Alamo Military Collectables

As a collector of firearms, I have bought multiple rifles/​pistols (probably ten) from Alamo through the years. Each time I leave feeling like the guy, Tom, who is the retail side of the shop either hates life or is a complete jerk. It’s too bad because I would probably purchase fifty firearms from this place if it were not so awful to deal with this guy. Even when I have used them as a FFL to have items shipped, he ridicules purchases with snarky comments and frankly uninformed comments. When I have asked questions, the comments are often rude. I have two friends who are getting into shooting and they both have made the same comments about their experience here. One was looking over a Mauser and asked how to remove the bolt (simple question having never held a Mauser before). Instead of using this as an opportunity to pass on knowledge and appreciation for firearms. The response from Tom was «Don’t you know anything about guns!» I couldn’t believe it. Here was a young guy that was excited about learning and reaching out to someone that has the knowledge. If you don’t mind dealing with an old, angry, rude, know-​it-​all, the store has some interesting items.

This is my favorite militaria shop. You never know what you will find. The staff is knowledgable and friendly. They buy, sell, trade and consign. They also give appraisels. They also deal in firearms. The owner is the President of MACA and the author of Automag. They deal in military artifacts dating as far back as they can up to modern times. They do have recent items, but this is not a surplus store. They have recently started catering to living historians and reenactors. They help families with military funerals that want to put together a veteran’s medal bar, or I have even seen them put together uniforms. Tom Knox, one of the owners, invited my boy scout troop into his shop to explore, and then gave all the boys souvenirs to take home with them.