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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,057
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,057 |
Don’t know if anyone is aware or not, but Great Northern Guns will be closing shop soon. I asked why and was told the 3 acres they sit on is too valuable. Sales on just about everything in the store.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,946 Likes: 27
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,946 Likes: 27 |
It is a shame, but Joe gave it all for many years. Last time I was in there was just before spring bear and it was obvious that things were winding down.
Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master Guide, Alaska Hunter Ed Instructor FAA Master pilot www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.comAnyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,700 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,700 Likes: 4 |
Schitt........... That sucks. I bought a .22 pistol from them last fall. I'd planned on going in this fall and crossing something else off the list.
Z
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 23,525 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 23,525 Likes: 2 |
Where Yog going to work at now? Cabelas? Bass pro?
Then STFU. The rest of your statement is superflous bullshit with no real bearing on this discussion other than to massage your own ego. Suckin' on my titties like you wanted me.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,500 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,500 Likes: 3 |
Joe is in his mid 80s and ex wife is deceased. They had a hell of a run!
I was in there a month ago and there were some nice lever guns and Stevens single shots as well as a couple M12s.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 914
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 914 |
ALASKA is a "HARD COUNTRY for OLDMEN". (But if you live it wide'ass open, balls'to the wall, the pedal floored, full throttle, it is a delightful place, to finally just sit-back and savor those memories while sipping Tequila).
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,737 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,737 Likes: 1 |
It's a shame. There are no more good gun shops like GNG. Joe knew his stuff and wasn't afraid to deal with collectables and used guns. They will certainly be missed and won't ever be replaced. Joe is one of the first guys I met when I moved to Anchorage in Jan 1981. We grew to be good friends. He had his own struggle with cancer. This is the first I'd heard about Anita passing. She knew business and Joe knew the guns.
NRA LIFE MEMBER GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS! "Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 914
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 914 |
This is the first I'd heard about Anita passing. She knew business and Joe knew the guns. Anita knew guns.......She had likely the largest collection of "Stevens" firearms. When they first had concealed carry permits in Alaska, Anita and myself and all the employees, we all did our shooting qualification together with 50 caliber revolver and 50 caliber auto. That way we were legal to carry any handgun.
ALASKA is a "HARD COUNTRY for OLDMEN". (But if you live it wide'ass open, balls'to the wall, the pedal floored, full throttle, it is a delightful place, to finally just sit-back and savor those memories while sipping Tequila).
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,717 Likes: 9
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,717 Likes: 9 |
Knowledgeable gun store employees are a rarity but GNG workers knew their stuff. I used to visit the store at least once a month just to see what odd ball left handed rifles might appear and usually found one that followed me home. Donuts, decent coffee, 3-4 old timers sitting around shooting the breeze. Just a classic style of old time customer service. Had to be careful where you parked otherwise the snow/ice would slide off the roof onto your vehicle.
My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,084
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,084 |
Through the years I bought two Parker shotguns there and always drooled over the high-end bolt guns and collectible lever guns in the racks. I'm sad to hear about it closing.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 914
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 914 |
Anyone remember "Bill Morrow" who worked at GNG, and the guy who shot the big moose two days before the season opened.......(insert DRUM ROLL) in the parking lot of ABC TV station, a block from GNG right on Tudor Road....???
The guy had just arrived in Alaska to hunt moose, walked into GNG just as they opened, and asked if they knew where he might see a "big" moose. Bill said, I just seen one a few minutes ago, standing on the sidewalk a block that way, in front of the TV station. Bill thought he was a tourist just wanting to see a Alaska moose. Guy leaves GNG, gets his rifle, walks around the corner, and "blasts" the moose, right in the center of the parking lot. Cops came in the store all pissed'off at Bill. It really was a large trophy moose. Needless to say, it was "all over" the evening news. And front page of both news papers.
ALASKA is a "HARD COUNTRY for OLDMEN". (But if you live it wide'ass open, balls'to the wall, the pedal floored, full throttle, it is a delightful place, to finally just sit-back and savor those memories while sipping Tequila).
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,635 Likes: 13
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,635 Likes: 13 |
Great northern guns was my favorite. I guess my last purchase was a few weeks ago and the shelves were bare. They had a box of 338 RCM reloading brass.
I didn't know they were closing but thanked them for many of the interesting guns I got to experience because of their diverse offerings. They always had ammo for all sorts of uncommon rifle cartridges
They would kick rude people right out of the store too, they liked the place to be polite and upbeat. Always did like talking guns with those old retired gun loiterers that sat there.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,132 Likes: 7
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,132 Likes: 7 |
Damn ! sad news, gonna miss it, Joe ordered me the very first of eleven 300 RUM Rem 700's to hit Alaska back when it first appeared, along with two boxes of ammo ... Nobody in Alaska had heard of the cartridge yet but Joe got on it and made it happen quickly
last year I'd looked virtually all over the world for 350 Rem Mag brass with no luck, walked into GNG for a 20 moa Nightforce rail for my long range rifle and jokinly asked if they had 350 Rem Mag brass, guy points to shelf with 3 boxes of Nosler brass on it
"The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants".
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390 |
Damn it. That was a great shop. I always liked visiting when I was in Anchorage...
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 2,097 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 2,097 Likes: 3 |
That's too bad, they were a good shop.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,434 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,434 Likes: 3 |
Sad. The great, old-school gunshops we grew up with are becoming a relic of the past. And the knowledgeable old guys in flannel shirts have been replaced with young spandex "Team Glock" shirt-wearing wannabe's who are all about tactical shooting, but know next to nothing about hunting rifles and shotguns. I'm uncomfortable around them.
Last edited by JeffyD; 09/27/21. Reason: autocorrect!
"No good deed shall go unpunished!"
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 914
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 914 |
Anyone know if they have actually closed yet........???
ALASKA is a "HARD COUNTRY for OLDMEN". (But if you live it wide'ass open, balls'to the wall, the pedal floored, full throttle, it is a delightful place, to finally just sit-back and savor those memories while sipping Tequila).
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,019
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,019 |
Curious who (if anyone) carries blackpowder anymore in south central... I got my last few lbs there.
Intellectual honesty is the most important character trait in human beings.
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 366
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 366 |
I was in around Sep 10th, they said the 15th would be the last.
Last edited by akmtnrunner; 09/27/21.
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9,162 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9,162 Likes: 6 |
I don't know if Great Northern was there in the 60's and 70's. When I came to town to blow off steam and see the bright lights, I went on to Seattle not loving Anchorage much, the first stop was at Sea First to cash the paychecks, the barber shop, and then the great Warshall's Sporting Goods and buy a gun. That way when I left Seattle to go back in, I had something to show for it besides the hangover. Eddie Bauer was too pretentious and hoity toity, pawn stores too junky, Warshall's was a gun looney's mecca.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
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