Military Surplus Shops in and around San Antonio

[majormadmax]

During my recent travels, I got to hit a few good military surplus stores; which got me thinking...are there any such stores in or around San Antonio?

Since I've been back, I've found a few. Military City Surplus neat Ft Sam (Wurzbach and Rittaman) is pretty good since they've cleaned up their store.

The Tactical Man Store off Military and Hwy 90 near Lackland isn't too bad. But like many shops they carry more new stuff than surplus. South West Military across the parking lot has long been vacated. I don't think they relocated anywhere.

I've been to both National Outdoors on Culebra and San Pedro. Their selection isn't too bad but I rarely find good stuff there.

That's all I can think of, does anyone know of any more? Again, I am looking for actual military surplus, not a 5.11/TruSpec/Condor shop (Top Brass has that well covered! ).

Oh, and I do try to make the twice-a-year Alamo City Militaria Expo in Schertz, which is fun but small and too infrequent.

Cheers! M2

 

[Southpaw]

Didn't know about the Expo, good to know. Look forward to the next on.
I also didn't realize that Fort Sam Army Navy was now Military City. Is it different is owners?

Thanks.

 

[majormadmax]

Didn't know about the Expo, good to know. Look forward to the next on.

Don't get too excited, it's only about 100 tables but it's a fun way to spend a half hour or so. The two young ladies that work the door are usually dressed in military attire.

I also didn't realize that Fort Sam Army Navy was now Military City. Is it different is owners?

Not sure, they were in the mall where US Patriot is now located (a decent shop but again new stuff not surplus) along Rittiman. It's been years since I was last there and I remember it being a mess and dusty. We went the week before last as we were working on Ft Sam and it is a lot cleaner and more organized. Don't know if that is the result of new ownership or someone just trying to attract business...

 

[London]

Haven't been to the Fort Sam one in about a year. Last time I went they weren't taking credit/debit cards because the owner didn't want to pay the fees. The guy working the register said that decision was actually costing her a fortune. I can tell you I drove all the way across town, picked out $60 worth of items, and had to drive all the way back home empty handed and pissed because of that. I'm sure I'm hardly the only one.

Aside from that some of their prices seemed to be in yen, pesos, or Zimbabwe dollars. A lot of their inventory was pure junk- a single Mickey mouse boot, tons of military manuals absolutely no one wanted, M65 liners for $25 each (I bought a case off ebay for $7)... What really got me was their prices on BDUs/ACUs/whatever that were about 3x higher than the local thrift stores. I wouldn't be surprised if it folded.

I hope they still have good deals on used ECWCS clothing. That was the only thing really worth going there for.

Aside from their hats National Outdoors' prices blow. They didn't even have a black Friday sale.

 

[shortround]

The Fort Sam Army/Navy Store on Rittiman lost his lease and moved across the street on Harry Wurzbach.

His inventory is just as good or better than at his last location.

It is not the go-to store for the latest high-speed military gear. He sells old stuff, and sells it at local gun shows to boot.

I'll give the man his due, he works in a difficult environment in a military city where most of the G.I.'s are airmen, medics, clerks, and jerks. San Antonio has not had a combat division stationed here since before WW2 (2nd Infantry).

If you are looking for a high-speed, low drag, surplus store, don't think you will ever find it in Dirty 'Ol SA.

Better to visit El Paso, Texas; Killeen, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Columbus, Georgia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Clarkstown, Tennessee; and Watertown, NY.

Combat troops there will hock all their combat gear for a little poon-tang.

 

[kg-tpwd]

are there any in the schertz are?

 

[Southpaw]

are there any in the schertz are?

I have yet to check this place out, but here is one close to schertz.

ARMED FORCES SUPPLY

 

[BIGPAPIGREG]

there aint none here that are worth a damn, occasional stuff here and there, but usually not too good

 

[Southpaw]

there aint none here that are worth a damn, occasional stuff here and there, but usually not too good

I'm usually a window shopper locally. The prices usually can't compete with some online vendors.

 

[majormadmax]

I just bought a few items from Sportsman's Guide, just because they are currently offering free shipping...

Military Surplus Store | Military Clothing, Combat Boots, Tactical Gear

Just to give you an idea of the price differential, I saw an Israeli gas mask at a local National Outdoor that they wanted $59.95 for plus tax. I found the same exact mask on Sportsman's Guide's website for $19.95 with no sales tax. So for the same price, I got it, a Hungarian gas mask and three AK-47 shemaghs...

And local businesses wonder why online retailers are kicking their asses!

 

[majormadmax]

Anyone ever been by this place?

Armed Forces Supply
9218 Converse Business Ln #2
Converse, TX 78109
(210) 566-3300
http://armedforcessupply.com/
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday Closed

Might check it out next week. First I've heard of it...

Cheers! M2

 

[Southpaw]

Went there once and they were closed during business hours. Perhaps now that you remind me, I'll try them again.

 

[majormadmax]

I'll let you know if I go, I have to do some volunteer work over by the airport on Monday so I might swing by afterward...

But based on your experience, I'll probably call first!

 

[Southpaw]

They seem to be reasonably priced on most things and I bet they more not listed there.

 

[Skip]

There's the one on Bandera rd a block inside 410. But to be honest I haven't been there in over 10 years.

 

[majormadmax]

There's the one on Bandera rd a block inside 410. But to be honest I haven't been there in over 10 years.

That's one of the two National Outdoors stores (the other is on San Pedro). Not bad, but not great either...

 

[jpatm2]

Majormadmax, I have been there a couple of times. It is a small shop and they have a lot of items, but do not always know what their items are.

 

[majormadmax]

Majormadmax, I have been there a couple of times. It is a small shop and they have a lot of items, but do not always know what their items are.

Cool, I'll try to check it out myself tomorrow.

Hopefully it'll have something different, we were just at Military City Surplus north of Ft Sam yesterday and while they've done a lot to clean up that place, their inventory doesn't change much.

I hit a lot of military surplus stores, a recent one being the "US Shop" in Böblingen, Germany (near Stuttgart); but I rarely find much.

With online sources, unfortunately good surplus shops are getting tougher and tougher to find!

But that doesn't stop me from trying!

Cheers! M2

 

[majormadmax]

Well, I learned something new today...Armed Forces Supply in Converse is closed on Mondays!

I'll edit my post above to reflect that. Don't know when I'll get back there again...

 

[Southpaw]

Well, I learned something new today...Armed Forces Supply in Converse is closed on Mondays!

I'll edit my post above to reflect that. Don't know when I'll get back there again...

'
I'm going to check them out tomorrow. I'll post as well.