About Chigger Ridge Firearms
What makes Chigger Ridge Firearms different from all the other gun dealers in Southwest Missouri?
I was asked that question the other day, and I got to thinkin’ about it some. Here’s what I came up with:
Chigger Ridge Firearms is a one-man operation, which means that I’m responsible for what I stock, how I price my items, and how I treat my customers. I take a personal interest in each and every customer, their wants and needs, and then add a few special things to that level of service.
I test each and every firearm I get in here. New ones, too. I’ve found that sometimes the manufacturers don’t catch everything, and I can usually diagnose a problem with a firearm relatively quickly. If a customer wants a new scope and rings, I’ll mount it to his weapon, and ask if he wants me to “dial it in”. That means that I’ll zero it as close as I can at 100 yards, and then the customer can adjust their range from that point. I managed to get a 5/16” group of three rounds in the center of the target for a customer’s Savage Mako .17HMR just last week. He did ask me to zero it for him.
I have new customers who have never used handguns, and due to some recent episode have discovered a need for both a handgun and some training. I’m an NRA certified trainer, and after 24 years in the military, several years of competitive handgun competitions, and several years as a police officer, I believe I can provide them some insight into the current laws regarding armed confrontation, as well as make a recommendation as to the type of handgun to use, and provide some preliminary training in that firearm.
I had a customer yesterday who was asking about a recommendation for a large-game rifle that could be handled by his wife. I’d really like to visit with her before we make a specific recommendation, but I did learn that she’d never fired anything larger than a .223. Now a .223 might do the job, but you’d better really be good at shot placement to drop an elk with a small caliber like that. I told him we really need to go a lot larger in caliber, and she needs to practice with a bigger gun and bigger bullet.
I look for bargains where I can pass on the savings to my customers. I have several who shoot military surplus ammo, and even that is getting expensive, so I’m always searching to those items.
My Spartan little one-man shop is in a converted milk barn, constructed of thick stone and mortar walls. It was built back in October, 1953 & I actually met the gentleman who built it. He was complimentary in the manner that I’d done the remodel, with the security systems and window bars, as well as the 300 lb. “blast door” on the front.
I work weekends, when my customers can come by and shop, or talk, or just get a cup of coffee and see what’s new in the firearms world. We talk about rights and freedom and the 2nd amendment, which guarantees all the rest of the bill of rights. We talk about cops and soldiers and sheepdogs; hunting, fishing and Cardinals baseball.
All in all it’s a relaxed place where you feel welcome, kind of like a warm country kitchen with a big oak table where everyone takes part in the conversation and talk through the issues of the day.
Come and see me.
- JD
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