Over all the years I've visited Ames, I've rarely travelled over to the West Side where Lincoln Way…read moresoon merges US 30. There's a now shuttered restaurant where my Sister had her rehearsal dinner and I sometimes passed Ames Surplus, which as it turns out has been folded into the 2-building complex that is called Jax Outdoor gear. The military surplus part of this store is not much more than a couple short aisles. Past that, Jax has loads of outdoor gear, fishing and hunting inventory, clothing, footwear, and even a corner for Boy and Girl scout supplies. It's all very high quality merchandise and a good value. I came in looking for some Carhartt pants, which they don't currently stock. I left very impressed and with a cool and nicely priced little Gerber knife. I found store staff to be friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. I'll be back in Ames in a few months (or so), and I'm be sure to stop in again. I'm sure there will be new stuff to admire or goods that I missed during the last visit. And there's no need to drive all the way to Des Moines.

This place is a joke! I ordered online 5 different pair of mens pants. Called their customer…read moreservice line to find out why the freight was so ridiculously high. I was told the customer pays to have them shipped to one location then pays to have them shipped to the final destination. I decided to go ahead with the purchase they were all name brand and still less than I could find online. Here is what I received later that day to my inbox. JAXOutdoorGearFarmandRanch Your order has been canceled Order was canceled because we did not have enough stock to fulfill your order and your payment has been refunded. Really, all of them! What a waste of time! Maybe Learn how online sales and inventory control works before trying to sell products online!

Very good communications, shipping, ans service. Very happy with order and delivery of revolver.read more

Great selection and personalized service at an awesome Mom &Pop gun shop! So much better…read moreexperience than the big corporate chain stores with know-nothing clerks!

Great shop with the largest selection of firearms I've ever seen in one place…read moreWill definitely be returning and recommending to everyone I know

Love these guys. Picked up my fourth purchase from JT's today. They're good business men and…read morestraight shooters when it comes to firearms. Today I asked about an online price I'd seen from one of the big retailers on something I am considering purchasing down the road. He said he couldn't match it, but explained to me why. He wasn't rude or mad because of the question I asked. That really says a lot. My heart always says to buy local, but sometimes my budget overrides that decision. When it comes time to make that purchase down the road I'll talk to him again. If I can figure out how to meet in the middle between the gun, an optic, magazines, and ammunition I'd rather buy it from JT's. The shop itself is small. If they're busy it can get crowded and it's sometimes hard to avoid being muzzle swept by other customers. The staff is great about safety-checking everything so as long as the gun has comes across the counter from them I haven't been too concerned. Happened to me today with a customer looking at 1911s. They have plenty of inventory...new and used. A lot of guns you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the metro. Great prices. They're a family owned shop and they are all very knowledgeable. Check out their Facebook page...they keep it current...and are very responsive to comments and messages.

Looking for a business off the beaten path, Look no further…read more Fisher's Firearms is not a cookie cutter type of shop, they cater to your needs and deliver before you know what you want.

Aaron provides excellent service! He is extremely knowledgeable and with years of military…read moreexperience he can answer any questions you have!

Bo the owner is super helpful and knowledgeable! His prices are competitive and he is great at…read moresuggesting firearms to suit your needs. They sell new and used firearms along with accessories, and ammunition! He is also a gun smith, and it took 2 months for Scheels Sporting goods to tell us that they couldn't find the part for an old gun we inherited, it took him 10 minutes to find and order the part for us. His labor prices are also reasonable!! $20 minimum for labor, which is a lot cheaper than most places out in the area, as well as his FFL prices are also super reasonable!! We will definitely be back to look into some of the handguns he had on display.!! As well as the ammunition!

1st time visiting. February 21, 2026. My friend has bought a couple of pistols there. I walked in,…read morenothing. I went up to the counter/case where the pistols are. Some "lady goes behind the counter, I look up and say hello. I get a weak "hi". Nothing else. Not a " what can I help you with?, etc.... I won't be back. Ever. Plus, their firearms are more than most stores. Nope!!! Shop local? Not there!

Very helpful, knowledgeable staff. I was treated with respect and kindness my entire visit. Range…read moreprices are reasonable, there're lots of guns in stock. The ranges are split so you're not crowded in with a ton of other people. I went with a friend and we were able to have adjoining lanes I would use the range again.

Went here after a bad experience at JLM (apparently know for their terribly rude communication with…read morepotential customers). These guys were GREAT! So helpful and a beautiful huge shop! Will be back again after the new year!! Thanks for all your help & advice today guys!!

This place rocks! They have everything a consumer would need from a sporting goods or athletic…read moreapparel company under their roof. This was my initial visit, and now I know why Scheels has such an excellent reputation. Customer service was great, and the inventory had a range of pricing and options. I was extremely impressed and will return.

I've visited twice before, today was my 3rd & final time. I never find what I need, ever…read more Pros: * The store is enormous, 2 floors & there are 14,000,000,000 things in this store. Great selection/colors of everything for so many sports or leisure, including camping. * Great quality & brands. Everything looks like it's built to last, including clothing, backpacks & coolers. You'll recognize all of the brands. Cons: * Never find anything I need, even if checking the website first & it assures me there are 3, 5, 8 in stock. I always leave empty-handed, after searching through the store for 30-min. * $$$Cost$$$. I'm jealous of the high school/college aged kids I see buying $90 sports bras, $75 shorts & $200+ backpacks. I'm sure everything will hold up for along time, but I don't need a $200 backpack to hold my $15 of items... it's the same reason I don't buy designer handbags. Well, that & lack of affordability. * Employees are either really helpful or miserable. I won't go through a long diatribe, but just say that the item I needed required asking SIX people, all who sent me to different ends of the store (I need foot surgery & am in pain, so it's a big deal). Even though I told them all that, they had me go upstairs, downstairs & back again twice & to all ends of the store. One finally said, "No one knows where anything is. They move it all the time." Didn't find what I needed. No one could tell me anything about it. One told me to shop online. Nice... In addition, the woman in the shoe dept was steaming mad that I didn't buy a pair of sneakers, after making me wait 15-min so she could find a few pairs for me & trying on 4. Sorry, none were comfy on my aching foot. I told her TY a few times, she said nothing, turned her back on me & walked away, leaving everything behind. I was further annoyed that she told me nothing when I asked what people wore for bone spurs cuz I'm sure she's encountered them before or gotten feedback. The other sales person, a man, was delightfully helpful with his customer, telling her about the shoes, function, recommending pairs. Wish I'd encountered him first. Grumpy face didn't want to waste her time on me. I've worked retail, too, girl, get over yourself. How 'bout selling makeup, doing a makeover & having the person just scurry away, cuz they didn't want to buy, they just wanted a free makeover. I still treated them with respect. That's your JOB. I hate this place. Especially dismal, arrogant customer service which I encounter every single time. I'll find another store. 0* out of 5.

I might be the only person that feels this way...However I don't like hearing from the 3 older guys…read morebehind the gun counter that they all handled my firearm talking about it like a toy. My unique, high dollar purchase doesn't give you the right to touch it. Check the serial number and put it back. If it's not yours then hands off. I don't know what they've touched and I doubt they wash up. I wasn't even rude during this transaction. I said thank you and have a great day and this old guy replies "no". Unprofessional! Buy elsewhere.

I think this store is under appreciated. While the service can be slow, especially around the…read moreholidays, it is probably the best option for the serious outdoors person in my area. Good selection of inventory, good prices, and occasional sales. clothes and camping are more limited, but hunting, fishing gear is excellent.