Dow Arms Room

I first had Mr. Dow work on a couple rifles for me back when I was in college which was close to 20 years ago. I decided to do a retro AR build with Mr. Dow utilizing my parts and some items I acquired from them. It’s an interesting little shop with rare items and they do business the old fashioned way. The workmanship is absolutely excellent, and you can tell everything is fitted carefully. I saw some reviews where people complained about waiting too long. Absolute nonsense. People wait a very long time having custom cars done or musical instruments repaired. I had mine completed on schedule. I am quite pleased with my new/old rifle. It’s absolutely worth it to deal with Mr. Dow, he charges fair prices also. Be sure to stop by his shop and have lunch at one of the many excellent barbecue restaurants in the area. Thanks again, Mr. Dow! Note in pictures: I used surplus and new parts, all parts installed by Mr. Dow were put on very carefully. The scratches are from being combat/training use.

I shot this group with a hunting weight 300 Win Mag. 100 yards 5 shot group. I am not a competition shooter just a hunter. Bruce did an amazing job building this rifle!

I've known Bruce and Alice since 1990. Bruce is without peer as a gunsmith and custom rifle builder. He re-barreled My first M1 Garand back in the early days of the Blue Sky imports, and has done some stellar work for me over the years.
He also took time to mentor me early on, when a dealer from South Carolina with spurious intentions was committing rampant fraud with many fake M1 parts, and even whole rifles. Bruce plucked me from the mire, and taught me to recognize the real from the unreal.

How do you adequately thank someone for that kind of education? Bruce has probably forgotten more than many "gunsmiths" will ever know in their entire lives. I'm proud and grateful to know him.

Bruce Dow has done work for me on two Garands, two 1903-A3s, and a Springfield M1A NM rifle. His workmanship was absolutely excellent across the board. I also found his rates to be fair and reasonable, particularly given the high level of knowledge and skill he brings to the table. I could not be more pleased with the results. I gladly drive 75 miles each way to visit his shop and will continue to do so. He and his wife are both personable and helpful, and his shop always has great historic pieces to look at. Highly recommended !

If you are looking for an expert gunsmith, here is your shop. I drive an hour and a half to have Bruce work on my rifles and Encores. He has done 3 threading and Brake installs for me- top quality! They are only open Wednesday through Saturday so plan your trip ahead. My kids love the WWII and Korea and Vietnam memorabilia too.

Bruce is very knowledgeable and talkative, and does great refinishing work. They also have fair prices on a wide selection of older firearms, which are in better shape than most of the ones you'll find scattered around. Would reccomwnd them to anyone looking to purchase or restore an antique

First met Dow Arms Room in 2001 when I moved to Florida from the mid west. Was a supplier/vendor until 2008 when my employment changed. Have kept in touch with them ever since. Dec 2019 had two family fire arms which I wanted to sell and this was the only consignment seller I even considered using, even though they were 65+ miles away from my current home. Firearms were appraised, a price was established, and they were sold within about 2-1/2 months of my drop off date. Check arrived in the mail and to my surprise was 15+% higher than I agreed to and expected. WOW WOW WOW. If you want an arms dealer who is fair and honest, Dow Arms Room is the only place to go. Take a short drive to Dade City, it will be more than worth your while.

I have been collecting WW2 and older weapons from all the countries involved. To date, I have purchased only from online auctions. It is comforting to know that Dow is there to come to the rescue in case there is an issue beyond my basic ability to follow a You Tube video. From “accurizing” to replacing or repairing obscure parts, they do a great job. I expect great service to take time, this is not a McDonalds like repair shop. These are craftsmen of the old school variety, worthy of the name “Gunsmiths”. As for me, despite all my desire to get whatever they are working on back into action, I have to think this gun has been waiting patiently for me for some 70+ years another 7 days or so is well worth the wait.

In from out of town by air. Spent a very enjoyable hour talking to Bruce. He has a great gift of gab and an obvious enjoyment of firearms - reminded me of gun establishments in the small town where I grew up. Bruce has a great store of knowledge about firearms in general and specifically about WWII firearms. Enjoyed my time there very much, though I can't speak to his workmanship as a smith - he did seem very knoweldgeable. Walked out with a hard to find AR-15 mag - about the only thing I dared pack in my luggage when returning by air.

I've had M1 and M1A/ M14 rifles rebarrelled at Dows, excellent quality and craftsmanship.
Great folks to do business with.
A REAL gunsmith !

Dow is small, the inventory is limited, but the staff is amazing and the word knowledgeable doesn't even begin to describe their talents. If they don't have specifically what you want, they will get it for you, usually within 48 hours. Great, great, great place!

i have known bruce and his wife for approx 5 yrs. i have purchased rifles, ammo and had my rifles worked on MANY times. i travel 50 miles just to hang out and say hi sometimes. the work that he has done for me has been right on point with a fair price. he is the smartest person i know when it comes to ww2 hardware. the enviorment is easygoing but proffessional. no where else i would go for any work or purchases. if i can give him a 10 i would. new york might be my next home. i would find a way to deal with him from new york. great people.

I have had the best service at there place. The peolpe treating me with a lot of respect being a veteran. So I will always always recommend them for any of your gun needs.

Love this place. It really is a treat visting and a great opportunity to learn with the awesome selection of historically valuable firearms. The staff is very friendly and knowlegable. Truly a gunshop like no other.

If accuracy and quality are your objectives this is where you eliminate the firearm as a variable. If you're still not shooting as well as you had hoped, even after leaving here, I know what the problem is, it's that tempermental nut at the end of the stock.

Mr.Dow is the Best in the business. Him and his wife run a amazing shop. I would not trust my bluing to anyone else.

Very knowledgeable about firearms especially the M1 Garand. They have parts and accessories all with good prices. I will be making many return trips.

Very friendly. Very knowledgeable.

I was lucky to find DOW . I have bought some very nice items from Bruce and lucky enough to be able to have two of his builds.

Accuracy, of both firearms and information is second to none, if you want to win, or carry the dependable edge over your objective, especially the kind that shoot back or eat you, shop here!