Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I recently found Virginia Arms while looking for a Glock 19. I was going to buy at one of the shows but with the background checks taking so long and I always get delayed due to a common name I started looking for local shops.

I couldn't be more please with the experience I had at VA Arms. I must have called around to half a dozen "local" shops and they had the best price for sure. I went over to check them out and was surprised at the size and selection of the shop. Lots of stock from firearms to ammo to holsters. The staff was pleasant too deal as well.

I will certainly be looking to them again for future purchases. I you are near them or in the area stop in and see for yourself.

I bought my SR-22 from them. Great folks.

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Indeed. They've also expanded recently with a whole wall full of holsters. I went in there 5 minutes before closing (hey, I had to go to Guns & Ammo Warehouse first!) and they were patient and helpful with everyone in there w/o trying to hustle anyone out.

I have recently purchased my Ruger MkIII from VA Arms. Very helpful and kind group with a great selection. I have had better & consistent experiences at VA Arms than I have Guns & Ammo Warehouse.

Well, I've got to speak up for the lads at G&A. Every time I've been in there I've had all the help I needed, and I usually go in with a kid or four in tow. Not so much at VA. But hey, maybe that's just luck of the draw.

Jamie wrote:Well, I've got to speak up for the lads at G&A. Every time I've been in there I've had all the help I needed, and I usually go in with a kid or four in tow. Not so much at VA. But hey, maybe that's just luck of the draw.

I get too much help at C&A. It feels like they're trying to get me out the door as fast as they can even though there are a total of two other customers there. I don't look that sketchy, do I? VA Arms is where I usually buy my guns.

My son bought a rifle from Virginia Arms. I have only bought ammo and cleaning gear but have had nothing but great cusomer service from them. One day though, I was about to buy an SP-101 and the salesman kept talking. He went on and on about everything you can imagine and some things you cannot. To move things along, I asked him to walk the revolver to the holsters. I was going to find a good fit and make the purchase. After more mummbling and stumbling and not finding a holster, I told him I wanted to think about it more and would be back. In the mean time, I found a great deal on a S&W M686 with 3 inch barrel at another dealer. I may one day get the Ruger but am really pleased with the 686.

I like this shop too. The recent expansion allowed for more inventory too. I bought a S&W M&P 15-22 MOE that they had in stock. Could have gotten it a little cheaper elsewhere, but nobody else had one in stock. Customer service is top notch too.

I've lived in NOVA for over 25 years and have visited just about all the gun shops in the area multiple times. Virginia Arms in Manassas has consistently been the best among them all in both sales and service.

I stopped by yesterday with a couple of my M&Ps that I wanted to do some simple mods on. I'm an old Glock armorer and do all my own work on them, plus I have the tools needed to do so. However, this is not the case with for me with M&Ps. Robb Jensen, Virginia Arms' armorer, fixed me up in just a few minutes and did so free of charge. This was not some special service because they know me, in fact they don't. This was a reflection of their attitude towards customers and their commitment to great service. It's also smart business as I'm posting here telling you about how great Virginia Arms is. They truly are a first class outfit. Stop by when you are in the Manassas area and I'll bet you will be impressed too.

Ditto. I get down there every month or two. I've purchased a number of firearms from them over the past few years, sold one to them and made many smaller purchases. Every one of the multiple staff members I've dealt with, including the owner, has been friendly, knowledgeable, fair & highly professional on every occasion. They just operate at a higher level.

Got to chime in and agree. I really appreciate Bernie and the team at Virginia Arms. Their collective knowledge, support and honesty is unmatched by any shop I have been to. In the last 2 years I have purchased 6 guns, countless accessories and cases of ammo from them. I too have also been help by Rob (the armorer) with free services, inspections and part installation. They even help me with free labor while with troubleshooting and repairing a rifle I didn't buy from them. Top notch service ever time.

A quick example of why I trust them... I wanted to buy or build an AR pistol. Rob and Bernie took the time to ask me how I was going to be using it and helped me realize that it may not be the best choice for my intended use. I am sure many shops would have taken my money and not thought twice. Even though they talked me out of a sale and lost a transaction... they knew it was the right thing to do.

I know I can trust them. I'm going to continue to spend my money with people I trust.

Bumping an old thread with a recent experience.

A friend at work recommended I visit Virginia Arms when I told him that I was looking to buy my first pistol. He has done a few transfers there and said they are a great staff that is helpful, polite and just great to deal with.

I ended up taking a day off from work so I could visit them during the week when I figured they'd be less busy. I knew I wanted a 9mm semiauto and had a short list of guns that I had read/seen a lot of online. When I got there I was greeted by Jeremy, explained what I was looking for and what I wanted to do with the gun. He spent about an hour showing me everything on my list and even recommending some other models. At no point did I feel rushed or that I was being talked down to, it was just a great experience.

When I was ready to buy a week later I called to see if they had what I wanted in stock and if Jeremy would be there. He was scheduled off but Ryan was helpful on the phone, he checked the inventory and since they only had 2 of the gun I wanted he put one on hold for me to pick up the next day. I went before work, again to avoid a crowd and my friend said that weekend background checks can take forever. When I got there another gentleman (I can't remember his name but he was there when I first went in) walked me through all the paperwork and after about 30 minutes I was walking out with my first pistol.

As far as price, they are a little more than the internet for a lot of things but for a brick & mortar store they are reasonable. (The Hoppe's 9mm cleaning kit I bought was actually cheaper than Amazon!) Looking at the prices of other local vendors they are definitely a better deal. When it came to the gun that I bought I could have saved $50 or so buying online but I was more than happy to give them my business since Jeremy was so helpful with his time and information.

I'm glade to hear you had a good experience. Virginia Arms is my primary shop. I have nothing but good things to say after doing business with them regularly since 2011.

What impressed me wasn't how well they do when everything goes right. What I am very impressed with is how exceptional they are when it comes to handling problems. I have had zero problems with them specifically, but have purchased a product or two that was either not manufactured right out of the box or failures within a short time or purchase. The crew made sure I was taken care of immediately.

They're one of the more friendly places. Good selection of stuff and staff that's not insolent like some of the other places in the area. Reasonable price on FFL transfers ($30) so that's where my stuff goes.

A sad bump for an old thread--Virginia Arms is shutting down:
http://www.virginiaarms.com/
I stopped by and spoke with the owner, who confirmed it. The shop is pretty bare--a few items remain and the shop it self will close in a few weeks. I'm dismayed; I've found this shop to be one of the very best in northern VA--in my opinion, the best in terms of service, knowledge, and attitude. I've used them for years for purchases, sales, transfers, and services, and they've always been excellent. Its closing is a real loss.

Man that is heartbreaking. Bernie and the guys have been awesome. Just talked to the boss. Just a couple more weeks at most.

any solid reasons you heard from him for the close down?

I've heard a bunch of speculating, but nothing from the man himself.

jdonovan wrote:any solid reasons you heard from him for the close down?

I've heard a bunch of speculating, but nothing from the man himself.

I asked him outright if it was something he was being pressured to do or if it was something he wants to do. His words to me were "I just feel like now is a good time to move on." Due to the vague response, the rest of the conversation was pretty much just me telling him that he will be missed and that he ran a great shop.

I am going to go visit him tomorrow. I'll let you know if he gives me any other info that he is willing to share with the public.

I also asked about why he was closing and specifically asked about the recent opening of Cabelas nearby and its impact. He gave a very nonspecific answer, and I chose, as a matter or courtesy, not to follow up with more questions. Bernie communicates very clearly, and if he'd wanted to say anything he knows how to do so. I had been in the shop in early Sept a couple of times on a couple of matters and had noted then then his stock was a quite a bit less than I was used to seeing. In retrospect, it seems apparent that he was selling down in advance of his closing announcement--in other words, a controlled, planned exit. I got no sense that he is planning to open a new shop anywhere else.
There are plenty of other places and opportunities around here to purchase firearms & ammo--but I don't think his level of services--transfers, consignment sales, service for firearms, knowledgeable honest advice--is going to be replaced locally any time soon, if ever.

Went by for my visit today. Spoke to the guys. Seems like everyone has a plan except Bernie. If he does, he is being quiet about it.

I asked him again if there was any particular reason that he would be willing to have publicly known. He replied that it was time to move on. Out of respect for a man I greatly admire, I dropped it from there and enjoyed my last visit to Virginia Arms.