Demise of the Local Gun Shop

[JoseyWales2]

I think the whole thing comes down to business models. There are two local shops I visit and they have radically different models. The first one has ZERO accessories and essentially no ammo. Only enough to sell you a box or two if you buy a gun. His whole business model is about being the cheapest price in town and making it up with volume. He doesn't carry anything but the less expensive brands. Revolvers are Taurus and Ruger, with only a few S&W J-frames. Semi's are mostly the plastic guns.. Glock, Ruger, Springfield, KelTec, Kahr. Carries a decent selection of cheaper 1911's. The only moderate or high priced guns he has are used ones that come in on trade.

The other FFL is a full range and accessory place, but the training classes that they offer is what distinguishes them from everyone else. Someone signs up for a CCW class, or handgun shooting class, or womens self defense class... then they buy a range membership and a defensive handgun from their shop. They seem to be prospering quite well.

 

[Rastoff]

I think the whole thing comes down to business models.

Yes, it most certainly does. Still, if he's only selling guns, he'll have to sell a bunch of guns to make money.

 

[pineappleshooter]

Yeah, he may not have a lot of accessories, but I'll bet you lunch that he makes a lot more on ammo sales than gun sales.

I don't think so. I frequent the store Arik mentioned as well. When he buys, he buys in bulk. When I say bulk, I mean along the order of 500+ of an individual gun and he sells them at deep discounts compared to his competitors. The shop that Arik mentioned that went out of business wanted $489 for a 442 no lock. I got it from Tanners for $360 out the door. He doesn't haggle, the price is the price, and he moves them out the door at a rapid clip - he makes his money by selling in bulk.

 

[Arik]

Yes, it most certainly does. Still, if he's only selling guns, he'll have to sell a bunch of guns to make money.

In my case ...yes he does sell a bunch of guns. Exactly what Pineapple shooter said. The particular store we frequent sells A LOT of guns. The owner buys bulk and sells cheaper than most places, even online stores. He'll buy 500 - 1000 units of one specific gun and just blow them out the door. They'll sell at least a 100 guns on a Saturday and it's never not busy. There is no bargaining on anything but prices aren't steep either. They take everything and anything in trade. A few months ago I bought a used Sig P220 for $320. They do sell ammo but the bulk of sales is guns. Every week a tractor trailer full of guns shows up for delivery. In July the had a sale on 15-22. They received over 500 rifles and 600,000 rounds of 22lr. I don't think that lasted a month.

Both him and Phoenix Distributers made the top 25 sellers of 2014 on gunbroker

 

[snake803]

I need a member here who has their FFL to chime in on the yearly cost to re-new their FFL.

Isn't the yearly cost pretty high? That, along with the other costs to remain as a brick and mortar store. A store would have to have some pretty serious sales of guns and supplies to remain open.

IRRC...$300 the first time & $90.00 every three years to renew....
JIM......

 

[Rastoff]

In my case ...yes he does sell a bunch of guns.

That's good to hear. I guess he's not on the decline then like this thread is talking about. I wish he was here.

We have on local gun store I wouldn't mind seeing go out of business, but that's a story for another day.

 

[S42N8]

In this part of Florida...

More stores than you can reasonably count, from pawn shops to sporting goods big boxes to hole-in-the-wall gun shops to established stores to crazy stupid priced ranges. Competition for used guns is brisk and pricey. While there is the occasional buy to be had, gotta be first, with cash. Lots of reselling on GB, etc. Only thing I'll buy local is what I want when I see it...or I'm off to the 'Net. Bought my last gun there, for a minimum -$200 less than the closest local price, and free shipping. Even the transfer fee was less than the sales tax. Not a tough decision.

 

[Mountain Walker]

I live in the same area as the OP. I am not concerned over the closing of local gun stores. Two of the mentioned stores appear to have ineffective business practices, which caught up with them in a general slowdown in sales. These stores did not flourish during the high sales period. Good stores, under competent management will continue operate by providing a good service and keying in on customers. The OP need not worry, he will be able to get good service without having to go to B & H for a ration of "customer contempt".

 

[pineappleshooter]

We are on different coasts so it might be different where you are but it's not exactly like that here, especially not at the 2 LGS I frequent. Most money is from guns and ammo, not from accessories. In fact one of the stores barely has any accessories. The other has some but usually all the empty space is filled with boxes of rifles and ammo. This one was recently selling POF 308 rifles for $1399. They bought about 900 and sold most within 3 weeks. $1399 for a rifle that normally goes for $2400. Not long ago they had a sale on M&P 357sig handguns. Brand new $350. Before that there was a sale on FN FNX 45 factory RMR for $700 new. They buy everything from the distributor and blow it out the door.

The other LGS does a ton of police trades. They buy up all police firearms and confiscated firearms and sell them cheap. They have almost no accessories

The first one you mentioned is the only place I have every purchased two guns at once. A no lock 442 for $350 out the door and a Seecamp 32 for $375 out the door.

 

[bushmaster1313]

A gun shop is a business.

My usual purchase will be a gun that has not been made for 50 years. As one of the only venues in my area, when I need a transfer I am happy to pay my LGS $50.00 plus the NJ NICS fee. If they didn't want to do it at that price they would charge me more.


If I was buying new guns online they might not like it


I do try to buy my supplies from the LGS rather than the big box store.

 

[hoc9sw]

I am a "member" at two LGS establishments. Either will give me reasonable prices and a fixed discount off that. One is preferred. They won't meet the fire sale prices online, but they will bring in the weapon so I can see it. They will take the task to send it back to the motherland if I say so. They have issues getting ammo, but they will find any critical needs.

I still buy ammo at WalMart, and they would just as soon prefer i do that. Saves money for me to spend with them on new guns.

I sell what I sell on consignment with them. I order the accessories I need with them.

I do not buy online unless there is no local option. I hate the internet. It is a den of thieves and criminals waiting to steal your life.

I like my LGS. They work for me, I refer people to them.

 

[rwsmith]

If they just sell new guns.....

If they just sell new guns, I don't have anything to do with them. I went an 'authorized Speer dealer' one time and they only sold guns. Now a shop that sells all types of guns and reloading supplies as well as accessories, I'm really sad to see these go. Back in the late 1980s it seemed like every old time LGS in my area folded up.

 

[martybee]

I don't buy guns online. I buy primarily from two LGS's that I have patronized for years. The proprietors are my friends, and have been so for years. If they can't get it for me at the price I'm willing to pay, I don't need it. I'll buy accessories and such online, but even with those, sometimes it's easier to walk in, grab a chair, and say, "Hey, I need a . . . . " Owner shoots a price, I say make it so, and in a couple days I've got my part. Sometimes I'll toss a holster or other part that I don't need their way, and they can sell it or keep it. We have conversations about the state of things in the news, and we ask genuinely interested about each other's family. The gun trade, to me, is a completely different animal than buying electronics or tools or clothes, given the quirky investment nature of firearms. They're a tool for many invaluable purposes, they're decorative, and they also constitute an investment, even if you don't lock them in a safe and never touch them. The purchase and sale of such an item is so much more than a sterile internet transaction, or at least I think it should be.

If you keep your gun dealer happy, he'll keep you happy.

I live in South Western Illinois (St.Louis Area). We have a LGS&R very close to where I live. Their prices on firearms are always
MSRP unless they have a special sale for some reason. This is fine for me as I like the fact that they are so close and convenient.
The cost for membership (range use & privileges) is $200 annually. If you buy a gun, you get a free membership. I have just bought my 4th hand gun from them! S&WM&P9 Shield. The sale price was $399.99. It was like getting a $450 (MSRP) gun for $250!
I also had the option to join for: $150. +tax (8.1%). I feel the "Buy gun receive membership option", was the better choice.

The owner, employees and the rest of the clientele are very friendly and helpful. I shoot at the range about 3 times a month and enjoy every minute! I'm 83 and have plenty of aches & pains, but can still stand and shoot my .40 SD, BG380 and my M&PFS9.
I hope the Shield is as enjoyable to shoot as my other guns.

mb

 

[zzzippper]

I live in South Western Illinois (St.Louis Area).

Missourians call that East St. Louis.

I buy a lot on line because local shops don't have anything that I want.

 

[snake803]

If a guy can't keep his doors open because of a $30.. annual FFL cost...something else is wrong....
JIM...............

 

[S&WIowegan]

Gun stores closing...

I moved to Iowa in late 1988. At the time there were about 6 old-fashioned gun shops. Most were small, grimey and owned and staffed by unpleasant people. Inventory was modest at best, customer service minimal and pricing was unpredictable. We also had a number of pawn shops that only occasionally had guns of interest.

By Y2K most of those little shops were gone and replaced by modern, clean chain stores with substantial inventory. In the meantime, gun shows had evolved from lots of small-time vendors in from the sticks to move old inventory to much bigger operators who focus on new merchandise...lots of it....and competitive pricing. They beat each other's prices and make money on volume. I have established relationships with these guys so I can walk up with a list of what I want, the owner takes my list, writes what his price to me is next to each gun. I agree and his helpers take it from there. He beats all pricing...big box, small box, Walmart etc.

High grade collectibles has evolved into an internet game. All the pawn shops go to the net to price their inventory and sell it. The only bargains are from lazy sellers who just want rid of guns.

 

[martybee]

Missourians call that East St. Louis.

Wrong! Belleville.

mb

 

[shouldazagged]

We have several locally-owned, non-franchise gun stores here, all apparently thriving; but Kentucky is an exceedingly gun-friendly state.

 

[Kanewpadle]

A few LGS are struggling here. I hate to see it.

Have you ever been to the big box gun stores? Ever look a the prices? They sell at or above MSRP.

The LGS can order just about any gun you want. What they can't do is keep one of each in stock. Simple economics.

If you're one that doesn't support your LGS, I don't want to hear your whining and complaining when you have to pay full retail from a big box store.

 

[gjamison]

Pro Gun Service in Victor NY is closing or has already closed. This was a great shop, always had a shop full of collectable guns and parts. Going to miss this shop.