New blood here! Have some questions

[mopar4life]

Ive lurked for a long time and finally decided to make an account. Recently I've gotten back into playing with my guns. I figured it was time to come here. I have a decent sized archery pro shop and I am looking into getting into being an FFL. We're not planning on having every gun in the book, at least for a while. We're really getting into it to expand our well established archery pro shop. We have been in business for going on 4 years now and have a huge customer base. We are in a small town and have a 2000 square feet store with a 20yd range and retail space. We aren't looking to invest the 100K alot claim to have to. We're wanting to start up and build up our firearm business. We will mainly deal in used ones to start off. What good advice do you guys have for a new guy?

 

[Sam1911]

What niche interests you and/or fits your customer base and business model? Hunting gear? (Sounds like it.) Tactical gear? Handguns, long-guns, shotguns?

If you can identify some area of specialization most of your competition is ignoring, but that is or should be popular in your area, you could draw customers that way and perhaps make a profitable move.

Selling the same stuff WalMart carries will be a lose-lose for you, I'd think.

 

[25cschaefer]

I would target your current clientele; as far as I can tell there are three kinds of archers. The tradionalists, shooting long and recurve, are looking for a challenge. The shooters who own one bow for many many years and hunt with a bow as a means to extend their season. The constant tinkerers who buy every new bow and gadget that comes out are going to want cool stuff.

For the traditional guy/gals, carry some black powder guns, rolling/falling blocks and some kit stuff for making possibles bags and powder horns.

For the practical guy, carry some used lever guns, good bolt guns and some carry pistols.

The tinkerers will flock to Barbie doll - modular - tacticool stuff, carry black stuff, cheap ammo and a bunch of junk to hang from rails.

 

[chris in va]

You'll really have to invest in security. Concrete pillars, window security/alarms, safes, armed personnel etc.

 

[Cosmoline]

I really like the idea of a combo archery/ black powder shop. But of course for BP you're competing directly against the internet. So adding value is key. There are a huge number of general purpose gun stores around, most of them operating on very small margins.

 

[Ryanxia]

Welcome to The High Road. You'll find lots of helpful information here. I too was a 'lurker' before I joined. Good folks here. Good luck with your endeavors.

 

[bikerdoc]

Welcome, , first thing you do is learn to keep the bound book. Screw that up and it is all over.

Stat small, some ammo, a few guns and judge what your customers want.
Also start a consignment area, so people can sell and buy, and you get a fee.

Do transfers, for a fee.

 

[inclinebench]

We have a shop around here that was originally just an archery and hunting supply shop with no guns. They began to dabble in used guns that they allowed people to trade toward archery equipment. That led to more hunting guns, both BP and modern. Now they have slowely, and patiently grown into one of the highest volume gun stores in the state; selling everything from BP to tricked out AR platform guns. The kicker is they are located in a very small town outside two other medium sized towns. They have a fairly small retail shop, and outstanding customer service. It took them over a decade to become as popular as they are now, but they did it by building clientel off of where and who they started with.

Most people I know that hunt archery also hunt BP and rifle. If they know you and like you, they will continue to come to you for their needs if you offer what they want, and do so with good customer care. Lots of folks order online or hit the big box places, but when we feel comfortable and know we can trust someone, it can be more than worth the extra cost to shop a local mom and pop place.

 

[Akita1]

echo Incline's post

 

[TCB in TN]

Would try some simple gun services, from attaching optics, to bore sighting, to complete cleaning, and gun restoration (refinishing stocks and re-bluing would be fairly simple and likely to generate business. The one guy we had locally who was doing them passed away no one here has filled the gap. I was talking to one of our LGS owners the other day and he is looking for someone hire to add that to his shop now.

 

[MachIVshooter]

But of course for BP you're competing directly against the internet.

To a point. Most people will still pay a little more to buy locally, today, with something they can physically handle before purchasing. A BP revolver that goes for $249 + shipping online can probably be sold locally for $279 + tax pretty easily.

 

[longknife12]

Welcome, where are you located?
Dan

 

[zorro45]

Get lawyer to figure out how to keep your gun business separate from your archery business so if you have any issues it does not jeopardize your whole enterprise. Also I would consider doing criminal background checks on your employees, going from archery to firearms steps up the risk in case of employee misbehavior. The LGS is finding this out the hard way and the ATF is getting very unforgiving. I would also check w/ your insurance carrier and see if this would put you in a different category for your existing coverage, the added expense of this may make it cost-prohibitive to "just start slowly" in the firearms business. Sorry to be a wet blanket.

 

[DoubleMag]

What good advice do you guys have for a new guy?

I also echo security of your shop, even now.

Have ammunition available for the gun(s) you sell. Priority to ...new shooters.Or even now!

...be personable.I'm not talking free coffee or anything but all too often, it seems that the gun business draws some serious poker faced, don't-really-care-to-talk-to-you types.

If / when you do it...HYPE IT. Discount coupons for memberships to local ranges...for new members. Discount coupons for CHL classes. ''etc.''

Good luck!

 

[HoosierQ]

I should think specializing in used lever-actions and other vintage guns would a) draw a crowd that I feel is under-served today, b) make you somewhat unique and certainly not in competition with Wal-Mart, and c) probably sync up nicely with your current clientele.

I would also suggest that you seek out and rigorously check work on a good gunsmith in your area...one that you could refer customers to. I'm not talking armorer here...a real for sure gunsmith. Those are getting harder and harder to find. That feature would garner a lot of customer goodwill I should think.

AR-15s just don't need gunsmiths very often...by design. They are very popular. I won't go into what's happening today other than to say those old guns may start to be a premium item. Having a gunsmith who could fix or even ressurect old guns may well be a very valuable thing to have.

 

[mopar4life]

Thanks for the very warm welcome guys! I am taking in all the advice from y'all I can. We are located in North East Arkansas. It is just me and my dad that run the shop with me doing 90% of the business and running it. We are about 40 minutes from any other gun shop. We are going to get into the used guns and trading in towards bows. Our main customers are compound bowhunters. We do not have any rifle season in our area but a significant amount of slug/black powder hunting. Walmart has the market corned on blackpower but there is very little slug hunting stuff anywhere. Im starting today on my FFL paperwork. I appreciate you guys advice and keep it coming! Let me add another question, what do you look for first when you walk into a new gun shop/hunting store?