My favorite gun store closing.....how sad

[22luvr]

My favorite little gun store is closing. I talked to the owner and he says he simply cannot compete with the Wal-Marts and Bass Pro Shops and remain profitable.

It appears that the shooting business is saturated. This place was located in an old converted house about 30 miles south of Atlanta and offered handguns, rifles, shotguns, consignments, ammo, gunsmithing, and an extensive reloading inventory.

I'm aware of the competitive buying advantage offered by these mega-stores but it worries me the way they are just demolishing the backbone of American capitalism: the small business.

Another observation: The owner said he made a lot of friends but there was too much looking and not enough buying. You've seen it yourselves. Shooting enthusiasts love to "bench-race" but, as much fun as it is, it doesn't pay the bills.

Although I'd love to, I have thought the better of getting involved full-time in the firearms industry because I don't see any way to survive in that environment. (Not to mention that US government intrusion makes it as difficult as possible to do business) It shall remain simply a hobby with me.

It is these small shops that have created a hedge against 2nd Amendment erosion by those sinister elements in our culture that seek to destroy it. Sometimes, it appears they are winning.

Your comments are always welcome...........................

 

[Oracle]

I'm sorry to hear about that, 22luvr, what gun shop is it that is closing down?

Many of the small gun shops/ffl's I've do business with sell a lot more than just guns, a lot have other businesses as well (one in Winder runs a small auto dealership and runs his gun shop in the same business). A lot of it is also location, I use a small gun shop nearby many times instead of going to Bass Pro Shops, as Bass Pro is an hours drive away.

 

[makdaddy03]

My favorite gunshop is closing also. Langleys Gunshop Valley Alabama. Last day is 6-30-03.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've seen more than a few small gun shops close over the years. I still miss some; others were no loss. Sad to say, most aren't very businesslike, which makes it easy for the big chains to knock them off.

 

[22luvr]

Hello Oracle:

It's a little place called "Adventure Arms" in Fayetteville, Georgia.

Their website can be found here:

http://www.adventurearms.com/

Best wishes..............

 

[4v50 Gary]

I have to drive 17 miles to reach a decent gunshop. The ones in town have all been chased out by city ordinances and Kali laws.

 

[Logistar]

Looks like closing gunshops is a trend around the country.

Anyone ever hear what happened to Ray's Gun Range here in Louisville? (Seems to have closed back in December 2002 but was SUPPOSED to re-open at a new location....)

Logistar

 

[dinosaur]

What a pity. I love those old gunshops/stores. Mine is about 30 miles and is also a hardware business.

 

[garrettwc]

Anyone ever hear what happened to Ray's Gun Range here in Louisville? (Seems to have closed back in December 2002 but was SUPPOSED to re-open at a new location....)

Logistar

Logistar, Ray was at the last gunshow at the fairgrounds. The new store is open and operating. It is way out Shelbyville Rd (near the golf course). Take Snyder freeway to Middletown and turn right towards Shelby County.

No more range though. Just a small shop.

 

[Missouri Mule]

That does suck...Sorry to hear it!
I don't buy from the Wally-Mart and the like.
I also don't buy much from the local gun scalpers.

I know , I know they have overhead.

If I was rich as I'd like to be it wouldn't matter, but I can't afford to spend an extra $100-$200 on any gun simply to support the locals. Certainly not when I want to trade and my gun I bought from them is suddenly worthless.

Fortunately an old family freind runs a small shop in a small town and sell for small town prices.

 

[starfuryzeta]

I also don't buy much from the local gun scalpers.

I have to agree. The few local dedicated stores around here have gotten really high with some of their markups. Heaven forbid if it is an "evil black weapon". Why would I pay $1k for a standard, no frills, Bushie AR15 when I can get it online for $700 and pay $25 for the transfer. Overhead and profit I'll gladly pay for, gouging I won't.

Again, sorry to hear that he has to close due to Wal-Mart and the like.

 

[Croyance]

I have never found better prices for handguns at Bass Pro Shop or Wal-Mart. At best, they have the same prices as everybody else. And they have fewer accessories.

 

[BallisticTip]

Wally World strikes again, there theme song is, another independent bites the dust !

 

[Reloader]

Walmart is famous for killing businesses and whole towns. It killed Hearne, Texas in the 80's. Killed off all the business, drove people away and then closed down, leaving a virtual ghost town. that's why Sam walton concetrated on small towns in the first place: no competition.

 

[280PLUS]

it happens cause the town officials can't see farther than the tax income they'll get when the big chains open up in their community.

they get suckered in and then, like someone else said, they stay until the profit margin starts to drop off and then they pack up and leave,

leaving the towns in the lurch on the taxes and with all kinds of empty space and buildings to contend with and putting more pressure on the commercial real estate market in the area which drives it down.

and meanwhile all the local small businesses dry up so theres nothing left for the community when the big boys decide to leave.

moral of the story: Don't let this happen to your town!!

 

[10-Ring]

My 2 favorite shops closed long One relocated out of state & the other just went out of business...I think the owner just opened a machine shop
Now, I've basically got corporate shops & one small store w/ limited selection but GREAT service

 

[Jrob24]

I'm sorry to hear about people's favorite gun stores closing. My favorite gun store sells a lot of stuff that walmart doesn't so if it closes it'll be due to the antis.

 

[Logistar]

Logistar, Ray was at the last gunshow at the fairgrounds. The new store is open and operating. It is way out Shelbyville Rd (near the golf course). Take Snyder freeway to Middletown and turn right towards Shelby County. No more range though. Just a small shop.

Thanks garrettwc !! I went by that "new store" and it was a bit disappointing. I guess we no longer have an indoor range anywhere in the Louisville area. The only range I am aware of in the area is Knob Creek. That's fine for rifles but I don't really like it for handguns. Oh well.....

Logistar

(I wonder what happened to all those "members" who still had range time at Ray's when he closed?)

 

[vmi93]

It could be worse...

I'm amazed that anyone even bothers to open gun shops anymore. Fairly low profit margins, lots of regulation that can result in very stiff penalties if you don't follow every nit-picking rule (or if the Feds decide to make up a new rule), open hostility to the business by some local governments, and a customer base that is well-informed and unwilling to compromise on anything.

I am thankful that anyone tries to make a go of it in that kind of business environment.

I just hope the "big box" stores never discover that they could drive the small stores out of business if they just hired an ATF compliance officer and allowed him to order and transfer anything their customers wanted at a reasonable fee.

 

[CB900F]

22luvr & all;

Same song, different verse. Montana Gun Works is now out of business also. Mike Stuckslager owned it. Mike was on the Ask The Experts panel in the Shooting Times magazine, a very knowledgable S&W collecter and a hell of a nice guy, as well as being a pretty good smith. He even had a coupla sofas in his shop for sittin' and talkin' a spell.

Unfortunately, Mike died a short time ago. He was 62 & I doubt this town will see another shop like his. Super Sports Stores, we got. A friendly gun shop, we don't. This sort of thing is happening all over America & I don't know how to reverse the trend. Anybody got any ideas?

900F

 

[garrettwc]

I guess we no longer have an indoor range anywhere in the Louisville area. The only range I am aware of in the area is Knob Creek. That's fine for rifles but I don't really like it for handguns.

Only decent pistol places around Louisville anymore are outdoors, and they are private clubs.

I would love to see a clean, well lit, maintained, range/shop open up in the area offering self defense classes, etc. But you know as well as I do that in our new "metro" government if you want to do business you need a personal endorsement from Czar Abramson. :banghead:

I wonder if he would consider a sporting clays range on the "Great Lawn"

 

[mdsteele]

You have my condolences

But on a happier note, My fav gun shop just moved within five minutes of my house!!

 

[Tom B]

makdaddy03

I used to do a lot of business with Langleys when I lived in Opelika. Did you ever go to Helms Guns in Opelika?

 

[RustyHammer]

... okay, what about the bright side .. is he having any GREAT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALES?