Three years ago (Wow, has it really been three years already?) esrice and I took one day off during the Christmas break and toured several gun shops around the outside of I-465 in Indianapolis. [Find the thread here.] As soon as that trip was over, we said we needed to do that again visiting another part of the state.
This time around, esrice wasn't available, but Que and Fenway were!
As part of the preparation for the trip, I had a list of 64 gun shops in northwest and north central Indiana. I knew we would only get to visit a small number of shops since most open at 10 am and many close by 6 pm. Add to that the many hours we would be on the road and there wasn't nearly enough time in the day. I whittled the list down to seven shops with three others I'd like to see if time allowed. With the list, some GoogleMaps printouts, and my wife's Tom-Tom we were ready!
My day started very early...just before 5 am. On Thursday I had plowed our lane of the 12" of snow we got the day before so I could make the trip to northwest Indiana.
After picking up Que in Indianapolis, we met Fenway along I-65 north of Indy and headed for Lafayette and points beyond.
1. Haley's Lodge - Lafayette
I'm glad Haley's Lodge opens early! We arrived around 8:30 to find a very clean and welcoming shop. It had a hunting lodge feel.
We met the owner and two sales folks; one of which was INGO member Gunsnrose.
The staff told us that they try to help those new to guns to learn what they need to to be responsible firearms owners.
The gun store is part of a larger sales area that includes a safe and lock outlet. The safe sales are a natural match for the gun store. Browing safes are their main line.
2. Four Guns - Lafayette
Located across and just down the street from Haley's is Four Guns.
You could tell that the recent run on guns, ammo, and accessories had taken it toll on the shop and workers. The folks we talked with were very friendly and started to apologize for the less-than-full gun display and the cardboard boxes that had just been opened bringing in new stock. We assured them that we had read numerous threads on INGO describing the near panic buying by some people in the last few weeks.
All the AR style rifles on display were consignment weapons. The shop was sold out of their inventory.
I'm a reloader so I noticed the powders right away. I always appreciate a shop that carries powder and primers so reloaders don't have to pay the hasmat fee to have it shipped directly to their homes.
We wanted to stop by and meet the owner of Front Toward Enemy Firearms near DeMotte, Indiana however, we weren't able to make contact during our window of opportunity.
Just as we entered Lake county the traffic flow halted due to a a truck accident. We crawled along for a few miles. During this time Que made his first video of the day.
AR15_Crisis_Prevention_Hotline
3. Blythe's - Griffith
This was a fun store with an old-time feel. It's set in downtown Griffith. The store occupies two building that were joined to make a large store. They make use of every square foot available.
There is a huge hunting and archery section as well as a dedicated optics display area, ammo area, and space for long guns and handguns. They are a dealer for Liberty safes and had a large display of safes.
We met INGO member Cyprant who was shopping with his daughter.
Jedi is probably well-known to many NW Indiana INGO members. He came over to say hi along with his two children. I first met Jedi when I attended one of the NW Indiana Shoots at Winamac. It was a great time and Jedi is an amazing organizer.
In the optics area, the store has a nifty rifle stock that allows a buyer to try out the feel of many of the optics before purchase. Here's Que practicing his Appleseed skills!
Lunch - Red Robin in Hobart
I'd never been to a Red Robin restaurant (we don't have them where I live). We shared a tower of onion rings and I downed a BBQ burger! I agree...YUM!
4. Blythe's - Valparaiso
The Blythe's in Valpo is located in a large building that houses several businesses owned and operated by the same family.
The range and gun store are located on the upper level and are accessed by a wide staircase just inside the main doors.
The sales area is very large with the handgun, rifle, and accessory areas blending into one another.
We met sadclownwp while we were visiting. He works at the store and I recommend any INGO member look him up if you're in shopping.
Clif45 was also at the shop and spent some time with us.
The range is accessed through this side room that has more accessory items. The sound deadening is very effective and you hear little noise from the range and no odors.
5. Midwest Gun Exchange - Misawaka
I had long heard about Midwest Gun Exchange. At many of the Indy1500 gun shows, they set up right across from the INGO table. The always arrived at the shows with their signature green table cloths and LOTS of guns organized in neat rows.
When we walked in the front doors of their store, it made sense. This store was a cross between a fancy sporting goods store and a jewelry store! The display cases formed a large central "bullpen" for the sales staff to move around in. Everything was very neat and orderly. Dozens of stuffed wild animals stood guard all around the store.
We talked with the manager and assistant manager. They claimed that their stock was way down but they certainly re-arranged the remaining inventory is such a way that it wasn't obvious. Regular shoppers may have known it, but it didn't show to this first time visitor.
It's always fun to shop around guns with Que. He's like a kid in a candy store.
One pistol caught his eye, a Sig .22 in the 1911 format. The salesman had it out of the case in an instant so Que could get the full experience. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this little gem didn't find its way to Indy when Midwest comes to the gun show.
Journey Home
It was growing dark as we left Midwest. We wanted to try to make it to ZX Guns in Goshen, but were unable to make contact to confirm their hours.
So we set the Tom-Tom to take us toward Indy and settled in for a long ride. It got pretty quiet in the car for awhile as I recall.
A surprise pop-up snow shower slickened the roads north of Indy, but we made it safely to our meeting spot, said our good-byes and headed for home.
This was a fun day and one I'd love to repeat, but headed in another direction next time. Perhaps south, or west, or northeast? Who knows. But any day spent in the company of friends and gun stores is bound to be a good day indeed!
This time around, esrice wasn't available, but Que and Fenway were!
As part of the preparation for the trip, I had a list of 64 gun shops in northwest and north central Indiana. I knew we would only get to visit a small number of shops since most open at 10 am and many close by 6 pm. Add to that the many hours we would be on the road and there wasn't nearly enough time in the day. I whittled the list down to seven shops with three others I'd like to see if time allowed. With the list, some GoogleMaps printouts, and my wife's Tom-Tom we were ready!
My day started very early...just before 5 am. On Thursday I had plowed our lane of the 12" of snow we got the day before so I could make the trip to northwest Indiana.
After picking up Que in Indianapolis, we met Fenway along I-65 north of Indy and headed for Lafayette and points beyond.
1. Haley's Lodge - Lafayette
I'm glad Haley's Lodge opens early! We arrived around 8:30 to find a very clean and welcoming shop. It had a hunting lodge feel.
We met the owner and two sales folks; one of which was INGO member Gunsnrose.
The staff told us that they try to help those new to guns to learn what they need to to be responsible firearms owners.
The gun store is part of a larger sales area that includes a safe and lock outlet. The safe sales are a natural match for the gun store. Browing safes are their main line.
2. Four Guns - Lafayette
Located across and just down the street from Haley's is Four Guns.
You could tell that the recent run on guns, ammo, and accessories had taken it toll on the shop and workers. The folks we talked with were very friendly and started to apologize for the less-than-full gun display and the cardboard boxes that had just been opened bringing in new stock. We assured them that we had read numerous threads on INGO describing the near panic buying by some people in the last few weeks.
All the AR style rifles on display were consignment weapons. The shop was sold out of their inventory.
I'm a reloader so I noticed the powders right away. I always appreciate a shop that carries powder and primers so reloaders don't have to pay the hasmat fee to have it shipped directly to their homes.
We wanted to stop by and meet the owner of Front Toward Enemy Firearms near DeMotte, Indiana however, we weren't able to make contact during our window of opportunity.
Just as we entered Lake county the traffic flow halted due to a a truck accident. We crawled along for a few miles. During this time Que made his first video of the day.
AR15_Crisis_Prevention_Hotline
3. Blythe's - Griffith
This was a fun store with an old-time feel. It's set in downtown Griffith. The store occupies two building that were joined to make a large store. They make use of every square foot available.
There is a huge hunting and archery section as well as a dedicated optics display area, ammo area, and space for long guns and handguns. They are a dealer for Liberty safes and had a large display of safes.
We met INGO member Cyprant who was shopping with his daughter.
Jedi is probably well-known to many NW Indiana INGO members. He came over to say hi along with his two children. I first met Jedi when I attended one of the NW Indiana Shoots at Winamac. It was a great time and Jedi is an amazing organizer.
In the optics area, the store has a nifty rifle stock that allows a buyer to try out the feel of many of the optics before purchase. Here's Que practicing his Appleseed skills!
Lunch - Red Robin in Hobart
I'd never been to a Red Robin restaurant (we don't have them where I live). We shared a tower of onion rings and I downed a BBQ burger! I agree...YUM!
4. Blythe's - Valparaiso
The Blythe's in Valpo is located in a large building that houses several businesses owned and operated by the same family.
The range and gun store are located on the upper level and are accessed by a wide staircase just inside the main doors.
The sales area is very large with the handgun, rifle, and accessory areas blending into one another.
We met sadclownwp while we were visiting. He works at the store and I recommend any INGO member look him up if you're in shopping.
Clif45 was also at the shop and spent some time with us.
The range is accessed through this side room that has more accessory items. The sound deadening is very effective and you hear little noise from the range and no odors.
5. Midwest Gun Exchange - Misawaka
I had long heard about Midwest Gun Exchange. At many of the Indy1500 gun shows, they set up right across from the INGO table. The always arrived at the shows with their signature green table cloths and LOTS of guns organized in neat rows.
When we walked in the front doors of their store, it made sense. This store was a cross between a fancy sporting goods store and a jewelry store! The display cases formed a large central "bullpen" for the sales staff to move around in. Everything was very neat and orderly. Dozens of stuffed wild animals stood guard all around the store.
We talked with the manager and assistant manager. They claimed that their stock was way down but they certainly re-arranged the remaining inventory is such a way that it wasn't obvious. Regular shoppers may have known it, but it didn't show to this first time visitor.
It's always fun to shop around guns with Que. He's like a kid in a candy store.
One pistol caught his eye, a Sig .22 in the 1911 format. The salesman had it out of the case in an instant so Que could get the full experience. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this little gem didn't find its way to Indy when Midwest comes to the gun show.
Journey Home
It was growing dark as we left Midwest. We wanted to try to make it to ZX Guns in Goshen, but were unable to make contact to confirm their hours.
So we set the Tom-Tom to take us toward Indy and settled in for a long ride. It got pretty quiet in the car for awhile as I recall.
A surprise pop-up snow shower slickened the roads north of Indy, but we made it safely to our meeting spot, said our good-byes and headed for home.
This was a fun day and one I'd love to repeat, but headed in another direction next time. Perhaps south, or west, or northeast? Who knows. But any day spent in the company of friends and gun stores is bound to be a good day indeed!
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