Lost Creek Armory

Lost Creek is the best in town. As a couple of people have previously mentioned, it is a small shop but they more than make up for that with friendly service and a good inventory. I’ve made two purchases there and am about to make a third. No matter how minor (or dumb) my questions are, they provide answers in a way that is informative, not belittling. They’ll have my business long as they have, or can get, what I want,

The Gun Shop is my «Zen Garden». It’s a safe place to unwind. We talk guns, life philosophy, politics, etc. It’s a place where men can be men and enjoy the company of other like minded, high caliber people. No pun intended. Lost Creek Armory customer service, knowledge and honesty trumps all other local competition at this time. However, that being said. This review is recently inspired by some of the worst humans I’ve ever encountered at a DIFFERENT gun shop in town. I wanted to leave a negative review for that gun shop, but can’t seem to find their Unilocal profile. It seems for the time being; «less reputable» Gun Shops=Cowardly owners. Owners who know they will be exposed for their aggressive business practice if they had a Unilocal profile. Either way, I decided to leave a positive one instead; for my favorite guys in the biz…
Including the owners of a gun shop, I also analyze patrons in order to conclude a full opinion of a gun shop. The patrons, after all; make a business. Lost Creek encompasses a variety of patrons. Locals both eclectic and less progressive in the gun world. This creates a laid back environment. Conversations aren’t hostile or negative, you aren’t made to feel belittled or intimidated. The patrons and owner (s) are even keeled people who don’t have a chip on their shoulder.
Some might say that Lost Creek is too small, or «they don’t have what I’m looking for». I say that quality, variety and availability will never trump my safety. Lost Creek is my «home base», my go to spot for my «Gun Zen Garden». Which is why it’s important to feel safe, respected and valued by their business practice. After all, I’m buying a gun to induce safety. Why bother buying that gun at a location where the opposite is conducted? It’s eye opening to me how many people will keep going back to a horrible shop owner, based on availability or any other reason.
All though there is a daunting and stark contrast between local gun shops in town, Lost Creek Armory will keep providing excellent service and continue to be a model for local FFL Dealers.

I give these guys 5 stars because they are definitely not the usual gun store dueches who tend to make people feel intimidated or stupid about a purchase many people make infrequently. I an usually not in the store very often as it is cozy and the firearms there are not my brand (they are mostly new). I have purchased firearms there before (probably 4 or 5) over the past years and the transactions have been easy and quick. Tom and Ed seem to know a lot about the business and Ed makes a fine leather product.
I usually use them for FFL transfers these days and while not the cheapest they are the most professional and convenient. If you need to save a dollar here or there and don’t care about service you can look around but if you are a first timer or bringing a first timer this is the place to go. I have seem them let knowledgeable friends «take over the sale» when they bring in a first timer instead of making themselves look smarter by finding some unimportant nuance to correct them with.
If you can’t tell I am passionate about firearms retail and I think it is a place to make a difference for people as they begin a journey into the 2^nd amendment. It is a huge responsibility and one of the few that remain intact. I don’t know of a better store in Central Oregon.
Todd

Best gun shop in town, period. Whatever your experience level and taste in firearms is, go here before you buy. I consider myself fortunate that they are *my* local gun shop. Clean facility, very organized inventory, and stellar staff.
Tom and Ed are both stand-​up guys, and will treat you right and take care of you. Both have a wealth of firearms experience and point you in the right direction if you need a little guidance. What I appreciate about them, as well, is that if they don’t know the answer to your question, they don’t BS you. If they have to point you to another vendor in town, or online to help you because it’s a service they don’t offer, or product they can’t order, they do. To me, this is the true indicator that they care about their customer-​base; which tells me they understand the value of a long term patron as opposed to a quick-​buck.
They are a smaller shop, but they have an eclectic inventory. Odds are you’ll find what you’re looking for in stock, but if not – as long as you know what you’re looking for, Tom can pull up his distributor online and let you know cost and delivery times.
In an age of online vendors, price is an understandable consideration for smart gun buyers. It’s the free-​market at work. What I appreciate about Lost Creek Armory is that I don’t find myself having to look online to get the best deal. I always check Lost Creek first, tell Tom what I’m looking for, and go from there. If he has it in stock, it’s often a better deal than major vendors. If it’s an order item (and the guy can get *anything* Title I it seems like), the prices are either better, or commensurate to a transfer. In the few instances where I would save $ 10 or $ 20 by transferring or going to another shop, I have always opted to pay a little more to buy it at Lost Creek — it’s just that kind of shop.
In instances where I find a rare or hard-​to-​find firearm second-​hand, or have a firearm I’ve traded for on forums and I transfer to their shop, the transfer fee is reasonable ($ 30 at the time of this writing + $ 10 OSP BC).
As I said earlier, I appreciate having them as my local shop, who they are, their business ethics, and their value as a resource — I want them to be successful because their presence in the Deschutes County firearm-​market ultimately helps myself and other shooters.

I’ve purchased half a dozen different firearms from these guys over the past four years, from a Performance Center .460 S&W revolver to small carry pistols like the Sig P938. They have the best prices and service in Bend. And if they don’t have it in stock, they’ll get it for you.
Shop around and compare for yourself, then talk to Tom & Ed. When you hear their price and the advice they have to go with it, you’ll want to deal with them on every purchase. You’ll find them in the far corner of the Shopko plaza, and it’s worth seeking them out.

Very competitively priced, honest, and helpful. Would be happy to do business with them again.

Tom and Ed are both great guys. When I buy guns I want to buy from quality people who know their stuff, not chain stores. Ed also makes some sweet hand made leather holsters. I have 2 of them.
Prices are always very good here and selection is great. They often have used guns in stock if you are looking for something cheap or old. Only downside is they are not a kimber dealer. Most other things they can order if you don’t see what you need.
I would never hesitate to recommend Lost Creek.

Competitive prices and excellent service.

Looks like a whole in the wall but not true.
The store is small but they make up for in inventoery and services. They carry alot of weapons others stores dont. They also keep well stock and if they run out will order it for you. Wonderful staff, that knew alot and we helpful. Can wait to go again!

Great place to buy guns. Not over priced and helpful in ordering guns they may not carry. location is odd if you don’t know where it is.

Lets see… You should probably avoid this place unless you are a mullet or crew-​cut wearing, para-​military, 2012 doomsday, ultra conservative, gun nut. That seems to be their bread and butter customer.
Selection…Yawn. Value/Prices…Average. Customer service… Indifferent. Tom is okay enough in his kind of low-​key, «I dont really care that much if you buy from me.» attitude. The other guy? I am guessing he is retired or burnt out LE from his attitude and total lack of sales skills and personality. They will do out of state transfers and special orders but I backed out because I doubt their follow-​thru skills. I was shopping for an M4 and decided to buy at Wholesale Sports instead — they were great and very eager to sell; free case and discount card and they matched the best online price I could find.