You guys around the metro area probably know about Bernie's Sporting Goods over in Lilburn.  Well, I dropped by there today just to see how the place has changed.  It has changed for sure.  


For you guys that don't know about Bernie's, I'll roll back the clock a few months and describe the place.

Bernie's is located in a fairly large stand alone building.  When you walk in the door, there is a huge section to your immediate right with about 30 different safes.  Very nice selection at good prices.  Dead ahead is the big wall of holsters, belts and hats.  To the left is the hunting camo clothing, tree stands and other hunting gear.  On the far left behind the clothing is the start of the gun counter.  Bernie has all kinds of cool toys at very good prices (for the most part).

Imagine a wall of (DSA and other good quality) FALs, RRA, Armalite & Bushy ARs, AR-30s, AR-50s, H&K stuff, Steyr bolt actions, Steyr bulpups (whatever is the semi-auto version of the AUG), AKs, SKS, various bolt guns, etc.  Very cool toys.  He's also got a very nice selection of handguns.  Kimbers, Berettas, Springfields, Colts, Sigs, H&Ks, Walthers, S&W, etc.  

They carried Aimpoints, EOTechs, ARMS mounts and some other optic stuff that few other stores in the metro area stock.

All the way in the back right (behind the holsters) for maybe 20% of the store, is the military surplus stuff.

Well, fast forward to today.  No guns at all.  In their place is AIRSOFT stuff.  All the military surplus stuff is piled in the middle of the store and in that back right part of the shop now stands an indoor IPSC range.  

I had heard Bernie lost his FFL, but it was truly a sad sight to behold.  He still had a handful of AR uppers and barrels left.  A single Aimpoint and maybe an EOThingy or two remain.  Safes are still there and at good prices.  I guess it was just weird seeing all the firearms replaced by airsoft.

I think what really struck me as sad, if a bit humorous, was the "firearm training" sign near the "IPSC" range.  

Sure hope Bernie does okay with the airsoft business.  I truly wish him well.  He does still have awesome safes and some other stuff, but I wouldn't be surprised if today was my last visit to Bernie's.  Maybe the reason I'm so bummed out by this is because I bought my first AR from Maria (Bernie's daughter ).  Couple months later I got my FAL from them as well.  

(No, ARH, Maria was not at the store today.)



Now, ask me about the cool SureFire stuff I got at Bullseye.  

Yep.  And I guess the two 4473s I filled out at Bernie's are now in the gov.t's hands.  Thanks, Bernie.  


Since we're talking about beds now, can we talk more about Maria?   And her sister.    

Quoted: Isn't Maria still married?  I do miss them both.

Both her boobs, or Maria and her sister?  




(BTW, yes, Maria is married.)