Hey everyone! Let's talk about our favorite (or not-so-favorite) gun shops around California. What makes a gun shop trustworthy to you? I've had both great and sketchy experiences, and it's always good to get the scoop before walking in. If you've got a shop you'd recommend, drop the name and location! How's their used gun selection? What are their prices like? And don't forget to mention any transfer fees they might have. I know we all have our go-to places, so let's help each other out and keep our community informed. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Trusted Gun Shop Reviews
- Thread starter RangeHot
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2025
- Messages
- 54
Praxis Tactical and Hunting Gun Shop in Thousand Oaks. Modest little store, but will get you anything you want. Have all my ammo shipped there as well as having purchased 3 firearms. Low key vibe.
ptgarcia
Member
I can't stomach Turner's anymore so I just started using a garage FFL in my neighborhood, GLS Armory in Rancho Cucamonga. Friendly people, reasonable prices…..no complaints to log.
I also use a garage ffl I like him a lot Ryan is a good fair guy in oakhurst
Looks like a house? Is he receptive to new clients?
ptgarcia
Member
Yes he is. He actually has a shop on premises with posted business hours.
JollyRoger
Member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2025
- Messages
- 10
How do you find someone in your area with an FFL?
ptgarcia
Member
My guy showed up in a Google search.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2025
- Messages
- 54
JollyRoger
Member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2025
- Messages
- 10
thanks!
Victor Charley Armory in Ventura, CA. AKA VC Armory.
Small but friendly and personel service. I use them for my internet (FFL to FFL) purchases of firearms and ammo.
Camarillo Gun Store in Camarillo, CA. They are super busy all the time so sometimes it is hard to get waited on. But once you are served, the staff (as well as the owner) go out of their way to serve you.
I put a number of firearms up on consignment....the owner made recommendations of prices prior to my deciding to sell and often his recommendations surpassed what I thought they were worth, which helped offset the store's commisssion. And everyone sold at the higher prices.
Small but friendly and personel service. I use them for my internet (FFL to FFL) purchases of firearms and ammo.
Camarillo Gun Store in Camarillo, CA. They are super busy all the time so sometimes it is hard to get waited on. But once you are served, the staff (as well as the owner) go out of their way to serve you.
I put a number of firearms up on consignment....the owner made recommendations of prices prior to my deciding to sell and often his recommendations surpassed what I thought they were worth, which helped offset the store's commisssion. And everyone sold at the higher prices.
JollyRoger
Member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2025
- Messages
- 10
I have two that I've had good dealings with on the SF Peninsula, and we don't have many to choose from. First one is Coyote Point Armory in Burlingame, the main guys John and Scott are very helpful, as are the rest of their crew. Have made numerous purchases since they opened many years ago. They also have a shop in Lower Lake, Clear Lake.
Second shop is in Pacifica, called City Arms. Years ago the guys there weren't the friendliest (Eastern block guys I think) but in recent visits they've been very nice and helpful (different owners now maybe?). I went in on one occasion looking for a S&W 1854 when it first came out, they said they had one on order coming in, gave me the option to buy it now, buy it when it came in, or if I bought it now, but didn't like it, they would refund me. I got a great price and it was new in the box, compared to a shop I won't name over the hill that had one on the shelf, with some scratches on it. While they offered me a $100 off on the price, I got the one from City Arms for $300 less, it was below list price!
Second shop is in Pacifica, called City Arms. Years ago the guys there weren't the friendliest (Eastern block guys I think) but in recent visits they've been very nice and helpful (different owners now maybe?). I went in on one occasion looking for a S&W 1854 when it first came out, they said they had one on order coming in, gave me the option to buy it now, buy it when it came in, or if I bought it now, but didn't like it, they would refund me. I got a great price and it was new in the box, compared to a shop I won't name over the hill that had one on the shelf, with some scratches on it. While they offered me a $100 off on the price, I got the one from City Arms for $300 less, it was below list price!
