Decided to check out this local shop to purchase another handgun I've had my eye on for a while (M&P Shield X), and I'm really glad I did. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted right away and offered help. Angel took care of me and made the entire DROS process feel smooth and stress free. He was organized, walked me through everything, and made all the paperwork and online forms simple to complete without feeling rushed. The shop itself has a great inventory, and honestly, I'm a little disappointed at myself for not coming here sooner. I've been driving out of the area this whole time, not realizing there's a solid spot just about 12 minutes from me that has everything I need. Definitely coming back and would recommend checking them out if you're in the area. read more

Great location, customer service, and everyone knowledgeable. Ben, Jesus, and Angel are very approachable and take the time to help you. PPT are done here every day from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. I highly recommend coming in and will come back. read more

There was lots of help behind the counter that was helped right away a big place for service. They had a decent selection of guns and the value was decent. Prices were better than any other gun store in the area. read more

Purchased a Sig Sauer P320X here about 6-7 months ago. Yet again, Solar Tactical made it all seamless and simple. VERY impressed with all the guys I've dealt with at both their locations, although most of my shopping has been at the Castro Valley shop. NOT ONCE have I dealt with the exhausting, typical Bay Area FUDD nonsense that I have at other east bay FFL dealers. They have always been accurate & up to date on the perpetually changing Byzantine CA "gun laws". They always have good stock and products on the shelves and display cases. Will keep shopping here for certain. Great guys working there and most importantly VERY reasonable pricing. read more

Best shop ever!!!!!!! They do keep the door lock and ask for ID's but everyone In there is super chill and down to earth not like all the other shops around where they make you not feel welcome. Super knowledgeable group of guys and can points you in the right direction if you need help or advice. They got a good selection also definitely will be returning. read more

Love this place people are hella cool don't treat you like A criminal when buying a firearm they actually talk to you respectfully. Not like Alex from black dog armory very rude individual. Everyone else at black dog armory is cool though read more

The place is a gem. They have a great selection of stuff, and the people who work there really know what they're talking about. Ben is amazing (they don't make people like this anymore), Jesus is amazing, and the store manager Les is just incredibly knowledgeable and super friendly. Any time you bring something in for gunsmith-type work, they'll help you out without charging, even if it takes them 45 + minutes or more. It's just who they are: genuinely good people who care about their customers. They'll also throw in random discounts for "loyal customers." I highly recommend this place. I've been buying all my stuff there, and I recommend you do the same. read more

Pretty cool guys, they are patients and helpful, gets a little be busy sometimes so is better to be ready to wait if you want the process done correctly. Really happy with the customer service. read more

great store. guys at the counter always make me feel welcomed. purchased my xmacro from here and other ones as well. will always come back to this store. read more

Great quality firearms Great prices best in town. Come check them out !!! Thanks justin and Jesus appreciate the help Great customer services. read more

Came here to do two PPTs and the employees were great to deal with. No attitudes like other places. A lot of other places seem to not want to do them (that's why I'll never do business with those other places again). I'll definitely be back to buy some stuff on their walls. They had a good assortment of items at decent prices. I'll also recommend them to friends and people that are getting into the sport. read more

Friendly staff. They had exactly what I was looking for even during an ammo shortage. Great selection of high quality firearms. If you live in the area- come here. read more

One of the best local gun shops around--great selection and solid pricing. The DROS process is always smooth and hassle-free, which makes a big difference. But what really stands out is the staff. Shoutout to Jesus, Angel, and Ben--they're always helpful, knowledgeable, and make the whole experience easy and welcoming. read more

I'm a Firm Believer in the Second Amendment!!! Solar Tactical is a Law Abiding Sporting Good Store!!! The Strictly Follow all Federal and California Gun Laws!!! No Ghost Guns here lol!!! Criminals beware!!! They Support the Shooting Sports!!! They are very Knowledgeable and Practice Strict Firearm Safety!! They have a Large inventory of Sporting Firearms and Ammunition!! I rolled by there Yesterday with a Friend of Mine. She wanted to Buy another Handgun for Self Defense. She lives in Oakland and one of her Neighbors was killed and OPD was nowhere to be found!! She has called 911 and the Police has never Showed up or did hours later. So we were Warmly Welcomed on our Arrival!! We talked to the Manager Les he is a Wealth of Knowledge !!! We looked at several Different Handguns and She ended up Buying a See-camp 32 Acp In Stainless and ordered a Keltec 12 Guage Shotgun for Home Defense. She had to fill out all the Federal and California Forms to Purchase the Seecamp!!! So I went Next Door and Grabbed a Burrito while she did that lol !!! This is a Baller On A Budget Approved Establishment !!!! read more

Great Team here, all very knowledgeable and easy to work with. Solar Tactical is my go to FFL in the Bay Area. Wait times vary but rest assured your in great hands at solar tactical it is worth the wait. read more

Came in to Solar Tactical intentions to buy a Glock 19 they have there Glocktober Sale going on perfect time to purchase. Ben helped me out with the process/paperwork very friendly and very helpful got me in and out of there quick.Highly recommend shopping here thank you once again! read more

Great experience with Justin - very helpful with setting me up with the proper cleaning gear. Will be definitely be coming back.

This store is quite small. There were only two employees working the counter and quite a line of people. Took about 30 minutes just to ask a question, but employee was helpful and knowledgeable. Purchasing a gun takes a long time, so expect a long wait. My advice is arrive early - as soon as they open, because there will be a line shortly after. They had very few used guns available during our visit and the selection of new ones were out of our budget. We ended up going with the other gun shop in CV. Also, parking lot is not very big and shared by several other businesses, including a laundromat, so you may not find a spot. read more

Solar Tactical - This is pretty much the entire inside of the store. - Guns & Ammo Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Favorite 2A store! Thanks to Ben and the team at solar Tactical! Always very knowledgeable and helpful with everything. read more

Solar Tactical - Getting help at the favorite store! Thanks Ben and the team for an amazing time and help. - Guns & Ammo Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Went in over the weekend i had some doubts about a handgun i wanted to purchase, talked to bruce he helped me out with all my questions i had, we compared different guns and decided for the one i went in for. Definitely will return, i recommend this for new gun owners or previous owners great staff! read more

Solar Tactical Castro Valley Store is my "One stop, One shop Place." The shop staff are all knowledgeable, respectful, and most importantly helpful. There one associate Ben, has always been extremely helpful, from offering recommendations on your first firearm or additional, he spends time with the customer so they can to make a well informed decision without undue pressure. He has also skilled in installing sights on pistols, with perfection. If you want first rate service from a reputable firearms dealer and knowledgeable staff, I highly recommend visiting Solar Tactical in Castro Valley. read more

1st time gun buyer. Really just came to this place out of convenience but happy I did. Entire process went very smooth and was about as quick as you could expect. Dealt with 2 different employees upon purchase and pickup. Both were very helpful with recommendations and knowledge of guns. You can tell there's a lot of regulars that come here and they all seemed to have good rapport with each other. Maybe a bit pricey but they worked with me on a few things and was well worth it regardless. Will definitely be back to support this small business read more

Shady practice. Raise 1k ammo by $50 before the sin tax hike, this place is taking advantage of its customers. $200 markup on a Hellcat Pro. I have bought 2 pistols from here, and will shop here again. I understand the business have overhead, the owner is gong way overboard. Buckmark Medailliom is $650 here. I got mine for $579 at a big box store. Do yourself a favor, local gun shops who takes advantage of its customer nor appreciate you, does not need your business. read more

Definitely a store you want to check out if you're in the market for home/self protection.They have a very good selection ,friendly and knowledgeable staff who will help you make the right choice. Be patient at the door ...you will be let in by staff ..have ID ready and your fun will begin! read more

Great experience at Solar Tactical. I stopped by because I was having an issue with my P365, and Ben immediately helped me figure it out and fix it. Everyone was super nice, patient, and really knowledgeable. I felt welcomed the whole time. Highly recommend this shop if you need help or just want a reliable place to go. read more

Great selection of tools and even better staff 10 out of 10 FFL in the bay area. *****

Great shop, staff are super helpful and knowledgeable, I worked with Justin, Jesus and Benjamin and they were all awesome to deal with and make the process painless. Shop was busy, but the line moved really quick. Couldn't recommend them more, way better than the big stores where you'll wait for hours. read more

Came to buy ammo and it was a Smooth process. And here some updated pics of what they got on the wall read more

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Always a great experience here. Ben is especially helpful. This is my favorite local store with competitive pricing.

Staff was helpful and informative. They were patient with us when trying different selections. Definitely will come back for my next purchase. read more

Ben was very helpful and professional and helped walk me through all the various processes. I expect to do business with them in the future. read more

Overpriced experience by people who don't know how to operate a customer driven business. I went there trying to support a local business and left because of the nickel and diming. read more

It's always cool to stop into this local spot and support them! Everyone here is chill and helpful.

Requires ID to enter. I presented my dmv application id. They still reject it. Can't even check out new rostered guns without being blocked. Go to elite armory. Better service and friendlier staff. Less fuddy read more

Actually I never been there but I am going to give them a 5 star rating. They answer my email to them in a day good people I could never get anybody to order a gun for me they offered that do in my books these guys are the real deal they just got a new customer read more

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Took my fire arm exam here and after the cool off period I was able to pick up my Glock 17. All with the help and guidance of Hesus, he's the man to talk to. I was just starting out and he gave great recommendations and upon my pick up made sure I know the basics. Awesome dude! Also the shop is like a candy shop for home protection armory, love the rifles they from small budget to advanced. Will definitely go back and highly recommended read more

Friendly service. No hassle. Parking lot. Fair prices. Best gun store in Castro Valley.

Went to do a Private Party Transfer on a Saturday a couple hours before they close. Was told that they only do PPTs from 10-11 on Saturdays, so they turned us away. I get that a gun store doesn't want to take time away from real potential sales to do a minimal-revenue PPT, especially on a busy weekend day. But when I looked over the employee's shoulder (they keep the outside door locked and only answer when you knock), the sum total of people inside were two employees and zero customers. So they turned down my PPT (with the possibilities of gaining add-on sales or developing customer loyalty) so they could go back to doing basically nothing. Because they do have a formal policy, I won't give them just one star. But they don't get more than two stars because using that policy as an excuse to ignore smart customer service and future sales potential when your store is completely empty is just silly. read more

Very knowledgeable personnel. Well worth their weight in gold. I would highly recommend Solar Tactical for any firearm needs.

Great service, very helpful and awesome staff!!! I'll be back when I'm ready to purchase another firearm!