Northwest Armory - Milwaukie

I think in the early 2010's this was the best gun shop in all of Oregon. Good selection with fair prices and quality customer service. I feel that they still have a good selection and fair prices, but their customer service has hit the floor over the last couple of years. Trying to chat with the staff at this store feels like pulling teeth. They are no longer personable like the staff at other shops in the area. Their concern seems to be getting you in and out with a sale made as quickly as possible.

For the longest time I felt I was the only one who wasn't enjoying my visits to their store. They were always busy so it must be good, right? I think their modern day success is because they established a name for themselves years ago and because they're endorsed by a popular radio talk show. I think if they were a brand new shop they wouldn't last long with the level of customer service they provide today.

I know I'm not the only one feeling this way because I just saw another customer comment this on a local gun group just yesterday.

I used to enjoy this store a lot but in recent years it feels like they've become so popular/busy that the biggest concern of staff is selling you a gun and getting you out the door, regardless if that's the right gun for you. Looking at other reviews I can see I'm not the only one whose noticed a decline in customer service. They aren't my first choice when I'm in the market for a new gun because of this.

I have purchased more than a few firearms at NW Armory, having been a customer since the early 1990s.

I have always been happy with their service and their prices are typically competitive in the market.

I was disappointed recently when I went in (After waiting nearly an hour in line) and found their prices were very high. I thought it might just be the market during Covid-19. But then I went to one of their most likely competitors and found what I wanted for considerably cheaper.

Don't get me wrong, I believe in capitalism and understand they are a business that is there for the purpose of making money for the owner. But, I am also a component of a capitalist system that is looking to acquire the items I want for the best price.

I have no plans to return to NW Armory any time soon.

I used to go in often, even when the store is empty its hard to get someone to help, they say just a sec and never come back to you, or are having a conversation between another worker instead of helping customers,
The deals they email about are often gone a day or two later... and they want to sell you something else instead.

This used to be one of my favorite shops to visit. I'd go in and chit chat with Kelly and he knew me by name as well. This shop was great back in the 90's, but so much has changed. They used to have one heck of a good reloading selection and was my favorite place to buy brass. I remember buying tons (or so it seemed) of nickel plated brass for my 300wby and 338wm and 300wm rifles. If I needed it, it seemed like Northwest armory had it and it was always fun to look around the store. However, times have changed. I'll stand there waiting for someone to help me and it seems like they are all too busy, or don't have the time. One time I stood there for 15+ minutes just waiting to pay for some ammo. There was no one in front of me and I was at the counter, and no one had the time to take my money. I ended up leaving my ammo on the counter with a very bad taste in my mouth. Trust me, if you go there, you'll see what I'm talking about. It's just not the fine store it used to be. Sorry, but truth is truth..

I used to love this shop but the customer service has gone to the dogs lately. the last 2 times I have been there I called for an item before I came from Beaverton and got there to find it was either the wrong item I called about or nobody checked the stock before telling me to come out. thank God Curts always has a backup for me.

I will share my NW Armory experience only because I spent years in sales and customer service. I see a lot of stores lately that train product knowledge but do NOT train to listen to customers.

I drove from Rainier, OR to NW Armory because I wanted to see (and purchase) the Walther PPQ in .40cal. When I got to the store all the reps were busy, so I case shopped for a few minutes. When a rep met me, he asked what I was looking for, I said the PPQ. So he took me to them and opened the case and pulled out a 9mm. As I was admiring the gun, he decided to tell me about why a Glock is better and that's why he carries a Glock. I told him I had a Glock in the past and didn't like the ergos. So he tells me the GEN4 has changed all that and I should come over and check them out. I said no thanks. He spent the next 30 minutes showing me features of PPQ and telling how the Glock was superior. I finally got frustrated and left there gunless. I went to Clatskanie and told them what I wanted they said "That's an awesome gun!" I bought it there!

I must have been there the few times I have on the wrong day. of three visits, one day for red dot scopes, high medium dollar range. very helpfull and polite. on the way out i asked if they were ordering anymore noveske fitted black hats because they didnt have my size. they said, im not sure when, but when we order from noveske we will get some, cool. walked out with $300 in mags and ammo.

Next two times, same guy, younger skinnier kid. A waste of a employee. bichhing about how other employees werent doing there job, mad that labels were not on the item a certain way, pissed at the world. I asked If I could see the new noveske upper/lower combo that just came out, "yea, just wait a minute." so he continues on sorting items in the case next to the one with the item I wanted to look at and buy. then he walks off. a few minutes go by, i walk around the corner and his is crying to someone about the same crap. so I politely said, can I see that upper and lower? He says, "when Im done with what Im doing I will be over there with a pizzy voice. the other salesman was with a customer and could not help. another 5 or so minutes, i walk back to him and say, who can show me this item over here, he huffs and puffs and goes over to it and before he grabs it, he says, these are pretty expensive, so are you going to buy it or just look at it. I wanted to choke the punk out over the counter, but that would have led to guns being pulled and then I would feel guilty later on just because of some spoiled, brat, punk was being a d-bag. so instead I said, expensive, Well I better just buy a fitted hat and pulled out my money clip with about 1200 in $100's on the counter and he said, we dont have that size. so i say, can you order anymore hats, because I know you have ordered from noveske since the last time i was here, i will pay for it now, if you can. he says, i dont order stuff from vendors and walked away. hmmm, so i left a bit mad.
Third time, went in going to buy a used Xd-45 and a dahhhmm hat. this was over a month later. same amount of same hats as last time, and who comes over to help. phhhugg me, same kid, or i will be civil and call him guy, I say, are you ever going to order any of these hats, he says you need to talk to such and such and he will write it down. im thinking, what, what ever, so I asked if they had a xd45. no they didnt, but I wanted to go see what else they had and said I would like to look at something else over at the used gun area, he says, someone over there can help you. that was it, im gone. And I still want my dam hat

Had some of my best and worst experiences with NWA. Sometimes they are incredibly helpful and polite, other times I get a cold shoulder.

Usually overpriced on everything, but not always.