What is the perfect Gun Store?

My indoor place charges $14 an hour - $10 id a deal

I know I am different from just about everyone else, but my perfect shop would be able to match the prices I can get online.
Click to expand...

Then you'd be happy with a transfer store with ZERO inventory like ammo and holsters and targets, etc, correct? Because they cannot sit on that stuff and charge the same as Bud's or similar who has stuff dropped shipped.

Inventory COSTS, and the longer an item sits, the more it costs
 
Maybe the perfect gun store has little to do with prices. There is a very small gun shop not far from me (so small, and with so few guns showing that I often wonder how he has stayed in business) that has something other shops don't: really strong customer service, even to those that they hardly know. Twice in the last year I have stopped in because of minor but frustrating problems, and twice they resolved the issue without a charge. They also, despite their small inventory, twice have had on hand, at a fair price, a gun that I could not find anywhere and assumed I would have to special order it and then wait forever to get it. And they don't mind getting into long discussions with customers who want such. In other words, they never rush you in any way. On top of all this, they introduced me to a type of ammo that I had never heard of that has been great as a practice aid with some lightweight handguns (Long Colts). Maybe its just my own ignorance that I didn't know about Long Colts but this shop's owner enlightened me and I appreciate it.
 
Then you'd be happy with a transfer store with ZERO inventory like ammo and holsters and targets, etc, correct? Because they cannot sit on that stuff and charge the same as Bud's or similar who has stuff dropped shipped.

Inventory COSTS, and the longer an item sits, the more it costs
Click to expand...

Yes I would be perfectly fine with that, because I can buy all of that stuff cheaper online as well. If my online gun purchases didn't require transfer from an FFL I would have no use for a gun shop. In fact, I used to do all of my transfers through a local guy that did nothing but transfers. The only reason I now use a gun shop is the guy I used to use has been in the middle east for two years.
 
Then you'd be happy with a transfer store with ZERO inventory like ammo and holsters and targets, etc, correct? Because they cannot sit on that stuff and charge the same as Bud's or similar who has stuff dropped shipped.
Click to expand...

Perfectly fine with this! In fact, if the store had nothing but large computer screens with detailed views of the guns and its internals that can be ordered and purchased by me at Gunbroker prices - I'd be in heaven!
 
Perfectly fine with this! In fact, if the store had nothing but large computer screens with detailed views of the guns and its internals that can be ordered and purchased by me at Gunbroker prices - I'd be in heaven!
Click to expand...

A gun is like a person in that some things cannot be done electronically. You can't get the smoothness, smell and quality feel without experiencing the real thing.
 
A gun is like a person in that some things cannot be done electronically. You can't get the smoothness, smell and quality feel without experiencing the real thing.
Click to expand...
I don't know of any production guns my LGS would stock that aren't going to smooth up significantly over the first 400 rounds. That is what I try to do with any new center-fire pistol the first range trip. The external fit and finish quality is fairly consistent with different models of the same brand, and I am familiar with each brand.

I just started buying clothes online. I always thought that was one thing I would have to go to a store to try on. Working pretty well so far.

If I had a gun store I would probably try to only stock low end items. If the customer doesn't know what they want because they are inexperienced they probably shouldn't spend a lot. If they know what they want there is no reason I can't order it for them.
 
My Dad bought a range and gun shop just after I got out of the Corps, so of course I spent a few years moonlighting there as free labor before moving away for new opportunities (I moved to NM where Whittington Center was literally my back yard).

My best, simple, non-specific advice is to just apply the golden rule (in other words, do it in the way that you'd like it if you were the customer) and you should do fine. It's gotta be more than just a place to buy guns, ammo & accessories, a place to shoot, or a place to take classes...it's gotta be a place folks can relax and BS about anything and everything with no worries of the PC cops getting all bent out of shape.

Beer and broads would be good too. :D

Semper fi and good luck!
 
I know I am different from just about everyone else, but my perfect shop would be able to match the prices I can get online.
Click to expand...

To get to this for a second, that would then also mean no indoor range, no gunsmithing, etc; funny on other forums, those two things, along with rentals, seem to be at the TOP of the list. If all you want are transfers, then find your local kitchen-table guy that does them for $15, but I thought this was about an actual STORE, that means service, inventory, amenities, and those things cost money

I can't even kick the tire at Gander since I am LH and they have limited choices, so I also buy online. The biggest "gun stores" around here besides Gander are pawn shops, so I prefer flea markets and garage sales..........found a K-17 at one........nice gun......;):D
 
Female employees that look like the girls from "Hooters".
Click to expand...
Do that, and you will lose a huge portion of market share and reputation. The market for female shooters is exploding, and they don't want to see that sort of thing.

To get to this for a second, that would then also mean no indoor range, no gunsmithing, etc; funny on other forums, those two things, along with rentals, seem to be at the TOP of the list.
Click to expand...
If you plan on being price-competitive, all of those things are actually essential. If you're going to come close to competing with internet prices, that means margins of less than 10% on guns. It's not sustainable. You have to make up on that with auxiliary services.
 
I would also love to see a gun store that stocks mil-surps without a huge upcharge compared to the online stores. I am always willing to pay a little more at a brick and mortar, but most price used stuff insanely. if I had a local place that sold mosin's, Yugo m24/47s, zastava m70s, and other popular mil-surps wit a 30$ or so upcharge over the online places, AND offered layaway, I would have dozens of old milsurps. it would be easy to do and would probably sell fast.

RELOADING components. I know it's difficult to do, but I respect the places that at least try and don't gouge too bad. I went a range yesterday that was selling all the regular powders for 40$ a freakin pound...... It would also be nice to see some parts available, like decapping pins for popular calibers and things that break and you want a replacement w/o waiting a week.

this is the big one for me.....don't charge me ten bucks to do a NICS check. that was a new thing that occurred over the panic and it seems just about everyone has adopted the rude and ridiculous practice. I no longer buy guns from anyone that does that, just out of principle and I have ccw so I don't pay anyhow.

I want cheap crappy steel ammo and I want nice match and SD ammo. seems everyone only pushes the 1$ a round stuff except big box stores anymore.

take care of your regular customers......during the panic I had acquired an sks that I couldn't find any magazines for. the gun store that I spent a lot of time and money in, knew I wanted them and held them back for me. I will always appreciate them for that and will always be willing to spend an extra couple bucks to buy stuff from them.

I understand gouging, and I can appreciate the tactic when used reasonably. if your the ONLY place in town that has 9mm then I WANT you to sell it at an upcharge so more customers will be able to take advantage of buying it. if not, then people will just buy it regular price whether they need it or not and go sell it online for double, then no one gets it. but it got so crazy there for awhile, places were selling WWB for a buck a round or more. it gets to a point where it just becomes disrespectful, because we know the manufacturer wasn't raising prices and it was all done on the storefronts ends. so just keep it in good taste and use it as a tool for equal distribution rather than just taking advantage of suckers and turning off your base. hopefully we won't see anything like what happened for a long time, but we all know it could happen again tomorrow if events unfolded just right.
 
Pretty happy with the lgs here,
But always wish for a little more....

He has the popular new stuff, as well as a good selection of used, the used inventory is always changing weekly as he goes to the show circuits.

Revolvers, as well as semi autos, shotguns, and rifles ranging from classics, to shooters to collectible.

Ability of getting hard to find items, for a fair price.
Availibility of ordering for a small markup over his cost if paid before he orders.

Availibility of lay a way on purchases, and I expect him to be less flexible on his price as his $ are tied up longer.

All of this is covered at this lgs.

Now to the druthers.
Would like to see common maintenance items stocked,
1911 springs, sear springs, etc.

Would like to see more selection of common reloading supplies, common dies, decap dies, standard primers, common powder, etc.

This may be a little harder as it is more a niche market here.

Would like to see a better selection of optics that he can order, not necessarily stock though.
Would like to see a better selection of 30 mm rings.
 
.don't charge me ten bucks to do a NICS check. that was a new thing that occurred over the panic and it seems just about everyone has adopted the rude and ridiculous practice.
Click to expand...
What do you mean here? You purchase a NIB pistol from the dealer and when you go to check out there is a $10 fee for them having run the NICS check? Not a transfer for a firearm you bought elsewhere. You said you have a CCW so don't pay. I assume you live in a state where CCW are exempt from having an NICS check run. I am just curious b/c I have never heard of this practice in Ohio and I know it would not go over well at all.
 
yup, 10$ fee AFTER buying the pistol for a NICS check for non-ccw holders.....total crap. everywhere here does it now except one place. nobody did it two years ago. academy still doesn't do it either, thank god
 
10$ fee AFTER buying the pistol for a NICS check for non-ccw holders.....total crap. everywhere here does it now except one place.
Click to expand...

$2 in Virginia ( for the state check) ( and we've always had OC cause we never passed a law to outlaw it.)
 
Brass catchers on the lanes so semi-auto shooters don't have to chase their brass around (or step on it, or get hit by other people's brass.)

Thanks to FlyFish for the idea:
http://www.gracomodels.com/bigcatcher.html
Works fine, not too expensive.
Click to expand...

I also think it would be nice if one lane had a chronograph that you could use. (Make folk put down a deposit for the price of the screens-you get it back if you do NOT hit them.)

Really reaching here but what about a Ransom Rest and inserts too...
 
You wanted to know what we your TFL compadres would want in a LGS. Please don't assume by our responses that the majority of customers are going to be well-versed in reloading, milsurps etc because, well, we're a special breed here. ;)

It's said the the Range pays the Rent. Whether sales are up or down, the right ranges always have people on the lanes. Charge a normal hourly or 1/2 hourly rate per lane or shooter, sell a Gold and Silver annual membership for the regulars (priority lane assignments, no waiting, shoot as long as you like - but only allow X number of lanes for these members at any given time to not clog up the whole range), have good ammo choices and lots of Range Guns to choose from.

I like the new shiny guns as much as the next guy, but I'm a BIG fan of used guns. The perfect LGS for me would get in police buy-backs and used guns of all sorts. Trade-ins would be great, just have them checked out on the range by a qualified employee first. I'd stay away from consignments, I've seen too many problems with guns that had issues the consigner knew about but was trying to ease his conscience by not having to look the buyer in the eye. The LGS usually winds up looking like the bad guy and you don't want that.

Targets, holsters, lockboxes, lights, lasers etc are all good to have - makes the average buy bigger.

As has been said, good staff is paramount. They don't have to know everything, but if you've got a tactical-knowledgeable guy, a CCW type, an old-school dude etc you'll have your bases covered.

My LGS has a good selection, they cover multiple bases well and do a great job at treating people right. Just wish they did used guns. :(

Lots more stuff, but it's time for dinner.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top