Atlantic Guns Closing

jollymon · Feb 23, 2019

So last night I was out and bumped into one of the guys that had been working at Atlantic Guns and we started talking and almost fell over when he told me that they plan on closing both stores between May and July , They plan on downsizing at a new location somewhere a cross from King Farms on 355 in Rockville , It seems that declining sales lack of parking mostly at Silver Spring along with the coming Metro Purple Line down Bonifant St. making it one way with no street parking . He also said that the current bills banning HBAR's would really hurt there sales , They had gotten some makers to put HBAR on guns just so they could sell them in MD. now that will go away . I see that Hendershots is in a similar condition . I hate to see the Silver Spring store go because I bought my first gun their and it's walking distance . He didn't say how long they would be closed or when they'll reopen I hope all the permits with the County goes easily we all know how much love MOCO. has for gun shops .

3paul10 · Feb 23, 2019

That's a shame, but understandable.

Doctor_M · Feb 23, 2019

That sucks. When I was on site at NOAA, it was always a nice lunch walk to go there and make a purchase. Good people.

Racer Doug14 · Feb 23, 2019

I've never been there. I hope their plan gets scrapped when the hbar bill dies. But, if the location is not good for business, a move is always smart.

Fishguy · Feb 23, 2019

Both of their stores are in very high rent districts. A retail business like their's which is so specialized really doesn't need storefront space as visible to walk in and passerby traffic like they have currently. I think it's a smart move to get something maybe a bit smaller and lower rent if that is what they are after.

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jollymon · Feb 23, 2019

Fishguy said:
Both of their stores are in very high rent districts. A retail business like their's which is so specialized really doesn't need storefront space as visible to walk in and passerby traffic like they have currently. I think it's a smart move to get something maybe a bit smaller and lower rent if that is what they are after.

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Is there such a thing as Lower Rent anywhere along 355 in Rockville

outrider58 · Feb 23, 2019

Having purchased a few guns from the Rockville store through the years, I hope this isn't the death knell for them. I know that some's experiences with AG have not been good. I blame the small counter space more than anything else. I would hate to see them go completely. Hopefully, the new place will have a more consumer friendly setup. Hopefully, they will continue to stock a decent supply of AR 15 parts. They are the only store in town that does. I also worry that the county/state will refuse to continue their black powder (permit?). They've been a reliable source for my BP through the years.

outrider58 · Feb 23, 2019

jollymon said:
Is there such a thing as Lower Rent anywhere along 355 in Rockville

We all know the answer to that. Pretty much, every block of 355 is slated for tear-down and up for grabs for commercial/residential high-rise development. :sad20:

GunnyHwy · Feb 23, 2019

I always found their prices incredibly high. Perhaps that changed?

28Shooter · Feb 23, 2019

That's a shame. I always enjoyed a lunchtime walk over to their shop in Rockville.

38super · Feb 23, 2019

Sad to hear, I have bought quite a few gun's from them over the years, mostly used gun's. That was my weekly stop many years ago where I would go looking for older Smith And Wesson's. 15 years ago nobody wanted them and I would get some great deal's.

danb · Feb 23, 2019

Parking is a nightmare in Silver Sping and the rent is high. Getting to their Silver Spring store is a nightmare too.

Hope the consolidation goes well.

Mark75H · Feb 23, 2019

Parking is a nightmare in Silver Spring and the rent is high.

Jimmy McMillan approves

Bob A · Feb 23, 2019

AG in Silver Spring is an anachronism. It fit into the neighborhood perfectly forty years ago, before developers decided to make Silver Spring into the new Bethesda.

Now they're growing tax farms throughout the area; SS, Wheaton, any place within walking distance to a Metro stop. Get those 20-somethings into a highrise, put a Starbucks, shopping and a gym nearby, and start hammering them for their tax dollars.

The 2-story early 1950s-style town that once was is gone forever, as well as the people who used to live there.

For me, the biggest trauma was Dale Music closing on Georgia Ave. It was an incredible repository of sheet music, from popular through classical. I doubt that there's more than one or two shops in the US that could compete, in terms of the depth of their stock. All gone.

Times change, and people change within them. I won't miss the brave new world that's being built around me when I'm gone. The sad part is that so many will never know or understand what they missed.

c4snipar · Feb 23, 2019

outrider58 said:
Having purchased a few guns from the Rockville store through the years, I hope this isn't the death knell for them. I know that some's experiences with AG have not been good. I blame the small counter space more than anything else. I would hate to see them go completely. Hopefully, the new place will have a more consumer friendly setup. Hopefully, they will continue to stock a decent supply of AR 15 parts. They are the only store in town that does. I also worry that the county/state will refuse to continue their black powder (permit?). They've been a reliable source for my BP through the years.

I personally don’t blame on the counter space but customer service. It appears to be that they don’t even bother to talk to me. I had bought a few guns through the area except the one in Rockville. I have heard better customer service in SS but personally never been there so I cant comment on that. One thing that local gun stores need to take note is that there’s online competitions. Everyone earned their money not easy, at least for me. Why would I pay more if I can get them online cheaper? I understand supporting lgs is a good thing but bottom line who supports me? However, I do understand they have to set items at a certain price sustain the rent but this is just my 2ents so hopefully I didn’t offen anyone here.

c4snipar · Feb 23, 2019

GunnyHwy said:
I always found their prices incredibly high. Perhaps that changed?

Nope

SWO Daddy · Feb 23, 2019

I'm amazed they've lasted this long.

Schipperke · Feb 23, 2019

SWO Daddy said:
I'm amazed they've lasted this long.

DC area institution. Yes, they had a gun store in DC..

Czechnologist · Feb 23, 2019

Mark in Silver Spring helped me set-up my .300 WM a few years ago. Ended-up buying a Leupold scope and rings from him. Very knowledgeable. I'm sorry to hear about their difficulties.

dreadpirate · Feb 23, 2019

jollymon said:
He also said that the current bills banning HBAR's would really hurt there sales , They had gotten some makers to put HBAR on guns just so they could sell them in MD. now that will go away .

Yes - but are non-AR calibers going to be banned?

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