Big John’s Military Surplus

I had a very pleasurable experience shopping at Big John’s! They have an excellent selection of supplies. I found everything I needed with the help of one of the ladies that runs the shop (I should have asked her name). She took the time to show me around and I spent nearly $ 200. I will definitely be shopping there again, it’s a great mom and pop shop! Make sure you check the hours before you go.

Walked in and was greeted right away. After driving to several surplus stores, including Galls, Big John’s had what I was searching for. Thank you for being nice and helpful. I will definitely return.

Very disappointed with this store! I have been here several times and I do enjoy their inventory and what they have to offer. What makes me so disappointed is the fact that they close their doors 10 – 15 min prior to their closing time. It’s ridiculous because they have done it several times now. Just remember get there a half hour before they close!!!

This place is one of the icons for Riverside, and is easy to find being near the airport on Arlington. His place is small, but his selection is diverse. He has alot of mainly older gear in stock, with the usual oddballs, and if you need something special you can ask and he’s usually able to get back with you in a day or two of searching. I got my special tactical pants and gear (Duty belt and accessories) here, it was cheaper than Gall’s and similar for the quantity. I wish he had more modern items and geared toward tactical operations, but that’s a preference.

Walked into rude customer service, while we were walking around the store they rushed myself and my girlfriend out of the store (when they closed in 15 minutes), as they were arguing/​yelling at each other.

There was a «For Lease» sign in the window on the end of the building so this place looks like it might go out of business soon, and from the prices/​customer service I can see why. Me and Dad went looking for a certain Vietnam Veteran hat for him. Of course they didn’t have it, they only had 3 in stock. We asked the guy behind the counter a couple of questions regarding the hats and insignia in general and all we received was «deer in the headlights look» accompanied with an «I don’t know.» I’m not saying that you have to be up to date with all military branches information, but at least have some idea of what you’re selling. We decided on just buying an iron on patch. $ 4.50!!! Next time I’ll check the web first. Also, I believe if it was under $ 5 you had to pay cash. Unless you’re looking to go paintballing, airsoft or you’re just updating your stolen valor uniform, use the internet and wait a week for shipping.

First off I’ll say when I like. The staff are friendly and helpful. What I don’t like is the lack of selection and how over priced everything is. You’ll see roughly 20% markup to what you could find somewhere else. They don’t take returns. So if something breaks on you a week or two in then you’re out of luck.

Nice folks. I showed up when they were closing early to go vote, but they let my son and I shop. My son wanted some cammies and some other stuff to wear paintballing. If they started stocking paintball equipment, they would make so much more money because I think a lot of their customers are paintballers. J&T over on Jurupa used to do great business with paintball before they went DOWNHILL (pretty sure closed) Nice people, cool stuff, and we’ll definitely go back.

Prices not realistic, selection was okay mostly close, we went looking for a Gilly net and we’re not quite successful with the selection they had and the prices were very high, on the upside their staff was very friendly

This place is average in terms of an actual military surplus. I’m a WWII collector and have been to many gun shows, antique shops, etc and I must say that any and all items they have in shop are extremely overpriced. Do not go here with any intentions of finding decent WWII, Korea, or Vietnam era items. You will be severely disappointed. When I saw the one tattered WWII M43 field jacket they did have in stock priced at $ 179 I immediately walked out.. . I do not recommend this place to collectors. However if you’re looking for camping supplies or regular modern militaria I suppose I recommend. That is all.

Do not bother with this place. Their hours of operation are not accurate and you may waste your time showing up and know one will be there. I waited 30 minutes during there supposed open hours according to the internet and to the sign posted on the door of the location. During my wait six other groups showed up to confused and frustrated. If they knew anything about the heroes that served out country they would understand being efficient is key. To my fellow service member I urge you not to shop here in the future.

Decent selection of surplus clothes but not much else that’s actually ‘surplus’ besides a few shovels, ammo cans, and a few assorted small containers.
Next time I need to go to a surplus store I’ll make the drive to Pomona.

I drove 20 miles to shop here and when I arrived the owner was waiting for a locksmith because they could not make entry into their store. The man that work there kindly advise me that they were waiting for the locksmith and would be up and running shortly. Because I like the store so much I left but returned an hour later to find the locksmith had just let them in. I had plans on buying several items and hoped to put credit for the items I was trying to sell towards my purchase. The owner was so upset about what had occurred earlier that she refused to look at my 3 items. I explained my situation but she would not consider my items so I left. I went to a military surplus a couple of miles away and had a much better experience.

I was caught off guard by how friendly the staff was. Lots of cool stuff! I’ll definitely be back again and again if my subsequent experiences are as good as my first.

I checked the Unilocal page for information about hours of operation. Good deal, Open til 6pm, drove up arrived at 5:15pm closed up tighter than a drum. I don’t mind the fact that your going to keep limited hours but at least post them so trips aren’t wasted.

I stop in here twice a month! Always find random great stuff there and the owner (Judy) is great!
I found a pair of U.S. Divers Rocket Fins here for $ 30, from a SEAL…
they’ve got gas masks, old army duffel bags, wide selection of knives and current bdu’s for adults and kids. As well as some camping gear but a little pricey for that…
Must check it out!!!
****MUST BRING CASH**** If your gonna spend under $ 20, over $ 20 then theyll take your card. that was annoying at first but what can you expect from a mom and pop store lol

First time @ Big John’s, grandson needed Jungle Boots, found them. I met Judy the owner, such a nice lady. If grandson needs anything else we will be going back

Best military surplus in the area, which only leaves one more. This one is better, though the other is good for airsoft. There is more variety at Big John’s, with a less gloomy and cold atmosphere than the other.
A barrel of gas masks, million candle power flashlights, medals, figurines, field-​used antiquated yet functional war helmets, 3-​day disaster kits for earthquakes and so on, and the only place to go for uniforms, camo, and all military garb. There’s more than all that, by the way. Too much to list.
Their selection of top name combat knives, throwing knives, and survival knives, folded or fixed is the most diverse in the IE. They are the only store in the Inland Empire to offer Cold Steel tantos. Bass Pro only offers the survival and hunting Cold Steels.
I’ve looked around the IE for better stores and shopped hard for better deals and could only come back here. Stop in or lose out.

Every wonder where you’re going to get supplies when the zombie apocalypse breaks loose (or if you’re not me then for when the big one hits)? BIG JOHNS Y’ALL! Now I have been scouting around the IE for items to put in my survival kit and figured that a military/​army surplus store would be the way to go but every place I have gone to either has closed down or is pathetically under stocked. All that came to an end when I entered this military superstore! Big John’s has everything (MREs, canteens, fatigues and the list goes on) and a good selection on all items in stock. If they don’t have what you are looking for Big John’s can put in a special order, as we found out with our fatigue shirt. All and all I am impressed by their selection and helpfulness of their staff. They are more than willing to show you how your equipment works or find a specific size in a flight suit; I am most defiantly returning.