Martin B Retting

The staff at MBR definitely tries, but the shop is so busy I had to wait for about 20 minutes till somebody was able to help me. What I was looking for was not on the shelf, but, still, this could have been done in a more expedient manner. Maybe they need more employees, maybe it would help to figure out how to be more efficient. Either way, I think they could improve their service.

Been coming here since the early 90’s. This shop has a huge selection including hard-​to-​find parts and related items. There is a reason they have been in business for so long. This is old-​school quality people!

I live nearby Martin B. Retting so I’ve been here numerous times. I’ve purchased several firearms from them. It’s a small shop and on weekends it can get pretty busy here, not unlike most good gun shops here in southern CA. Especially lately with all the looming threats of BS legislation from the idiot politicians here in CA. So, be prepared to stand around and wait on weekends. The staff are overall very knowledgeable and friendly. They have a good selection of firearms as well. They can direct you to what you need, whether you’re a novice getting your first gun or the seasoned and grizzled professional. Their prices are a tad on the high side.

Went to MBR to look to see if they had an high-​end tactical bolt-​action rifle and possibly trade my high-​end AR-​10s. Went there on a Saturday afternoon and it was somewhat busy. Waited my turn and looked at the limited selection (wanted one with a muzzle brake, but most didn’t have one).
Finally, a salesperson started to help me, but he had to «take his lunch» so another salesperson stepped in. Can’t recall his name, but the African-​American gentleman who ended up helping me was pretty cool and showed me the rifle I was considering, though he and the previous salesperson both tried to push a used one. I explained I was interested, but only if I could trade/​sell mine and pay the difference because I didn’t want to keep adding to the collection. He said that might be doable so I went to the car to get my items and waited for the man/​owner.
After about 15 minutes, the main guy came. I explained I was interested in one of his rifles, but if I could sell/​trade mine for it. He looked at my high-​end AR-10’s and said he wasn’t interested because he had a bad experience with this particular firearm maker in the past. That was his prerogative so I said thanks and was preparing to leave and then he said something that struck me as peculiar. He said I could do a 25% layaway on the rifle I was considering.
I understand he was trying to make a buck, but I mentioned upfront I was only interested if I could trade/​sell mine. I suppose if you’re in sales, there’s no shame to your game, but it just seemed a little grubby that he’d want me to spend money at his store even though he wasn’t interested in my items.
This place was about 100x better than Turner’s, but that’s like being the tallest midget so I probably won’t go back and will continue to buy from Addax or online.

I’ve gone to this shop as a customer several times over 5 years, customer service is terrible. Look at other reviews, it’s a trend. Tough guy counter clerks who act like they get paid 200k per year. Even the owner is a bit rude. No eye contact, mumbling, and dismissive comments. I’ve purchased here before, and done 1 PPT as well. They have $ 85 mark ups on Glocks. Used Trijicons for the price of a new one. This place caters to rich Westside yuppies. They don’t want the business of blue collar savvy gun owners, cuz we won’t buy overpriced items. Go to orange County or the South Bay. Leave this Westside gun shop to rot. ZERO STARS.

As a first time buyer, I looked very carefully for a gun shop where I’d feel good about the purchase. I’m very picky and there was a very specific gun I had in mind. Upon a friend’s recommendation, I went to Martin B. Retting, where I ultimately made my purchase.
MBR had the gun I wanted in stock and it was at the best price I’d seen after visiting 3 other local shops. The two sales guys who helped me were very professional and helpful. The only thing that’s keeping me from giving it five stars is that there was a long wait when I went in to pick up the gun and the guy who helped me was a little gruff (nothing bad, just not the best interpersonal skills).
One of the best things about the place is the variety and size of their inventory. I could spend hours looking over all the vintage firearms and accessories. I feel like a kid making a Christmas list when I go in there.
I recommend MBR to anyone interested in buying a gun and I will return the next time I’m in the market for one.

I went in to do a PPT. It was quite a drive for me, even more so for the buyer, but it was worth the drive. The staff was very friendly and the transaction went smoothly. While I was there, I decided to browse their stock. Now this is the the kind of store that I like. It’s not too big, but big enough to have a good amount of stock.
Me being a 1911 guy, I skipped directly to their high end 1911 section. I could not believe that they had the 1911 that I was dreaming about. I tried to resist getting it, but it was futile. The WC was mine.
Lee helped us with the PPT and also helped me purchasing my WC. He was very friendly, wasn’t pushy, and he let me take my time handling a couple of 1911s. I also asked if the gun came with more magazines because there was only one. He said there might only be one now. I really didn’t care since I have a bunch of 1911 magazines. I paid happily and left.
Later on I got a message on my phone saying that he was able to locate a spare mag inside the bag and we both missed it. I’m glad he let me know.
I’m glad this place is 30 miles from my house, otherwise I’d go broke!

Absolutely the best experience when purchasing a firearm,
I never heard of this place until a buddy of mine recommend it. They made me feel comfortable with the weapon I wanted and that I purchased, they didn’t judge my lack of knowledge about the weapon because they were eager to show me and teach me everything they knew about it.
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff that is willing to help and teach you everything about any weapon you want to buy.
I had the pleasure with dealing with Mark, a very relax and knowledgeable individual that goes out of his way to make sure you are making the right choice when buying a firearm. Mark made sure that I knew exactly what type of ammo to buy, how to clean the weapon and how to use. Even if I didn’t know how to use the weapon he was willing to show me step by step on how to use it

First time buyer and chose to go with MBR & I will definitely be going back for anything I need or new one. Customer service was definitely not bad nor was it 5 star resort service but it’s a gun store what do you expect?
Each time I visited over the process of looking to buying & picking up I never experienced any sort of rudeness from anyone and I got a different person every time & like I said it was my first time buying a gun and they made the process a breeze so I can’t complain.

Being on the west side, this store should be my only go to gun store period. I wish the customer service, prices, and due diligence would be as good as the location.
Short Review: prices are through the roof, customer service is lacking at best, knowledge is almost non existent except for a few employees. Two stars because at least they serve the gun community in Los Angeles, even if their prices stay at Obama election prices.
Long Winded Review: I’ve been to this store three times and the third visit has made me swear off of this store for good. I came in to buy a couple stripped lowers for some project builds.
The store had maybe five other customers besides myself. I quietly waited by the AR 15 glass display and waited over 45 minutes before someone used the display case to start the books process for closing.
I kindly asked the lady if she had any lower receivers and her response was alarming. She told me that they stopped carrying lowers because they did not make enough money on them. I appreciated her honesty but then asked if I could have a lower shipped to the store. Her response was «yes you can but I’ll charge you $ 130 on top of your DROS charge to make it worth our while.»
This all went down as I over heard a different sales person referring a first time pistol owner to YouTube to see how to break down and clean his new pistol as they had other things to tend to before closing.
I went to Guns Direct in Burbank and not only did they have lowers for good prices, but they said that they would wave any transfer fees as long as I purchased a lower along with the one I had shipped. Best store in L.A. Period.

Rude, arrogant employees. Tried to give them my business for a firearm transfer, which ended up being a waste of time. Some sad excuse that they don’t work with the store I bought the gun from. When I asked for a reasonable explanation as to why they wouldn’t deal with a store, the rude answer I received was, «well it’s a mute point and I don’t really have to tell you…».
Went to The Target Range in Van Nuys instead and had a great experience. Employees were actually interested in acknowledging your existence, unlike this shop.

This is probably the oldest firearms shop in L.A.
Your experience will solely depend on who you deal with behind the counter, few, very few were helpful, few were not very pleasant, few had attitude problems.
Their prices are generally on the high side, full retail is mostly you’ll expect to see on the tags, but they are a very well established outfit with a long history and a long list of wealthy customers, including some celebrities and executives from the entertainment business.
The principle management has enough knowledges to give fair estimates for a 300 gun estate (for around $ 2000 fee). I sew the list, its fair, very close to discount retail. And they offered 60% for the whole lot, I think that’s fair.
I’ve done many business with them in the past 20~30 years, I always go to the person I know well to save the hassle.

I came here for a PPT.
Keep in mind there were about 15 people total in the store. 3 at the register already done, 1 at the counter browsing new guns, and the rest just scattered throughout the store browsing the longguns out on the sales floor.
I ask the man at the register if there is a number system. he says, «it’s first come, first serve, just wait at the counter»
As I’m standing at the counter with my buyer the bald employee asks me if I’m here for a PPT.
Me: Yes
Him: You’re going to be here for a while.
Me: How long is the wait?
Him: Your PPT is the lowest priority in the store, you are going to wait at least an hour or two.
Me: But it looks like I’m next.
Him: Even if you are next, I will skip you again if someone walks in through that door.
I left and did the PPT at Turners Torrance.
I do not know how this place is still in business. Maybe it’s a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ chance on which employee you deal with but I’m never going back.
Horrible customer service.

Overpriced products and terrible customer service. If you are doing a private party transfer, DO NOT — I repeat — DO NOT go here. They’re only interested in helping you if you are there to buy one of their guns. And even if you are there to buy a new gun, they act as if you are wasting their time by being there.
I’ve bought and transferred guns here, at Turner’s in Norwalk & Torrance, and at Guns Direct in Burbank… These places are all great, so there are definitely other options. I will not go back here, and just wanted to warn everyone else and save you a headache as well.
That said, they do have a few employees who don’t have a bad attitude and actually take the time to help you and answer your questions… But the guy in the ponytail is definitely not one of them.

One of the best gun shops I’ve been too. Great group of guys working there to answer all your questions. Just doing a private party transfer, the whole process took less than 30 minutes.
In the Unilocal community some people thrive on leaving bad reviews. Don’t buy into the BS.

Mark was awesome. The store was crazy busy especially after what happened in San Berndardino tragedy I understand. Please keep in mind these people are here for you. I witnessed today was customers demanding service and yelling at the sales people. There is a process to buying a gun. Please be patient with them.
The Murphy’s

Best store ever!!!
Often gun store employees are usually kind of rude and short, not here. Every single person I have ever dealt with has been awesome. I have overheard customers here say the the dumbest and most inappropriate things, yet I am always amazed at the patients and politeness of the employees’ responses. Good prices, good sales, absolutely awesome inventory. If anyone really has a problem with this place it is on them. There is nothing more you could ask from a gun store in CA. Thanks guys! Keep up the good work! Hope to be in soon.

DISHONEST BY OMISSION!!! Had an issue with a dmv mistake on my driver’s license, they could not process the state application, then they wanted to keep $ 100 of the deposit. It’s only $ 100 not going to kill me, but still, VERY DISHONEST BUSINESS PRACTICE… They told me I signed a cancelation agreement, but again DISHONESTY BY OMISSION, they failed to inform me, if I had any issues with the state application they’d keep my money. Take your chances if you’d like, but I’d recommend STAYING AWAY.
Martin b retting, I hope it’s worth the loss of future business, I’ll not buy from you again.

Pros:
— The employees are mostly helpful and knowledgeable.
— They have a nice selection of pretty much everything.
— Retting is the only real gun shop for miles around.
Cons:
— Retting is the only real gun shop for miles around.
— No ‘take a number’ machine. Which means (pretty much ANY time you go) you have to figure out who’s in front of you /​there before you were, who’s already being helped and what employee to talk to, since all the employees are busy.
I’ve been here many times, and 99% of the time, Martin B. Retting’s is BUSY. Seriously Retting — GET A ‘TAKE A NUMBER SYSTEM’! They are not expensive and it’s simple CUSTOMER SERVICE.
And the argument of «it works well for us» isn’t an argument. If you’re concerned about the ‘quick’ purchases, put up a sign for one register that says «non-​gun /​quick purchases here» for people who just want to buy a box of ammo or a pair of grips. Or, spend the extra $ 250 to get a 2^nd ‘take a number system’.
And one more tip… there’s a much higher chance that customers will browse the store and find other things to BUY if they don’t have to eagle-​eye who goes next and try to figure out what employee is available.
I’ll be back there, but only because there’s not many other options.

I’ve been here a few times over the years including my most resent acquisition of a 1911. Nothing but positive to say about this shop. The staff is friendly and well informed. The selection is good, the pricing isn’t outrageous.
Drew was able to help me narrow down my choices from about 20 1911 handguns to 1. Which I purchased.
After my purchase, he walked me through all of the security vaults, safes, etc.
It was a totally good experience.
A tip for newbs; you are going into a shop which is constantly harassed by the LAPD guns division and the ever changing laws of California. On top of that, they deal with a solid number of knuckleheads and questionable people. Be patient, cool, collected. Ask reasonable questions and don’t be a dick. You’ll be treated with respect and get everything you need.