Recommend a good gun shop

demonloop

Anyone have any good local gunshops, offering good service at a fair price?

I'm trying to put together a list to build up a dealer network to get more products available locally to Irish shooters, that are usually only available (at high shipping rates!) from the UK.

All over the country preferably

TIA

daveob007

demonloop wrote: »

Anyone have any good local gunshops, offering good service at a fair price?

I'm trying to put together a list to build up a dealer network to get more products available locally to Irish shooters, that are usually only available (at high shipping rates!) from the UK.

All over the country preferably

TIA

heres a few no contact details

scully guns and tackle, Athlone
Midwest sporting supplies, Newmarketonfergus co Clare.
lifestyle sports Mallow co Cork
Duffys Galway.
Jim halpin Listowel co Kerry

thats only a few, you will find contact details in the irish shooters digest

fish slapped

Have a look here:

http://wiki.boards.ie/wiki/Gun_Dealers

FS

CJhaughey

That list is a bit out of date, and cannot be user edited.
In Cork, Cork Angling and Outdoor are good to deal with and nice new premises.
Not a huge range of ammo but their prices are good.
www.fishingandhunting.ie

clivej

CJhaughey wrote: »

That list is a bit out of date, and cannot be user edited.
In Cork, Cork Angling and Outdoor are good to deal with and nice new premises.
Not a huge range of ammo but their prices are good.
www.fishingandhunting.ie

It can be user edited very easy
But you must log-in to do any editing

demonloop

Thanks gents, to be honest I had the complete list from the Digest etc, but wanted to find those recommended by shooters for good value/service - rather than just them all.

I'll go through the links, thanks for those, but if anyone has personal experiences good or bad I'd love to know. PM if nescessary, rather than slag any shop on the board.

Tikkat3

I would highly recommend Paul O Halloran, Drangan, Tipperary 052 52112

Always a pleasure to deal with and very competitive with prices.

Cass

Sean Harding - Stakelums - Thurles
Jim McBride - Ballykeeran - Athlone
Sean O'Neill - Atlantic Sports - Carlow
Neil - Lakelands - Mullingar
John Butler - Griffin and Hawe - Athy
Jim Griffin - Rahann - Tullamore
Gerry Scully - Scully's - Athlone

I have used all the above over the years. Was going to mention a few in Dublin but 2 of them are closed and i haven't been to the 3rd in some years.

doyle61

the sports shop in kilkenny isnt too bad
john greene in southern rifle and optics in kilmacow is very good
grffin hawe in athy not bad either

clivej

Sean Harding - Stakelums - Thurles

Paul O Halloran, Drangan, Tipperary 052 52112

Sean O'Neill - Atlantic Sports - Carlow

Duffys Galway.

Neil McVeigh (Crescent Sports), Monkstown, Dublin - Another gent and always good for a chat

johngalway

Duffys is fine until something goes wrong and he tells ya to F.O.

Often go to Ballykeeran Sports in Athlone, James McBride. Bit expensive but good service.

Often heard good things about that Paul O'Halloran too, but never been there.

Island Sports in Castlebar was way over priced last time I was there.

Scullys is always good for a conspiracy theory

murph226

Heard great things about Paul O Halloran in Drangan, but I've never dealt with him.

I asked Pat in Mallow for a price on a rifle, never got back to me! I bought my p226 there aswell!

Priced a scope in Duffys and got a crazy price!

Island sports, alleged S&B dealer wasnt interested in my business!

I'm getting my T3 from Mervyn Young, along with scope, mod and bipod.

Any Irish dealer I contacted was either looking for ridiculous money or never bothered their arse gettin back to me:eek:

As much as I would like to spend my hard earned cash here, theres no room on my back for a saddle!

I would highly recommend Mervyn to anybody and I'm sure there are others on here would too!

dCorbus

Sean Harding in Stakelums, Thurles is the bizz! A gent.

Neil McVeigh (Crescent Sports), Monkstown, Dublin - Another gent and always good for a chat:D

Intershoot in NI (Sam & Ryan) are extremely helpful and have some great products/stock.

Paddy O'Mahoney in Alamo / an Riocht in Castlemaine has a very well stocked and interesting gun room most of the time - He's a great man for the chat too.

Have heard very good things about John Lambert in Camolin, but can't comment from own experience.

Island sports, alleged S&B dealer wasnt interested in my business

Is Island Sports in business still?:D Still waiting on response back from them for the last 4 - 5 months in relation to a Steyr Mannlicher SSG04 (Apparently Steyr M. think they're the main Irish distributor:rolleyes:). Needlesstosay, I've since gone elsewhere and purchased another rifle (Not a Steyr Mannlicher, in case anyone from SM Marketing department are reading this - You lost a sale!:D:rolleyes:).

That's just some of the RFD's I can personally vouch for having dealt with them.:)

dicky82

i went into tallaght rod n gun on three seperate occasions to buy some hunting clothing. each time i left my contact details and never heard anything back. didnt find them helpful at all and have not gone back since. oh and they still hav'nt contacted me. .

rowa

dicky82 wrote: »

i went into tallaght rod n gun on three seperate occasions to buy some hunting clothing. each time i left my contact details and never heard anything back. didnt find them helpful at all and have not gone back since. oh and they still hav'nt contacted me. .

par for the course there :rolleyes:

Invincible

David Mulvehill 086 8229827 ,near Ballymahon,very straight to deal with,no B.S,bought a Ucaller Remote reduced to €75 off him last night.

meathstevie

Syl in Top Gun in Drogheda is a sound lad. Pricewise he'd be middle of the road but he's very nice to deal with and so far I've always found him to be a relaible. Doesn't promise the sun, moon and stars and then crawls back. Plus he's got a straight line to a capable fellow for repairs.

Clarke's in Navan isn't the worst either and I find Simon to be quite sound as well.

Armstrongs in Omagh are good to deal with as well. Apparently there's a good outfit in Irvinestown and another in maguiresbridge Fermanagh as well, I haven't dealt with either.

seanybiker

doyle61 wrote: »

john greene in southern rifle and optics in kilmacow is very good

i thought he was on the tramore road.

demonloop

Thanks lads, thats a great start.

ianoo

seanybiker wrote: »

i thought he was on the tramore road.

no seany thats john o brien you are thinking off

ian

Irish Springer

murph226 wrote: »

Heard great things about Paul O Halloran in Drangan, but I've never dealt with him.

I asked Pat in Mallow for a price on a rifle, never got back to me! I bought my p226 there aswell!

Priced a scope in Duffys and got a crazy price!

Island sports, alleged S&B dealer wasnt interested in my business!

I'm getting my T3 from Mervyn Young, along with scope, mod and bipod.

Any Irish dealer I contacted was either looking for ridiculous money or never bothered their arse gettin back to me:eek:

As much as I would like to spend my hard earned cash here, theres no room on my back for a saddle!

I would highly recommend Mervyn to anybody and I'm sure there are others on here would too!

Would agree with you there on Mervyn,
Contacted many dealers about getting a .223 rifle and looking for prices etc , they either didnt get back, would be waiting until next shipment 4-6 months:eek:or way over priced!

Contacted Mervyn and he had a list as long as my arm of suitable guns and suggested i call up. Man he has alot of stuff for rifle men.
Ended up buying a Sako 85 with Mod, Bushnell elite 2.5 16x42 scope, Harris bipod, Case and buffulo river 6/7 gun cabinet. oh and ammo aswell. :cool:

There there you go Southern Irish Dealers a big sale lost over your incompetence!:mad::mad::mad:

He even rang the next day to say he has sorted out the import with a dealer 5 mins where i live.
Couldn't recommend him enough!!:D:D:D:D

daveob007

also check out www.sportsden.ie. loads of 2nd hand stuff though many of them look like scrap that were handed in.

still need a decent dealer in limerick,no body down this side except the shooting,fishing,archery store in the milk market,very over priced and has not got a clue about guns either,has only got about a dozen guns in stock on a good day.

leupold90

In the past i
I've used

• J Mc Bride in Athlone - v good to deal with. Massive stock
• G Scully in Athlone - good to deal with but can be dear. One thing, if he says he can order or get you something I've found he always delivers.
• P Halloran Drangan - good to deal with, good prices
• Sean in Stakelums -good to deal with
• J Griffin in Rahan - good stock and prices but bad atmosphere in shop. Don't order from him it will take forever, if it arrives at all.
• B Duffy Galway - I'd agree with previous poster he's ok until something goes wrong then he falls out with customer.

patsat

still need a decent dealer in limerick,no body down this side except the shooting,fishing,archery store in the milk market,very over priced and has not got a clue about guns either,has only got about a dozen guns in stock on a good day. still need a decent dealer in limerick,no body down this side except the shooting,fishing,archery store in the milk market,very over priced and has not got a clue about guns either,has only got about a dozen guns in stock on a good day.

Don't forget Lazy dog in knocklong. can be very good and always does a good deal. Ray sampson is the owner. about half hour drive from the city.

cavan shooter

Cant beat Ian Jameson (aim and swing) in Mount Nugent, Cavan good value good for a chat and will assit and get what you want. Good stock....too good sometimes

Malcolm Graham in Monagahn is also a gent and good value, if its not on the shelf he'll get it (competing with border prices )

Maurice Allen outside Newtown Butler on the Clones road a real gent and good value to boot

Grizzly 45

found good to deal with in the SW.
Tim landers of Landers lesiure Tralee,good selection,and a good few exotics in a walk in gunroom.Deal with himself personally if you can.

Jim Halpin in Listowel,very knowledgeable on vintage and classic rifles,and some lovely old classic rifles in stock.

Pat Hayes in Mallow,is good too for a fairish price on 9mm ammo.Has one or two exotics in the gunroom

Those are about the nearest apart from Lazy Dog to Limerick that have normal shop hours.there is a lad out in New market on Fergus,but he is impossible to get hold of most of the time

mossfort

meathstevie wrote: »

Syl in Top Gun in Drogheda is a sound lad. Pricewise he'd be middle of the road but he's very nice to deal with and so far I've always found him to be a relaible. Doesn't promise the sun, moon and stars and then crawls back. Plus he's got a straight line to a capable fellow for repairs.

Clarke's in Navan isn't the worst either and I find Simon to be quite sound as well.

Armstrongs in Omagh are good to deal with as well. Apparently there's a good outfit in Irvinestown and another in maguiresbridge Fermanagh as well, I haven't dealt with either.

i went out to the guy in maguiresbridge one day when i was in enniskillen.
its a small shop owned by norman harpur and as soon as i came in the door he was out eyballing me up and down.
i was looking for an under and over sporter and he tried to put a rubbish turkish gun on me.
he had good prices for new lanber and bettinsoli guns.
c a andersons in omagh is a nice gun shop with a good choice of guns and good prices on ammunition.
i found island sports in castlebar to be fairly ok and offered good advice on what to purchase.

DonalP

Give Paul O Halloran in Drangan a call, great guy to deal with, fair prices and good stock

lead loader

johngalway wrote: »

Duffys is fine until something goes wrong and he tells ya to F.O.

I am sorry John but i have to take issue with your assessment of Duffy's in Galway. I have done a lot of business with Brian and Hugh Duffy. I have to say that i have never had a single problem with Duffy's. I am living in Co. Meath and i make a point of dealing with Brian Duffy. I have always found him to be extremley helpful and his products are well priced. He has a brilliant website www.shoot.ie and post and packing are very quick and reasonable. Both myself and a buddy of mine have had problems with sig mosquitos and Brian couldnt do enough to help us out!! In fact i dont think i have ever seen the level of customer service that i have received from Duffy's in any other line of business etc. I could whole heartedly recomend Duffy's to anyone!!!

johngalway

lead loader wrote: »

johngalway wrote: »

Duffys is fine until something goes wrong and he tells ya to F.O.

I am sorry John but i have to take issue with your assessment of Duffy's in Galway.

That's fine, you're entitled to your opinion. So am I

I bought a Baikal MP-153 from him for €600, plus all the extras - cleaning gear etc, ammo, plus lamping gear including battery.

I bought a Tikka T3 Varmint Stainless .223 from him for €1015.

I asked him to price two particular scopes for me, a Schmidt and Bender and a Nightforce. Both high end scopes. Basically I had to chase him for a period of time, received promises that he was to call a guy about the scopes. I'm still waiting for the prices by the way :rolleyes:

As I had the rifle, I bought the scope elsewhere.

Michael asked me a few months after that was I sorted for a scope as they had NF's in. I told him that yeah I was OK for a scope now as I had bought one.

Brians attitude towards me changed from then on.

I went in to him after that looking for a particular brand of ammo, Federal Bulk Pack - similar to American Eagle. Brian insisted on trying to sell me all the other ammo in the shop, fair enough, he didn't have the stuff I asked for. I had already informed him of the brands that would not shoot in the incredibly ammo fussy rifle I owned. By the by, never once did I blame him for the rifles ammo fussiness either to his face or behind his back.

At the end of the conversation that day, when I declined to buy ammo I knew my rifle would not shoot accurately, Brian chose to mutter at me that (regarding the rifles fussiness) "It's not my problem is it".

My apologies, but, that was uncalled for and childish.

Anyway. After that I took my business elsewhere. I bought a Sako Quad for €750, and part exchanged my Tikka for my Remington. Also bought a scope for the Quad plus all it's gear.

One day I needed some Hornady ammo. A guy I knew had been in the day prior to my visit and bought 5 boxes of what I was looking for. A guy a day later say 30 odd boxes of the same ammo downstairs. I went in on the day in between and I was told they never stocked that type of ammo.

I've literally spend thousands elsewhere now. I chose to do that as I like to be treated with some little bit of common decency when parting with my hard earned cash.

I've no problem with anyone shopping in Duffys, it's handy for a lot of lads and his prices on some things are competitive. But, if I'm asked my opinion, I'll give it

sako75 hunter

I usually do all my dealings with sean harding in thurles and paul o halloran in drangan. Two great guys to deal with. For the most of the last deer season though i went down to connollys red mills in goresbridge to joe meehan. Sound skin to talk to and seems to have a good choise of berretas and other shotguns down there. Nice few rifles to and he has no probem ordering in something if he doesnt have it in stock and gets it in no time to.

clivej

sako75 hunter wrote: »

I usually do all my dealings with sean harding in thurles and paul o halloran in drangan. Two great guys to deal with. For the most of the last deer season though i went down to connollys red mills in goresbridge to joe meehan. Sound skin to talk to and seems to have a good choise of berretas and other shotguns down there. Nice few rifles to and he has no probem ordering in something if he doesnt have it in stock and gets it in no time to.

I total agree with what Sako 75 says.

BELOWaverageIQ

Where abouts is Connollys in Goresbridge ?

lead loader

johngalway wrote: »

lead loader wrote: »

"That's fine, you're entitled to your opinion. So am I "

I never said you weren't:p


"I asked him to price two particular scopes for me, a Schmidt and Bender and a Nightforce. Both high end scopes. Basically I had to chase him for a period of time, received promises that he was to call a guy about the scopes. I'm still waiting for the prices by the way :rolleyes:"

I have read different posts on boards where different F'arms dealers dont stock the full range of nightforce scopes and if you want to order a particular model it can take a couple of months to get the scope in. Sounds like an issue with the importer not the firearms dealer to me:p

"As I had the rifle, I bought the scope elsewhere."

Thats your prerogative, and nobody said otherwise:P



"I went in to him after that looking for a particular brand of ammo, Federal Bulk Pack - similar to American Eagle. Brian insisted on trying to sell me all the other ammo in the shop"

Sounds to me like brian was trying to be helpful. A dealer cant be expected to keep every kind of ammo in all calibers in stock. I am sure if you had asked for a particular brand in a specific caliber, Brian would have obliged. The reason i know this is because i wanted Sako .308 target rounds. Brian didn't stock them but he ordered them in for me.:D,

"At the end of the conversation that day, when I declined to buy ammo I knew my rifle would not shoot accurately, Brian chose to mutter at me that (regarding the rifles fussiness) "It's not my problem is it".

My apologies, but, that was uncalled for and childish."

Sorry John my understanding from your original post was that Brian told you to F**k off??

Which is it then?

if you are going to accuse somebody in a public forum you better at least get your story straight!!

That is what i initally took exception with. The Brian Duffy that i know is a pure gentleman and would never tell a customer to f**k off. please bear in mind that he is a business man trying to earn a living. We are all entitled to our opinion but your initial remarks could be very detramental to the man's business, and form your own explanation of your gripe with Duffy's your initial remarks are not even accurate (and quite possibly actionable!)

Please John Galway conduct yourself with a bit of decorum and dont destroy a man's charecter because he didnt have a certain type of ammo in stock on a certain day:mad::mad::mad:

bunny shooter

Paul in Drangan

Sean in Thurles

riflehunter77

BELOWaverageIQ wrote: »

Where abouts is Connollys in Goresbridge ?

When you come to the main junction in the village head straight through the lights for about 150 yards or so the road will vere a little to the right and you will see the river on the right hand side Connollys Red Mills is up on the left you cant miss it.

Joe Meany is usally there all day friday and half day sat if not Martin Bolger is there and should sort you out.
I have bought my last 2 rifles and shotgun there. Nice sound lads who will try and get in most firearms for you.

endasmail

stakelums in thurles
aim and swing in cavan
top gun in drogheda
john lambert in camolin

i found all the lads in there helpful and sound to deal with

leupold90

Regarding JohnGalway's comments about Duffy's in Galway. I find what he said to be reasonable and not vitriolic.

My experience with this dealer is I tried to buy a firearm from Duffy's about a year ago. He had to order it. His price was very competitive and he was totally sound to deal with on the phone. It went on for several weeks with me calling regularly to see if there was any update on the order. I even called in to the shop in Galway and bought some ammo etc for a different firearm, again I found them fine to deal with.

Eventually (after 6 weeks) I found a similar firearm for sale second hand with another dealer and I bought it. The chap in Duffy's was put out about this and when I met him on a range not long after and he would barely speak to me. Not the sort of behaviour that would encourage anyone to give this business any more custom.

pedroeibar1

The OP asked for a recommendation, not negativity. If you have an issue with a dealer, take it up with him, most of us are not interested.
Personally, were I to order a product for a customer I would tell him when to expect it, and keep him up to date. Should that customer see the product elsewhere and buy it without reference to me, I would not be happy to see him again. Ever. Anywhere.
That's why most vendors look for a deposit;)

FWIW
P.

triskell

leupold90 wrote: »

Regarding JohnGalway's comments about Duffy's in Galway. I find what he said to be reasonable and not vitriolic.

I 've had dealings with duffys over the last few years and i'd agree completey with john it' s all hunky dorey till theres a problem and then you see the otherside.

demonloop

leupold90 wrote: »

Regarding JohnGalway's comments about Duffy's in Galway. I find what he said to be reasonable and not vitriolic.

My experience with this dealer is I tried to buy a firearm from Duffy's about a year ago. He had to order it. His price was very competitive and he was totally sound to deal with on the phone. It went on for several weeks with me calling regularly to see if there was any update on the order. I even called in to the shop in Galway and bought some ammo etc for a different firearm, again I found them fine to deal with.

Eventually (after 6 weeks) I found a similar firearm for sale second hand with another dealer and I bought it. The chap in Duffy's was put out about this and when I met him on a range not long after and he would barely speak to me. Not the sort of behaviour that would encourage anyone to give this business any more custom.

To be fair, asking him to order in a gun and then backing out of the deal he's hardly to be expected to unfurl the red carpet when you arrive at his shop

If it was a gun he would normally have in stock I can see your point to an extent but if it's something a bit more exotic, he could end up taking a loss on it to move it on.

daveob007

Ptrick Carley of ballysilla,ballymurn Enniscorthy co wexford
spotted a gun on irishguntrader.ie and got this guys number,got myself a good deal on a semiauto 12g and the bloke was very helpful also.
his number is 086 6861154

demonloop

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

The OP asked for a recommendation, not negativity. If you have an issue with a dealer, take it up with him, most of us are not interested.
Personally, were I to order a product for a customer I would tell him when to expect it, and keep him up to date. Should that customer see the product elsewhere and buy it without reference to me, I would not be happy to see him again. Ever. Anywhere.
That's why most vendors look for a deposit;)

FWIW
P.

I'm interested to see both recommendations and negative comments to be honest. I don't want businesses dragged over the coals on a public forum, but I do want to be aware of negative comments also.

As I said in the OP, I want to build up a network of good dealers, that includes excluding the ones that, well, aren't.

I will be contacting all the dealers recommended in the next few weeks, to firstly offer them the chance to stock JSB pellets.

For any of you unaware, the most accurate pellet on the market.

They manufacture pellets for 10m ISSF air rifle/pistol, and domed field target / hunter field target - all hand sorted!

Hopefully in your local dealers soon!

sako75 hunter

(directions to connollys red mills gun shop, goresbridge-kilkenny direction). If your coming from kilkenny side you take a left as your coming into goresbridge, pass the primary school, take another left at the T-junction at the end of the road and about a 1/4 mile out the road. Honestly joe is a great guy to deal with, havent met martin yet but im sure he ia also a sound skin to.

DR6.5

Definately recomend John Lambert in Co. Wexford, very good to deal with and best price for the ammo im using.

My cousin bought a gun off Patrick Carley in Co. Wexford again a sound lad to deal with would recomend him.

dr6.5

It wasn't me!

John Lambert in Camolin, Wexford

Neil McVeigh in Crescent Sports, Monkstown, Dublin

Griffin Hawe, Athy, Kildare

Tannyoky Guns, Poyntzpass

I can give my resounding recommendation for all of the above. I've also been on the phone to Stakelums a few times and they've been brilliantly upfront about enquiries with regard to prices, times when things will be in, and their personal reservations and caveats. They always seem to be very keen not to screw their customers over, and this is borne out by the experiences of many friends.

murph226

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

The OP asked for a recommendation, not negativity. If you have an issue with a dealer, take it up with him, most of us are not interested.
Personally, were I to order a product for a customer I would tell him when to expect it, and keep him up to date. Should that customer see the product elsewhere and buy it without reference to me, I would not be happy to see him again. Ever. Anywhere.
That's why most vendors look for a deposit;)

FWIW
P.

Speak for yourself, I'm definitely interested!

leupold90

Lads just to clarify. I never actually got to the stage where I ordered the firearm. Initally I contacted them to see if they could get one, based on the prices other shooters had told me.

They said they could and the price was very good. The deal was I had to pay a deposit before they ordered it - which I agreed to. However, as I said I waited 6 weeks (keping in touch with them at least once per week) and they couln't source one. In the end I got fed up waiting and took the opportunity to purchase a second hand one when it became available.

The shop was never out of pocket.

demonloop

leupold90 wrote: »

Lads just to clarify. I never actually got to the stage where I ordered the firearm. Initally I contacted them to see if they could get one, based on the prices other shooters had told me.

They said they could and the price was very good. The deal was I had to pay a deposit before they ordered it - which I agreed to. However, as I said I waited 6 weeks (keping in touch with them at least once per week) and they couln't source one. In the end I got fed up waiting and took the opportunity to purchase a second hand one when it became available.

The shop was never out of pocket.

Ah that's different. From reading your first post I thought you had ordered it not just priced it.

In that case they had no reason to be annoyed, they coudn't get one!

johngalway

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

The OP asked for a recommendation, not negativity.

So everyone should turn a blind eye and go with the sheep is it?

People come here for recommendations for lots of things, scopes, rifles, shotguns, ammo etc. Should we only ever talk about the good aspects? Right.

Sparks

johngalway wrote: »

Should we only ever talk about the good aspects?

To give a general, everyone-should-read-this answer, there's No such rule and there are no plans ever to create one.

However, people being people, negative reviews are something that should be written in a fairly specific way -- you list the exact facts of what happened; you give your opinion at the end of those facts; you avoid paraphrasing verbal exchanges (because "he told me to eff off" as verbal shorthand for "he said there wasn't any demand for X and so he didn't keep it in stock or plan to" tends to cause hassle); and choose your language precisely when giving your opinion ("they're a pack of crooks" will get us sued; "I think they're overpriced and I don't want to give them my business" is utterly safe).

The only times we ever have problems with complaints is when the person posting the complaint gets... overly enthusiastic when presenting their case. My take on it is that if the experience was that bad, the bare facts are damning without needing an editorial; and if not, then there's no real need to damn to begin with.

For example, a while back some folks complained quite a bit that Duffy's wouldn't let them into the gun room to look at the merchandise. Thing is, it's not a walk-in gun room. It's a storeroom, not intended for the public to walk through and the local Gardai prefer things that way. That's a decent example of an unjust complaint, in my mind.

On the other hand, if someone's charging a 50% markup on ammo, they deserve the drop in business when people find out (and that drop in business is why there's no need for hyperbole - if dealer A is charging €30 for a box of ammo and dealer B is charging €20 for the same box, that's all that needs reporting to correct the situation).