Gallenson's Guns: The Biggest Little Gun Store in America

Austin R
by Austin R
Gallenson’s Guns – The Biggest Little Gun Store in America

There are two things that are easily remembered in the gun world. Your first gun, and your favorite gun store. Nestled in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City is my personal favorite, Gallenson’s Guns and Ammo. In 1916 Russian immigrant and tailor, William Gallenson, opened the store as a tailor shop. In 1925 that tailor shop turned gun store and pawnshop, and it’s been open ever since.

Gallenson’s Guns: The Biggest Little Gun Store in America

Ammo for sale by the pallet

Every good gun store has ammo, and at Gallenson’s there’s certainly no shortage. Oddly enough, these piles actually look a little sparse compared to how it usually looks, with ammo stacked six feet high most days.

Ammo Selection

The team here has done a great job of grouping ammo so you can find what you need for plinking, hunting, or defense. During my review of the Ruger RPR Mag in 300 PRC, this was the only shop that had 300 PRC in stock and was a huge lifesaver for that review.

Ammo & Reloading Selection

Not only did they have 300 PRC in stock, but they also had reloading dies in stock for it as well. Odds are, if you need ammo or supplies for either shooting or reloading they’ll have it in stock.

SIG, H&K, FN, and Glock on display with a variety of bolt guns

Turn 180 degrees away from ammo land and you catch your first glimpse of, well everything. Gallenson’s keeps a massive inventory and is a premium dealer for companies like SIG and CZ.

Glocks grouped by model and caliber

Almost every shop has Glock’s in inventory, but here they have everything in between. New, used, customized, and in a wide assortment of calibers. You name it, I bet they have it.

Black Rifle Island

Black Rifle Island

Located in the center of the store is my favorite spot that I like to call “Black Rifle Island”. Here you can look over a massive selection of sporting rifles and silencers. Everything from Gold Thompsons to an FN SCAR 20s can be found here.

Modern Sporting Rifles and Silencers

In-stock are rifles made by FN, Noveske, Daniel Defense, and H&K just to name a few. Alongside that is a cabinet with silencers from companies like Dead Air, SilencerCo, Gemtech, and OSS.

B&T APC308 on display with a Magpul D-50

It’s hard not to find something you want with a selection this large. Front and center on this day was this awesome B&T APC308 sporting a Magpul D-50 drum.

Optics and Assorted 50 Cals

On the outside of “Black Rifle Island” is a display case with a wide variety of optics to go with your new rifle or pistol. Not to mention a pair of .50 BMG rifles on top of the display case as well.

Used Guns and Magazines Galore

On the opposite side of the island is yet another island surrounded by magazines, and full of used guns from various companies and in various calibers.

Even more used guns, and a premium CZ selection

In the opposite corner of the store lies an additional gun counter for CZ, with a slew of used rifles and shotguns in racks out front.

When I asked how many guns total were in the shop (including the floor to ceiling rifles and handguns in the back) the staff estimated there’s probably north of 20,000 rifles, pistols, and shotguns. This makes it one of the largest privately-owned gun stores I’ve ever seen.

Worth The Trip

Truth be told, all of this isn’t what keeps bringing me back to the shop year after year. The staff at Gallenson’s are incredible and will make you feel right at home. Between this, and their awesome prices on guns and bulk ammo, they’re well worth the visit. So, if you’re ever in downtown Salt Lake City, swing by Gallenson’s Guns and Ammo on 166 E and 200 S give them a visit. I bet you’ll enjoy it.

Gallenson's Guns - The Biggest Little Gun Store in America
Austin R
Austin R

The author is a military contractor who enjoys conducting independent firearms research and reloading. Article inquiries and suggestions are welcome at austinjrex at gmail.com

More by Austin R

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 24 comments
  • John huscio John huscio on Feb 26, 2020

    I've heard Buds is nice

  • Delta Papa Delta Papa on Feb 27, 2020

    Great big store with lots of merchandise but weird selling policies. They have a discontinued optic in stock that I'd like to buy but they will not ship out of state and since it is not serialized they will not let me buy it over the phone and have a colleague pick it up.

Next