Posted: 4/2/2005 6:18:49 PM EDT
| What good gun shops, ranges, etc are there around Springfield? I'm headed there for a portrait setting and want to do something fun while there. |
Ozarks Shooting Complex is on Highway 65 about 2/3 of the way to Branson. They have Sporting Clays, rifle and pistol ranges. Bass Pro Headquarters has a fine gun room with a few interesting guns you won't see in every shop around. Someone else will have to fill you in on the gunshops in Springfield; the last time I knew where all of them were was 1979. |
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417Guns and Steve's Guns are on south Campbell, on the way to Ozark. Gunslinger's is east of Bass Pro Shops on Sunshine. Those are the only places I go around here. If you're into milsurp, Ozark Gun Traders in Ozark (duh!) has a fine selection of Mausers and other C&R stuff. Bass Pro has an indoor pistol range and a rifle tube. Andy Dalton is a supervised MDC range in Bois D'Arc, and if you head south past Ozark on HWY 65 you'll come across Busiek State Forest which has an unsupervised range with 25, 50 and 100 yard berms. |
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Ozark Knife and Gun has a LOT of neat stuff! They can be a little pricey, and unfortunately, have recently tried to take advantage of a few customers. But it is well worth going to look! I will also praise 417guns, and their prices/service. Bass Pro is a must. Never been to Ozark Shooter's S.C., but Busiek, is not all that great. Lots of idiots there on weekends, usually trashed-out, and you get a feeling of being "watched" from the hills... Lots of good places to eat, here!!! |
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I'm specifically referring to 2 incidents I witnessed. One, was a customer wanting to special order a side-scope mount for an AK. You know, the ones you pick up around $40? Dan thumbed thru a Shotgun News, found one, and showed the pic to the customer (his thumb covering the price). After the customer confirmed it is what he wanted, Dan began punching on the calculator, and quoted $165! Now if the customer wanted one with the scope already in the mount, he could get it for $399. I left, went to Barnes and Noble, and found that issue of SN. I found the ad, and lo and behold, the mount was $34.95. That is crap. The scope/mount combo was $119. Another was a customer who wanted to purchase a Kimber. He said he really wanted a Hi-Cap firearm, but liked the Kimber. They told him you could buy Hi-cap mags for it. He listened and had them check prices for him, on the mags. When they began trying to sell him 10 rounders, he just shook his head, and walked to the door, waiting for them to buzz him out. I also brought a new shooter there, who had cash in hand to buy an AR. He asked lots of questions, and handled many brands/types of ARs. Eventually, Dan told him "we are not a museum. You either buy something or stop looking". We walked right out, went shopping elsewhere. He picked up a preban Bushy for $975. Ozark Knife's loss. They are worth looking at, because of the variety and number of arms they have in stock. Every time I had made a purchase from them in the past, they have worked well with me in bickering over the price. They probably give more on trades than any other shop in the area. But when they treat people like that, I won't buy there again. Look yes, buy no. 417guns will get you anything! And they will actually appreciate your business! |
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Steves is in the process of moving to a new building in Nixa. 417 is in the same strip mall Steves was in. I have known Steve for years and he can be difficult but often has some really off the wall or hard to get stuff. I have heard the guy at 417 is super nice and will spend all the time it takes to answer your questions. Never been in there myself. Bass Pro has started carrying pistols again and not just the Ruger 22 and revolvers. Were talking semi auto centerfire stuff. Guess they saw the light after the CCW passed. Still have the range but you can only shoot slowly- no fast double taps or speed stuff. Leven Gun Works just north of town has a good selection of Glocks and probably the best price for them. Only open on Wed, thurs and Friday though. |
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Brent at 417 Guns is absolutely first class. I've dealt with him on several transactions. He is attentive, honest, and kindly natured. The beautiful thing about capitalism is the fact that a bit of competition does the small community here a great deal of good. Long live 417 Guns. And Steve's well..... lol myitinaw |