Odin Bravo One
07-02-2011, 11:13 PM
On recommendation from TG, I made the trek to VA Arms to get some sights installed. A little bit out of my way (about 3.5 hours), but necessary given my lack of gunsmithing ability and/or patience. My standard solution for such things is usually just to get a bigger hammer. But even then, the front sight on two M&P's were not budging.
My experience at VA Arms was quite interesting. First, walking in, I noticed a presentable, professional atmosphere; well maintained, and professional appearance by the staff. I walked to the back counter and asked if they could install some sights. I did not buy the sights from them, but brough them with me. They quickly took the guns back to install the sights while I window shopped.
They have a pretty extensive collection of arms and gear, and a decent selection of ammunition. Lots of stuff that I normally have to mail order as no one locally stocks it. I don't know if their gun prices were high or not, but they had a decent selection, and most everything appeared to be displayed at MSRP. Nothing jumped out at me as being over-priced. The staff was courteous and professional, asking once if I needed help, then leaving me alone.
It was really a refreshing experience.
But then just when I thought it could not get any better, I was present to overhear a conversation on ammunition suggestions for a precision .308 AR type rifle. What followed blew my mind to the point that I had to walk outside, look at the sign, and verify I was actually in a gun store. The employee helping the customer made a righteous suggestion to buy and use a cheaper ammunition to break in the barrel and get the optic close to the desired point of impact, then switch to the high performance (i.e., expensive) match grade ammunition once he was on paper for final zero. Amazing. An employee making a suggestion that not only saved the customer close to $100 in ammo, but made sense too.
When they returned with my pistols, they refused to charge me for the installation of the sights that I did not buy from them.
I don't have any reason to venture to Manassas, but if I do, and have business at a gunstore, I will got VA Arms. Perhaps my experience was an isolated incident, but it was so pleasant to go to a gunstore that was not filled with moron employee's and internet information being regurgitated as gospel.
Nice store, good employee's, good selection and inventory, minus the mental midgets that I find at my local shops.
My experience at VA Arms was quite interesting. First, walking in, I noticed a presentable, professional atmosphere; well maintained, and professional appearance by the staff. I walked to the back counter and asked if they could install some sights. I did not buy the sights from them, but brough them with me. They quickly took the guns back to install the sights while I window shopped.
They have a pretty extensive collection of arms and gear, and a decent selection of ammunition. Lots of stuff that I normally have to mail order as no one locally stocks it. I don't know if their gun prices were high or not, but they had a decent selection, and most everything appeared to be displayed at MSRP. Nothing jumped out at me as being over-priced. The staff was courteous and professional, asking once if I needed help, then leaving me alone.
It was really a refreshing experience.
But then just when I thought it could not get any better, I was present to overhear a conversation on ammunition suggestions for a precision .308 AR type rifle. What followed blew my mind to the point that I had to walk outside, look at the sign, and verify I was actually in a gun store. The employee helping the customer made a righteous suggestion to buy and use a cheaper ammunition to break in the barrel and get the optic close to the desired point of impact, then switch to the high performance (i.e., expensive) match grade ammunition once he was on paper for final zero. Amazing. An employee making a suggestion that not only saved the customer close to $100 in ammo, but made sense too.
When they returned with my pistols, they refused to charge me for the installation of the sights that I did not buy from them.
I don't have any reason to venture to Manassas, but if I do, and have business at a gunstore, I will got VA Arms. Perhaps my experience was an isolated incident, but it was so pleasant to go to a gunstore that was not filled with moron employee's and internet information being regurgitated as gospel.
Nice store, good employee's, good selection and inventory, minus the mental midgets that I find at my local shops.