Thread: Gun shop recommendations - Christchurch

Hi all,

I'm not sure this is the best place for this post, but I'll try and see how it goes.

I'm in the market for a new rifle - nothing special, just something to take into the hills for deer. It'll be the first rifle I've ever bought from a shop, and I'm still relatively new to Christchurch.

I've talked to a bunch of people over the last little while, and been reading a lot on this forum. This place is a goldmine of information - thank you all!

Would anyone please recommend a shop in or around the Christchurch area where I could go get some advice and buy a rifle and scope?

I'm more after a recommendation for a place with great customer service than the lowest prices. I would rather pay a bit more and get some good advice from someone who knows what they are talking about, rather than get a cheap deal from someone who is just trying to sell me something that they need to move to meet sales targets. I realise retailers needs to sell product, but I've been into one or two places and didn't get the advice/service I was looking for.

I don't really want to start a "my shop is better than your shop" flame war - maybe PM me your recommendation if that is more helpful.

Cheers,
RV

If you want good advice and customer service then I wouldn't recommend "H&F". I buy some stuff at Guncity, both shops. I seem to get more realistic service/banter etc from the one on the main road south.
But I do most of my buying at either Outdoor Adventure Sports in Ashburton, or Gunworks, cant fault either. And I have heard good things about Rivers to Ranges out Rangiora [I think]
If you're unsure and a bit daunted by all the glitz and glamor, I'd suggest taking a good mate who knows his stuff, or pick one of us old grumpy buggers on here, to go along with you. Helps to sort the BS form the real.

Go see James at Rivers to ranges in Rangiora he's a stand up guy and a hunter. Tell him what your after and he'll point you in the right direction.
Everything from basic tikka's to semi custom and fully custom rifles and everything in between.

Originally Posted by RV1

Hi all,

I'm not sure this is the best place for this post, but I'll try and see how it goes.

I'm in the market for a new rifle - nothing special, just something to take into the hills for deer. It'll be the first rifle I've ever bought from a shop, and I'm still relatively new to Christchurch.

I've talked to a bunch of people over the last little while, and been reading a lot on this forum. This place is a goldmine of information - thank you all!

Would anyone please recommend a shop in or around the Christchurch area where I could go get some advice and buy a rifle and scope?

I'm more after a recommendation for a place with great customer service than the lowest prices. I would rather pay a bit more and get some good advice from someone who knows what they are talking about, rather than get a cheap deal from someone who is just trying to sell me something that they need to move to meet sales targets. I realise retailers needs to sell product, but I've been into one or two places and didn't get the advice/service I was looking for.

I don't really want to start a "my shop is better than your shop" flame war - maybe PM me your recommendation if that is more helpful.

Cheers,
RV

I used to have a recommendation but recently I'd say its super hard to find shops sales people dont just push for sales or give average advise. While I still think going in with research already done is the best bet.

Obviously worth having a good relationship with one store as they can help you out with other incidentals etc.

I've had good luck with Nick at Ballingers H & F, James and Jordy at Rivers to Ranges NC, and Andy at Shooters Supplies I would still go into all of them with an idea what i wanted and then double check any advise given when I've returned home.

Guncity is not the place for advise and typically and I usually go in there with an exact idea of what i want and knowing its on sale etc. They can and will sell novices crap I have seen them sell some very questionable rifles to new hunters (worst was a young kid that they convinced he needed a Mossberg 22-250 combo with some shit chinese rings and scope for his first hunting rifle for deer as the fluted bolt meant the rifle was nice and lighter and that it killed really well with low recoil.... While I dont doubt its fine in an experienced hunter/reloaders hands its really not a good first rifel choice and nthe second it walked out that door you'd be lucky to recover half the "value" as the scopes worthless and the rifles undesirable. Would have been significantly better with the 308 howa combo they had at the time for about $100 more.

Older American guy at Gun-city is Colman and he's knowledgeable also Andy at Shooters Supplies is up to date.
James Morris at Rangioura is a die hard hunter and a great guy to talk hunting and rifles.
It seems we are spoilt for choice in Christchurch,

Rivers to ranges in rangiora is where you want to go

Without checking, have you tried putting up a WTB on the buy sell swap page on this site?

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Originally Posted by Ned

Without checking, have you tried putting up a WTB on the buy sell swap page on this site?

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

Hi Ned - I've been reading this forum, and others, for a while to see what advice more experienced members give newbies asking for info. There's a lot of info on here and it's freely given, which is very much appreciated. However, there's also a ton of choice out there - so many brands, models etc! I've been following the buy/sell/swap page closely, however I have no experience to be able to judge that what's on offer is what I need and no experienced old hand that I know/trust to guide me... so the plan is to get a basic Howa/Ruger or similar setup to get me started and go from there. From all I've read I believe that this will be fine to get me going. Once I get some experience shooting and using it in the hills I'll figure out what works for me. Cheers, RV

Originally Posted by RV1

Hi Ned - I've been reading this forum, and others, for a while to see what advice more experienced members give newbies asking for info. There's a lot of info on here and it's freely given, which is very much appreciated. However, there's also a ton of choice out there - so many brands, models etc! I've been following the buy/sell/swap page closely, however I have no experience to be able to judge that what's on offer is what I need and no experienced old hand that I know/trust to guide me... so the plan is to get a basic Howa/Ruger or similar setup to get me started and go from there. From all I've read I believe that this will be fine to get me going. Once I get some experience shooting and using it in the hills I'll figure out what works for me. Cheers, RV

I recently bought a HOWA and suppressor off gunworks and was more than happy with the service and price.....Amanda is awesome lady to deal with and went out of way to get green stock for me as I didnt want black one... sent it down to local dealer for me ne worries at all.
Im a 270win fan as have used it for 30 plus years but nearly bought same rifle in 308 as it would have worked well too...243 or 7mm08 would too.
scopes...I like simple....and reliable ...

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I recently bought a HOWA and suppressor off gunworks and was more than happy with the service and price.....Amanda is awesome lady to deal with and went out of way to get green stock for me as I didnt want black one... sent it down to local dealer for me ne worries at all.
Im a 270win fan as have used it for 30 plus years but nearly bought same rifle in 308 as it would have worked well too...243 or 7mm08 would too.
scopes...I like simple....and reliable ...

Yep - thanks for that Micky Duck. After all the research and umming and ahing I've come full circle back to a 270 or 308 - I think I'd be happy with either. And as for scopes, I'm also leaning to a bog standard 3-9x40. There's must be a reason why they're so popular...

Originally Posted by RV1

Hi Ned - I've been reading this forum, and others, for a while to see what advice more experienced members give newbies asking for info. There's a lot of info on here and it's freely given, which is very much appreciated. However, there's also a ton of choice out there - so many brands, models etc! I've been following the buy/sell/swap page closely, however I have no experience to be able to judge that what's on offer is what I need and no experienced old hand that I know/trust to guide me... so the plan is to get a basic Howa/Ruger or similar setup to get me started and go from there. From all I've read I believe that this will be fine to get me going. Once I get some experience shooting and using it in the hills I'll figure out what works for me. Cheers, RV

That's the way mate because we have no vested interest in selling you something and you can gain 100 times more valuable experiences from the thousands of forum members who have gone down the avenues your looking at or with products what ever the case might be

Another one for rivers to ranges in rangiora

Have mates in Northland that have ordered custom and semi custom rifles through rivers to ranges and very happy with the service. Seems like they are mad keen hunters that own a gun store

River to Ranges Rangiora
Gunworks

Originally Posted by Boxton

River to Ranges Rangiora
Gunworks

This