Opinions Re : Collector's Firearm Shop ?

01-13-2002, 02:30 PM

I'm considering making a trip from California to visit the Collectors Firearms Shop (i.e. Simpson LTD) in Galesburg, IL; in search of my 1st. luger "shooter".

Do any of you have any comments, expereinces, opinions that you might share ?

I am interested in learning :

1. Quality of shooters typically for sale.

2. Are asking prices "fixed" or somewhat negotiable ?

3. Are prices reasonable ?

4. Any "red flags' that I might need to be aware ?

5. Who is the best person there that you might recommend I deal with for my shooter needs ?

Comments can be public or private (if private, you can use my other e-mail address at "pebbink@aeieng.com" (my work e-mail).

Thanks in advance for any info. you might share.

Pete...

Herb · 01-13-2002, 02:56 PM

Pete, dont' know where you are in CA, but there are lugers available in Sacramento at the Old Sacramento Armory at 2215 'J' street. Would be a goood idea to call first to see if they still have them in stock. Have three numbers, don't know which one is correct for sales, (916) 446-7079, 446-2737, and 446-4867. DON'T deal with these guys over the phone, I ordered two lugers from them several years ago and paid an extra $10 for 'hand select' Lugers. Well they were hand select all right, someone reached in the crate and grabbed two and shipped them. They were so bad I traded one to a collector for a P-38 and completely stripped the other down to the 'white'. If they have them in stock go there in person to see what you are getting. Also, they don't care if they get your business or not, customer service is not one of their strong points, but they are a lot closer than Illinois. They import under the name PIMC and have some sales under the name GFCC. No website.

01-13-2002, 04:04 PM

Mr. Ed Faust owns that operation and you can deal with him with no problems....I cannot say that for all of his staff.

Remember, he imports/sells guns and SELLING GUNS is the primary motivation here!

I would phone first, then go look at them!

They import under various names and anytime you see SAC CA on the importer stamp, you can bet it came through the OLD SACRAMENTO ARMOURY.

Here are some of his other companies:

IA CO SAC CA

NHM CO SAC CA

NMB CO SAC CA

VEGA SAC CA Vega

HELVETIA

PIMC

Who Knows what evil Lurks in the hearts of men?

The Shadow Knows!

hehehehehehehehehehehehehe

Dan Clemons · 01-13-2002, 04:09 PM

Ralph:

I sent you a separate email referring you to Ralph Shattuck in Arizona.

Let us know what you find.

Dan

Dan Clemons · 01-13-2002, 04:13 PM

tom · 01-13-2002, 04:19 PM

Hi,

let me try to answer you directly.

I have been doing business with Bob Simpson for many years and we are friends. I typically deal directly with Bob or his son Brad. I have found them to be exceptionally relaible, completely honest and a pleasure to do business with.

As far as negotiations on price, if the piece you are interested in belongs to Bob, he may have some wiggle room for negotiations; if it is a consignment piece, it goes as marked.

If you see Bob when in Galesburg, please tell him Tom Armstrong sends best wishes for a Happy New Year.

Hope this helps!

Tom

Don · 01-13-2002, 05:16 PM

I tried buying a shooter from Simpson's a few weeks ago, and the experience was not a positive one. I don't think they like to mess with shooters, or anything else under about $800.

I bought a G-Date from their website, an import that had refinished, a dip blue. Before I bought the gun, I had several e-mail discussions with Brad Simpson, and explained I was looking for a gun to send to Thor for refinishing. I specifically asked if there was anything that would require extradordinary resurfacing work before the G-Date could be restored to original condition, and he said no.

When the gun arrived, it had a deep an prominent "X" across the serial no. on the left side of the receiver. I confirmed that it would have taken months and hundreds of extra dollars to fix it.

When I discussed this with Bob Simpson, he said, "Send the gun back,it's a piece of junk!" He issued me a prompt refund, in full, but the money was not, as they say, "cheerfully refunded." Mr. Simpson seemed to imply that it was my fault for trying to buy something from him for $500.00. In other words, what do you expect for a lousy $500?" I guess I expect accurate responses to my questions.

I'm sure Simpson's is fine for buying collector grade guns, and I may do so in the future, but I don't think they really care to mess with shooters.

Uncle Mike · 01-13-2002, 06:21 PM

Hi Pete,Last year I drove from Chicago to Galesburg to look at Lugers.It was a long drive and I will not do it again.I didn't buy anything but looked at a lot of pistols.Regards.MC

01-13-2002, 11:59 PM

I live about 150 miles from Simpson LTD. Have been there many times and bought Lugers rangeing in price $400 to $4,000. Honest man-- no car salesman BS. He has shooter stuff not on his list if that is what one wants. Some of his Lugers are consignment. Prices are fair and no Wow--Deep Eagle--Rare---Must have advertising crap. Call him personally and talk. Bob goes to shows in Europe and and can import Lugers. In addition to Lugers he has 100s and 100s of other firearms on display for sale. An informal place to visit. He has 100s of holsters also. If you plan to visit his shop I also suggest that you make appointment to deal with Bob or his son Brad. He will work with you if you are comming a long way with serious intent. Tell him Art sent you---will not get you better price probably----but he knows me and has made referals for to me. The closest Airline connection is probably Moline IL. With about 1 1/2 hour drive to Galesburg on interstate. I am not the shadow-- but I know first hand of what I speak.

01-14-2002, 02:50 AM

Pete, If you're in southern Cal. you may want to speak to Lorin Relin at Red Star Military Collectables or visit Pony Express in the valley. In San Diego, I've alway had some luck with the pawn shops on University Ave. In San Francisco, try the Gun Exchange or the pawn shops on 6th St. Tom h

01-14-2002, 02:52 PM

01-17-2002, 12:02 AM

Just wanted to thanks all those folks who shared (both publicly or privately) their impressions and experiences with Collectors Arms (Simpson LTD).

As is usually the case, a variety of reports came in.

I will visit Bob Simpson's shop during a week long business trip to Terre Haute, In. in a couple of weeks.

I will let you all know how it went and if I "bit the bullet" and purchased a NIB Mauser Interarms luger.

Greatful for your opinions...

Pete

01-13-2002, 02:30 PM	#1
William "Pete" Ebbink Guest Posts: n/a	Opinions Re : Collector's Firearm Shop ? I'm considering making a trip from California to visit the Collectors Firearms Shop (i.e. Simpson LTD) in Galesburg, IL; in search of my 1st. luger "shooter". Do any of you have any comments, expereinces, opinions that you might share ? I am interested in learning : 1. Quality of shooters typically for sale. 2. Are asking prices "fixed" or somewhat negotiable ? 3. Are prices reasonable ? 4. Any "red flags' that I might need to be aware ? 5. Who is the best person there that you might recommend I deal with for my shooter needs ? Comments can be public or private (if private, you can use my other e-mail address at "pebbink@aeieng.com" (my work e-mail). Thanks in advance for any info. you might share. Pete...

01-13-2002, 02:56 PM	#2
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Opinions Re : Collector's Firearm Shop ? Pete, dont' know where you are in CA, but there are lugers available in Sacramento at the Old Sacramento Armory at 2215 'J' street. Would be a goood idea to call first to see if they still have them in stock. Have three numbers, don't know which one is correct for sales, (916) 446-7079, 446-2737, and 446-4867. DON'T deal with these guys over the phone, I ordered two lugers from them several years ago and paid an extra $10 for 'hand select' Lugers. Well they were hand select all right, someone reached in the crate and grabbed two and shipped them. They were so bad I traded one to a collector for a P-38 and completely stripped the other down to the 'white'. If they have them in stock go there in person to see what you are getting. Also, they don't care if they get your business or not, customer service is not one of their strong points, but they are a lot closer than Illinois. They import under the name PIMC and have some sales under the name GFCC. No website.

01-13-2002, 04:04 PM	#3
The Shadow Knows Guest Posts: n/a	SACRAMENTO Mr. Ed Faust owns that operation and you can deal with him with no problems....I cannot say that for all of his staff. Remember, he imports/sells guns and SELLING GUNS is the primary motivation here! I would phone first, then go look at them! They import under various names and anytime you see SAC CA on the importer stamp, you can bet it came through the OLD SACRAMENTO ARMOURY. Here are some of his other companies: IA CO SAC CA NHM CO SAC CA NMB CO SAC CA VEGA SAC CA Vega HELVETIA PIMC Who Knows what evil Lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow Knows! hehehehehehehehehehehehehe

01-13-2002, 04:09 PM	#4
Dan Clemons User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 184 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Opinions Re : Collector's Firearm Shop ? Ralph: I sent you a separate email referring you to Ralph Shattuck in Arizona. Let us know what you find. Dan

01-13-2002, 04:13 PM	#5
Dan Clemons User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 184 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ment to say Pete...sorry 'bout that. (EOM)

01-13-2002, 04:19 PM	#6
tom User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 269 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Opinions Re : Collector's Firearm Shop ? Hi, let me try to answer you directly. I have been doing business with Bob Simpson for many years and we are friends. I typically deal directly with Bob or his son Brad. I have found them to be exceptionally relaible, completely honest and a pleasure to do business with. As far as negotiations on price, if the piece you are interested in belongs to Bob, he may have some wiggle room for negotiations; if it is a consignment piece, it goes as marked. If you see Bob when in Galesburg, please tell him Tom Armstrong sends best wishes for a Happy New Year. Hope this helps! Tom

01-13-2002, 05:16 PM	#7
Don User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 146 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Opinions Re : Collector's Firearm Shop ? I tried buying a shooter from Simpson's a few weeks ago, and the experience was not a positive one. I don't think they like to mess with shooters, or anything else under about $800. I bought a G-Date from their website, an import that had refinished, a dip blue. Before I bought the gun, I had several e-mail discussions with Brad Simpson, and explained I was looking for a gun to send to Thor for refinishing. I specifically asked if there was anything that would require extradordinary resurfacing work before the G-Date could be restored to original condition, and he said no. When the gun arrived, it had a deep an prominent "X" across the serial no. on the left side of the receiver. I confirmed that it would have taken months and hundreds of extra dollars to fix it. When I discussed this with Bob Simpson, he said, "Send the gun back,it's a piece of junk!" He issued me a prompt refund, in full, but the money was not, as they say, "cheerfully refunded." Mr. Simpson seemed to imply that it was my fault for trying to buy something from him for $500.00. In other words, what do you expect for a lousy $500?" I guess I expect accurate responses to my questions. I'm sure Simpson's is fine for buying collector grade guns, and I may do so in the future, but I don't think they really care to mess with shooters.

01-13-2002, 06:21 PM	#8
Uncle Mike User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Long Ride. Hi Pete,Last year I drove from Chicago to Galesburg to look at Lugers.It was a long drive and I will not do it again.I didn't buy anything but looked at a lot of pistols.Regards.MC

01-13-2002, 11:59 PM	#9
Art Buchanan Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Long Ride. I live about 150 miles from Simpson LTD. Have been there many times and bought Lugers rangeing in price $400 to $4,000. Honest man-- no car salesman BS. He has shooter stuff not on his list if that is what one wants. Some of his Lugers are consignment. Prices are fair and no Wow--Deep Eagle--Rare---Must have advertising crap. Call him personally and talk. Bob goes to shows in Europe and and can import Lugers. In addition to Lugers he has 100s and 100s of other firearms on display for sale. An informal place to visit. He has 100s of holsters also. If you plan to visit his shop I also suggest that you make appointment to deal with Bob or his son Brad. He will work with you if you are comming a long way with serious intent. Tell him Art sent you---will not get you better price probably----but he knows me and has made referals for to me. The closest Airline connection is probably Moline IL. With about 1 1/2 hour drive to Galesburg on interstate. I am not the shadow-- but I know first hand of what I speak.

01-14-2002, 02:50 AM	#10
tom h Guest Posts: n/a	Re: LA area Pete, If you're in southern Cal. you may want to speak to Lorin Relin at Red Star Military Collectables or visit Pony Express in the valley. In San Diego, I've alway had some luck with the pawn shops on University Ave. In San Francisco, try the Gun Exchange or the pawn shops on 6th St. Tom h

01-14-2002, 02:52 PM	#11
the shadow knows Guest Posts: n/a	SF GUN EXCHANGE IS CLOSED!!! (EOM)

01-17-2002, 12:02 AM	#12
Wm. "Pete" Ebbink Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks To All... Just wanted to thanks all those folks who shared (both publicly or privately) their impressions and experiences with Collectors Arms (Simpson LTD). As is usually the case, a variety of reports came in. I will visit Bob Simpson's shop during a week long business trip to Terre Haute, In. in a couple of weeks. I will let you all know how it went and if I "bit the bullet" and purchased a NIB Mauser Interarms luger. Greatful for your opinions... Pete