Thread: Gun shop recommendations - Christchurch

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.