El Cajon Gun Exchange

I’ve only been here twice, but both times the staff have been nothing but polite to me. They have political signs, but I’ve not seen evidence that they discriminate based on their beliefs, so although it may harm their business with some I believe they’re reasonable in doing so — it’s their call.
I came in to order a new taser C2 battery and pair of cartridges which for some reason taser wouldn’t ship directly to me and said had to go through an FFL despite California having incredibly liberal taser laws. They hadn’t ordered the replacement parts before but the elderly gentleman I was talking with (Ron — the store owner I suspect) said they would and to come back later to pick them up. I paid upfront but he didn’t charge me a premium over what taser’s website listed them at.
I came back to pick them up expecting to pay shipping and they pretty much said ‘naw, don’t worry about it’ — so I walked out with a once more working taser, at a Taser’s price for the replacement parts and no cost for shipping. Part of this may have been because I mentioned why I wanted to refit my taser (a DV intervention — I can draw a c2 faster than anyone without a lot of training can pull a gun,) but nonetheless, it’s hard to think of way my shopping experience here could’ve been better.
BTW: they’re just starting to carry tasers. I highly recommend taser c2s as a low profile highly effective self-​defense weapon. Once you’re out of cartridges (which cause neuromuscular incapacitation for thirty seconds at a pop) if you arent out of the situation yet, c2s have a back up drive stun which is more painful than any other less than lethal weapon I’ve experienced — which include CS and pepper spray, as well as pepper balls and rubber bullets. Plus, defending yourself with a taser involves a lot less paperwork than defending yourself with a gun, and almost guarantees a living defendant but one who is incapicated for at least thirty seconds (which is enough time to either get away or get him in an armlock or armbar as those nearby hopefully either jump in for help or call the police.

I decided to try again I received very friendly and excellent service, from the older gentleman (can’t remember name) but I will be back

Called to ask for prices on ammunition and was told I have to come in to the store or check the website, and that they don’t give prices over the phone. I wanted to tell her that I had already checked the website and it appeared a little dated with no prices of any kind, but I held my tongue.
It was if my calling to check prices was an inconvenience to her. What’s not an inconvenience is
. If it comes down to me having to go the store just to see what’s in stock and how much it costs, it’s actually faster for me to just order it online. Plus, it will actually arrive prior to me ever having had a chance to make it into the store.
Maybe she was just having a bad day, I will try again later.

This was my first experience in a gun shop. It had lots or merchandise for hunting and home protection.
We were greeted when entering the shop and asked if we needed any help.
Because we were just looking the staff member briefly explained the different areas of the store.
Once we started looking in the cases a young women named «Rauscha «approached us and proceeded to give us the best customer service we have had in a long time. She was knowledgeable of all the weapons in the cases (about 4 of them). She went into details about the automatics and revolvers. She explained how to load then, safety issues, and the weight and bullet types of each weapons. She explained the process in purchasing a gun: the guns are ordered and that takes about ten days, you can put them on layaway (with a third down payment) or be financed and/​or pay by cash/​credit.
The average price range for the automatics and revolvers were around $ 500 dollars and some were much higher. They carried a full selection of weapons (and ammunition) not just the automatics and revolvers but hunting weapons etc. Thanks to «Rauscha» for her amazing customer service and complete knowledge of her merchandise this was a very educational positive experience.
If you are familiar with the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and the type of guns she (Angelina Jolie) used in the movie; well they have them there at the El Cajon Gun Exchange.

The men and women of El Cajon Gun Exchange are patient, pleasant and helpful. A lady that I was doing business with suggested ECGE. I’m glad she did. It is convenient, and I can see why people would drive a ways to work with staff who are all very knowledgeable and pleasant. With the amount of nonsense forms and procedures required by the feds and the state at this point, it does not seem that the people in a neighborhood store like this can make a living. Their prices are good and competitive. They must love what they do. They must love the people who come in to shop.

This place sucks! Ron Godwin, manager is the rudest idiot I have ever encountered. Go somewhere else

Very knowledgeable but I personally will never buy anything from them again

I walked in to this place with alot of questions, was received by a laidy name Cindy… a very nice and knolegeble person. She showed me some guns let me be very confortable handling them, she took her time showing me different guns and even gave me few pointers.
This is one good place to shop for
me, 5 stars plus.
Thank you Cindy, Jen 1 and all the others who helped too.
Jefferson

I WILL buy all my CA firearms from ECGE. I bought a higher end AR here in July and my experience was 180 out from the reviews here and after visiting this store a handful of times, I can attest to the selection and the staff as being terrific.
First off, I came here after being referred by a friend who also bought an AR. He had a great experience and got a great deal, so I was hoping for the same. I read the reviews here first and ALMOST did not come by but I know how Unilocalers can be, so I called first. I did not expect a lot of help over the phone as most gun shops want you to come in; however, Jenn was most helpful on the phone which had me to the store instantly.
In the store, I spoke with three different employees and explained that price was my number one concern. Instead of shooing me away, they negotiated until I was satisfied with the deal (which was better than an internet purchase). They even stayed past closing on a week night to accommodate me picking up my rifle without even mentioning that they should have been closed. Super friendly!
I have come in several times since my purchase and have had a great experience every time, consistent with my first experience.
One thing I will say is that each time I was there, I witnessed several people coming in off the street and asking ridiculous questions and/​or fingering all the guns and then immediately walking out with no intention of buying. So I would urge SERIOUS buyers to read between the lines on some of these reviews. Are they wrong? I can’t say but I will say my experience here has landed me a customer indefinitely.
Their prices are QUITE reasonable and they offer military discounts. Support your local gun shop. Talk to the staff — and if you are a SERIOUS buyer, I am certain you will be a happy customer like I am.

They are very rude and know nothing about the laws. With super high prices. It’s not just me. Many of my friends have also experience the same rude attitude. The last time I went there I was with a friend of mine doing a transfer. They started out very bad. Then they changed their tune after finding out my friend was a cop. what jerks.

I honestly have no idea how the doors stay open in this place. But they must be doing something right. I am a gun owner and I have a decent knowledge base of firearms and tactics from military training along with first hand experience, what bothered me about the place was that the mood of who ever is behind the counter can change very fast once they realize you are someone that knows the heck you are talking about. I was looked at like I was a thug coming off the street, I was spoken too very rudely when I was asking questions (the responses I was getting were very very snobby).
The store it’s self looks like a shit twister came through and flung shit all over the place. The shelves are always almost empty. I under stand that some guns they sell are used however, cleaning them before you put them on display would be nice. Honestly this place is a dump and waste of time.

owner is an ex cop,
not all cops are bad, but many lack in people skills and he is no exception.
I get that he probably deals with lots of idiots but not everyone is there to give them a hard time.
If Unilocal is any indication, maybe you’d make more money with a civil being on the sales floor.

Chet helped me purchase my first handgun about a year ago, and I have to say he was the most helpful, considerate and knowledgeable staff there. There was one other employee that was a little friendly, but the men at the counter were disengaged and a bit short. Would I buy there again? Maybe. They have a good selection and the prices are fairly reasonable. Sorry it took so long to write this!

I had a run in with them two times. Discussed my concerns and how I was treated with the owner. Then I had a third run in. Guess what — I will never ever go in this business again and I will tell all my friends my experiences. I drive by it and would like to look — but I will not enable that small business ever.
I’ve been a sportsman, gun owner, collector, reloader, for 53 years and would rather have root canal.
I just will not go in that store.

Completely over priced. Expect to pay a lot more here than anywhere else. The staff is condescending when they actually get around to assist you. Go to another store.

A few years ago I took my handgun safety test here, only because it was the closest location to my home. Well this past weekend I was in the market for a new handgun and decided to visit the el cajon gun exchange. Here’s how the review goes.
First, the shop is located in an older part of el cajon and the curb appeal really isn’t there and it doesn’t look inviting from the outside. Let’s look past that and enter the shop. The sales floor has a nice selection of items for sale, targets, gun safes, ammo, hunting goods, etc. So it’s not that bad of a place to shop for these type of items. Now here’s where it goes south. You wait a while to finally be «helped» by somone behind the counter and they have an arrogant attitude and come off a little rude as well. I was asking for insight on a recommended handgun for my budget and they weren’t really helpful about this, kind of like I should have known exactly what I wanted before I came in. Well as a person browsing with the intent to purchase, the selection of handguns actually on display was disappointing. Maybe 3 or 4 jewlers cases of handguns, Asking for help or to look at them was like pulling teeth. Didn’t really get much insight or customer service.
Now here’s where it really goes south. They have a section of handguns that were marked «law enforcement only». I asked why and they said they weren’t on the CA approved list. Ok I get that. But it was a .38 semi auto for under $ 200, so I was inquiring that if these guns were 100% illegal to a private citizen or if it only applied to the new purchase. Example would be a LEA friend bought one and resold it to me, could a private party transfer be completed legally or would the gun not be allowed to be transfered as it’s not on the list? Easy enough question, so I thought. The guy started saying it was a felony to even ask the question and that he wasn’t a lawyer and that their website answers most of the questions. I said the website doesn’t really do much for me as I’m a tactile person and want to see/​feel the product and discuss questions in person. Needless to say I left feeling like they were a bunch of A-​holes. Deciding that my money spends just as well elsewhere, I left.

High prices… interesting people. If your a Democrat you might want to take your business somewhere else. Very nice lady helped me looked at a couple pistols, helped me with an accessory and some targets. This is a good place for ammo, targets, accessories, and large safes. People behind the gun counter should not assume that all customers are the same. Such a shame as this place is close and I am in the market for four new pistols. Bet there is some profit in that.

On 10−9−13, I called Clothey and Sons Gun Smiths, located in the El Cajon Gun Exchange to see if they could install on my SigSauer 556, Samson Flip-​Up Iron Sights and mount and sight in my new Vortex StrikeFire Optics. I was told to bring it down which I did. I arrived around 2:30 and they did the installs in less than a half hour I was on my way. These guys were fantastic, I was impressed at their customer service and knowledge of all types of guns and accessories. I now have a place to take my firearms for repair, inspections and installs of accessories.
This is a first class operation and I will recommend them to all my buddies. If anyone needs any installs, repairs or professional advice check them our they certainly know their stuff. I’m taking my old Remington Fieldmaster .22 rifle in next.

I just recently completed my 4^th gun purchase at ECGE. I have been in the store on numerous other occasions buying accessories, ammo, asking questions, or just window shopping.
They have a good size ammo inventory, some reloading equipment, gun accessories, targets, and a great selection of gun safes.
When I frequent a business I like to find the employees that can get the job done, in this case I find that dealing with Cindy or Chet is my best bet.

After calling several places where I go to, I called El Cajon Gun exchange to look for some 9×18 (Makarov) ammo. The person who answered the phone said that he couldn’t transfer me over to that department, and I’d have to call back to see if they had any in stock. He did tell me they carried it.
I went over there the next day (Saturday, today), and immediately felt like it was a mistake. The place was fairly crowded, and this might have been exacerbated by the extremely poor store layout. Not to mention the big sign saying that this is an ‘Obama Free Zone’
Now granted, I’m not happy with the results of our recent election either, and I have come to expect a bit of political crap coming from a gun store. I was in no way prepared for the onslaught of political propaganda, bile, and tomfoolery that was posted around the store. It seriously made me feel uncomfortable. When I saw the «ENGLISH ONLY» signs on the glass counter, I realized it had devolved from the cute «gun show» political tripe to straight out unprofessionalism. If I knew that I could get what I needed somewhere else that day, I would have walked out.
I was approached by a young gentleman who asked me what I wanted (9×18 ammunition) and grabbed me the only type they had there. I realize that they are the only place in town, and that sometimes you have to pay a little more for items rather than online, but a box of ammunition should not cost 50% more than I can buy it on the most expensive online place ($ 33.00/box here, and $ 22.00 from Cheaper than
)
A quick survey of other ammo prices as I got lost trying to escape the store before I was attacked by Minotaur proved that they are between 30−50% more than other stores. All in all this was a horrible experience, and I felt like I didn’t even get kissed.
Normally, they would get one star, but they did have what I was looking for instead of the 8 other local stores that I called beforehand. Suggestions would be lower prices, less political crap, a higher level of professionalism, and a cleaner store layout.