doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Dick's Sporting Goods, Fairfax, Va.

I can't believe they wouldn't sell handguns....

As for guns for the masses, my brother in law bought a 20 ga Remington pump are few months ago. What a piece of junk....I actually cut my hand on the vent rib - it was so poorly 'cut' it had little saw teeth.

I have seen much the same 'lack of knowledge'=lack of interest even at the dedicated hunting shooting stores such as Cabela's and Bass Pro, especially in both of their 'fine gun rooms'(?) Every now and then you do find an individual who has it together and can be informative - knows what they are talking about - and helpful to the point of offering correct product suggestions when something isn't in stock. It is a rarity however. At the old Galyans store in St. Louis - now Dicks - they have a young fellow working in the Hunting Lodge who has more gun/ammo knowledge than many dedicated gun shop owners and is personable to boot. Come to find out his father was an executive with one of the big three ammo companies and he was brought up in a shooting/hunting environment. At $9/hour or whatever he makes I don't expect he'll be there long.

Northern VA is congested place with few "native" Virginians. Places like: Gander Mtn., Cabelas, BassPro,....need local Bubba who eats what he shoots to sustain them!

Not defending them,but Dicks business plan,which has been very successful on a regional to national expansion,is to play to the items which carry the best margins. UnderArmour, Croc's, Nike, and Garmin are good examples.Handguns for instance,are labor intensive,have different laws in different states and are very low margin and high capitol outlay.No need to put them on the shelves.Much better margins in the ammo,cases,and cleaning suppiles.
If you want handguns,used guns and somewhat knowledgeable sales people support the local gun shop.

Those Chinese made Hobo-style Croc's are nearly $30 at Gander Mtn. I would not pay $5 for that molded plastic POS.

They don't do much for me either(same for IPODS) but evidently we are out of the loop as they,CROX, can not make them fast enough.
Stock has made lots of people very rich too !

http://finance.yahoo.com/charts#chart1:s...ource=undefined

beats the heck out of a money market !

The Dick's in Portsmouth is an embarrassment to the neighborhood.
The stuff there is a far cry from the quality of that found in the Kittery Trading Post and L L Bean just up the road.
I hesitate to say this, as it might be construed as snobist, but it reminds me of WalMart.
Then again, perhaps much can be said of being the destination of the average Joe that just needs some stuff.
As stated, this is not the most comfortable place for the guy that is used to talking fine guns, good shooting and single malt Scotch.
I am not talking deep pockets but speaking of guys that do what they can to live the good life and association with what provides same.
Best,
John

I resemble that!

Dick's Sporting Goods and Gander Mountain is the very reason you should make the trip down to Green Top Sporting Goods in Glen Allen, Virginia.

Great selection of both new and used guns, plenty of ammunition, and a knowing and helpful staff, regardless of how busy they are.

I would however, try to go on a weekday.

Kind regards,

Just imagine what you could make marketing them "Pandax's". I bet plenty of idiots would buy them.