Charlie's Sporting Goods

Towards the end of 2011 I brought my pistol to Charlie's Sporting Goods because it was jamming and I thought I'd have them look at it in lieu of paying $75 to ship it back to the manufacturer for warranty servicing. The pistol was a few months old with a few hundred rounds through it. The gunsmith's name whom I spoke to while there escapes me, though it was not the owner Charlie himself. The gunsmith recommended a ""strip and lube"" and that I continue to break it in (break-in period is 500 rounds). During the conversation, I made reference to ""MIM parts"". This fellow said: What's MIM? He clearly new the definition and was being sarcastic. MIM stands for ""metal injection molding"". I was told the fee would be $25. I agreed and left the store with a receipt. \r A couple of weeks later, I picked up my pistol and noticed the gunsmith had destroyed the finish on about half of one side of the slide part of the pistol. When I pointed this out, he said ""it's painted"". In other words, the coating is one of the factory spray on coatings like Duracoat or Gunkote. I wanted it refinished since they messed it up but Charlie, who was there this time, advised to fire it to see how it is, then bring it back. I agreed. I also learned there was a $10 test firing fee in addition to the $25. \r A few weeks later I brought it back. They then had it for close to two months. In the interim, I stopped in to check the progress of the refinishing. The gunsmith mentioned in the first paragraph above said ""fourteen weeks"" in a sarcastic voice. I finally picked up the pistol and brought it home. I noticed the finish on the slide was soft, easy to scratch with a finger nail, and smelled odd. A fellow enthusiast, who never saw the pistol, said it sounds like they put bluing on the slide. This was on a stainless steel pistol. \r A few months later, I brought it to a shop to have the slide cerakoted. It cost me $60 or $65. Sometime after that, someone recommended I request Charlie’s Sporting Goods to reimburse me as it was their fault the destroyed the original coating. I was leaning in the direction of requesting reimbursement but was busy with a number of other things. By the time I got back to looking at the pistol, probably too much time had elapsed to request reimbursement. \r In 2012 I was conversing with a clerk or manager of another LGS who said ""...if Charlie's there..."" the gunsmithing work is good but mentioned in one way or another that shop does some sub par work (I don't recall the terminology he used).\r I am writing this to warn people of possible issues within the gunsmith department of Charlie’s Sporting Goods. This review is an honest one and I recommend a person look into their gunsmith shop before bringing their firearm there. more

I have been going to Charlies since they opened. they are a very knowledgeable and friendly Business, and have always been able to help me with anything I needed. more

Charlies is a mixed bag. most of the time they are very service orientated, but I had one bad experience years ago with one of their gunsmiths. ( I will go to use their gunsmith shop again) also a little pricey on some stuff, but they don't hide it, its right on the tag. go in eyes wide open, right? more

Hey Albuquerque! I was put on to Charlie's Sporting Goods six years ago. What strikes me most is the ability to do business. Charlie has the guns well marked ""new"", 'used"" or ""consignment"". There is no mistake on what you are purchasing. (And remember, all NEW guns have been fired from the manufacturer before hitting the stores.) The attitudes of the employees is great. Everyone wants to help. In my six years dealing with Charlie's I have bought or traded SEVERAL times. I am telling anyone... ""Go to Charlie's and have fun"". Another thing, when I am in gun departments of other shops... everyone is or has been dealing with Charlie's and have nice things to say and stories to compare. I just traded for a new Ruger on Monday. Went very well and very fair. The wife and I went to the range that same evening and had a ""blast"". Thanks to my buddy up in Edgewood for suggesting ""Charlie's"". P.C. more

They always have my .410 ammo, and don't waste my time. However, when I do want to waste some time their staff is knowledgeable and they are approachable with out being too overbearing.\r I am always very price-point concious and they always humor me by listening. more

Charlie's is a great place whether you are a novice or an expert outdoors sportsman. I have been doing business with Charlie for countless years!\r The one negative review listed here is from someone that doesn't have any experience in firearms. All guns are test fired at the factory and not cleaned prior to shipment for multitude of reasons, one being to attest that they work and that they were test fired.\r Friendly, helpful and knowledgable. Different from big box stores, family owned and operated is better! more

I’ve used Charlie’s for over 17 years to meet my hunting and fishing needs. They are the go-to place in the state for good information and solid customer service. Prices may not be the lowest around but it is worth any extra you pay, if any, for the service they provide. If you want it, they can fix you up. From fixing broken fly rods, to great advice on selecting shotguns, and everyday fly fishing supplies, they are THE PLACE to shop. See Chuck for fly fishing and Valerie for guns, they will solve your problem and get you want you need. Old fashion customer service is alive and well at Charlie’s. more

I was lucky enough to find Charlie's when I first moved here in the summer of 1980. I was a much younger man then and even slighlty worried the staff wouldn't be accepting of my many questions from a young kid with shaggy hair....I couldn't have been more wrong! They went above and beyond! Not only did they take the time to answer all my questions but, they even pulled out a large map to show me exactly where to go dove hunting in the upcoming season (in fact, it's still one of my favorite spots!) Over the years as there store has grown so has my family, after all I'm a Grandfather now and the one thing that seems to be a constant is the customer service that Charlie and his family provide. In fact, even my wife and daughters go in to Charlie's and feel completly comfortable. They take the time to acknowledge every customer who enters, not to mention they take the time out to help every customer with whatever there needs maybe. I could list countless occassions that Charlie's has helped me through the years from special ordering ammo for me when I forgot to purchase it ahead of my hunt and they got it for me within a few days, lending me a fishing rod when my daughter broke mine and it was in the shop for repair so I wouldn't miss a big trip to the San Juan, to even just yearly maitence on my guns for the upcoming hunting seasons. In fact, my daughters and wife delight in the fact that they are so helpful with their shopping for me and it really excites my wife that they even do complementary gift wrapping with any purchase all year long!!! One of my favorite perks is the free coffee while you shop and on some mornings donuts! I find it to be a true breath of fresh air that Charlie's has, does and will always maintain a small business feel with the best customer service you'll ever find in a time when so many buisnesses are more concerned about profits, and numbers than people and service. As things always change with time and through out life one thing is for sure that Charlie's will always offer the best products, with the best service from the most knowledgable staff around. You could say that Charlie's is a outdoorsmans/outdoorswomens little piece of heaven on Menaul. more

Recently, I was in the market for a new handgun and a couple buddy's of mine recommended that I go to Charlie's. They were very insistent that it was the best gun store in Albuquerque with a knowledgeable and friendly staff, so being a sucker, I took their advice. At the time I didn't know too much about firearms, I did some research on some pistols and found one that would fit my budget; to my 'luck' Charlie's had one in stock and it was 'new'. After I had made the purchase and and already taken in home, my father was inspecting the gun and asked why I bought a used firearm as he pointed out to me that the gun hadn't even been cleaned since it was last fired. This was a suprise to me. I had be told that I was in fact buying a NEW firearm; instead, I was charged FULL price for a USED gun. I will never do buisiness with Charlie's sporting goods ever again. Had I gone to another store and bought the same gun used, I would have saved over 300$. Don't waste your time with this store. Pros: Nothing Cons: Everything more

I have been a customer of Charlies for many years. 20 years ago, just prior to joining the Army, Chuck made a fly rod for me from a blank I purchased from him. While fishing in Washington State for Salmon I broke off the rod tip. I called him and he told me to send it back to him. Two weeks later I was back on the river with a new rod. He only charged me for the shipping cost. When ever I returned to NM to fish the San Juan, Chuck always went out of his way to give suggestions and assistance. He is very helpful and never in a hurry to push you off if you have a question. You can go to bigger stores but you wont find the same home town, know you by name customer service as I have experienced for many years. I am back in ABQ again and I won't give anyone else my business. Pros: Fly Fishing Dept. is outstanding. more