Machineguntony
New member
I am hoping to get some insight into the silencer business, as there are members, who work in the business and are very knowledgable.
A while back, I spoke to a silencer dealer who complained about another silencer dealer. The complaining dealer stated that competition from the bigger dealers was driving down the margins on silencers. His words were, 'they make $20 a can, and they're happy with that, it's killing me.' I won't say who he was complaining about.
My first thoughts were, 'yay for capitalism'. But then I went and checked some of the bigger dealers, and yes, he was right.
Compare, for example...
http://www.silencershop.com/shop/aac-ti-rant-9/
Cost is $499, and they offer a free mount. I'm a big fan of the Silemcer Shop, just as a disclaimer, as the guys are friendly and very knowledgable.
Compared to...
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=468376519
Cost is $679.
My question is how can they afford staff, rent, and overhead at such small margins? How many does a typical retailer sell in a month or day? What are the true margins on a suppressor (meaning are there any factory to dealer incentives or factory hold-backs that are paid on sales)?
Why do none of the big boys of firearms retailing, like Cabelas or Bass Pro sell suppressors? Are they afraid of the negative Hollywood connotations? Volume not high enough. I would imagine that if Cabelas started selling suppressors, the form 4 wait would probably skyrocket, due to volume. Many people still do not know that suppressors are legal: I get asked regularly, 'aren't those illegal?'
A while back, I spoke to a silencer dealer who complained about another silencer dealer. The complaining dealer stated that competition from the bigger dealers was driving down the margins on silencers. His words were, 'they make $20 a can, and they're happy with that, it's killing me.' I won't say who he was complaining about.
My first thoughts were, 'yay for capitalism'. But then I went and checked some of the bigger dealers, and yes, he was right.
Compare, for example...
http://www.silencershop.com/shop/aac-ti-rant-9/
Cost is $499, and they offer a free mount. I'm a big fan of the Silemcer Shop, just as a disclaimer, as the guys are friendly and very knowledgable.
Compared to...
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=468376519
Cost is $679.
My question is how can they afford staff, rent, and overhead at such small margins? How many does a typical retailer sell in a month or day? What are the true margins on a suppressor (meaning are there any factory to dealer incentives or factory hold-backs that are paid on sales)?
Why do none of the big boys of firearms retailing, like Cabelas or Bass Pro sell suppressors? Are they afraid of the negative Hollywood connotations? Volume not high enough. I would imagine that if Cabelas started selling suppressors, the form 4 wait would probably skyrocket, due to volume. Many people still do not know that suppressors are legal: I get asked regularly, 'aren't those illegal?'