping, and if the total cost to me is approaching a difference of a hundred dollars, I am buying online.

Finally - attitude makes all the difference. As I mentioned, and others have as well, there are some people at that shop that should find another line of work. Some are downright rude. I refuse to spend my money at a shop that treats me poorly.

That said, I know I will return to Sportsman's Supply and give them another chance. From what others have posted, it seems as if there are some good guys there.

[JCF191101]

Buying online is almost always cheaper. Buds has free shipping plus you aren’t getting hit with the tax. It’s basically the price you see with the addition of a $25 transfer fee. Ordering from Buds I would have spent around $510 instead of the $569.

I’m willing to spend an extra $50-$60 to keep the business local though. If we don’t support the local shops then the internet will be our only option. I don’t want to see a time where the local gun shops fail to exist in my area.

[Lone Wolf]

Sportsmans Supply are FAR from perfect, but they are much better in selection and price than the Fudd shops here in Armstrong County.

[kg32a]

I've been going to Sportman's Supply for 30 years, since I was 10 years old. It's disappointing that I haven't bought a gun there for years because of the poor service.

In the past 3 months I've bought 8 guns and none of them have been from Sportsmans Supply. I live 3 miles from their shop and I've been to their store at least 6 times in the last 3 months. It always amazes me how horrible their service is and that they make me feel like a pain in the ass for asking to see anything in the gun case.

Curt is the exception there. I had questions about gun safes and he spent 20 minutes walking me through their offerings and talking about the options. He was extremely helpful and I appreciated his time.

I stopped in there last week with $1000 in my pocket itching to get something new and no one would even talk to me. There were three guys working at 5:30pm, one talking on the phone and two eating dinner. I looked in the case, which one of the guys was eating on, and at no time did anyone ask if I needed help, did I want to see anything, etc. They talked to each other as if I wasn't there so I said heck with it and drove home.

The prices there are really good on some of their stuff but sometimes it's just not worth the hassle.

[Koli01]

I like the place for the same reason that some of you hate it. For me buying a firearm is a personal experience. I have to touch it, feel, it .....it has to speak to me. I don't need some salesman yapping in my ear. I like to be left alone to check stuff out.

Also, if you are not going to step up and ask for what you want. Go back to your basement, get on your computer, and order online. You'll have a so much more rewarding experience.

[XD45]

Originally Posted by Koli01

I like the place for the same reason that some of you hate it. For me buying a firearm is a personal experience. I have to touch it, feel, it .....it has to speak to me. I don't need some salesman yapping in my ear. I like to be left alone to check stuff out.

Also, if you are not going to step up and ask for what you want. Go back to your basement, get on your computer, and order online. You'll have a so much more rewarding experience.

Agreed.



On another note they are having ruger days today threw the 16th, ruger LCP's for $319, and $20 off all other firearms(thats the way their all website states it, not sure if thats ALL other firearms, or all other ruger firearms). A sales rep will be there the 13th and 14th

[Paradigm]

I'm not a Ruger guy, but I may just have to stop by. Thanks for the tip!

[XD45]

Originally Posted by Paradigm

I'm not a Ruger guy, but I may just have to stop by. Thanks for the tip!

I'm gonna pick up an LCP to replace my P3AT, besides that not many of their guns catch my eye. Wouldn't mind checking out their new LCR and doing 21questions w/ the rep on it, but I don't see him changing my mind on how stupid of an idea it is.