Let me start with a disclaimer;
This is my personal experience and opinion.
I won't engage in an online pissing contest if you like Honolulu Firearms.
I'm a little older these days and don't come to rash judgements  (at least try not to)

Now, on with my rant-
I need one more part to complete a current build and would like to finish ASAP along with giving local business my money.
I went to 3 local gun shops today; Honolulu Firearms, Gun Source, Security Equipment and was at OGC yesterday.
Honolulu Firearms has to be one of the worst establishments I've been to.

I'll ignore them charging a co-worker $150 over normal price for a pistol this summer.
I'll ignore the crazy range prices and policies.
I'll ignore them not knowing their stock over the phone and telling me I have to come in.
I'll ignore the lack of knowledge of one of the employees a few months ago, at least they admitted they didn't have a clue and only run the register.
But what I cant ignore is crappy face to face customer service.

I've been there about 4-5 times and knew their prices were high, but why not give them the benefit of the doubt, wrong idea, they stil suck.

The store was completely empty of customers, over half the stuff isn't priced, and had to go find someone to ask for a price. When I was given the price, I asked if they could do a little better for cash, the answer was no. Their price is about $50 above MSRP and all I wanted was for them to be around MSRP and had no problem giving them $ 25-30 above Internet to get it today. The other guy tells me since Obama got elected EVERYTHING is out, he throws out the Pmags are $80, and I won't be able to find anything. He tries to enforce the panic buy dilemma and justify the high price. I tell him if your're patient and know what you're doing parts can be obtained at a decent price still. Anyway, he continues the sky is falling statements and I walk out.

Onto the next stores-
Gun Source- they are packed, but Tony still acknowledges me along with his partner and the prices are ok. At least they engage, try to sell and help.

Security Equipment- they are packed too. I'm asked twice if I need help. Again, great service and good prices.

OGC yesterday- packed is an understatement, the crew is engaging everyone as fast as they can, great service and great prices.
I'll end up getting my part from Carter at a little below MSRP and just wait a few more days.

I'm all about a business charging what they want and run your shop the way you want, however be wary of public opinion and reputation. I really didn't care about the price to much, but got more upset at the lack of customer service and the line about I'll never get my parts;  guess what Honolulu Firearms, I just got my grip, buffer spring , BCG , etc in the last 3 weeks and at normal prices!!
The LGS and 2A community don't have to screw each other and feed the panic buy drama. Yes, make some money, but you don't have to be a horses arse about it.

I really thought the new Honolulu Firearms management was trying and Magnum/ Art was out of the picture, obviously not. I now completely understand why their shop was empty. I won't give Honolulu Firearms my business for anything now.

Anyway, rant off. Again, just my opinion and experience....

Happy New Year!!

Nice . You can't beat Carter and Eric in my opinion. That's why I go there for everything .

I agree. I had a similar experience at Young Guns this week. They have article print outs of POTENTIAL bans. No ARs in sight. I inquired about a Benji PCP airgun they brought in and the employee said,"I dont know the price, its not in our system yet." So I left. I bought a torque wrench at slightly above what I could get it online w/ shipping just to support the LGS. No more.

Know your inventory  , that's all we ask .

Forgot to add I was at  X ring and Young Guns too this week-

X ring- good crowd. Great service and prices. Dex gave me a small 2A/ cash discount. Took care of another build piece.

Young Guns- packed. So-so service and decent prices. They did have alot of things that weren't priced.

Completely agree with your experience. I try to buy locally before shopping online and SEC and OGC are the only shops that gets my money. And sometimes X-ring. Honolulu firearms and young guns will not get a penny from me even if their inventory was half off due to their arrogant and clueless staff.

For firearms I only go to O.G.C . For reloading I go to X-ring . I guess because I'm in my younger years and always enter a shop dirty after work. Most shops really didn't give me the time of day . Eric from O.G.C from the start treated me as a friend, answered all my questions.  1 year and s couple of high end guns later they got a life customer in me

I finally found x-ring a couple days ago. They have a nice shop and the fellas are nice. I studied the showroom, bought some primers just to say hello and left because they were quite busy helping out apparent newbies.

Never been to Hon Firearms, but I've read other bad reviews.
I go to YG because I've known the owner from wayy back.
I go to SEC because I started out buying from there.
Never been to OGC but my son seems to like it. I work nearby but never had the time to drop in.

Yeah young guns really got that moms and pops feeling . I was one of x-rings first customers before Brian and Dex started working there . Got some really good prices on my reloading equipment from X-ring

Yeah, OGC and SEC are the only two stores I frequent. Magnum/Honolulu Firearms is full of assholes. OGC and SEC have great customer service. I only went to the Gun Source when they were packed, so I can't really give a good account whether they're jerks or not.

Thats why I got fired today SORRY!

ouch

Thats why I got fired today SORRY!

What! For reals?

ouch

I am offically on notice. whatever that means.....Call Brian at 368-5263 to file your complaints,

Thats why I got fired today SORRY!

Ummm... somehow you edited my post and quoted it wrong. I said I won't buy from Young Guns or Hon Firearms.  I purchased several things from you and Brian in the past and I will continue to buy from you guys.  I've known you since Eurosport/Speedtek days lol.  I'm good friends with Chin, Ethan, Ippy...

Go read my post again bro.

Security equipment is the shop I like the best. Great prices and excellent customer service.

OGC comes a very close second.

Never been to the other shops.

Where is gun source and who runs it?

All shops I visited always crowded since the election... Everyone asking about 223 or 556 everything...

OGC crowded and phone ringing off the hook but they try to help everyone as much as possible.... Even my dumbest questions.... The 2 guys always helping me are Gene and Dan always helpful.... I think they need more help cause if your intention is to buy its hard to hold a gun and get prices...

x-ring packed too but people line up to ask questions and they help each person in line... Good parking cause its a huge lot..

SEC same thing packed and very helpful... 1 guy helping 4 people at once but they did allow me to hold the guns... Lots of guys working so they could accommodate the crowd.

Honolulu Firearms 2 guys working all the way in the back, one guy always on the phone and one guy trying to help everyone else... Not hating but they need sales guys between the front door and before the gun section. Lucky everyone is honest cause I shopped around in the front for 30 minutes with no one going in or out or asking me if I needed help. But they have everything at reach you so u can grab and read what u want if you know what u want...

WGS small shop but Joe is friendly and helpful. Didn't even know there was a shop in HK and now I know I may stop by more often...

KGS is a small shop too and Daniel has a lot of knowledge and political views on Guns... He is not the ultimate salesman but is knowledgable and has opinions like everyone else. Once u get past that and tell him what u are looking for he will definitely tell u the good the bad and the ugly... Make sure you have a permit in hand and he will show u what ever guns he has in stock.

YG - haven't been able to get down there but they are extremely nice on the phone. Maybe cause I wasn't calling about assault rifles...

The problem is the customers, if you are there to talk story or show off what u know take the guys out after the shop closes for drinks and shoot the BS so those who want to buy can buy and get out. if you want gun parts or have questions look online especially here on 2ahawaii, too many window shoppers. How many times have I heard guys say are you interested in purchasing the gun after 15 min of explaining the gun to these people and they say maybe next time....

I'm not the most knowledgeable and I do ask some dumb A$$ questions but my intention is to purchase and not take up valuable sales peoples time at the shops. u can get a ballpark of prices by just looking online and then going down to the shop knowing what you have to spend. If you don't have the money that's ok just wait till you do and then shop... I know at every shop everyone is willing to help and answer questions but when it's crowded you have to remember that every shop is there to inform buyers as well as make sales.

Sorry I'm not a salesperson type and I hate people (customers) who just want to talk, brag, or try to pretend to be knowledgeable. If you don't know ask but remember if you want to window shop go to Ala Moana and spend the entire day talking with other people who don't have anything else to do, I'm sure there are hundreds of people who love to just talk....

Get this one I've seen these 2 guys (not going to describe them, but shit i would be worried they actual own guns) at 2 stores who will go nameless buying a 22 assault rifle at each store. They hard a hard time holding up the rifle they were buying and kept asking about how many days to register with HPD, at both stores. Both places explained nicely 5 days including weekends and holidays. 2 guys said why only 5 days at both stores. WTH I would be scared if I lived in their neighborhood much less being a neighbor.

Sorry for ranting and venting but I think all the local shops are great and each has its own personality. It will be up to you to feel comfortable at a particular shop and don't base your decision on one bad experience. Everyone can have a bad day....

One question for consumers out there, why would you want to see or hold a gun if you don't have a permit or have not applied for a permit or don't even have the intention of buying?

I agree with customers bragging about this & that. Theres this old guy that hangs out at WGS and schools me on reloading and everything else. I guess he thinks Im still a kid. I just wanted powder. Then there's the customer with the SF, Navy SEAL, space shuttle door gunner uncle who can shoot lights out at a thousand yards. Very entertaining but get in the way of people looking to buy. When it comes to guns, every guy is an expert and that lies the problem.

LOL since the range has that large grass area maybe someone can setup gatherings every weekend for those who want to show off what they have.... Kind of like those arts and crafts gatherings I see everywhere.... There is a time and place for everything.....