Gun shop layout

[Winter Borne]

I have a favor to ask all of my fellow High-Roaders, I have been asked to design a new gun shop in Northern Virginia. As an architect, when ever tasked with a new project, one of the first things you do is talk to the end users of any space to ensure all ideas are considered and incorporated into the plans.

I'd like to get your thoughts on the best things you have come across at shops you frequent.

We have not selected a site as of yet, but plan to have retail with an indoor 5-10 person 50 yard range w/ room for trainer and shooter. There will be a training / class room as well.

I'd love to hear what you think will make this place a success.

mk

 

[kingpin008]

Good lighting. Windows. I've been in too many shops that look and feel like caves to want another one popping up.

Also, designated areas to point pistols/rifles when shouldering/sighting. I've never felt comfortable shouldering a rifle or shotgun and not having a for-sure safe direction to point the thing.

There's more, but that's what pops immediately to mind.

 

[logical]

Windows are nice but they need to be high and narrow, almost slits to not be a security problem. Also, for security the racks of accessories should be no more than chest high so the workers have a clear view of the whole store.

 

[Patriotme]

Let us know when you open. I'm a few hours from Northern Virginia and will come check out your shop.
We have a couple of local gun stores in my area that have a large number of long guns in racks on the showroom floor. Customers can handle them as they wish. Gander Mtn. has cables on theirs so that you can only move them about 3ft away from the wall but they still give you enough room to put them in your shoulder. I hate going to a shop where you have 5 guys waiting for one salesperson to unlock rifles (Dick's Sporting Goods) behind the counter.
One of our local stores also puts it's used gun list online. I like browsing that list now and then. They've gotten a few sales from people I work with by posting their used guns online (Just model, caliber, condition and price...no pics).
A long display case for pistols is nice instead of something that bunches everybody up. Another local store has short, cluttered display cases for handguns that ends up having customers looking over each other's shoulders to see the guns. I don't deal with them very often.
We have another local shop that keeps all of their long guns behind the counter and they have a very cluttered setup. You can't see half of the firearms because they are racked 3 or 4 deep and 10 feet from where you stand.
One of my favourite local gun stores has a seperate place for the purchasing paperwork to be filled out. I haven't seen this done at other stores in my area. There is generally someone blocking the display cases for 20 minutes while filling out paperwork to purchase a gun. If people can't see the guns then they aren't going to buy the guns.
Good luck.

 

[tju1973]

Windows are nice but they need to be high and narrow, almost slits to not be a security problem. Also, for security the racks of accessories should be no more than chest high so the workers have a clear view of the whole store.

I disagree-- big windows but have roll downs on the inside to keep the store secure when closed.

 

[gunnutery]

designated areas to point pistols/rifles when shouldering/sighting

One of the shops I frequent has taller ceilings with mounted deer heads, so I usually just aim at them. Perhaps that's something for the new store to consider.

 

[kingpin008]

Windows are nice but they need to be high and narrow, almost slits to not be a security problem.

Not true. There are a number of ways to harden windows so that they remain functional yet resist burglary attempts. Anything from the standard bars to shatter-proof film coatings and polycarbonate can be used in place of regular old windowglass. Many of the shatter-proof films also have the ability to give the windows a "mirrored" or tinted look from the outside, without decreasing the amount of light let into the interior.

I do like the chest-high shelving, though. Giving the staff as much visibility and line-of-sight is a good thing, as long as it doesn't interfere with the shopper's experience.

 

[Mossberg88]

agreed with the high/narrow windows. also, i'd say a square shaped room so that way employees can also keep an eye out, and with a wrap around display case its easier for the customer to approach an employee (IMO) as opposed to say a Bass Pro Shop with a long, straight counter.

 

[Riss]

Wide aisles. Lots of lighting. Wrap around counter space. Narrow, hurricane proof coated windows are almost impossible to break into. Plenty of room for gawkers to line up around the display cases and still have people pass behind them. Wall racks not too high above the counter, or too far back that no one can see what is on the rack. A seperate viewing window so people can watch their buddies shooting on at least part of the range. Classroom with similar window overlooking the firing line.

 

[taliv]

winter, interesting gig! sounds like fun


just some things to think about here:

some gun stores are all business, and others are more like local hangouts for gun nuts. take the proprietor's temperature on this topic, as there are pros/cons to having a bunch of guys hanging out constantly, shooting the breeze.
i'd suggest something like bookstores are doing these days if you've got the space for it: put a small area with refreshments for sale and comfy chairs to keep the groupies away from the point of sale, so they're not in the way of folks actually spending money.

another thing to know is how much inventory he plans to keep, which is going to determine whether it's cost prohibitive to display long guns horizontally on the wall, which looks a lot cooler, vs vertically crammed together.


i know a couple gun stores (gamaliel's and outdoor junction for examples) put all their actual guns inside a big walk-in safe room, which makes it much easier to lock up at night. alleviates the problem of lots of glass and natural lighting for the sporting-goods stuff (clothes, beef jerky, books, etc). might be worth a trip to walk through one of those buildings.

 

[nalioth]

i know a couple gun stores (gamaliel's and outdoor junction for examples) put all their actual guns inside a big walk-in safe room, which makes it much easier to lock up at night.

If the building is properly constructed, it can serve as the "vault". One of my local gun shops is built this way (yes, it's one of the "cave" type).

 

[MarineOne]

This is a great idea!!

Here's a few ideas I've had just from visiting a few places ....

Consider a separate entry point for those bringing weapons to the facility, with a clearing barrel nearby, so weapons can be cleared prior to entry.

Perhaps an extra hallway between the shooting range and the store, so that noise from the range can be muffled. Also extra sound deadening insulation between the store front and range.

Polycarb windows, just like the stuff used for Shamu's tank at SeaWorld. It's scratchproof, shatterproof, and pretty much hurricane proof.




Kris

 

[mfcmb]

Caliber's in Albuquerque, NM is both a store and shooting range (http://calibersnm.com).

Just inside the entrance there's a big sign that guns must be cased, and there's a place where you can case your guns in store-owned plastic cases if needed.

Then it opens out into the general store area. In the middle are the freestanding shelves, against the right wall is the gun sales area with the glass-topped counters. to the left is the gun rental counter and check-in counter for the shooting range. Behind this is a wall of windows that let all in the store see the shooting range. Shooters have their backs to the wall of windows. Past the checkin counter is an "airlock": a small room with glass doors on the outside and inside. You always make sure that both doors are closed before opening one of them. This allows reasonably free movement between the shooting range and the store, while keeping the sound level down in the store.

There's a classroom to the right, away from the shooting range. I kind of wish it was adjacent to the range, because students have to walk through the store to get from the classroom to the range.

The ceilings in the store area are high, giving the place a very nice, airy feel.

 

[fireman 9731]

I agree with Taliv, Have an area for the regulars to hang out at, a few sofas and a coffee table covered in gun magazines to keep things flowing.

 

[Patriotme]

I missed the part about having a range in the store on my first read. That's pretty good. I wouldn't think that 5 lanes would be much of a money maker though. 10 lanes also sounds a bit low unless you are only using them for classes.
We have an indoor range in my area. They have 15-18 lanes and they are full most weekends. The place has been around for decades. There is money to be made in shooting ranges if things are run correctly and honestly....if you're the only game in town you probably do a lousy job and still make money if there's no where else to shoot.
I like most of the ideas given by others for a new gun store. I'd like to hopefully give you a decent idea or two for the range portion of the business.
While I dislike Northern Virginia I would be willing to drive a few hours for something different. As I work most weekends IDPA doesn't work out for me. It's been years since I shot an IDPA match. I'd like to shoot somewhere that has reactive targets. It would be great to shoot at plates, poppers or even something that moves on a carriage. It would also be interesting to shoot low light conditions. Of course this would all cost extra but I (and friends) would be willing to pay a bit more for the experience and more importantly....giving the wifes some experience in shooting at something other than a stationary target.
I recently saw a program in which the police were training their officers in a shooting simulator that projected a movie onto a screen downrange. They had to react to the threat accordingly. I believe they used live ammo. I'm sure someone out there knows the actual name of this simulator/training. That would be unique and something else I would be willing to pay extra for at a range.
Good luck with your project.

 

[MovedWest]

Think about a grocery store layout. Put all the stuff that customers buy the most (milk, eggs, meat) and put them at the very back. Make the customers walk past all your impulse and for sale stuff to get to your staple products.

Have an area in the middle where you have brownies and coffee - the scents of both will stimulate all kinds of "buy stuff here" sensors. Ever notice how your mechanic gives you free coffee and donuts in the waiting room? It's not because they're generous.

A range to try out new firearms is always a bonus.

-MW

 

[danprkr]

I'm just happy someone cares enough to ask.

 

[rbernie]

Some random thoughts:

- I've heard it advised that the front entrance be made into a funnel, usually via placement of counters or product racks, to slow down rapid ingress/egress. Also, keep in mind that break-ins are usually accomplished via ramming a stolen car into the building and using the breach to gain entrance. Most stores try to slow this down via placement of large concrete planters or similar around vulnerable points (doorways, etc.).

- Ventilation of the range will be a huge deal, so you'll probably want to talk to other indoor ranges and look at their setup.

- Classrooms must be sound baffled (e.g. placed at the opposite end of the building) from the range or you won't be able to use both simultaneously.

-The check in/check out counter for the firing range is almost always a choke point for traffic, so you'll likely NOT want that located near the front door. There is nothing worse than wanting to browse for gun stuff and not being able to get through the crowds at the front door trying to get a lane.

- Windows aren't a big deal, but lots of lighting is. Shadows are a big no-no when looking at guns.

- In every shop I've ever visited, the staff either removes the gun inventory from the glass display counters and puts them in a safe, or uses some form of lockable sheathing to cover the glass while the business is closed. You might wanna talk to the owner about this so you can design in any storage facilities intended to keep inventory during non-business hours. Securing the inventory will consume a certain amount of labor each day, so the owner needs to consider this carefully.

 

[Straight Shooter]

I'll focus more on the range part...

Double doors to enter the range is a must. There is nothing more annoying to those in the shop than having to hear shots fired without hearing protection every time someone opens the door to the range. There is one shop I go to that has a single door to the range and it screams poor planning.

I would also recommend: electronic retrieval system for the targets, good ventilation system, good lighting and climate control (if warranted in the shops location).

Also have separate registers for purchasing products and the range. Its annoying to those just wanting to buy a box of ammo to have to wait for several people to check in/sign forms to get into the range.

 

[InkEd]

The grocery store floorplan is effective for most any business. Also, I like it when longguns are displayed so you can see them from the side. Whether it be hung up horizontally or just turned at an angle slightly. I hate when all you can see is the top of the rail or bottom of the grip. Presentation is important in sales.

Another sales tip is when person buys a gun, ask HOW MUCH ammo they need to go with it rather than if they NEED/WANT any ammo. Then ask if they need cleaning supplies etc. Add on sales increase your bottom line. Plus it is just good customer service.

Organize the store so items used together are near each other, like patches near the oil.

 

[AKElroy]

+1 to horizontal rifle displays. Gun freaks like me appreciate the care displayed in not oil-pooling the top of the buttstock & disfiguring recoil pads with a vertical rest.

While this is a marketing deal, I would also add an appreciated behavior; Whenever any weapon is handed to a borrower, it should be chamber checked. It is also professional to suggest a designated POA in the store to prevent muzzle sweeps. It should be wiped down in plain view of the customer as soon as it is handed back. It's a little thing, but it speaks volumes to guys like me about how they take care of thier inventory & thus the customer, particularly when buying used or having gunsmithing performed.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

Another sales tip is when person buys a gun, ask HOW MUCH ammo they need to go with it rather than if they NEED/WANT any ammo. Then ask if they need cleaning supplies etc. Add on sales increase your bottom line. Plus it is just good customer service.

Organize the store so items used together are near each other, like patches near the oil.

Guys, he's the architect designing the building, not the guy running it. He wants advice on the setup and design of the facility, not where item X should be near.

That said, I second the idea of a starbuck's type lounge in the shop. Also as for range design, WIDE PORTS. I know it cuts down occupancy but I'd rather be in an 8 range spacious range than a 10 lane crammed one. It's nice if the lane is about 4 1/2 feet wide.

Also, distance markers on the floor! Be nice to have a line painted on the floor every 5 yards or so.

 

[gym]

Some kind of moving target, even something that went back and forth within the lane. It would give you the edge over most other places in the area. Also as mentioned the lighting in and out of the shooting area, and a good vent system, perhaps something that pulled the smoke right out of the shooting area. I am no design genius, but have built several people friendly businesses, and smell is a problem in any business where you have, smoke chemicals or body odor, Like gyms, or salons, where chemicals are used. It can mean the life or death of a place. Especially if you want to attract females, they will never return to a smelly, or dirty place.
If you have a well lit and clean smelling place, that is half the battle, also with food you have problems, other than coffee or soda and juice type drinks. You would need to see if there is an issue with licenses, refrigeration, and someone to be around to get things and wait on folks unless you use vending machines. It's less profitable but there is little or no care needed on the part of the owner. Also leave room for an ATM machine, they can make you a thousand per month each.

 

[Shear_stress]

Also, keep in mind that break-ins are usually accomplished via ramming a stolen car into the building and using the breach to gain entrance. Most stores try to slow this down via placement of large concrete planters or similar around vulnerable points (doorways, etc.).

This is critical. You could use concrete-filled bollards as well.

 

[eye5600]

Does any gun shop have a mat where you can try a rifle in the prone position?