So tell me what is big right now!

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kwelz

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Given my new job as a proveyor of boomsticks, I would like to know what you all consider hot sellers right now. I know my co-workers tell me that Rock River Arms is our biggest seller and I am sure that is the case. But I prefer to find out from people I have known and trusted for a while.

So tell me. What types of Rifles and Handguns do you all look for from wholesalers right now as an individual or a dealer. We carry a wide range of stuff but I want to make sure we are carrying the RIGHT stuff.
 
Let's see..everything that goes boom, lol jk

Well as for me I like taurus, smiths, ruger and that's for now
 
Sig.
Walther (limited product line, but what they've got kicks!)
H&K.
Saiga.
Savage.

Rinse, repeat.
 
The cowboy action arena is still going strong with more people going for the quality reproductions and willing to spend money for them, as well as for period clothing one of my stores is selling 4 to 1 period clothing over hunting apparel (as of August).
I am looking to put on a gunsmith just for tunning the cowboy action guns.

We have also seen an increase in some of the target shooting equipment like adjustable stocks, blinders, shooting jackets...

For this hunting season Savage has been a big seller for center fire rifles Mossberg 500's and the Rem 870 are leading in shotguns, Since we took on Safari Arms 45's they have been our best seller, a very well made gun with custom features at a very reasonable price, one of the few guns you can sell at manufactures suggested retail prices.
 
Can't go wrong having some Saigas on hand along with a collection of SKSs, Mosins and AKs (WASRs etc)
 
Don't forget the affordable entry level stuff.

My preferences range from flintlocks to AR type rifles with a strong lean toward SA revolvers and leveraction carbines (and a festering desire to posses a large calibre BPCR, preferably a 1874 Sharps). pretty much if it goes bang I can work up an interest.

The websites I frequent beyond THR deal with leverguns, cast boolits and reloading as well as those devoted to the legacy of the (should be) Sainted John Moses Browning. I see strong interest for a large variety of arms. I think a fellow would almost have to find a niche, trying to be all things to all markets would be enormously cost prohibitive.
 
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Affordable entry-level stuff.

Good prices on quality handguns. You know, the ones that wont charge a fee for having their emblem on the slide. CZ, S&W, Ruger, Glock, Sa, etc.

Military surplus is a must.
 
You need a good selection of Glocks, Rugers and S&Ws. I believe those are the basics. In the Rugers, I would have a good selection of 22s and a good selection of carry guns in the S&Ws.
 
At the last gun show, 2 dealers told me a lot of folks were asking about HK lately. I think the compact models are most in demand.
 
best sellers

They say big bore is out :(

I guess I am the only buyer? Anyhow, XD's are still hot, Rugers for sure, S&W in just about any model minus the above stated, HK's are up and coming again neighbor wants one.

Remember many people will hit a barrier at $600 and prefer to stay around $450 and under. Don't forget to consider margin after all you are in the business to make money, not lose it. Don't be afraid to discount just don't rely on it like a crutch.

Sell accessories to make back margin, go for package deals. Supplement your sales by orders, there are those that want to walk in and buy from the counter and others like me that will drive or call around and fine out what you can order in for. It's no skin off your back if you order it in for a paying customer and make a quick 50 or 100 bucks. In addition you might have a bit of return business that costs you nothing.

Tying up lots of non moving inventory is what will sink you.

I would also add some army surplus items ammo cans, clothing, packs, etc. You would be amazed at what you can make back on that stuff. It also helps to fill the shop and make it look like you have been in business for a while.

Know the seasons, tailor your selection and specials for just that. Also a big bonus is people seem to like to buy stuff where cops shop for some reason. A hefty assortment of gear that the local PD or Sheriffs dept. might drop in and buy always helps there is a place in Austin like this that is always packed can't remember the name but it's over by Burnet rd.
 
I have developed a real interest in revolvers lately and I can't be alone. My LGS don't have a great selection of revolvers which really bums me out. No shortage of tactical tupperware, though.

_____________________

"Phydeaux, bad dog....no biscuit!"
 
AR-15's that are under $900 and AR-15 accessories. Try to keep more than one brand of AR on the shelf too.
 
Saigas seem to be constantly out of stock everywhere I shop - must be pretty popular. Lord knows I'd be all too happy to find a Saiga-12 somewhere. Just wish somebody would start making cheap mags - it really can't cost fifty bucks to mold a plastic 10-rounder.

.22s are popular, probably even moreso these days due to rapidly rising ammo costs. A decent selection of semi-autos and bolts (I dunno how many people really buy the little Crickets at the same price point as a nice semi-auto Savage) will surely get you some business and won't be too terribly expensive to invest in stocking (I assume they go for $80-90 to wholesalers given the retail price of ~$125).

Milsurps provide a nice change of pace and a good "wuzzat?" factor for the good ole boys who've never seen a Mosin before. I can attest to the repeat effect these have - my local shop assured me that they get Makarovs in "all the time" (impossible to find in California - been craving one for years); after two months and no Mak, I'm starting to think they were pulling my leg, but darned if I don't still stop in two or three times a week to check. If they ever actually get one in and sell it to me for less than $250 I'll be a very happy customer indeed. :D

CZ is definitely underrepresented - all the places I've been, both local and out of town, seem to have no shortage of Glocks and XDs, but only ever have one 75B in the cases, if even that. Ditto for Kel-Tec - they're truly nice pieces for women (and men - I just see them getting more attention from the ladies) looking for a good, ultracompact CCW.

Overstocking 1911s is a sure way to immediately make me lose interest - I've been to waaay too many shops over the past year or so that have upwards of 15 different 1911s in the display case - always Kimbers and Wilsons - with maybe a Springfield GI and a RIA tossed in for the "cheap bastards," and perhaps five or ten other handguns total. Come on, at least the stacks of Glocks are different calibers and barrel lengths... :scrutiny:

Please don't sell crap. Whenever I see a shop with a Vulcan AR for sale it makes me question their knowledge of firearms and their integrity - they're either dumb or dishonest. Neither quality engenders a desire to spend my money in that establishment.

Don't discount the cheap guns, however - Bersas and Hi-Points are inexpensive, but they (usually) work. Cheap and reliable, as you can see with your RIA sales, is a winning combination. Don't rely on high-dollar supertacticals to draw business. Stock around your demographic.

Edit: Non-Romanian AKs with mags that don't wobble like a wheel with no lugnuts would be nice too.
 
I don't know about you but my local stores always have a poor selection of surface to air missiles. LOL
More real guns less tupperware. Less tacticool junk. More surplus stuff.
 
Gosh, the type of firearms that move vary so widely by demographic. Give us some details about the type of people you see in the shop, and maybe we can help more. A shop in a rural area with lots of hunters doesn't move tricked out AR's and AK's so well, and likewise an inner city store is not so likely to push lots of bolt action hunting rifles and high dollar O/U shotguns.
 
Stock a couple models for pocket carry concealed. Help folks understand that the cool looking boomstick they want to buy may likely spend more time in the closet than on their hip.

Consider:

Kahr PM9
KelTec .380


Farmer
 
My advice would be get a couple brands of ARs. www.defensiveedge.com has some dang nice ones AND they are working on a 9mm upper. Then of course some Bushmaster, RRA, I am less likeing DPMS of late :(
I would go into Police turn in Glocks/revolvers/others.
 
I think...

Primary focus:
-CZ dealer
-Springfield M1A dealer
-DPMS AR15 and .308 Dealer - choose another .308 AR platform if you can't get DPMS.
-Local Representative for John Hollinger/White Oak Precision for "upgrades"

Stock a few:
-Stevens (Savage) or Mossberg rifles for the high quality low end
-Marlin 1895
-Marlin 336
-Remington model 700/740

Get a few when you can:
-M1 Garand
-M1 Carbine
-Springfield 1903
-Swedish Mauser
-Swiss K31
-H&K Buffalo rifles
-Pre-' 64 Winchester model 70
-Ruger Model #1

Plus a fairly large selection of whatever mil-surp rifle you can get bulk deals on - Mosin/Nagant, Enfield, SKS, whatever to advertise "deals" and get people in the store.

Hire someone who shoots at Camp Perry, add a good selection of scope brands - this WILL position you as a great rifle store.

Free Marketing advice.:D
 
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