TexasRifleman said:
I'd be afraid to go down the "C&R" path simply because of the returns. I'd bet guys that sell that in a retail storefront see more unhappiness once folks get them home than a brand new gun, then come in the next day wanting a refund. That's just my gut feeling though. And frankly how much margin is there in a Mosin?
C&R Mosin Nagants can be had individually for as little as $60, and I've heard a few importers will drop that price by $10-$20 for bulk orders. Turn around and sell them for $90-$120, depending on model/year/arsenal/rarity, and there's profit there. Dragonman here in Colorado Springs sells his Mosin Nagants for no less than $110-$120, and he has a pretty good turnover rate on them.
A majority of people who buy a used milsurp know what they're getting into, and I've only heard of returns to storefronts because the customers either weren't allowed to or didn't fully inspect their rifles before buying; and upon getting home & firing up the internet, they realized they'd bought a lemon or something that was misrepresented.
If you carry milsurps, just make sure your customers know that they're buying used, possibly 50yd+ old mass-produced, military firearms, and that they should have them checked out by a qualified gunsmith before firing them. Also, don't offer a return policy on milsurps bought inside the store. Although others on the various forums I frequent have, I've personally never been in a store which will offer a return on a used milsurp bought from the storefront, as the customer should be able to ascertain that their rifle is whole & basically mechanically sound.
I'd suggest stocking a few of these rifles: Mosins (try to find some Finnish ones!), Lee Enfields, Mausers, SKSs, Swiss K31s, Carcanos, Springfield '03s, and Garands. For handguns: Nagant 1895s, Makarov & CZ-82s, CZ-52s, Tokarev TT-33s, and Walther P-38s.
Sometimes from importers you can get milsurp ammo along with milsurp firearms & their accessories. But if not, try stocking ammo for the milsurp rifles & handguns you carry. I don't know how many times I've seen guys buy a Mosin Nagant or K31 and immediately ask for some ammo, only to come up empty and have to search for rounds elsewhere. Again using Dragonmans as an example; he sells Bulgarian milsurp 7.62x54R for $50/100rds, and even retail one can buy a 440rd-case for $80.
Hmmm, and for new stuff? AKs are becoming very popular it seems (especially 12ga. Saigas), along with CETMEs & FN-FALs (generally .308 battlerifles). There's also a growing demand by women for suitable handguns, so the Lady Smith S&Ws & Charter Arms revolvers would be a good bet, along with other small .38/.357 revolvers and 9mm/.380 semiautos.