Because of job related issues I’ll be in Anchorage and Fairbanks in the second week of November. I was wondering about visiting some gun shops and - smiths while I was there. Any suggestions are welcome….. (It may well end up as a little story in some Norwegian hunting magazine)

In Anchorage you are going to want to visit Great NOrthern Guns off Tudor. You might like Mountain View Sports off Old Seward, and then further south on Old Seward is Sportsmans Warehouse. You might also want to visit Boondock Taxidermy in Eagle River (a bedroom community of Anchorage) Also there is Wild West Guns Jim West is the guy who started the "guide gun" phenomena of the 1895. Can't remember some of the gun shops in Fairbanks but there is one or two. Have a good visit. Not related to guns you "might" enjoy The Great Alaska Bush Company.

I would second GNG. They get some really sweet odd ball stuff like cased double rifles, etc in there. Plus there shop is "open" meaning that most of the rifles and shotguns are on display for you to pick up and handle at your discresion. Thumbs up for the Bush Company but make sure you bring lots of $1 bill<S>.

In Fairbanks you have a choice of Down Under Guns, Alaska Gun & Ammo, Arctic Gun Works, Frontier Sporting Goods (formerly part of Sentry Hardware) and sometime in November the new Sportsmans Warehouse is supposed to open. The owner at Alaska Gun & Ammo has put up a nice display of his African trophies if that is of interest to you.

Another recomendation for Great Northern Guns. The sales guys have a bit of an attitude, but it's worth fondling the wares. There is also an antique store in downtown, on the corner of 4th and L (North West of the Captain Cook Hotel, and right next to an ice cream shop) as I recall that has a respectible collection of double rifles and other interesting old rifles in the back of the store.

If your schedule allows it, maybe we can meet at the range while your here.

Another recommendation for GNG! They've got the best stuff in town hands down, and I've always thought the staff was great. They called me by name ever since I bought a rifle there years back even though I lived in the bush and only made it in 3-4 times a year. If you like Brit guns and doubles it's THE place in AK, and the owner is a great guy with an amazing collection of pieces/parts/gear. The place Paul H refered to downtown (now the Roosevelt Room now, I believe) is also definitely worth a sightseeing visit, but I found them a bit rude and too busy to be bothered each of the 3 times I was there with checkbook in hand to make an offer. I'll be out of town until the 14th of November, but if your schedule permits I think a range session is a great idea!

Bob

Good advice so far, count me in on a range session KMule

I can generally make it out during lunch on Wed, Thur or Fridays, so if that works for any of the days you'll be here, let me know.

Another recomendation for Great Northern Guns in Anchorage. I've not been to that place downtown the others mentioned, but next time I'm in town I'll take a look.

When I lived in Fairbanks in the 1990s the guys who worked at Down Under Guns were really rude and pretty dishonest, but it might have changed since then.

I was in GNG's three weeks ago. They have a Westley Richards in .318 Accelerated Expess sitting in the rack. It has been through the ringer and refinsihed but it almost came home with me anyway.

GNG is a pretty neat place. Wildwest guns is worth seeing. They have a lot of cool stuff as far as chopped down Marlins and scout rifle stainless .458Lotts and such. I don't particualry care for the mr. "Wildalaska" he's from New York, Bronx it sounds like, and knows everyhting there is to know about everything in the whole frickin world X 2. Other than that it's worth the visit.

quote:

When I lived in Fairbanks in the 1990s the guys who worked at Down Under Guns were really rude and pretty dishonest, but it might have changed since then.

Hasn't changed much, bad attitude and bad service.

In Fairbanks Alaska Gun & Ammo is the only place I would recommend.

JD

Surestrike. NOBODY LIKES THAT GUY.

I just installed a Wild west sight on my Marlin guide rifle. The little set screw on the side wouldnt hold the sight in position. I called em up and said the screw was to small and they told me that was my problem.
I removed the sight from the rifle and returned it back to Brownells. That was my third and final attempt at buying any of there products, never ever again.

quote:

Originally posted by Bear Paw Jack:
Surestrike. NOBODY LIKES THAT GUY.

Jack,

I kind of figured he wasn't winning any popularity contests.

Thanks for all the good advice. Yes, I would welcome some shooting while I’m “at work†so if it fits the final travel/work scheme, I’ll let you know.

Seems you folks want to keep me pretty busy while in Alaska, thanks again!

I would say Bush company is better than the slezy one across the street. Especially if your with some friends. It's a lot easier to sleep at night after coming home from the Bush Company drunk, than it is coming from the one across the street with snail tracks all over your body if your married.

quote:

I would say Bush company is better than the slezy one across the street. Especially if your with some friends. It's a lot easier to sleep at night after coming home from the Bush Company drunk, than it is coming from the one across the street with snail tracks all over your body if your married

This thread took a turn in a different direction with that post.

Once a sailor, always a sailor!

the Sportsmans Wareh. will open for business on the 2nd of Nov. and inventory should be extensive. I have to agree with the counter/phone jerk over at WWG- I will never have them do anything for me again. Their products are nice nonetheless.

Sportsmen's Whorhouse, has a nice selection of moderate to cheap priced stuff.

You won't find anything out of the ordanary there, no custom guns, no used guns, no trading, no Blaser, Sauer, Merkel, Kreighoff, Dakota, HS Precision, and they don't stock more than 4 or 5 total high end rifle scopes.

A little better than Wallmart on guns, but not much. Weatherby, Kimber, Uberti, Rem, Win, Ruger, Savage, Marlin, maybe Howa and CZ???? I don't know on those two.

Nice selection of boots, DVD, spotting scopes, backpacks, ATV stuff, food, really nice selection of hunting art and stuff for kids like Hunter Dan.

I agree Jim West is kind of an asshole, but he makes fine rifles. He's no different than a lot of makers in the states.

Most of the decent ones could eat a little humble pie.