Heart Stopper Ammunitions LLC: Lock Haven’s One-Stop Shop for All Hunting and Fishing Enthusiasts
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— Believe it or not, hunting season is just around the corner, and one of Lock Haven’s hunting suppliers is prepared to equip local outdoorsmen with the gear they need. Whether you’re on the market for a new firearm or looking to purchase custom hand loads, factory ammunition, accessories, or fishing supplies, Heart Stopper Ammunitions, LLC has you covered.
Heart Stopper Ammunitions, located at 640 East Park Street in Lock Haven, is a testament to one man’s deep passion for the great outdoors. Since its inception in 2021, owner Billy Furl has transformed his love for hunting and fishing into a business that caters to the needs of fellow outdoor enthusiasts. What began as a small venture offering gunsmithing and reloading services has blossomed into a community hub where hunters and fishermen can find a range of supplies and get expert advice from a lifelong outdoorsman.
“My love for hunting and fishing inspired me to open,” Furl shared when asked what inspired him to open the small business. “I got tired of walking in other shops and seeing high-priced items,” he added. Furl’s love for hunting and fishing propelled him into business and put him on a mission to provide fellow outdoorsmen with the equipment they need locally. He offers gunsmithing and reloading services at his shop and carries an inventory that includes rifles, shotguns, factory ammunition, knives, custom hand loads, live bait, fishing supplies, and more.
The shop offers a variety of items catering to hunters and fishermen. Furl takes pride in the quality of his offerings, particularly his custom hand loads and locally sourced fishing supplies. “Most of the fishing supplies are locally made, and I have some generic supplies, but I carry a mix of both to cater to the fisherman’s needs,” he said. For fishing enthusiasts, Furl carries inventory from Adam’s Custom Lures, Loki’s Lures, and locally-made bait from Tk Tackle. He also carries a variety of hooks and other accessories from Eagle Claw, Addya Outdoors, Trout Magnet, and more.
When it comes to firearm inventory, Furl says, “I’m a Remington man through and through.” He carries factory ammunition from Hornady, HSM, Sierra, Nosler, Sellier & Bellot Remington, and more. “For custom loads, I leave it up to the customer. If they tell me to develop a load, it will most likely be Sierra or Hornady bullets that I finish off the cartridge with if they don’t specify,” he explained.
When asked what inventory he’s most excited about offering as the fall season approaches, Furl mentioned the 243 Remington Model 783. “They’re a gun with barely any recoil to them, and they’ve got great ballistics,” he explained before highlighting that the military’s move to 6mm bullets underscores the model’s impressive flat-shooting capability. Furl said he also looks forward to offering loading powders, some of which he sells at a discounted price. “If there’s anything a customer needs that I don’t carry, I’ll gladly order it in for them with payment up front,” he added, demonstrating his commitment to meeting his customer’s needs.
Heart Stopper Ammunitions’ gunsmithing services are a cornerstone of the business, focusing on fixing small assemblies like triggers. Furl’s meticulous approach ensures that every customer receives top-notch service. “I hold up my end, and I stand behind my work. I always make sure that if something’s not right, I make it right,” he asserted.
Navigating the process of purchasing a firearm might seem daunting to a new hunter, but Furl simplifies it for his customers. “For a customer to purchase a firearm, they have to be a PA resident and possess a current form of ID. Other than that, I need their social security number, and they also need to be able to pass a PA state background check.” Furl conducts background checks on-site, sometimes finishing them within minutes. He explained that in some cases, the process of receiving verification takes a bit longer because the more background checks performed on the customer, the longer it takes to receive verification.
To sell firearms in Pennsylvania, the retailer has to meet rigid federal and state requirements, and Furl puts careful consideration into the safety element of selling firearms. “As gun retailers in PA, we have to use our intuition when selling firearms.” He shared that gun retailers in Pennsylvania are educated about what to watch and listen for when selling a firearm to a customer, and there are certain red flags he’s been trained to take note of. “As a former corrections officer, I can pick up on things fairly easily,” he added. When it comes to selling to younger customers, Furl puts it bluntly, “Bring a parent in if you want a knife and you’re under the age of 18. If you’re under age 21 and want to purchase pistol ammunition, you’ll need a parent with you.”
Gun safety is another critical area in which Furl excels. Given his extensive experience in hunting and fishing, he readily shares his knowledge of the safe handling and use of firearms with customers who have questions.
Furl is always thinking of ways to expand and improve his inventory to make Heart Stopper Ammunitions an even more comprehensive destination for hunting and fishing enthusiasts. “I’m hoping to get broad heads and arrows, both crossbow and regular run-of-the-mill arrows for compounds,” Furl shared when asked about any new inventory he plans to offer this fall. “Another thing I’d like to get in here before October is the pre-loaded packages for the in-line muzzleloaders,” he added.
What truly sets Heart Stopper Ammunitions apart is the strong sense of community Furl has cultivated. Helping customers find the right gear brings him satisfaction, and over time, he’s formed a personal connection with many of his customers, which he finds to be even more rewarding. “My cell number is on my business card, and customers like to send me pictures of what they catch or what they shot while out hunting,” he shared, adding that he gets a sense of gratification from learning about his customers’ hunting success stories. “I keep the business going because people come in with their stories and photos, and they express their thanks to me for helping them out,” he said before adding, “I’m happy to swap hunting stories and answer questions for people that come in.”
This communal atmosphere is deeply rooted in Furl’s personal history. Hearstopper Ammunitions isn’t just a retailer; it’s also become its own small hunting and fishing community in many respects because of Furl’s background as an outdoorsman, which extends through several generations of family and close friends. “Growing up, I hunted with the Furls, Butlers, Batschelets, Hargers, and Hoys,” he said before explaining the influence those families have had on his passion for all things related to hunting and fishing. His love for the outdoors and the special touch he adds for his customers contributed to his slogan: “I am an outdoorsman working for the outdoorsmen, and I’d like you to have a Heart Stoppin’ Shot EVERY TIME!”
Furl also makes it a point to honor veterans through special offers and giveaways. “I try to do things for veterans on certain days to cater to them,” he said before sharing that he does special drawings for veterans to win a box of free ammunition around U.S. veteran’s holidays to thank them for their service.
Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a novice fisherman, Heart Stopper Ammunitions offers a unique blend of expertise, community, and quality to enhance your outdoor adventures, and Furl stands ready to assist in any way he can, ensuring you have a “heart-stoppin’ shot” every time you venture into the great outdoors.
Visit Heart Stopper Ammunitions LLC’s website or Facebook page to learn more about the variety of inventory and services available.
Heart Stopper Ammunitions, LLC website: https://www.heartstopperammunitionsllc.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AllenFurl/
Call or text: (570) 494-6738
Email: heartstopperammunitionsllc@gmail.com
Heart Stopper Ammunitions LLC: 640 East Park Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745
