No More Barts?

[Augie]

http://www.onlinebarts.com

Went to check on some shotguns this morning and it looks like they are retiring. Looks like I'm going to have to drive a lot farther for higher end shotguns.

 

[Selene]

Wow. That is a big blow to the community.

 

[El_flasko]

Congrats to them on the coming retirement! It does suck if they plan on closing but I didn't see that on their site. Hopefully the torch will be passed and they remain a staple down off Ritchie hwy. only been there once but they had a great selection of ice shotguns and fantastic customer service.

 

[pablo]

http://www.onlinebarts.com

Went to check on some shotguns this morning and it looks like they are retiring. Looks like I'm going to have to drive a lot farther for higher end shotguns.

A&D pawn is right down the road a bit. They have a selection. Not sure how high end it is. They're Class III and good folks. Hopefully Bart's is just changing ownership.

 

[sbmike]

I went to Caesar Guerini to drop off my shotgun for routine maintenance yesterday and the gunsmith there told me the same thing. I didn't know if it was common knowledge so I didn't post it but apparently, sadly, it's true. It will be sad to see them close their doors for the last time.

 

[vinjet700]

A&D pawn is right down the road a bit. They have a selection. Not sure how high end it is. They're Class III and good folks. Hopefully Bart's is just changing ownership.

So is Scott's Gunsmithing....

 

[Redcobra]

Oh No........Say it ain't so.

Since Jack teaches and does a lot with Guerini, maybe he'll keep his FFL and just close the brick and mortar. My last two guns were bought from him at the Club and he did the paperwork by cell phone while we sat in front of the fireplace.

 

[Waz]

A&D pawn is right down the road a bit. They have a selection. Not sure how high end it is. They're Class III and good folks. Hopefully Bart's is just changing ownership.

So is Scott's Gunsmithing....

both great shops!

i really liked that Barts was open until 9pm, but i don't have any regrets leaving work a little early to make a purchase at Scotts

 

[Billman]

Where will I get my softball jersey?

Best of luck in retirement!

 

[elbert]

I'm going to have to stop by, never been there before... Did they say when was their last day?

 

[Overboost44]

I was in there on Wednesday looking around and there was not a mention of it. There was lot's of stuff on sale, but frankly the prices were still high. Maybe they had not marked everything at that time.

Not sure what kind of timeframe there is on the retirement, but while I was there someone called in and told the guy at Bart's that "your website says you are no longer accepting transfers" so the guy at Barts' asks another guy that works there "are we still doing transfers?" and the guy says "yes, I will get the website looked at." Now, I am paraphrasing here as I was obviously not on the phone, but it sure sounds to me like some employees didn't know this was happening. Not trying to start any rumors.

ETA: Almost forgot. They had what really appeared to be good prices on a Ruger Mark III and a Ruger Mark II that were used. I say "appeared" to be good prices because they were under $300, but I did not inspect them closely.

 

[Augie]

Oh No........Say it ain't so.

Since Jack teaches and does a lot with Guerini, maybe he'll keep his FFL and just close the brick and mortar. My last two guns were bought from him at the Club and he did the paperwork by cell phone while we sat in front of the fireplace.

Let me know if you find anything out, looks like the next closest shop would be Albrights in Easton

 

[LoneRanger]

I say good for them...after 57 years they deserve to retire...

I bought my first guns from them in the late 60's and early 70's...

Wonder if they own that property....selling that corner would make for some nice retirement money.

 

[sxs]

My understanding is that they rent the building. I heard about it last week from a reliable source, but didn't post anything here because I didn't know if it was common knowledge yet. I did stop by this past Tuesday. The guys in the store are well aware that they're closing 'in a few weeks'. New guns are priced similar as always, but some used guns have some pretty good prices. Saw a Japanese Browning A5 with choke tubes in near excellent shape for $550 for one example. One of the clerks told me Jack Bart was looking to pair himself with a local FFL so he could continue custom shotgun fitting...so it sounds like they/he won't be maintaining his FFL (which isn't easy without a store front these days. It was said that the Bart brothers had contemplated retirement in the fairly near future anyway and that no family members wanted to continue the business. The Barts were going to have to commit or not to another 5 year lease. With business slow anyway, they just made the decision to close.

Sucks

As stated, No one else in the area has the high end shotguns. Scott's has black rifles, HD shotguns and modern handguns with just a few C&Rs and a few hunting guns... the latter two categories usually on consignment. The staff there is fairly friendly and knowledable including Scott himself. A&D has a definite mix...but it doesn't include high end clays guns. Jimmy handles most of the firearms transactions and is very friendly and easy to deal with. Arundel Firearms generally just has a mix of ordinary grade hunting firearms plus a few models of handguns...although, someone who would likely know has told me Phil of Arundel Firearms is starting to sell a few of his personal guns off and he has some damn nice collectibles in his personal collection. Clayton Otto of Otto's Police Supply as noted in other threads has weird hours and does more gun show and internet transactions that in-store sales ...or at least that's my impression.
Also, Clayton has openly stated that while he intends to ride things out a while, if business doesn't pick up, he will likely close

 

[sxs]

Let me know if you find anything out, looks like the next closest shop would be Albrights in Easton

Larry's Trading Post is a good ways further than Easton, but if you are staying anywhere around O.C., it's nearby. Rt 611 - Stephen Decatur Blvd just before the Ocean City bridge))

 

[lee2]

stopped by a few hours ago. the prices on most everything, including firearms, are marked down.
cleaning supplies are 50% off.
there was a decent crowd in there as well. if they dont order anything, they will be sold out soon.

 

[madmantrapper]

Let me know if you find anything out, looks like the next closest shop would be Albrights in Easton

Clyde's is in Lansdowne

 

[namrelio]

Why not go to the ONLY gun store. Scotts, on Thelma Ave, Glen Burnie. Deal with them once, you won't go anywhere else.

 

[Augie]

As SxS mentioned none of these shops carry high end shotguns. If you are heavy into clay shooting a shop that has a selection and arranges demo's of various shotguns is very important.
Most of us want to demo a gun or at least shoulder it before dropping 4 grand or more, Barts provided that to lots of local clay shooters.

 

[hodgepodge]

Does this mean that Select Fire will pick up the slack in the shotgun market?