What pistols to stock, new dealer

This is really fun,,,

Watching and reading about putting together the ideal gun shop,,,

I have no specific advice on makes and models,,,
My advice is more generic to retail sales and success.

I once was an avid photographer and opened a photo shop,,,
I stocked only the best of the items I thought were best for photographers.

I went broke in 8 months.

I forgot to stock what will sell rather than what I thought was the best gear.

You may personally hate Hi Points but they do sell,,,
You may love the "Rapid-O-Matic 2700" because it's the best semi-auto in the world,,,
But will they sell to ordinary folk?

There is a very successful pawn and gun shop here in Stillwater,,,
I believe he is successful because he stocks guns in all price ranges.

He also stocks tons of ammo and accessories for the guns.

I was a Nikon snob and would not stock the cheaper brands of cameras because I considered them to be junk,,,
I lost sales because some people just couldn't afford the Nikons and would have been perfectly happy with that cheaper piece of junk I would not stock.

Just a thought for you to chew on my friend,,,
It's hard to keep a retail mind set when you love the field you market to.

Your main objective will be to make a living,,,
Stock what will sell quickly,,,
That includes cheapies.
 
Laugh all you want / but baby boomers have the cash to buy what we want .....
Click to expand...

I know this to be true, and no matter how much I like guns, I want my business to succeed. That is the purpose for these questions. I should expound on my business plan. At this time, my business with be internet based, with local pick up and transfers available. I have built a functional website with a working cart and I am in the process of establishing accounts with four or five wholesalers. My intentions are similar to other sites, sell where I can what I can, but what I wanted to 'specialize' in was with the discerning customer in mind. Those that know what they want and want it at a good price. So, with that thought, I built a custom quote form where you can let me know what you are looking for, and I can try to find it at the wholesaler, getting it drop shipped to your FFL at a cost plus type deal. Shipping cost is lower, and my 'plus' can be less that what a normal dealer would charge... because I dont have the overhead, and I have a 'day job'. Some of the wholesalers offer volume triggered free freight... and that is something that I would target for minimal inventory to list on GB or other auction sites. The other line of business I am planning is a locally advertised cleaning service. Something along the lines of... after a day at the range, drop them off at my place and pick them up later properly cleaned and oiled... etc. for a minimal charge. I will offer gunsmithing service as well, and anything that Im not comfortable tackling myself, I have a buddy that is a good smith that is wanting to expand that side of his business, and we have worked a deal that would benefit both of us.

Sorry for the long post... keep the thoughts coming!
 
Personally, I don't find it an acceptable risk to deal with a gunshop that does not have a brick and mortar operation - especially on a high end, custom order gun .....where I may pay you $3,000 - $10,000 ....up front / and I may never get a gun ......( or a refund ) after I wait 3 or 4 months for production of the gun from the mfg / to find out there never was a gun even ordered.

Not to pick on you personally / but there are crooks out there / taking money for orders that never get placed ...and money is lost ...... Even if a broker or internet shop could save me 20% potentially / it wouldn't be worth the risk to me. Not pointing fingers at you / but Bernie Madoff kind of ruined a lot of this .....and I wouldn't take the risk.

Now on a standard production gun / under $1,000 .....I might feel differently. Yet again / I can find production guns all over town / and I doubt you'll be saving a buyer over $ 100 on a $ 500 - $ 800 gun ....so I'd go to whoever had it in stock / pay cash and carry it out since I have a CCW permit.
 
Interesting answers. It is apparent that some folks have just listed guns they like. A dealer I once worked for told me the biggest mistake new dealers make is in stocking what THEY like, not what the buying public WANTS.

It might take a while, but you will soon learn that you can't tell the customer what to buy, he will tell you what he will buy. I have known dealers who would stock only one brand of rifle, or whose handgun stock was limited to revolvers. They eventually either changed or went out of business.

Jim
 
A pet peeve of mine. If you sell the gun, sell a holster to go with it.

My wife bought me a Ruger New Model Blackhawk. I went back to the shop where she got it and they did not have a holster to fit it. I hate nylon, but I would have bought that just to have a holster.

I realize you can not stock everything, but if you sell a small carry gun, sell a holster that someone can use for concealed carry. If you are selling cowboy guns, have a few leather holster to carry the darn things in.

Once you are up and running, let us know where you are. I am in Missouri and sometimes travel up to two hours to visit gun stores. (But I usually do my shopping close to home.)
 
what sells pretty good in my local gun shop are

Ruger sp101 and gp100
Walther PPK
Smith and Wesson M&P
Smith and Wesson revolvers (686 and airweight j frames seem to sell well)
Glocks
Ruger .22lr target pistol
 
Around here (central IN) the biggest movers seem to be somewhat experienced based. The "new to the gun world" customer's are buying the sigma's, glocks, Xd's, and the like (based off reputation or price). People who are a little more familiar and know what they're looking for tend to be looking for things more like the M&P's in compact and full, Glocks, and some of the med priced revolvers though not as much. The higher paying cust's who are really in tune with what they want are seemingly solid Kimber fans or nicer revolvers. That sums up the handgun market that I've personally witnessed. Rifles and shotguns are the reputable/name brands unless you're dealing with someone with a more special interest in mind especically in highend market buyers. SKS/AK47/AR15's are being bought up on a regular basis mostly by people who have no real business buying them but want the bragging rights of owning one (not to mention paying way too much for them). I watched as someone bought a somewhat beat up chinese SKS the other day for over $500, I laughed. Someone else mentioned the .380 market, I couldn't agree more here too. I've seen a lot of the pocket guns leaving the shelves around here. Good luck in your endeavors. Just remember, service sells more guns and repeat customers are easier to get into your store than new customers. Make sure you can order anything at a competitive price, and YES, holsters and at least some ammo (target and SD) are a must for any gun you stock
 
Glock 17, Glock 19, Glock 26, Glock 22, Glock 23, Springfield XDM 9 and 40, Ruger LCR, Ruger Sp101 357 snub, S&W 442, Beretta PX4 9 and 40, S&W M&P 9, 40, 45. That's going to appeal to your shooter/defensive handgun buyers looking for quality items. S&W sigma has quite a following. There are lots of dedicated 1911 45 people, you will notice. Taurus Judge apparently sells like mad, though I have no idea why. The list would go from there if you're dealing with specific niches - collectors, outdoorsmen, etc. Don't underestimate the people who have the money to drop some bread for a pistol/revolver. Having a couple of Sig Elites lying around or a few higher end S&W revolvers is not necessarily bad for business. There are some people who've made a lot of money off of my S&W revolver hobby. A few 4" 357's or 6" 44's in S&W and Ruger for the outdoorsmen... if you want to be well-rounded.
 
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One that I have noticed, that you dont see on the shelves is the Walther line (other than the P22). Im not sure why this is, or really if it is relevant since Walther took the S&W surname.

I was pondering the logic of this...
someone had mentioned the High Point line sells like hotcakes... I just cant see there being much profit margin in a $130 pistol. Even if you could pull 10% thats 13 buck... less than most transfer charges.

Some of the better quality, while using more capital, "should" being a better proft...
S&W 686P for $700, will probably allow 15-20% profit, say $100-140, Sounds to me like a start up shop should focus more on something that will bring in the dough.

Of course, all of this is speculation at this point. I dont have access yet to wholesale prices, and for the most part they are guarded pretty well.
:)
 
The no brainer is to get as many of the cheap 380s as you can. Taurus TCP, Ruger LCP, KelTec P3AT, Bersas, PK 380s.

Taurus Millenium series. Springfield Mil Specs, RIA 1911s. CZs. Ruger MKIIIs of all variations but focus on 22/45s because people like cheap. Browning Buckmarks when you can get them. Taurus 22 DA revolvers in Magnum and LR love flying off shelves.

Taurus ultralite snubbies. As many 642s as you can find. Ruger LCR and SP101. Use your own judgement on the full frame revolvers. Get a bunch of SS Judges and dont bother with the blued ones.
 
Never underestimate the value of understanding your customers' needs and wants. The hottest selling guns will be tough to make a decent profit on because some dealer will always try to beat your deal by $5. Build relationships with your customers and make a fair profit. You won't be able to meet your customers' needs if you fail to make a profit and are forced to go out of business. Smart purchasing on your part helps with this. Good quality accesories and ammo are viable sources of revenue and your customers are going to buy them somewhere, why not where they can pick them up and look them over? Don't overlook the occasional unusual or high-end gun. Eye candy is fun and can help sell other guns in the case after catching your cutomers' eye and bringing them over for a closer look. Special orders are a good way to build your business and customer base, services are a good idea as well.
Good luck to you! I think we need more small dealers.
 
hmmmm I'm thinking if you have to ask this question then you are not prepared to go into business involving this product. Perhaps get a job at a local gun shop first.
 
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If you think gathering input from others shows incompetence then you greatly misunderstand modern marketing, and business management. Thank you for your words of wisdom.
 
What you stock depends on where you live and where your shop will be located. As in: Rural areas you will find more interest in long guns and shotguns (hunting). Populated area's CCW handguns and tactical weapons, you get the idea.

Not much profit margin in Glocks or XD's (plus there's just to many of them out there used), Taurus is complete junk so unless you don't mind returns and customer complaints stay far away from them. Stay away from DiamondBack Arms junk.

Sure bets 1911's of any kind (except Taurus). S&W of any kind, look into FNH line of rifles and pistols. Colt if you can get them. It's all about what's stocked at your wholesalers and these days it's not easy finding any popular weapons they come in and get sold out as quickly as they get there. Most of the black rifles will work stay away from the cheap ones Olympic Arms etc, etc...

The economy in and around where your shop will be located - will, or should dictate what you stock. As in a farmer is not going to want to spend $1500 on a Kimber, if he wants a 1911, he'll be looking for a Rock Island Armory - you understand.
 
From a buyers perspective:
+1
- Bersa and CZ .380s
- M&Ps, XDs in addition to the obvious Glocks
- Good store of Ruger Single Sixes and at least a decent range of adj sight (BH/FT) and fixed (Vaquero type) SAs.
- If a brick & mortar set up as well as internet: A little bit of eye candy as enticers, as someone else mentioned. A Colt SAA or two. People get excited about one of those, and you may have an occasional sale, but when they (most) come back to reality then you can steer them to a Ruger that "looks for all the world like..."
- 1911 Springers and RIAs
Getting away from handguns, but:
- "Affordable but good" ARs (<$1,000 for a complete basic set up as others have mentioned).
- Selection of Ruger Minis
- 10-22s, Marlin 60s.
- Rossi and Marlin "pistol" cartridge lever carbines


Especially for the internet and call-in orders, always friendly. Nothing more a turn off--even if some would-be customers are a pain--than the types that get into "pre-lectures" as follows:

- "Don't email stupid questions. I will not respond. And by the way, all questioms are stupid.
- "I don't do email."
- "I don't do phone.
- " If you do not know what you want, don't contact me."
" "I don't respond to emails but once a week."
- "I only answer the phone on Friday from 4-5 Eastern and then you must have the model number and finish or I will not respond."
- "Lastly, you will be shot if you ask stupid questions, which again means any questions."

You're not (or shouldn't be) expected to take bad abuse by completely unreasonable buyers, which I imagine are many. But...anything shy of that, the customer is always "right." (Appeasement to the extent remotely possible. Not talking price necessarily but in general). Be patient. A lot of un-knowledgeable4--as well as know it alls--out there. Quite the mix. Word spreads like wildfire on sellers who are difficult to deal with.
Get the idea? :-)
Good luck!
 
May I suggest that you accept consignment weapons. There are a lot of people that would like to sell their particular gun and then buy another one. You can make a profit from consignments without tying up your capital. I also suggest that you pick a quality line of holsters, belts, etc. Don Hume offers an extensive line of reasonably priced products.
 
Go with what you know, CCGS. CCW is still pretty big in Ohio but that may be a regional thing. Develop a working relationship with area instructors and ask them what they recommend to their students. Visit classes. If you don't have a CCW, get one. The hottest guns are going to be very competitive but ammo and accessories are important to CCW's, many of which are new shooters. Wouldn't be surprised if you find more profit in the "also need" side of the sale. Being a knowledgeable one-stop shop for these folks could pay big dividends, now and in the future.
If you're a competitive shooter then you should cater to your fellow competitors. Otherwise it's pretty risky unless you really know the sport.
Good move on having a gunsmith as an ally. That relationship will be mutually beneficial.
I like the dealer one poster mentioned who checked scopes for free. So many scopes are improperly mounted or simply don't work well. If this is something you're comfortable with and it fits your area demos go for it. Have your gunsmith buddy teach you how to do it right and stock all the rings and bases to make it work. Missing a sale on a $600 scope because you don't have a $9 base or a $40 set of ring is aggravating and avoidable.
Know your customers, know your limitations and realize that this gun business is something that is constantly changing but good business principles seldom change.
Once again, good luck. Networking here is a good move. Most of this stuff you may already know but somewhere in this thread I hope you've found a few pearls of wisdom.
 
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