Personal Defense Specialists Inc. Closed?

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Hello,
My question was what is going on with Personal Defense Specialists in South Hadley, MA? I know Joe was having some health problems and his son was working the shop? Now I can't even reach him. It kind of stinks because I had asked them to order a certain handgun for me. If anybody knows what's going on with this gun dealer please let me know.
Thanks,
Smitty
 
NOT closed

The shop is NOT closed. Joe's son told me that they will be open again next Thursday. He is returning messages from people who left them on the voicemail. Hang in there. PDS inc. is a great shop and has top notch customer service.
 
Reptile beat me to it.

Joe has been pretty sick lately. But his wife tells me things are looking up and he should be back sometime soon. In the meantime Joey (the son) is opening when he can get away from his own work.

If I get any updates I will post them here.
 
Reptile beat me to it.

Joe has been pretty sick lately. But his wife tells me things are looking up and he should be back sometime soon. In the meantime Joey (the son) is opening when he can get away from his own work.

If I get any updates I will post them here.

I'd really appreciate any news on Joe's doing. I've gotten snippets of info on his current status, but am very concerned as to how he's holding up. He's a great guy and has been absolutely wonderful to my wife and I.
 
Second that emotion. Joe is a really great guy and a fabulous resource for gun owners in Western MA. I really hope he's able to recover easily. Good that his son's taking care of things as best he can while dad's down.

Recently I got a PM from a new member and soon to be WM resident who was asking about the licensing procedure, the firearms culture out here and the Law Enforcement. I told him just call Joe, take your class with him and get to know him and you will have all the info you need to take care of business out here.

Joe is the classic exception to the rule "don't listen to the guy who owns the shop."
 
Address?

Second that emotion. Joe is a really great guy and a fabulous resource for gun owners in Western MA. I really hope he's able to recover easily. Good that his son's taking care of things as best he can while dad's down.

Recently I got a PM from a new member and soon to be WM resident who was asking about the licensing procedure, the firearms culture out here and the Law Enforcement. I told him just call Joe, take your class with him and get to know him and you will have all the info you need to take care of business out here.

Joe is the classic exception to the rule "don't listen to the guy who owns the shop."
*******
Address please?
 
I believe the website has been down for several weeks now. As for the address, I'm pretty sure it's 341 Newton Street in South Hadley. All my google searches say it's at 570 Newton...but it's not. Another interesting fact, if you look at the street view and face directly south, you'll see the shop, and the "OPEN" sign is illuminated. Sorry, I just thought that was neat.
 
The current address is 341 Newton Street. This is the third location Joe has had since he first opened. 570 Newton was his previous shop. Every time he moves he just gets bigger and better.
 
Joe is an OUTSTANDING guy and I do know he has been having some health issues as well. I spoke with him a few weeks ago and just like these other guys said, hang in there he will be back.

Great guy and good to work with as well.

Rob
 
I’m sorry to hear that Joe has been ill lately. I hope that those who are closest to him will keep us updated and I wish him a speedy recovery. Joe has always been a super guy and gone out of his way to help myself and my wife out as customers. I’ve relied on his shop for a few years now after dealing with several others and not being satisfied at all.
 
His son opened the shop yesterday and it will be open again today (Friday).

Joe is doing better but is still in the hospital. I guess it's a day-to-day thing. But they say he is losing the excess fluid and is getting better.

Let's keep the prayers coming.
 
I stopped by PDS today, Joe's son opened today. He is trying to open around his own schedule. Richard was also there helping out.
I asked about how Joe was doing and was told he is getting better, however he is still in the hospital and won't be comming home right away.
He is doing better though.
 
I was going past PDS and saw it was open so I stopped in. Joe is supposed to get out of rehab next Monday and might be back in the store shortly thereafter. Things are definitely looking up. As we get updates we will post them.
 
Thanks for the update. i like everybody here (the Western MA NES) have been pulling for Joe and wondering about his condition.
smitty
 
GOOD NEWS!

Saw our local mailman the other day (he also delivers to and frequents the store). He said Joe was in the shop for a few hours earlier this week and will be opening on a limited schedule soon.

If I can find when he will be open I'll post it here for all to see.
 
Saw our local mailman the other day (he also delivers to and frequents the store). He said Joe was in the shop for a few hours earlier this week and will be opening on a limited schedule soon.

If I can find when he will be open I'll post it here for all to see.

Wow. That's great news! Glad to hear Joe is starting to get over his illness. Good news is rare these days. This makes me want to take a trip to S. Hadley and just buy something on general principles.
 
UPDATE!

Joe has a new message on his answering machine. He is going to try to be open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. I do not know if he plans on being open tomorrow but you can always call in and check.

413-533-9286
 
On Wednesday, Joe told me that he will be open on Saturday. The answering machine says 11-4 on Saturday. I can't wait to see him!
 
Has anyone heard about Joe and the store lately ??? His webpage is still down.

I wanted to take a run by the store on Saturday. I'll most likely call Sat. morn to see if he is open or not.
 
He has been open for a month or more. He should be there both Friday and Saturday, in the afternoons I believe.
 
Hours

He is open.


You can get the hours on Joe's answering machine: 413-533-9286

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 12pm - 5:30pm
Saturday : 11am - 4pm
Sunday : 12pm - 4pm
 
Not only is he open again, but I've already welcomed him back by purchasing a new Smith 442 from him. I felt it was an appropriate gesture, lol.
 
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