I know a semi-local shop that has all of your criteria. Good people behind the counter although they seem a bit skiddish to ask the owner if he will drop the price of a firearms. They offer various firearm training classes. They have ladies nights with discounts. They have bowling pin shoot leagues. The first time at their range they provide free targets. The also have a lot of reasonably priced accessories and sell a lot of ammo with their rentals. You get a free range membership if you buy a firearm and discounts on accessories. They offer discounts to LEOs, military, and emergency responders. There are seldom not busy seven days a week plus they offer extended hours. They have been open for a few years and don't seem to be slowing down.
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Gun Stores - what makes some very profitable?
- Thread starter Skans
- Start date
BFE
LOL. I have not heard anyone mention Smackover since my mom passed away. How are the gun shops in Luann?
Regards,
Tom
Dick Lupton in Smackover AR...
LOL. I have not heard anyone mention Smackover since my mom passed away. How are the gun shops in Luann?
Regards,
Tom
I think it can vary in different parts of the country. In my area, there does not seem to be a lot of shooting ranges and shooting competition facilities. Buyers are either getting ready for hunting season or they are getting ready for fishing season. I know this is not true in all other sectors of the country. I think a good fishing sections slightly separated from the guns section and a good guns section slightly separated from the fishing section are a boost for each others since they pick up the slack for each other as the season's change.
The gunning sections not only needs to have guns, but it needs hunting clothing, ammunition, reloading tools and supplies and other assessories like scopes, slings, and etc. Bow hunting equipment and assessories also add to the well being of the business.
Many of the hunters are going to either have their own farm, know someone with a farm or joins a hunting club with access to their personal shooting range.
The gunning sections not only needs to have guns, but it needs hunting clothing, ammunition, reloading tools and supplies and other assessories like scopes, slings, and etc. Bow hunting equipment and assessories also add to the well being of the business.
Many of the hunters are going to either have their own farm, know someone with a farm or joins a hunting club with access to their personal shooting range.
There are 3 local gunshops I buy at regularly
#1 Andrew's knife and Muzzle-loading
-Located on HWY 301 across the street from one of the area's largest flea markets and antiques store and has alot of drive by traffic. (location)
-He has two sections in an industrial park facing the hwy. One is his shop, he lives in the other (low overhead and shrinkage control)
-He has very limited selection of guns but buys ammo in bulk and sells alot of it at reasonable prices. He also charges $20 per transfer for as many guns as he can fit on a single form (low prices).
-He is a really nice guy that loves to shoot the breeze, I genuinely consider him a friend and would go out of my way to help him out in almost any way that was legal and didn't cost me much money. If he owned a computer and shopped and sold on the internet he'd triple his profits.
-He's gotten hundreds in dollars in transfers from me and has at least 5 of my friends who are regular repeat customers from my referral (repeat business)
#2 Pickett's Weaponry
-The largest shop in the county (good selection).
-They are located on a high traffic road in a rural pro gun pro business small town about 12 miles from the local university town which is anti gun and anti business. ( good location)
-It is a multi generation family owned and ran business with mostly family employees who work for free or really cheap. They own the property (low overhead)
-The whole family has a passion for firearms and is mostly pretty knowledgeable. They let the teen/college aged girls run the register, do the paperwork, and watch the customers to make sure they aren't stealing. (low shrink, effective training model)
-They make sure that a very experienced adult is there at all times (knowledgeable).
-They make alot of their money on big ticket items like safes, trade ins, and high end guns. I cherry pick their inventory all the time and buy one or two guns a year from them, but I also bought my $1200 safe there. Their NIB prices are kind of high, but they have several big sales a year with factory reps and loss leaders to build customer base.
-They're good about recognizing a regular and cutting to the chase with a bottom dollar price.
-He has a mediocre and somewhat arrogant gunsmith that knows enough not to take jobs he can't do (anything much beyond mounting a scope, doing a detail strip and clean, or replacing a broken part)
#3 Harry Beckwith's
-Another family shop It's located 10 miles away from the earlier mentioned college town on a busy highway (441) in the middle of nowhere (location).
-This owner is the brother of shop #2 and they share the safe moving equipment and swap inventory at cost or near cost regularly (service and selection)
-He is a very knowledgeable and has a smaller floor space and correspondingly smaller staff.
- He has an onsite range
-He has a very fast and affordable gunsmith.
#1 Andrew's knife and Muzzle-loading
-Located on HWY 301 across the street from one of the area's largest flea markets and antiques store and has alot of drive by traffic. (location)
-He has two sections in an industrial park facing the hwy. One is his shop, he lives in the other (low overhead and shrinkage control)
-He has very limited selection of guns but buys ammo in bulk and sells alot of it at reasonable prices. He also charges $20 per transfer for as many guns as he can fit on a single form (low prices).
-He is a really nice guy that loves to shoot the breeze, I genuinely consider him a friend and would go out of my way to help him out in almost any way that was legal and didn't cost me much money. If he owned a computer and shopped and sold on the internet he'd triple his profits.
-He's gotten hundreds in dollars in transfers from me and has at least 5 of my friends who are regular repeat customers from my referral (repeat business)
#2 Pickett's Weaponry
-The largest shop in the county (good selection).
-They are located on a high traffic road in a rural pro gun pro business small town about 12 miles from the local university town which is anti gun and anti business. ( good location)
-It is a multi generation family owned and ran business with mostly family employees who work for free or really cheap. They own the property (low overhead)
-The whole family has a passion for firearms and is mostly pretty knowledgeable. They let the teen/college aged girls run the register, do the paperwork, and watch the customers to make sure they aren't stealing. (low shrink, effective training model)
-They make sure that a very experienced adult is there at all times (knowledgeable).
-They make alot of their money on big ticket items like safes, trade ins, and high end guns. I cherry pick their inventory all the time and buy one or two guns a year from them, but I also bought my $1200 safe there. Their NIB prices are kind of high, but they have several big sales a year with factory reps and loss leaders to build customer base.
-They're good about recognizing a regular and cutting to the chase with a bottom dollar price.
-He has a mediocre and somewhat arrogant gunsmith that knows enough not to take jobs he can't do (anything much beyond mounting a scope, doing a detail strip and clean, or replacing a broken part)
#3 Harry Beckwith's
-Another family shop It's located 10 miles away from the earlier mentioned college town on a busy highway (441) in the middle of nowhere (location).
-This owner is the brother of shop #2 and they share the safe moving equipment and swap inventory at cost or near cost regularly (service and selection)
-He is a very knowledgeable and has a smaller floor space and correspondingly smaller staff.
- He has an onsite range
-He has a very fast and affordable gunsmith.
Three and four don't apply, although some of the prices aren't too bad. Huge selection and friendly staff do apply.
Yes, their prices may not be the lowest, but they have what I'm looking for, and even stuff I don't know I'm looking for. They will dicker on prices somewhat, and I have gotten a few deals there. The classic Smith & Wesson, and Colt revolvers, turn up on their rack or in their case. If I want a Glock, I can go anywhere.
They have a really good layaway plan too.
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I used to go to Harry Beckwith's when old Harry was alive - back in the early '80's. I was pretty young and was just getting into guns. He was a fiery old cuss - not a lot of patience with young folks who were new to guns....although I think he tried to be.
Some of the things I personally recall about Beckwith's is this: it was part gun store and part antique/junk store - He had several isles of psuedo-antiques that were coated with dust; no range open to the public at that time; extensive Luger collection; lots of 1911's and revolvers; Harry open carried some kind of pearl or ivory handled revolver. I sort of liked Harry, although I don't think he cared much for me. To me he was sort of an odd, old, gruff gun-slinger who would look at me as a PITA kid just smudging up his gun cases. He did once try to convince me to spend some $300+ on a Llama .45 - remember, this was in the early '80's.....and I wasn't as stupid as he thought I was.
Anyway, sorry to digress about Beckwith - I actually have some good memories of going to his shop, I'm sure its nothing like it used to be, though. That place was a one-of-a-kind.
Some of the things I personally recall about Beckwith's is this: it was part gun store and part antique/junk store - He had several isles of psuedo-antiques that were coated with dust; no range open to the public at that time; extensive Luger collection; lots of 1911's and revolvers; Harry open carried some kind of pearl or ivory handled revolver. I sort of liked Harry, although I don't think he cared much for me. To me he was sort of an odd, old, gruff gun-slinger who would look at me as a PITA kid just smudging up his gun cases. He did once try to convince me to spend some $300+ on a Llama .45 - remember, this was in the early '80's.....and I wasn't as stupid as he thought I was.
Anyway, sorry to digress about Beckwith - I actually have some good memories of going to his shop, I'm sure its nothing like it used to be, though. That place was a one-of-a-kind.
I like my local gunstore owner. I take my gunsmithing business to him. He does my transfers when I buy something online. I have him mount my scopes. I have bought consignment guns through him.
But no force on earth can make me pay 16.95 for a box of my favorite 9mm plinking ammo I can get at WalMart for 11 bucks. Or 27.99 for a box of inexpensive Federal 30.06 softpoints when I can get them for $15 at Walmart. Or $600 for a pistol I can get for $450 online including the transfer fees.
The friendly service has a value. Just not a very high value. For me.
But no force on earth can make me pay 16.95 for a box of my favorite 9mm plinking ammo I can get at WalMart for 11 bucks. Or 27.99 for a box of inexpensive Federal 30.06 softpoints when I can get them for $15 at Walmart. Or $600 for a pistol I can get for $450 online including the transfer fees.
The friendly service has a value. Just not a very high value. For me.
Larry R. Thompson owned "Larry's Gun Shop" in Watsonville CA. It was a very small shop, but Larry was a true gunsmith and built several rifles for his customers. His father was a trapper by trade and when Larry was 5 years old he'd accompany his father into the woods. Larry was a hunter and knew guns. When a customer went into the shop & knew what he wanted, Larry would take care of what the customer wanted (even if Larry knew something else would be better). If someone came in and needed advice or a suggestion, Larry would ask questions and provide the customer with what he needed. Larry was a smart businessman too. He knew gun sales were not enough to survive on and he didn't have enough room for gun accessories. He had his reloading bench in the shop open for the public to see. Any time he had an opportunity, he would show a client how to reload. And he would let the customer know reloaded ammunition was cheaper than the factory stuff. He's the reason I got into reloading. I know I spent more money on my reloading supplies than I spent on guns. Larry was a Remington & Weatherby authorized repairman too, that added a little credibility to his gunsmithing abilities. Larry was always friendly and never pushed anything on anyone. With his little shop he generated a lot of revenues.
Fishing_Cabin
New member
The key thing is profitable. Very few of us will see the end of year records on the stores we visit, so we would know who is and who is not profitable.
There is a local gun store and indoor range for sale here in NC privately. There has been no serious money put on the table so far that I have heard of. That should be an indicator. Keep in mind this person has been at his current business addy for around 20 years, and has been in business for around 30 years as an ffl.
From what I see, the main things that actually make money is the CCW classes, and the rande fees. Guns and ammo? There is always someone willing to sell it cheaper then anyone else. I was an FFL for 12 years until my brother took over a few monts back. While I understand people paying 25 bucks for a transfer want top service, I dont see a huge amount of people willing to pay that transfer fee each and every week to keep it going.
There is a local gun store and indoor range for sale here in NC privately. There has been no serious money put on the table so far that I have heard of. That should be an indicator. Keep in mind this person has been at his current business addy for around 20 years, and has been in business for around 30 years as an ffl.
From what I see, the main things that actually make money is the CCW classes, and the rande fees. Guns and ammo? There is always someone willing to sell it cheaper then anyone else. I was an FFL for 12 years until my brother took over a few monts back. While I understand people paying 25 bucks for a transfer want top service, I dont see a huge amount of people willing to pay that transfer fee each and every week to keep it going.
The principles of running a successful retail store are well established. Most of the very successful gun-shops I've seen follow these practices.
The "good old boys" clubs that call themselves gun-stores tend to just scrape by unless they are the only game in town (and I've driven 50 miles out of my way to go to a better store before).
The "good old boys" clubs that call themselves gun-stores tend to just scrape by unless they are the only game in town (and I've driven 50 miles out of my way to go to a better store before).
Rifleman1776
New member
The small gunshop I owned in Indiana more than 30 years ago did just fine. I provided service and was friendly with my customers. I quickly learned it was impossible to compete price-wise with the big box stores. So, I sold over or under them and provided services they couldn't. I'm not a gunsmith (I had one who did complex work for me) but I did learn to make many common repairs and installations myself. I also applied one rule often stated by highly successful businessmen. "Be sure to charge enough for your work or product." e.g. a five minute repair with a $5.00 part was probably going to cost the customer $30.00. Never once a complaint they were always happy the gun worked again.
But, my biggest customer pull was my ability to special order unusual items for their guns. This was in pre-computer days. I kept separate card files on sources for unusual parts. I was often challenged to find parts and never failed. A little knowledge can be a big help. I recall one time a retired military guy came in with an original Derringer pistol. It was unusual in that it was left handed and missing the hammer for the percussion cap. He challenged me to replace the hammer. For me, no problem. I knew Derringer also made shotguns and double barrel shotguns have a left side hammer. And, I knew he used the same castings for most of his guns. And, I knew a source for identical replica castings of Derringer shotgun hammers. I ordered a pair, quite reasonably, replaced the guys left hand hammer and had the right hand left over to sell at another day. And I charged him plenty and made him super happy by restoring his highly collectible gun. Things like that make a store profitable.
But, my biggest customer pull was my ability to special order unusual items for their guns. This was in pre-computer days. I kept separate card files on sources for unusual parts. I was often challenged to find parts and never failed. A little knowledge can be a big help. I recall one time a retired military guy came in with an original Derringer pistol. It was unusual in that it was left handed and missing the hammer for the percussion cap. He challenged me to replace the hammer. For me, no problem. I knew Derringer also made shotguns and double barrel shotguns have a left side hammer. And, I knew he used the same castings for most of his guns. And, I knew a source for identical replica castings of Derringer shotgun hammers. I ordered a pair, quite reasonably, replaced the guys left hand hammer and had the right hand left over to sell at another day. And I charged him plenty and made him super happy by restoring his highly collectible gun. Things like that make a store profitable.
JustThisGuy
New member
Without a doubt the thing that makes a gun store profitable is customers that return again and again and spend money each time. How does a store achieve that? Very simply by making them feel at home.
A profitable gun store almost always has a cadre of loyal customers who call the store their 2nd home. They will stop by for just a minute to chat on their way home from work and the knowledgeable staff, having been trained by the smart owner will chat them up and put a new inventory arrival in their hand to look at.
They will learn the preferences of each customer and encourage their interest in that brand. They will do things that encourage them to return again and again, like giving one free range visit for each 9 paid visits.
Stores like Shooters Station in Conroe, TX are truly a second home to gun lovers. Even when their isles are packed with shoppers, they take time to acknowledge each person who enters the store personally by name. Hell, they even know my dog's name and keep him in the back of the store while I am on the shooting range. Now THAT's making you feel at home.
A profitable gun store almost always has a cadre of loyal customers who call the store their 2nd home. They will stop by for just a minute to chat on their way home from work and the knowledgeable staff, having been trained by the smart owner will chat them up and put a new inventory arrival in their hand to look at.
They will learn the preferences of each customer and encourage their interest in that brand. They will do things that encourage them to return again and again, like giving one free range visit for each 9 paid visits.
Stores like Shooters Station in Conroe, TX are truly a second home to gun lovers. Even when their isles are packed with shoppers, they take time to acknowledge each person who enters the store personally by name. Hell, they even know my dog's name and keep him in the back of the store while I am on the shooting range. Now THAT's making you feel at home.
I think where most gun shops miss the mark is not selling the whole package - they want to sell guns, but frankly I think it's the service items that do it.
I can't see a gun shop doing really well without a competent gun smith. Whenever you buy a handgun, (especially all the snubbies that get sold today) it's got to be the easiest pitch to sell a fluff and buff trigger job right then and there.
A rental range is also a great winner - let's people try guns, and pays for itself. It allows for training and training classes has got to be another big winner.
A shop would also do very well with their own holster maker - can you imagine how awesome it would be to buy a gun, try on a bunch of holsters and find one that works, and then order your own custom one with the gun belt, accesories, etc, all in one buy?
So, I can't see money being made on guns, but the ecosystem of services that surrounds them has got to be very lucrative.
I can't see a gun shop doing really well without a competent gun smith. Whenever you buy a handgun, (especially all the snubbies that get sold today) it's got to be the easiest pitch to sell a fluff and buff trigger job right then and there.
A rental range is also a great winner - let's people try guns, and pays for itself. It allows for training and training classes has got to be another big winner.
A shop would also do very well with their own holster maker - can you imagine how awesome it would be to buy a gun, try on a bunch of holsters and find one that works, and then order your own custom one with the gun belt, accesories, etc, all in one buy?
So, I can't see money being made on guns, but the ecosystem of services that surrounds them has got to be very lucrative.