What pistols to stock, new dealer

gun shop stand-bys...

If I had a FFL and had a brick & mortar store, I'd stock a few regular handguns;
The Ruger GP100 4" stainless in .357magnum, the 1911a1 .45acp from Colt, Springfield Armory, Kimber, Auto-Ord/Kahr, the Glock model 17 RTF gen 4 9mm, the S&W model 36 Chiefs Spl & the 642/442 J frame, the SIG Sauer P226/P229, the HK P2000(lem) and a Desert Eagle .44/.50AE or 2(mostly for show, but some flashy guy or gal with a lot of $$$ may buy it).
Those handguns seem to be the most popular in the general US market.
I'd say about 80-90% of your walk-in traffic or customers would ask about at least 1 of those models, ;).
I'd be open & honest as a FFL holder/business owner. Don't be like some of these a-hole gun shop clerks who sell 12ga pump action shotguns to 80 year-old 100lb grand-mothers who never shot a firearm.
I'd rather sell 3 $500 guns to a customer who keeps coming back than 1 $800 handgun that they can't use properly or won't carry.

CF
 
• Know your market. You need to know what's popular in your general area. Any of the competitive shooting sports common in your area? Those folks need supplies and new comers will need equipment.
Is handgun hunting done around you? Powerful chambered revolvers cover that area.
What's the general level of income? Don't stock the higher-priced models if most folks can't afford them. Likewise, don't stock too much cheap stuff if it's an affluent area. (People like to pad their egos)

• Know your competition. Just because it it stocked by the other dealers, doesn't mean you should. The very common models, yes, but be different than the others. If another dealer is big on Brand X, you carry Brand Y and Brand Z. Try something different too. Stock a couple odd models. Customer sees it, tells another person, etc and it creates interest to come see this "odd gun". That gets them in the shop.

• Know yourself. Sell what you'd buy for yourself. If you wouldn't walk in to a shop, see a Hi-Point and consider buying one yourself, don't sell it in your shop. If a customers asks about one you SHOULD tell them your truthful opinion on it not tell them a story to simply sell the product. If it's of high enough quality to own, it's high enough to sell. On the other end of the spectrum, if you think a model is over rated and priced accordingly, don't push it with the idea it's the latest and greatest just because it's a high price.

• Know the products. Don't push what you're not too familiar with. Learn all you can about what you stock, even the "odd" one mentioned above. However, don't become an "expert" on everything like many portray themselves as. It's ok to say "I don't know". When that does happen, make a note of it and find out! The next time it's asked, you'll have at least some recollection of it.
 
We, the general public, are different!!

I think you will have a lot of people wanting to get a handgun for very little cash. Most places see alot of people who just want to have a gun. My local shop, who stocks close to 2000 guns, sees a lot of people who want to spend a couple of hundred of bucks. They will probably never buy another gun & don"t really care about the gun's reputation. They don't care about accessories much. Most of them get a second glance when they walk in!;)

Then you have the shooters. Hopefully you will have more of these guys than the previous. These guys want it all!! Good quality! GREAT selection! a friendly AND knowledgeable staff. They all, with the few exceptions, want this with out spending much money! They need all of that they can scratch up or hide from the wife to buy ammo or ammo components!! They would like it if you had a store the size of Sams stocked with everything they have EVER seen online. They will usually want something between what will work & what is the best!

Then you have the guys I want as my friend!!:D The money is no object guys!! They want the best of the best!! Some will be well informed on what is the best. Some will rely on thier gunsmith, range buddy or you to tell them what "is the best".

The point is you will have a lot of different demands! Who knows what will work in you situation? My local shop mentioned above, has a little of everything & a lot of the $300 guns. The .380s, .38s & .22lr, used and new, he has piles of. Like one post mentioned above, there isn't much profit in these guns. They are there because people want them. The guy that buys it may have had a bad experience & this purchase made him feel better. He may never come back. OR, he may have bought the gun for his wife. OR, he could have scatched the surface of his next obession!! That is me raising my hand!!:o Then with either of the last two, you have made a good relationship for the future.
My personal opinion: there is a lot to be said about a gun that can reliably run 1000 rds for around $75 spent on ammo! A good gun with cheap operating cost can help form an addiction!!:D This would be VERY good for business!!:cool:

Just my two cents! Ok maybe twelve cents, I got carried away!=)
"JJ"
 
To help answer your question -

What guns do you have extensive knowledge of?

What guns have you had factory training in?

What guns if any are you capable of reparing or diagnosing customer problems?

All of the above is something you need to consider in order to advise and help your customers. You have to know what you are talking about and have the ability to give solid advise on which weapon best meets their needs when asked. Can you advise them when they don't understand a feature of a specific weapon or when they are doing something incorrectly.

Next thing to do is look at your competition. If they are selling Beretta, then you will want to handle Sig Sauser or vice versa. You do not want to get into a price competition with competitors and loose any overhead and/or profit you have to be able to make and stay in business.

I would think you would hate to sell inferior quality guns since a lot of your time will be tied up handling customer complaints.

Think not of just the initial sell, but of the return business for supplies and repeat customers for gun sells. A happy customer will be your best advertising.
 
Each person will have different suggestions based on where they live. Certain things sell better in certain areas. For example: NO ccw anywhere near me so the ultra small dont frequent too much, same with hunting rifles.

i can tell you (s others have) the XD, XDM, and M&P sell well! Along with simple revolvers (taurus).

Good Luck!:eek:
 
did not read all the replies, so i'll offer my 2 cents:

one local shop here caters to the public, they sell and service all sorts of guns, pistols, rifles, shotguns.

another local shop caters to law enforcement mostly, and the stock of the shop reflects that.

who do you want to sell to? the average Joe, like me, who wants to buy a gun or 2 a year (could be a used 1991 commander, could be a model 41, could be a AR version...), or to the local cop staff, who has a much more limited line they buy, but also wants/needs various accessories (gun belts, hand cuffs...).

speaking purely business, you want to sell guns with a good margin and with a good turnover.

good luck.
 
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