Three things I like in a gun store.

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Cryogaijin

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1. Atypical guns. You can get rows of glocks and ar-15s anywhere, it is nice to see a Tokarev, mosin, or m98 on occasion. Even nice to see fruity looking fn p-2000s

2. Lots of bulk ammo. I just walked out of a local store with 2520 rounds of romanian milsurp tokarev ammo, and 500 rounds of 12 gauge for my saiga, all for under $600.

3. A friendly staff. Happy to show off their wares, talk about the history of individual guns, etc.
 
1) Good service from knowledgeable, intelligent people who won't hand me a weapon muzzle-first or complain about Obama and/or politics in general. I'm there to buy a weapon, not to have you show me your ass.

2) A good selection of ammunition in common calibers. I understand that you might not have 10mm Auto, but you're out of 9mm? Really? Two years ago I would have understood, but now? No way.

3) If you don't have it, you're willing to get it.

Honorable mention: You have clean books. I nearly got burned (long story that I don't want to tell) when the BATFE and PA State Police traced back my .45 to where I bought it used and their record keeping indicated that things weren't quite what they were supposed to be. Took me 7 months to get it back, and it should have been a week or two.

In other words, keep it professional and precise, and don't forget why you're in business.
 
1) Some guns priced well below $600. Bonus points if I see a couple of "pot-metal" guns. The guy I just ordered (and got) my Kel-Tec P-32 was the fourth shop I visited (of those I had not been in before) before placing the order. When I saw a Llama, a Jennings, and a FIE .25 included in his case, I knew I was not dealing with a ninja-gun-snob. He eagerly ordered my KT (though he didn't have any .32 ammo that day!)
2) at least a few holsters in left-handed configuration; tells me he cares about all of his customers.
3) Someone who looks up when you come in and actually greets you, then backs off a little as you browse, only occasionally offering to "show you something" if you don't immediately ask.
 
#1)Customer service. It irks me so bad when I walk into a gun store and some grizzled old man looks at me and talks to me like I'm some punk ass idiot (Im 26 and well dressed and still get this sometimes). These guys will usually just set a gun down in front of you to see what you will do with it (I safety check it) before they will give you the time of day. Local gun shops are closing all the time, you'd think they'd be super excited to even have me walk into the store in the first place. Really makes me not want to buy anything.

#2)Unique and plentiful used guns. I love to look at and maybe buy guns with character and guns that have been around. Doesn't even matter what kind of firearm it is whether WW2 or 1990's it peaks my interest. New guns are cool but feel more impersonal to me (except for revolvers).

#3)Pricing. I know everyone has to stay in business and that's about making money but seriously. This one ties into the other two quite a bit as I will pay more if I feel I am supporting a local (or otherwise) store that DESERVES to be supported. Some places, I wouldn't give them the change from under my car seat.
 
We're about 4300 miles and twenty days into our road trip right now, and have walked into maybe ten gun stores along the way, just to see what the rest of America sells that us Californians can't buy nor own nor probably ever get to see in person. And we have just been overwhelmed by the courtesy and friendliness of every employee of these places----it's almost as if they all graduated from the Nordstrom's school of customer service. (if you don't know what I'm talking about, go ask your richest female friend). But I think far and away the coolest store was the one we stumbled across in Kentucky yesterday called Knob Creek. Holy spicoli, this one is like firearm nirvana. Probably saw at least 600 guns on display of every type.....new, used, big $ black ones. Nicest fricken folks you'd ever wanna meet. Plus they have a range that looks to be at least 350 yards out at the canyon end, not to mention they host twice yearly America's largest machine gun expo thingy, when people from all over the country come to to shoot almost any civvy legal firearm ever made. And probably some that are not. We're seriously considering driving back there in October for the next one. Crap, they'll even let you camp out there.....:D


http://www.knobcreekrange.com/
 
1) A variety of used hunting-oriented firearms (the more pre-64 Winchesters and Belgian Brownings, the better)
2) A decent supply of moderately-priced milsurps
3) A staff which knows what's in the store, can help a noob get up and running without too much extra crap and will build a decent relationship with frequent customers.
 
1) Quality ar-15's, ak's, etc. There can be rows upon rows of those, but they are generally crap in my experience.

2) A accessories section. I'm tired of hearing "whats slip 2000?", over priced magazines, crappy holsters, etc etc.

3) Good prices. I hate seeing items a couple hundred dollars over MSRP, ammo that is several dollars more than online, etc etc.

Generally I can find atleast one of those at any gun shop. But I've yet to get all three.
 
we have a place called Rays Gun Shop located by me in Newport, NC this place is great

1. Friendly and knowlegable staff, willing to help you and will not attempt to take advantage
2. Variety of guns including new and used that are fairly priced
3. cute gun girls are always a plus
 
1. Staff that doesn't ask like you being there shopping is a hassle.

2. A good selection of reloading components/supplies.

3. An indoor range that doesn't cost a fortune to use.

Truthfully, I don't purchase many guns locally - and when I do its usually from a pawn shop rather than a gun shop (better prices). I do buy a lot of reloading stuff, and other accessories like holsters and mags from the local shops. If they cater towards that, then they'll see me again.
 
Good prices- I won't beat you to death with Bud's Guns if you don't come out of the gate trying to rob me with retail +50%
Organized- Stuff not stacked everywhere. Peg boards that don't look like your garage. Make it easy for me to find what I want or need. And keep the display cases and racks clean and organized.
Friendly to women- Shops that neither condescend nor make a big deal out of having female clientele tend to be more enlightened. Enlightened management philosophy indicates that a business might have what it takes to stick around. I have a hard time justifying supporting a local gun store that is nothing but 80's swagger and works harder at being an anachronism than being a good place to buy guns and shoot. One of my barometers for this is how female customers are treated.
 
Being that it is a gun store, Having guns, ammo and accessories would be fairly obvious.

So what I like to see are:

1) Caring, knowlegable staff. It doesn't matter how busy they are, they say hello and often refer to you by name.

2) Stuff for the wife and kids to look at while I'm drooling over gun porn. Stuffed trophy animals for the kids, a toy section, etc.

3) A large amount of less-expensive and used firearms. That's just good business sense. In this economy, you're more likely to sell a lot more guns for less than you are going to sell high dollar custom ones. Cater to your customers, have a wide variety.

My LGS (one of two) has everything from C&B pistols to AR-15s, crossbows, safes, reloading, gear, etc. and does everything listed above.
 
I'm very fortunate. My gun shop is about 15 miles away, I consider the owners to be honest, If they don't have what I want they try to find it, and if they think I'm making a purchase I'm gonna regret, they tell me. The ONLY possible complaint I have when comparing other stores is the limited selection of handguns on display. But the prices are much better. They are geared more for hunters and have a large inventory of rifles and shot guns.
 
We have some good shops in the valley but I do have two things id like to see more of.

#1 More real Colt 1911's. Everyone has got 1911's on the shelves but of the 20+ gun shops the valley only two of them always have at least two different style Colt 1911's in stock.

#2 A wider selection of revolvers. Perhaps three stores have a selection of more than 12 revolvers that are more than S&W and Taurus or S&W and Ruger (SA, if i find more than two double action Rugers, its a miracle )
 
1) Staff who will let me look and ask stupid questions without making me feel stupid.

2) lots of used guns of different makes and models

3) Locally owned.
 
I like "Mom and Pop" gun shops, rather than the "big box" shops that cater to
only customers wearing suits and ties; like one shop here, near Birmingham,
AL.


Professional sales persons are a MUST~! Competitive prices, friendly type of
atmosphere, clean and organized store is always a plus. Also, lots of parking
[with handicap accessibility] is a MUST HAVE~! Staff training periodically
helps boost sales.
 
Have you ever been to a gun shop, where the employees act like little Rambos or part of the local police sniper team? No smiles...no joking...! Just trying to look bad ass cuz' they work in a gun store. THOSE are the ones that I avoid like the plague!

I enjoy..
A. Fun loving guys that will involve you in the discussions or as one poster stated, won't make you feel idiotic if you ask what may be a dumb question.
B. Fair prices. I don't mind paying a little more from someone I like.
C. Good Selection...or a willingness to get a product they don't have.

There is one such store in this area. Kastle Keep in Largo, Fl. Andy, Rich and Rick are GREAT guys to work with. It's always a cultural adventure when i visit that store. ;)
 
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