Foster Sporting Goods ...

[Quirt Evans]

Had almost forgot about Maury's on 82nd, got a Cold Steel knife there shortly before they closed.
Back in the '70s before GI Joes was in Delta Park, they were over where Vancouver Way curves around to meet what's now MLK.
Anybody remember the gun shop that was downtown on SW 3rd, a couple doors south from Portland Outdoor.
Oh, and the Fred Meyer's store on Sandy in the Hollywood district had a downstairs gun shop, (not just a counter, a real shop).

 

[orygun]

Larry's was great! Close to home and I was a frequent flyer there. The guys at the gun counter actually knew their sh!t and they had the racks of used long guns out on the floor for one to pawn over. When I bought a beautiful Combat Masterpiece, pre Model 15 5 screw, the manager thought it was far too nice (it was) to be sending out the door in a paper bag and included the gun rug. The stores had changed how they did inter store transfers and they no longer need the rugs, so he is the one that drew the line thru Cedar Hills and sent it home with me. I ended up trading that beautiful Smith away, but still have the rug.
I can't remember the manager's name, but there was also Lonnie, the big retired sheriff's deputy. All of those guys were great. Fisherman's Marine is ok, but those guys don't hold a candle to the old guard. Larry's is as missed by me as GI Joes.

 

[Spitpatch]

Larry's story:

Was at the gun counter, window shopping when a guy walked up with a bolt action deer rifle (couple weeks before season). Counter guy greeted him, "Want to trade that in?"

"Yep" says the customer, handing counter guy the rifle, who gives it a once-over, then asks what the customer had in mind. Counter guy sets the rifle down on a mat on the counter, and waves the customer further down the counter to where the new rifle of his interest is displayed. They both move down the counter about 10-15 feet.

Second employee saunters over, picks up the customer's gun, looks through the scope, examines the rest of the gun as first employee and customer drift back with the new gun in hand, discussing the deal. All three are now together, discussing merits, detriments and money as the second employee sets the customer's gun back on the counter.

First employee then picks it up again to inspect it further (as the deal is coming to a close).

I was about 8-10 feet away, and a chill went up my back suddenly as the employee sighted through the scope across the store, and I blurted out involuntarily and LOUD:

"GENTLEMEN! DO ME A FAVOR AND OPEN THAT GUN!"

All three spun to look at me like I was, a) sticking my nose in their business, or b) a crazy guy who yells at strangers in the store. (I had instantly become both.)

Then the employee with the rifle opened the bolt, smiled, tilted it toward the crazy loud guy (me) to show it was indeed empty, and in a reassuring/defensive tone said he was getting ready to do that, while the customer chuckled at me condescendingly saying, "I checked it before I brought it in".

My radar had activated so aggressively, as I was familiar with an identical scenario at a Scheels store in Great Falls, Montana where precisely the same sequence of events played out, with the second employee having killed another employee across the store while on a ladder stocking shelves.

In each scenario, three separate people had the chance to clear the gun to the safety and satisfaction of all (including me).

None did.

I shared the Scheels story with the guys (and customer) at Larry's, perhaps only moderately changing their opinions of me.

 

[orygun]

Never trust an "empty" gun...

 

[JohnnyHammersticks]

 

[64MercurysRule]

Growing up I remember the Wigwam store on TV Hwy and 217 in Beaverton near where Kohls is . Also GIJoes at Beaverton Mall or also known as Bernards Mall . Larrys at Cedar Mills too . My dad went to school with Bob Lamphere of the auto dealer world . Good times .

 

[nwbob]

foster sporting goods if i remember correctly when i was ten they where at 50th and divison

 

[64MercurysRule]

I see there is a Foster Outdoor near 66th ........

Foster Outdoor

Used gear, used apparel, consignment, rentals, camp, hike, backpack, paddle sports, kayak, ski, snowboard, SUP

fosteroutdoor.com

 

[orygun]

I see there is a Foster Outdoor near 66th ........

Foster Outdoor

Used gear, used apparel, consignment, rentals, camp, hike, backpack, paddle sports, kayak, ski, snowboard, SUP

fosteroutdoor.com

Nothing about guns. Dick's Jr.

 

[nwbob]

yes foster outdoor is fairly new in the 60s that building was a drug store than they sold used dial telephone there for some years was empty for a long time cool building