A guns and ammunition store has opened in Sandy Run.
Sandy Run Arms & Ammo is located at 1137 Old Swamp Road in Swansea.
The store is open 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
James Samuel “JS” White, owner of Sandy Run Arms & Ammo, says the store is unique among firearms dealers with a focus on exceptional customer service.
“When you walk in the door, you will always see me, the owner,” White said. “You get the service you are not going to get when you shop at a much larger store.”
He said customers on all spectrums of firearm knowledge will be able to receive personalized service.
“They (customers) like the attention I give them when they walk in the door,” White said.
The Marine Corps veteran and Irmo native served from 2006-12 and conducted counter-terrorism operations in the Anbar province in Iraq and Helmund Province in Afghanistan. There he worked with a small team training a company-sized Afghan National Police element.
White said his interest in firearms grew from his time in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“The Marine Corps is big on everyone being a rifleman,” White said. “I found it was something I was interested in as well as the science behind the firearms.”
White expanded his knowledge and skill sets when at the age of 21-22, he began to experiment with reloading and started learning more about bullets, gun powder and gun cases.
“If it you change one thing, it changes the performance of what you are making,” White said.
In 2016, he graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering.
He entered a career in project management for a mechanical contracting company. He worked there for the next seven years, managing large-scale construction projects. He also was training coordinator for all the company apprentice employees.
The store stocks handguns, rifles, shotguns, ammunition and accessories.
White said the store is also expanding its equipment. He said two new commercial ammunition manufacturing machines will be added that will help produce 3,000 to 4,000 rounds of ammunition an hour.
The store also offers cleaning/gunsmithing services.
White opened the store with his father, Sam.
The men started the business in a former plumbing shop owned by the family.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
In addition to firearms and firearms training, the business also provides self-defense training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ).
Dan Trevzger will provide training from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays weekly. Individuals are asked to call to make sure classes are being held. No experience is necessary to start.
White said construction is underway to create a separate gym just for jitsu training and classes. He said about 800 square feet of mat space will be added, including new mats, wall padding and a lobby.
The gym is projected to finish by the middle to end of March, White said.
Enrollment is currently ongoing for jitsu for children ages 10 to 16.
Waivers will need to be signed upon arrival. For the first class, bring athletic gear. The first class is free.
For more information about the store or jitsu training, call 803-920-6139 or visit www.sandyrunarms.com. The business can also be found by searching Facebook for Sandy Run Arms & Ammo.
Those interested in jitsu training or classes can also email at [email protected]
___
(c) 2024 The Times and Democrat
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
