Saddleback Valley Gun Center

People either love or hate this shop for one simple reason… it’s old school. If you are in hurry, looking at your watch and waiting for salespeople to jump to attention the second you walk in… go to Big 5. The kid with the pizza diet pimples will happily try to help you but he may have just been transferred from the surfing section. If you want a gun shop that has a well-​seasoned and knowledgeable staff then you’ll appreciate SVGC. Don’t be in a hurry, these guys are usually in demand and there will often be people ahead of you waiting their turn. These guys handle one customer at a time in the order they arrive. If the smell of a fine cigar bothers you… well there’s Big 5. Personally I like it. I have taken bold actions rifles, ARs, shotguns, wheel guns and semi-​auto handguns here with different problems and needs and always ALWAYS left with a fully functional firearm after one visit. They know their _​_​_​_​! In fact, more often than not they fixed the gun, handed it back to me and said no charge! I leave a tip anyway cuz they earned it but that’s the kinda place this is. This is a casual place where older guys sit and chat and you either appreciate that atmosphere or you don’t. Their FFL transfer fees are great and if you aren’t a complete (insert appendage or cavity of choice here) they will provide all the advice, service and repairs you need. Their inventory changes constantly and their gun selection is varied and often fascinating. There is no sales pressure. They know everyone in the area and if they (for any reason) cannot assist you they will direct to the place that can. Yeah, I have seen Mr. Bigshot walk in all full of himself and leave pissed off because his needs were not met in five minutes and watch the regulars just laugh and shake their heads when he peels out in the parking lot. I have also seen a lot of people get far more than they expected and often at no charge. These folks love guns and the people who use em… make no mistake. But some people walk in wearing imaginary crowns expecting instant gratification and that approach doesn’t get you far here. Go in with a patient, friendly demeanor… amuse yourself by checking stuff out while awaiting your turn and you’ll have some of the best guys in shooting meeting your every need. I love this shop.

They wouldn’t let my adult son take his gun safety test, because they thought that the gun he was considering getting — Taurus PT 111 G2 — was not allowed in California. When we told them this gun is allowed in California, they still wouldn’t let him take the test. Told him to come back when he was ready to buy to a gun from them and then they would let him take the test.

What an A-​hole. I have tried to give this business the benefit of the doubt on more than two occasions. Today I tried again and went in to get information on two different firearms with the intent of making Christmas purchases. I do my best to shop locally (hence to multiple visits to this business) but the owner of this place is so rude and disrespectful to people that I will definitely find another business to purchase from. When I asked for some help to educate me so I could make an informed decision he belittled me and said he couldn’t help me because I didn’t know what I wanted. Um, kinda thought that was the purpose of help/​education. Just an all around jerk. Guess his business is so good he doesn’t need an extra grand in new business. Glad to do business elsewhere

Nice old fashioned gunstore. The older gentleman here is very knowledgeable and vey kind. They also had .22 ammo!

I don’t know what to saw about all the negative reviews but I can tell you my experience was great. The store has a small, personal, old time feel. I called all the other local stores when searching for a Ruger Mark III Hunter but when I called Brad he wouldn’t quote me over the phone. He simply said «come into the store and I will give you a great price.» He was right. He beat all the others by at least $ 50. Stop by and give the place a try.

I don’t tend to leave reviews… it’s just not my thing but after reading all other reviews I was inclined to do so. There are a few reviews regarding the owner of the store and it sad that people can’t step back and look at the whole picture. First off, it’s a gun store not a flower store. Second off, I purchased my handgun from them and he was a gentleman the whole time. I brought my girlfriend with me and he was a gentleman to her also. While I was speaking to one of the employees, sadly I don’t remember his name, I explained to him I was prior service all the way at the end of store. When I went to check out the first thing he did was reach out and shake my hand and thanked me. He’s not your typical orange county guy… he more of a Texas sort of man. But anyways, the staff was very knowledgeable and courteous to my girl and myself the whole time. Also got a great handgun for a great price.

Wish I could choose –0– stars. Had a rifle shipped to them from budsgunshop. Typically I use OC Armory but wanted to try a new shop and they were a little closer. I emailed them all the order information and my contact info. I called in today to verify they received my email and was verbally abused by the old guy that answered the phone. I apologized if somehow ‘we’ got off on the wrong foot and he responded with a very rude, «Is there anything else you want»? I was not angry, but saddened as a new customer that I was being treated so rudely. I asked him why he was treating me so rudely and he promptly badgered me for asking such a question. I then told him that it would be the first and LAST DROS I bring to their shop. His response? «Fine with me». WOW, just WOW. Just wish I had read the Unilocal reviews first, clearly I’m not alone.
I called Budsgunshop immediately and they were able to recall the order mid-​shipment and they will re-​ship to OC Armory, no charge! (Thanks Buds!). I’ll be leaving a similar review on Bud’s for SVGC as an FFL, hopefully no one else makes the same mistake.

This place is cool for what it is. They don’t have the best selection that is for sure but the staff is knowledgable and willing to help you. It could use an up dating of newer guns but hey that’s not the market they are going for I guess. Other than that this place has a cool feel to it, older, smokey, dusty just a raw gunstore they way it is suposed to be! Now that is hard to find in kommiefornia! Another cool thing about this place is if you have an older gun and need info or part for it, like a mag or what not, you may think this place it is a long shot but chances are they would probably have it. As for the owner being a racist, I don’t see it. He is however not worried about being «politically correct» at all and will speak his mind if you get into politics with him and hey why not it’s his business and this is America if he wants to run his store the way he does so be it. Glad to see this place staying in business

Came in here with my son to purchase a 1911 Colt semi-​auto.
Owner was a former cop with an attitude. He was rude & unprofessional.
My son, whom is in the Army, was shocked at the attitude.
We went to Grants For Guns in Costa Mesa & were treated professionally.
We bought there & continue to purchase our guns & ammo there.

Great service and great prices. Staff is very knowledgeable. They have the best AR builder in Orange County!

I have been a customer of Saddleback Valley Gun Center since 1990 and will continue to be a loyal patron.
Brad, Josh, and the rest of the employees are extremely knowledgeable and helpful, and have always been able to solve any issue I bring to them. Service is fast, courteous, and affordable.
This is my gun shop of choice in OC hands down!

There is no way I’m buying anything here, nor would I recommend anyone to.
I first had contact with this place a few months ago. I distinctly recall talking to a bit of a cranky man. I didn’t care too much, maybe he was having a bad day. No big deal.
I recently called in again with a serious intent to buy something they confirmed to have in stock. I had a few questions, and despite having expressed a serious intent to come in and buy today, I just had a couple of questions, the man on the phone was a 100% asshole. A true gem.
I was ready to spend over $ 1,000 here. Too bad for them that money will be happily directed into someone else’s cash register.
Based upon the other LEGIT reviews here and not counting the 5-​star reviews from one-​time Unilocal users, I presume that the Uncle Scrooge I spoke to was the owner. Unless, of course the disease has spread to the rest of his staff, or perhaps simply that birds of a same feather flock together.
Gun shops in SoCal are a dime a dozen, there is no way I would do business for even $ 1 to this place if I am not treated with the least bit of common courtesy and basic respect.
It is laughable that on top of the royal Douchebag that conducts business here, they tend to charge higher than their nearby competitors.
I have gone elsewhere for my needs, where I feel more welcome to do business.

My favorite local gun store to visit, and believe me, I’ve been to just about every one in Orange County, and I keep coming back here. Prices on average are better than most local stores. Only gripe I have is that Forbes Deli next door didn’t make it.

What can I say old dusty smoky cranky old dude behind counter. Reminds me of something out of an old Hollywood movie. Besides the rustic feel of the old west in oc, these cowboys are full of knowledge n extreme helpful when it comes to the law on firearms. They have a nice display of new n used weapons. U can trade in ur old weapons here n get a pretty good exchange for cash for guns. But be wary if you do not know your numbers these guys will cheat u for sure. No pawn stars here.

Never coming back. This guy was racist and treated me disrespectfully. Almost refused service on a transfer because I wasn’t a citizen. I had to remind him that I could own a gun with a green card. Customer is always right doesn’t exist in this place. Screw your business.

Excellent little gun shop. A really nice, pressure-​free shopping environment. Most gun shops I go into these days won’t let you just shop, they have to pester you and TELL you which gun is «the gun for you». Brad and his employees will let you shop and ask questions about the items YOU’RE interested in. A+ to this very knswledgable and helpful staff.

I’m very happy with there service. They need to work on there reloading stuff. There always out of primers and powders. Even though I’m still happy. Thanks Brad.

I am currently working with the ATF to yank his FFL. I’ve not filed with the better business bureau and will be filing civil complaints next week. I’ve had 3 guns shipped to his location. He denied that they had arrived for several months. Finally got the shipper to send me their invoices, serial numbers and UPS info to prove that he did in fact receive them. Then suddenly his story changes to shock that I didn’t want my guns and he was going to have to charge me a storage fee (never mentioned the fee before). Then he informed me that the guns had been sold and that he would send me a check. Waited for nearly 3 months for the check to arrive so I emailed him. After I received no response and I couldn’t get him on the phone, I went to the store. He told me that he would not pay me for the guns nor give me a replacement for the guns he fraudulently sold. If I have anything to do with it, he won’t be in business in 2014. At the least I’ll get a suspension on his FFL so he can’t operate but I’m bringing lawsuits against him in the near future for civil and criminal damages. I would not do business with this person for any reason. You can just tell Brad Bridges has something wrong with him. Trust that intuition. You cannot trust these guys.

This is a small-​town gun shop in a big city. There are no frills and minimal courtesy. The lack of social skills is certainly made up for by good, honest business practices. As a reward for calling ahead, they sold me double the usual allowance for 9 mm ammo. Good folks.

A great place to shop. The staff is straight with their answers and put the customer above the sale. A lot of gun shops have that pushy «used car» approach and feed you the answers you want to hear. Not these guys.
I appreciate a business who remembers their customers’ names. It’s a real testament to the respect they have for their patrons.
Some of the sticker prices on their guns are high compared to Turners and other larger stores who buy in bulk, but they will work with your budget the best they can, and their accessories are always such a steal it balances out in the long run.
To top it off, the music selection is always wonderful. Find me another gun shop anywhere that plays Zappa and Morphine on a daily basis!