Interesting time at RRA

[RugerFan]

Work sent me to RIA for a few days of training and while in the area, I decided to drop in on Rock River Arms. I called the number on their web site and asked the nice lady on the other end “Do you have a show room there?” She said they did and after inquiring as to their hours, I hung up. I would find out soon enough that I had used a poor choice of words. Rather than “showroom” I should have said “store front” as apparently there is a big difference. Once there if my Garmin Nuvi hadn’t announced “Arriving at destination,” I never would have known I was at the RRA facility as no sign graced the property. Driving through the open gate I pulled up to the building. I didn’t see anything that looked like a main entrance, so I went up to the door marked “Office” and had to be buzzed in to enter (a bad sign). Once inside I found myself in a 10’x10’ foyer looking through a window at the receptionist. I asked her again “Do you have a showroom here.” She said “Yes, I’ll get the salesman up here. Here’s a catalog to look through.” By now I have obviously figured out that this will not be the shopping experience that I had envisioned.

After 10 minutes or so the salesman arrived (I forget his name). He gave me a puzzled look and said “Yes?” I said once again. “Do you have a showroom here?” He said “Yes, follow me.” I followed him to a room about 20’x20’ that had ARs hanging on the walls and on a lying on a table in the room’s center. These nifty guns were in all imaginable configurations and had me drooling.

Me: “You don’t have an actual store front?”
Salesman: “No.”
Me: “Can I buy parts?”
Salesman: “Oh yes, you can buy things”

I pointed out a mount in the catalog that I wished to purchase. After escorting me back out front, he disappeared and returned with the mount. I paid for my item and departed. This excursion began with an apparent misunderstanding, but the folks at RRA couldn’t have been kinder were happy to cater to my wishes.

I also took time to visit the extraordinary museum at Rock Island Arsenal and will post some pics after I get home and download them off my camera.

[Dannix]

Actually, I think I would have followed up with "do you give tours?" :mrgreen: Perhaps the "showroom" they have is more oriented to vendors rather than end users?

[waksupi]

There are quite a few firearms related manufacturers in this area, and not one that I can think of aside from Kimber, has a sign identifying it as such. Kimber is hid away out in the country, so if you don't know where it is, you would never find it anyway.
It is a security measure, to not make the business a target for criminals. Walk in customers are not particularly welcome with out advanced notice at most of the businesses. When I worked for Serengeti Rifles, all of the employees were asked to be armed, as we were in a place that would have been too far away for any LEO assistance.
The last places I can remember with signs was the old Sharon Rifle Works 30+ years ago, and Bauska's Rifle Barrels. His sign was probably painted on the building back in the 1950's.
Brownell's have a big sign on their building, but your shopping experience would be even less than at RRA. At Brownells you go into a rather sanitary vestibule, where you can order from their catalog, and some one will go get what you need. Customers are not allowed to go in and browse.

[RugerFan]

Perhaps the "showroom" they have is more oriented to vendors rather than end users?

That's what I'm thinking as well.



....It is a security measure, to not make the business a target for criminals.

Makes sense.


At Brownells you go into a rather sanitary vestibule, where you can order from their catalog, and some one will go get what you need. Customers are not allowed to go in and browse.

The Dillon plant in AZ has a small, but well stocked store front (at least they did three years ago). I guess that's what I had envisioned for RRA, but I understand why they wouldn't being that they are a gun manufacturer.

...

[Iowa Fox]

A couple of years ago I needed a riser block for my RR Preditor Purdsuit. One of our guys was going to be in that area so I asked if he would stop and pick it up for me. The next day he was back with my part and had the same description word for word as you just described about RRA.

When I was on the road for work the Quad Cites was in our territory and one of my favorite places to explore. I loved stopping at the museum at the Rock Island Arsenal. Its got a lot of neat history, I hope you have time to check out the entire island.

The John Deere museum and restoration facility in Moline is another place I liked to stop.

Before the River boats annexed some of the river front stores on State Street in Bettendorf, Square Shooters was one of my favorite hangouts. Actually it was the hangout for cast bullet shooters with a lot of roots back to the Davenport Schuetzen club. I believe co owner Paul Sass shot a world record at Golden Clorado in 1995. After they were forced to move they relocated to S Rolf St in Davenport. The building is not nearly as nostalgic and not the best part of town. One thing the guys are the same. He used a Ruger #3 action, douglas barrel 32-20, and a paul jones mold using 1/20 if my memory is correct.

I hope you have some spare time to check the Quad Cities out. The Eagles will be thick by the lock and dam on the Mississippi. And then there is the Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClair which is just up river. Have Fun.

[nicholst55]

At Brownells you go into a rather sanitary vestibule, where you can order from their catalog, and some one will go get what you need. Customers are not allowed to go in and browse.

Way back in the olden days (that's how I have to start stories these days, or some young pup gets all offended), back when Brownells address was still Rte 2, Box 1, Montezuma, IA, I was at RIA attending the National Match Armorers Course. Part of the course was a road trip to Brownells where we got to meet Frank, followed by the $2 tour conducted by Bob. We all placed our orders at the beginning of the tour, and picked up our merchandise before we left. I had been doing business with Brownells for several years by that time, and it was really great to have the opportunity to meet Frank and Bob ~ both true gentlemen. This would have been early 1981.

My buddy and I also drove the 40 miles (or so) to Geneseo, IL, and tracked down the Reese boys (Springfield Armory, Inc) surplus branch, called Rock Island Armory. We walked past the storefront three times, because the building had neither a sign nor an address posted. I recall buying an M1A receiver and an Essex 1911 receiver from them with the FFL from the Ft. Hood, TX, Rod & Gun Club.

It was a different world then, one that I frequently miss.

[DCM]

I think most of the people on this forum would enjoy a day at the Rock Island Arsenal and Museum if they are ever in the Quad cities area. Bring your camera and something to drink (you will need it after all that drooling).

Many manufacturers are incognito for security reasons and the inside of their facilities are not usually very impressive. Usually just a manufacturing facility with some office space.

[nicholst55]

I think most of the people on this forum would enjoy a day at the Rock Island Arsenal and Museum if they are ever in the Quad cities area. Bring your camera and something to drink (you will need it after all that drooling).


Ah yes, the John M. Browning Memorial Museum; not to be missed! It was while visiting the museum that I discovered that the handrails in the building we were working in were cast from Confederate musket barrels! I also discovered that Rock Island served as a POW camp during the War of Northern Aggression, and that a bunch of Southern boys died of disease during the long, cold winters there.

There at least used to be a lot of firearms-related activity in the area. Al Freeland used to have a storefront in Moline, IIRC; not sure if he still does. Springfield, Armalite, and Rock River are all located close by.

[waksupi]

If you go to Rock Island, travel just a bit further to Nauvoo, Illinois, and see Johnathan Browning's gun shop.

[RugerFan]

The John Deere museum and restoration facility in Moline is another place I liked to stop.


I drove by it, but never did stop in.


Square Shooters was one of my favorite hangouts.

Actually I did stop by there. A nice selection of guns and accessories.

[Charlie Two Tracks]

I live 6 blocks from Springfield Armory in Geneseo. All of the gun manufacturers around here keep a low profile for their business. I've lived in Geneseo for over 40 years and Springfield has changed little. They have a complex out in the country also. Looks just like a farm.