ALLIANCE - If it isn't crew-served, has a firing pin and a muzzle flash, chances are Burtzland Outfitters has it or can get it.
The store, located at 2330 S. Mahoning Ave., sells any type of firearm allowed under its Class III dealer license along gun supplies, camping, archery and fishing gear.
The company, owned by Jason Burtz, opened in 2008 and employs three full- and part-time employees.
Burtzland is themed as an 1880s western gun shop "with good ole fashioned respect for our customers," the brochure says.
The sign says it's right behind the old Value City store, but drive about a third of mile past Value City and it's on the left, about the size of pony express depot ... in Columbiana County.
Burtzland sells rifles, shotguns and handguns from top manufacturers and with a Class III license it also sells suppressor rifles, automatic firearms and short-barreled rifles.
According to the federal-firearms-license.net, the small arms dealer pays a "special occupational tax" for the Class III license allowing the owner to conduct business with machine guns and various other "National Firearms Act weapons"(NFA).
Aside from the wide variety of weapons, Burtzland has a lost-cost, open-to-the-public pistol range, a gunsmith service, offers economical firearms transfer and holds gun safety and concealed carry weapon classes.
Burtz, 34, is a graduate of Perry High School in Massillon and worked in law enforcement on a Lakota-Sioux indian reservation in South Dakota. He also lived in Illinois before returning to the area.
Burtzland holds two concealed carry weapons classes a month (on Saturdays).
"We're hoping to do more classes," Burtz said, "we're building a classroom downstairs for them."
Employee Justin Mikesell said the concealed carry classes are "very popular" and the 12-hour block of instruction can be taken in one day for $75.
"That includes range time, materials, lunch, a loaner gun (if needed) and everything but 50 rounds of ammunition," Burtz said, adding that they enroll people from as far away as Cuyahoga County because "they're getting $150 for the concealed carry classes up there."
Burtz said at the end of the class each student receives a National Rifle Association (NRA) basic pistol certificate "which is what you need to take to the sheriff's office for a license."
A five-year Ohio permit costs $67.
Less than five years is $92 and a more in depth background check is performed.
"The average time is about two weeks," Burtz said.
Each class enrolls from 12 to 14 students, Mikesell said, adding about 325 students go through the classes each year.
Burtz said women comprise about 25 to 30 percent of each class, noting they "do schedule women-only concealed carry weapon classes every now and then."
Mikesell said, "Women out shoot men most of the time."
How is that?
He explained, "They haven't handled firearms before and listen well. Men have usually handled them but don't do so well (listening).
The store's big sellers are "mostly the defensive handguns ... guys like the .380 semi-automatics while the .38 caliber revolver is easier for women to handle but the extra size is a little bit of an issue, it's a little bit bigger, " Mikesell said, adding, " ... compact pistols like the Ruger LC9, Ruger LCP (.380 Auto) and the Taurus TCP (.380 auto) along with Glocks, Springfields, Colt and Smith & Wessons" are popular.
They do sell some low-end Hi-Points, but don't stock them, Mikesell said.
In the rifle department, Mikesell said, "We specialize in AR-15s and customizing them, those are the hot sellers" along with Bushmaster and DPS.
The AR-15 is a top seller probably because it's what the military carries," he said, adding he was speculating on the reason.
"They're definitely great guns," Mikesell said.
"If they need it we can order it, usually within seven to 10 days with FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)."
Rifles, in the .223 and .308 calibers, are "probably the best selling and are used for target practice and on varmits," Mikesell said.
"We also rent out full automatic guns too," he said. "The fully automatic M-4 and Glock 18. It's $45 for the rental and you have to buy the ammo here. It's by appointment only."
The average age group or the "most common" that comes into Burtzland Outfitters is 30 to 45-years-old.
Shotguns are in stock, but are probably the slowest movers year round except during hunting season.
But a lot of shotguns are sold for home defense.
They usually have shorter 18-inch barrels compared to 24- and 26-inch barrels and have an improved cylinder choke, Mikesell said.
The prices are competitive.
"We try to match prices whenever we can."
The outdoor pistol range is open during regular business (daylight) hours at $5 per hour.
There are a variety of shooting events including regular bowling pin and turkey shoots.
The range is certified by the Ohio Peace Officers Association, has been used as a police academy range and for local instructors.
Burtz highly recommends making a reservation during nice weather.
Burtland also offers a low cost ($15) firearms transfer.
For more information, call 330-821-8866, or visit burtzland.com.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday and is closed on Sunday.
Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net
