How are mom and pop gun shops still around?

[22-rimfire]

Hopefully they stick around otherwise it will be hard to find a place to transfer an internet purchased firearm. I'll gladly pay more to support a local business and be able to handle/inspect before purchase, but I agree I draw the line at excessively overpaying.

To date, I have not purchased a new gun from any online source which is shipped to a local FFL for transfer to me. I have purchased collector pieces that way long before there was an internet. I will pay more at a local gun shop. But if they abuse that privilege, I'll never go back. That happened during the shortage after Sandy Hook. I purchased a number of guns at a particular gun shop. Sandy Hook event happened and the gun shortage quickly took shape. I went to that local shop and they had everything priced above suggested retail. I haven't gone back to even look and they generally had a large inventory of handguns.

I know that it was a sellers market at that time. But the pricing bothered me being a fairly regular visitor, and gun customer a couple times a year. I do understand. I now visit two gun shops. One is about an hour's drive and they have a substantial inventory. The other is local and they often have older guns for sale. They'll willing to discuss the price if I am buying.

A gun has to be really special for me to pay suggested retail. Years ago, it was common for guns to sell for suggested retail. That is just the way it was.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

We have two small gun stores in Renton proper- Ben's Loans and Pintos. Both have excellent prices, good selection and customer service. The pawn shop has good prices on new guns because of their other stock and loans they can afford a lower mark-up. They have low prices on used guns because some of them are pawn turnovers. Pintos has good prices on used guns because they do estate buys and consignment.

If I want something relatively ordinary I may go to Ben's, and it's always worth looking if I am in there. Mostly these days I am more interested in antiques and unusual guns, and Pintos is always worth checking, especially as I can often get an 'ugly' gun very inexpensively and refinish it. You also never know what they will have and it's entertaining just to look even if you aren't in the market.

We sometimes buy online, but only because finding the guns I am interested in is 'catch-as-can' with the gun stores.

 

[herrwalther]

Depends on the store. Some small places can really undercut big box and even online retailers. Back when I could still find a PPS M1, Bass Pro was selling used ones for $600 and new ones for $700-750. At my favorite mom and pop store a few miles away, the gun was new for 425.

 

[22-rimfire]

Always find it interesting that we look at gun prices, but we often pay full retail on accessories and never bat an eye.

I may have to pay that one gun shop a visit. It has been years since I visited their store. Maybe it's time for me to let go of my little grudge. The other side of the coin is that I haven't been buying as many guns in the last couple of years as I have most of what I need. The things that interest me are the new offerings such as Ruger's LCRx in 22LR and the GP-100 in 44 Special.

 

[kozak6]

It depends on the shop. Some are fair, some are just about where the same firearm would be after shipping and transfer (and maybe tax), and then some are absolutely outrageous.

I think low information shooters keep the outrageous shops in business. A lot of shooters are older and technologically impaired, or new shooters might not realize that firearms can vary so wildly in price.

My dad just can't wrap his brain around tabbed browsing. Investigating the value, let alone the reputation, of a firearm online may be beyond his abilities. He looks at me like I'm some kind of wizard when I google something on my phone. Thankfully, he likes to call me about firearms he's thinking about. "No, a used Jimenez for $275 isn't a good deal. Better pass on that one."

The local shop is one that's absolutely outrageous. To illustrate their pricing, they want almost $40 for a Tapco AK mag, while $5 shipped is a good sale online. Oh my. I hope my dad never goes in there.

 

[Ks5shooter]

For new I am very consistent using the internet to catch the best deal. However if I find it at a LGS I definitely buy there.For used or collector pieces I generally like to see the firearm in person. I appreciate the fact that you have three day inspection by buying online before transfer,but its my dime to send it back. Peoples opinion of gun condition seem to vary greatly. Don't get me wrong I have had very good luck when buying used from the internet and websites like The high road, but not always a pleasant experience.

 

[tarosean]

To date, I have not purchased a new gun from any online source which is shipped to a local FFL for transfer to me.

I've purchased a singular one from an online retailer. Only because the online sale was too good to pass up. Other than that my online purchases are limited to gunbroker or forums.. My FFL doesn't charge me a transfer fee, as 99% of new guns I buy, come from him. The last one percent comes from items he cannot get. (distributors sold out or just cannot get).

 

[BearBrimstone]

There is not a single gun shop in my small town, but there are several 30 minutes away in the next town over. There has not been a closure there since I started shopping at those shops, but two new ones have popped up in the last 3 years. Most of them have the awful prices that many other people have mentioned. I'm talking rivaling Dunham's Sports high prices awful. There are a few good ones though. One shop's price policy is 10% over what they pay for the gun capping at $50 and they will show you the invoice to prove it. This is very useful when buying something that people are paying well over MSRP for. Unfortunately the guy that runs that shop is a bit of a tool, so I try not to buy there. My main shop that I go to has its pros and cons. Their normal prices on new guns can be pretty high, but they will usually negotiate a bit. They do have some pretty nice sales though. Last month they had new Gen 3 Glock 22's for $425.

To touch on something others have mentioned, I think that a big part of what keeps these high priced businesses open is the uninformed. A guy that I previously worked with is a good example of this. He paid $650 plus tax at a local shop for a new Springfield XD 45, because he didn't know how awful that price was. I would not be surprised if a few of these shops start having money issues in the future though. The constant threat of bans has made buying guns I dare say a fad over the last 5 or so years and I think that fad is close to being over.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

LGS proprietor test fires used guns before sale. Proprietor even closed shop, went with my son and I to the gun club, to let my son test fire a 336C before purchase. Even if being in-town makes his cost-of-business reflect in his prices, the cost of gas driving to a lower price store and returning makes it cheaper overall. Plus the entertainment value of the conversations is priceless.

 

[bersaguy]

We have several small gun shops here in the Tampa Bay area. Most still seem to be doing pretty well. One of my favorites, which has been around since the late 40's is Bill Jackson's. They were the Cabellas before the idea of the big box store ever came around. Now they are a smaller outdoor store. But they do have a little bit of everything all high quality, from the gun shop and range, indoor pool for scuba certification, fishing, boating, hiking, even an indoor ski hill....kind of.
Check out their commercial from the 80's:

 

[Hanzo581]

You're in Tidewater. Lot's of smaller LGSs around

Try Ron Hess on Tidewater Drive, just off I64.

Bob's, on Granby, is a big shop, but always feels kinda Mom & Pop to me.

The Armory, on Indian River Rd, is pretty Mom & Popish.

I use Bob's to do all my transfers. I've chatted with them before about pricing. I was totally honest with them, I said hey, I want to buy from you guys but this (whatever gun) is $200 cheaper on Buds or grabagun or whatever. They just shrug and say there was nothing they could do. So I'll just keep paying them $30 for the transfers, at least that's some money in their pocket. Wasn't impressed with Ron Hess, maybe I'll give the Armory another look.

 

[Axis II]

I have several around me and seldom visit them because they make customers feel uncomfortable with either following you around, being a giant a-hole to you, or way over priced. One had a range so i would visit to shoot and almost purchased a handgun from them but it went into the glock is the only way to go thing so i never went back until a few years later to shoot and was insulted by the clerk when i was told i had to take my ccw holster off because half us don't know how to shoot anyways let alone from a holster-never went back and its been about 8yrs.

the other shop around me wants almost new gun price for used.

another shop the guy was the most arrogant prick id ever met so i stayed away.

Now the good. Most mom and pop places have the most knowledgeable people that wont work for a retail store. yesterday i drove by one i never go to because stock is low and price is high. i wanted a large grip for my revolver and don't like ordering online cause i cant see it in person. i walked in and they told me where to go for the grip and i asked if it would fit my 642 and the guy says yes so my question was why isn't 642 listed and come to find out the other model listed was the same gun just black instead of silver. cabelas or gandermountain couldn't tell you that off the top of your head. the price was also what midway wanted so i won. i called a cabelas,gander and another larger chain type store and was told no grips.

one thing i really don't care for with the mom and pop scene is they have the clicks. you will be left standing waiting to look at something for 15min while they b.s. and most aren't as friendly.

 

[.308 Norma]

one thing i really don't care for with the mom and pop scene is they have the clicks. you will be left standing waiting to look at something for 15min while they b.s. and most aren't as friendly.

Ain't that the truth! I started a post for this thread yesterday evening bragging about my wife's and my favorite LGS - great prices, friendly, knowledgeable, gunsmith on call, etc. etc. etc. But when I read this in your post, ohihunter2014, something dawned on me - probably the reason why the LGS I was bragging about is our favorite is because we are part of the "click."
I remembered back 15 or 20 years ago when there was a LGS in Idaho Falls we use to go to once in a while. They had a huge selection of guns and accessories, good prices, and took trade-ins. But just try to get the owner, his wife, his son, or his daughter-in-law to wait on you. Nooooh - they were too busy shooting the bull with the locals! We were actually glad to see that store go out of business.
So I guess what I'm saying is, a person's opinion of a LGS might depend on whether or not they are in the "click" that frequents that particular store.
But to answer the OP's question about how "mom and pop" gunshops manage to stay in business, I can only say how I think my wife's and my favorite LGS does it - he caters to the County Sheriff's Department. He has an attached indoor range where Sheriff's Deputies practice and qualify at county taxpayer expense, and I know that he has an arrangement of some kind with at least one gun company (Glock) that allows him to sell their guns at tremendous discounts to many deputized county employees. BTW, neither my wife nor I are LE or part of the County Sheriff's Department. My wife was a Deputy County Clerk before she retired. But as a "deputized" county employee, even she got the Glock discount at our favorite gunshop.

 

[nbrown2500]

My friend and I just got our FFL. It is set up in his saw shop. We have no problem getting people what they want for less then the three box stores in the area. It all depends on how much money you want to make. We just want to make people happy with good deals, the money is just a bonus.

 

[Axis II]

My friend and I just got our FFL. It is set up in his saw shop. We have no problem getting people what they want for less then the three box stores in the area. It all depends on how much money you want to make. We just want to make people happy with good deals, the money is just a bonus.

there was a guy close to me that used to do this. he would also make reloads and sell them too. call ahead and buy out of his garage. being a dumb 18yo kid at the time it was a great idea with cheap ammo. man I'm sure glad he was never open. there is a little gas station by me that sold bait out of the back room with some hunting ammo cause there is 2 wildlife areas within 20min of them. went there the other day and he's an FFL now. anything you want and will beat anyone's price. don't mind me asking whats the hoops and cost for an FFL?

 

[nbrown2500]

there was a guy close to me that used to do this. he would also make reloads and sell them too. call ahead and buy out of his garage. being a dumb 18yo kid at the time it was a great idea with cheap ammo. man I'm sure glad he was never open. there is a little gas station by me that sold bait out of the back room with some hunting ammo cause there is 2 wildlife areas within 20min of them. went there the other day and he's an FFL now. anything you want and will beat anyone's price. don't mind me asking whats the hoops and cost for an FFL?

Some paper work, photo, finger prints, $300, and a visit by the ATF. We got ours because I got tired of paying high prices and transfer fees.

 

[FL-NC]

The competition is pretty fierce here in the Ft Bragg area.Between multiple shops as well as larger stores like Academy and wally world, not to mention 6 gun shows a year. My good friend's shop does most of its business in used guns, accessories, and custom steel targets.

 

[grampajack]

Around here there were always two gun stores that dominated the local market. One had a large range and was right off the highway, the other was just a gun store down in a low rent area. Both had outrageous prices, but the range was the worst. The plain gun shop was less outrageous, but when I say the people who worked there were rude I mean they made new york taxi drivers look like gentlemen. The range employees were rude as well, and still are, but not as bad. The range had to clean up their act when all the smaller guys moved in, and the gun store went out of business. They had been there for decades simply because no one had any better options, and as soon as more customer oriented shops moved in people quit them like a bad habit. It's tragic to see a small business like that go under because they can't manage to treat their customers with something resembling respect and gratitude.

All in all, I'd say the prices are pretty much the same now across the board. Higher than internet of course, but that's to be expected. Depending on the price of the gun the tax might or might not be less than what you have to pay in shipping and FFL fees. If it's a 200 dollar Mosin, by all means it's better to buy local, but if it's a 1k dollar 1911 you're looking at paying 11-1200 retail, plus a hundred in taxes when you could get the same gun for 1050 after shipping and FFL transfer.

There used to be a pawn shop that had prices to compete with internet retail, at least before taxes, so they were good to buy mid priced guns. I once got an LCP there cheaper out the door than what it would have cost to get one online and have it shipped. They did a lot of FFL transfers, too, and for 10 bucks a pop. The owner's son died in an accidental shooting though, and he sold it after that. Whoever bought it jacked up the prices.

I don't know about all the little stores, but I think customer loyalty is what keeps them in business. The big ones around here want to charge you damn near a hundred dollars to ship a long gun, while the little guys will do it for 25. The big ones generate so much traffic that they simply take advantage of people who don't know any better, kind of like what gun shows have become in that regard.

 

[sakata8242]

When I first got into shooting I would frequent area gun stores to not only look but get in range time. I haven't been to a gun store in years, though. I now shoot at an outdoor, private club for far less than you'd pay at an indoor range, so scratch that reason off the list. We have a newer, much closer store that is quite nice and well stocked, but I no longer go there either. Too expensive, and have had one too many a-hole tactical Timmy types try and talk down to me or flat out ignore me. The only reason I would consider setting foot into a gun store would be to fondle a firearm I'm interested in, and even then it would have to be a gun I was so on the fence about that I'd need to handle it before making the plunge. I pretty much now only order new guns through a local FFL (that's my "supporting a local business"). Sales are done either consignment through the same FFL, or FTF with people I know.

As to the OP's question, I think the main reasons a lot of these places stay in business are 1.) Loyal repeat customers, 2.) Range fees, 3.) People who are new to the sport, or people who don't know any better, and don't realize that there are better options than the prices they see at the local gun shop.

 

[grampajack]

When I first got into shooting I would frequent area gun stores to not only look but get in range time. I haven't been to a gun store in years, though. I now shoot at an outdoor, private club for far less than you'd pay at an indoor range, so scratch that reason off the list. We have a newer, much closer store that is quite nice and well stocked, but I no longer go there either. Too expensive, and have had one too many a-hole tactical Timmy types try and talk down to me or flat out ignore me. The only reason I would consider setting foot into a gun store would be to fondle a firearm I'm interested in, and even then it would have to be a gun I was so on the fence about that I'd need to handle it before making the plunge. I pretty much now only order new guns through a local FFL (that's my "supporting a local business"). Sales are done either consignment through the same FFL, or FTF with people I know.

As to the OP's question, I think the main reasons a lot of these places stay in business are 1.) Loyal repeat customers, 2.) Range fees, 3.) People who are new to the sport, or people who don't know any better, and don't realize that there are better options than the prices they see at the local gun shop.

"Tactical Timmy"

I don't see how anyone affords indoor ranges. And I don't know about y'all's, but the ones around here aren't really climate controlled. They're freezing cold in the winter and stifling hot in the summer. At least at the outdoor ranges I don't have to inhale lead while I'm sweating or freezing my jewels off.

 

[Ryanxia]

While its true it is difficult to compete with the online prices of new firearms, our local "mom & pop" gun shops do well from;

• well priced used firearms
• being competitive on accessories is still doable
• ammo (not everyone buys by the case)
• transfers of course
• and "gunsmithing" which a lot of times is simply taking 5 minutes to reassemble a gun after someone has put it back together incorrectly or finding the correct magazine.

Finally, not everyone has a fine resource like THR, and not everyone uses a computer, so places like our local shop become a fountain of knowledge. Its also easy to swap skills. The reloader can make subsonics or rounds for older guns while the machinist can create accessory parts, the legal beagle and chime in, etc. etc. And who doesn't like to find that electrician, plumber, mechanic or computer guy that will barter firearms supplies for services? Haha

I'm sure everywhere is different but even in this "slump" I don't see "mom & pops" going away in my area at least.

 

[grampajack]

While its true it is difficult to compete with the online prices of new firearms, our local "mom & pop" gun shops do well from;

• well priced used firearms
• being competitive on accessories is still doable
• ammo (not everyone buys by the case)
• transfers of course
• and "gunsmithing" which a lot of times is simply taking 5 minutes to reassemble a gun after someone has put it back together incorrectly or finding the correct magazine.

Finally, not everyone has a fine resource like THR, and not everyone uses a computer, so places like our local shop become a fountain of knowledge. Its also easy to swap skills. The reloader can make subsonics or rounds for older guns while the machinist can create accessory parts, the legal beagle and chime in, etc. etc. And who doesn't like to find that electrician, plumber, mechanic or computer guy that will barter firearms supplies for services? Haha

I'm sure everywhere is different but even in this "slump" I don't see "mom & pops" going away in my area at least.

The "gunsmiths" are another beef I have with the LGSs round here. I don't know if this is just a local aberration or if it's a problem nationwide, but the gunsmiths you find in LGSs here are no more gunsmiths than a nurse is a doctor. I made the mistake of trusting one with a gun once, and that will be the last time.

 

[Bad Ninja]

I have 3-4 LGS within about 60 miles, and I have found the vary in pricing depending on the item.
I avoid the impersonal attention common at the large stores.

The LGS's here are family owned and very helpful.
I support them all, I always buy something everytime I visit one of them.
Im lucky, they are all good people, and have all went above and beyond being professional.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

The proprietors of the mom and pop stores I am familiar with are very knowledgeable about their products. At larger stores I often get a spiel about the newest, greatest gun ever from a guy that, however well intentioned, should be selling used cars.
Those that have poor experiences with local gun stores must be in more urban areas?
A LGS in my neck of the woods would not last long if they treated customers badly.

 

[grampajack]

The proprietors of the mom and pop stores I am familiar with are very knowledgeable about their products. At larger stores I often get a spiel about the newest, greatest gun ever from a guy that, however well intentioned, should be selling used cars.
Those that have poor experiences with local gun stores must be in more urban areas?
A LGS in my neck of the woods would not last long if they treated customers badly.

I'm in a large city, and I will say that the little shops in the surrounding towns are much better. However, most of them popped up in the last five to ten years, and I just pray that they will stick around and give the big shots a run for their money because you're absolutely right about them having a better attitude. There are two in outlying towns that are just fantastic. The owners are knowledgeable, straight shooter types and genuinely nice people. They won't BS you either, which is always a plus. I have great respect for people who aren't afraid to admit what they don't know, vs. those used car salesman types who will make up any lie on the spot just to sell you on something.