[ADRIANOsoprano]

Hey all, my dad's planning on opening up a gun store. He wants to start with a pretty small inventory at first. He's planning on having about 10-15 pistols and 20-30 rifles/shotguns on hand. What are some good brands and models of guns that are good sellers that my dad should initially have in stock. I want him to have a good start because this has been a dream he's had for a while and finally took the plunge to start it. Any help is appreciated. Feel free to add any tips you have on running your own gun store. Thanks.

[Jameson4all]

Im not really sure what sells the best but I would say:
Glock 19, Glock 26, Glock 23, and really most any models
Sig P226, P229, P239
Springfield xdm
Smith and wesson 686, 642, 442, 360, M&P series
Ruger GP100, Sp101, LCR, Blackhawk
HK P30, HK45, P2000

Those are some that I could think of. As far as rifles/shotguns I would say:
Smith and wesson AR's
Remington 870, 700
Mossberg 500
Colt AR's 6920 and others
Bushmaster
Hunting rifles and shotguns too

[NeverMore1701]

Throw a couple of Taurus or Rossi revolvers into the mix too, people love those things for some reason. Also don't neglect .22s, say a Sig 1911 type, a couple of flavors of Ruger .22 pistols, a 10/22, and maybe a Buckmark or Neos. Beretta 92FS and Px4s are pretty popular too.

[10mm Sonny]

Have a good consignment program.

[G19freak]

Don't sell what Walmart sells. That way you aren't competing with them on price.

[Minnow]

The usual suspects in the 499.99 and up range (Glocks, XD's), but don't neglect the "I need one reliable gun that is economical" crowd, which has no interest in the best or latest and greatest. They are the 299.99-350.00 guns. However if they can go to an Academy and outprice you on a Sigma, pick another model. Don't forget good service and accessories make money too.

[id1otbox]

Good service will go the farthest. Have a wide variety of ammo and always offer to be more then happy to order anything that anyone needs.

[M2 Carbine]

The small local gun store manager said the ATI 92C ($400) is his best seller. I bought three.

[JLA]

I would stock the most popular guns and ammo and also maybe a few different "maybe not as popular" guns (you never know )When you do get phone calls on certain things, take notes and remember what is in demand.

Also, where do you live? What do you hunt there? What guns are popular in your area? What does the terrain look like? Does the area have any "high end" buyers? Is there any gun clubs in the area (stock up on the right ammo / supplies,etc.). Do you do any FFL transfers? And please please please advertise. Also, be very fair on your prices and be knowledgeable and courteous.

Now I'm not an expert by any means but that is what I would want in a gun shop.

[Stevekozak]

Originally Posted by M2 Carbine

The small local gun store manager said the ATI 92C ($400) is his best seller. I bought three.

You are really making me want to get one of these to try out! Bad for my budget, potentially good for my soul!!

[Stevekozak]

To OP, I think having a good stock of used firearms is going to be important to getting a small operation such as this off the ground. Easier to compete on price point with used firearms, I would think. Some new firearms will be had, of course, but I suspect the used inventory is how he will get off the ground. He will be able (I assume) to order new firearms for customers that prefer.

[M&P15T]

GLOCK pistols
SIGARMs pistols
Smith & Wesson M&P series ARs & pistols
Mossberg 930 series shotguns
Colt ARs

Ammo should be sold at cost, to get customers through the door.

[Jameson4all]

Ya I agree with the above post. If I had a shop I would want my customers to come for all their buying needs, including accessories, ammo, lights etc. If possible try to find a nice price point that shows the customer your here to make money but not rip them off, most will respect that and come back.

[Taphius]

Originally Posted by Stevekozak

You are really making me want to get one of these to try out! Bad for my budget, potentially good for my soul!!

$299 at cdnn

Sent from my Inspire 4G using Tapatalk

[Stevekozak]

Originally Posted by Taphius

$299 at cdnn

Sent from my Inspire 4G using Tapatalk

Thanks! I will take a look.

[Bruce M]

What you wish to stock and what the distributors will sell you may be two different things, especially when it comes to pricing.

[DoubleWide]

Most of the gun stores around here carry very little stock.

9mm, .40 and .45
Glocks and XDs for the main crowd.
S&W pistols for a difference
Ruger and Taurus to expand it out.
.22 Rugers and Walthers.

Those guns are the popular stock for everyone. It helps to have a few different to get the gun byers (us) to impulse buy. Also separates yourself from everyone else even if ?it sits there because you have a selection. If a store just carries Glock and XD, I won't stop.

How big is CCW in your area? That's counting for a lot of sales around here lately.

[travis34769]

Originally Posted by Jameson4all

Im not really sure what sells the best but I would say:
Glock 19, Glock 26, Glock 23, and really most any models
Sig P226, P229, P239
Springfield xdm
Smith and wesson 686, 642, 442, 360, M&P series
Ruger GP100, Sp101, LCR, Blackhawk
HK P30, HK45, P2000

Those are some that I could think of. As far as rifles/shotguns I would say:
Smith and wesson AR's
Remington 870, 700
Mossberg 500
Colt AR's 6920 and others
Bushmaster
Hunting rifles and shotguns too

^ If you take this advice, plan on keeping them pistols a lot longer than you want. I do agree to get all of these guns, but if your just starting off....... I would suggest:

The most common type of buyer is going to be someone that just wants to protect themselves. You cant ask them to drop $500.00. You need a variety of quality pistols that people can afford.

Not every gun owner has money. Diversify the inventory.


Currently run my pops store and I guarantee you can sell the hell out of 642's, Ruger LC9's, some LCP's, TCP's, Kel Tec P3at's, Some $300-$400 .45's.

You CAN find some good priced guns out there that a lot of people can afford.

[NMGlocker]

Hi-Point, Taurus and Ruger if your Dad wants to move inventory.
While the "gun people" on forums will say Glock, Colt, S&W, Sig etc, the majority of goobers who walk through your door will want the cheapest gun they can buy.

[427]

Get some military surplus stuff.

[Glock 1]

I just started an online store. Hookup with several distributors and good luck getting inventory. This stuff is flying off the shelves. It is unreal how fast stock goes.

[PlasticGuy]

The best way to start a gunshop is by winning estate auctions and police auctions. Second best is with consignment guns. Your investment is lower and profit margin is higher in these categories than with new guns. Then order a new guns to fill gaps in your inventory. This is the best business model for a small gunshop that is trying to appeal to everyone.

Your other option is to focus. For instance, he could specialize in military surplus guns, competition guns, tactical guns, or whatever segement he is most interested in and that would sell well in your area. This is a good way to build a small, but very loyal customer base. Good luck to him and to you.

[hotpig]

Originally Posted by G19freak

Don't sell what Walmart sells. That way you aren't competing with them on price.

This is very true. Local area preference has to be considered.

Jameson4all listed some fine guns. In my area after a year 90% would still be here. I doubt that even selling them below cost would move them in a period of a few years.

Shotguns for deer or waterfowl will sell. Inexpensive Revolvers in 38-357. Inexpensive semi auto handguns in 380, 9mm, and 45. Rifles suitable for plinking and coyote hunting.

This is what sells in my area. In some areas little of this stuff would sell well. In other words research you market.

[hotpig]

Originally Posted by Bruce M

What you wish to stock and what the distributors will sell you may be two different things, especially when it comes to pricing.

That is for sure, even using multiple Distributors many times is no help.

[Jameson4all]

I've put some thought in and i've come to the conclusion that you could visit gun shops in the area and see what they are stocking. I've talked to vendors at guns shows and certain things sell more than others depending on where in the state the shows are located. Something to consider.