Gun Distributors

[Kanewpadle]

Those companies that distribute guns and related accessories to gun shops or sporting goods stores are really starting to irritate me.

As usual if you don't have an "IN" with your sales rep, you get NOTHING.

They first cater to major retailers and bigger gun shops. Mom and pop shops get leftovers. And they are struggling to stay in business.

Now ask yourself this, what if my local gun shop goes out of business? Do you care. If you don't YOU are part of the problem. If you don't support them, YOU are part of the problem.

It's simple math folks. If mom and pop shops can't stay in business YOU/WE will be forced to shop at major retailers and pay higher prices!!

I understand supply and demand. But enough is enough and I can only hope that some big wig at a distributor sees this post.

And the math is this. Major retailers buy guns by the boatload and get bigger discounts. But they sell those guns at or above MSRP!! Most mom and pop shops buy a few guns here and there AFTER they have sold enough guns etc, to be able to afford buying more!! And they don't get the discounts OR the selection!! And most of them sell below MSRP!!

I rarely shop at major retailers for this reason. I HIGHLY suggest you do the same IF you value having a choice later. That means you go to your local shop and buy. No more major stores or internet.

I'm sick and tired of people that are so selfish and out of touch and walk into a small gun shop and complain. "Cabelas has this, why don't you!"

I realize that there are some exceptions. But that's still not a reason not to support them. They aren't getting rich. They're trying to pay their mortgages and put kids through college.

They need our help.

 

[Rintimtin]

I hear ya, Support your local LGS. The last two guns I bought both Smiths I might add I purchased at two seperate LGS in my area. I have since moved and am always looking for a good LGS. I frequent the big box stores so I can handle some guns the LGS might not have. But I prefer to go to a LGS because they let you do things the big box stores don't, rack the slide, pull the trigger, disassemble/reassemble. And they usually go the extra mile to make a sale but more than that they are making a customer hopefully a repeat customer.

I often think if it is a master plan to put the mom and pop shops out of business so the MAN can better regulate the big box stores. I hope I am being paranoid.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Sometimes you have to take lemons and make lemonade.

There are good shops and bad shops- all have the human equation.

That said, I've supported my local shop(s).

I've been in others that I couldn't wait for them to close their doors. (not locally though)

It is also possible that large, "box" retailers of any kind can be beneficial to the small business if proper planning is executed.

Best way I can relate is by the following personal story:

We had one of those "warehouse home improvement" stores open up near here. I went by twice before looking for some items, and they didn't have them. The third and final time, with disgust I yelled at the top of my voice "This would be a great place to have a hardware store!"

 

[labworm]

I have always purchased from my LGS, sometimes I have to wait for certain items, but they still get all my business.

Like the friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable people waiting on me and answering my dumb questions.

 

[quneur]

The local LGS has a boat load of firearms and reloading equipment but prices are pretty high (not as high as this particular chain of stores in W.Wash which the OP probably knows about). I bought an o/u shotgun from them once for $1200 when MSRP was around $1000 and street prices were $800-900. But they were the only worthy LGS in town at the time.

During the shortage, they were the only one supplying primers but limited to 100/day. Last week, their supply was back and bought 1K for $49. Expensive but its the only local LGS that carries reloading supplies.

Actually, I like a local pawn shop better. Prices are very reasonable. Owner charges the same for either FFL services or when buying consignment guns. In-store guns he'll buy for market value - consignment fee/FFL transfer fee then sell it at market price. He doesn't make much money with guns but I think he uses it to lure people into shopping his other goods.

 

[scooter123]

IMO your blaming Firearms Distributors for something that they don't participate in. One local gun shop that is a S&W Stocking Dealer doesn't purchase their firearms from Distributors, they purchase them DIRECT from the Manufacturer. I fully expect that the Cabela's and Gander Mountain's that are so high priced actually purchase their weapons direct and cut Distributors out of the loop completely. It allows them to gain an even bigger markup on everything they sell.

The Firearms Distributors that you are complaining about are actually the backbone of the smaller shops. Because they can't sell in the volume levels of the larger shops the manufacturers have ZERO interest in doing business with them. So, that is where the distributors step in and earn a bit of money in the process. If Joe's gun shop needs a 4 inch 686 for a customer he can call up Lipsey's or Sports South and have that 686 in a week or less provided the distributor has one in his warehouse. Unfortunately those distributors have been put rather far down the list in favor of the Cabela's and Gander Mountains and as a result their warehouses are barren.

If you want to know how bad it is right now I just took a look at Sports South online inventory. BTW, this is a distributor that allowed me to purchase a model 610 and 625JM because local dealers won't stock these "oddball" revolvers. Currently out of every handgun model listed in the current S&W catalog Sports South has just 2 items in their warehouse, a M&P 9mm with 17 round magazine and a M&P 40 caliber with 10 round magazine. They have ZERO revolvers of any desciption, ZERO 1911 pistols, and ZERO of the recent defense pistols like the Shield. If you want to know why your Mom & Pop gun shop can't get anything it's because the Manufacturers aren't interested in supplying the Distributors that are so essential to the Mom & Pop gun shops. So, don't blame the Distributors, blame the Manufacturers.

 

[mkk41]

Small gun shops buy from distributors or 'jobbers' like Nationwide , Jerrys Sport Center and others.

Large chains like WalMart , Bass Pro , Cabela's , Dick's , are their own distributor. Their corporate HQ deals direct with manufacturers and coordinates shipments from factory to regional warehouses.

Some manufacturers handle their own distribution and have arrangements with individual dealers. One of my LGS is direct with Stag and others. Springfield Armory Inc used to be dealer direct.

Back when I had my shop , I couldn't buy 9mm ammo from my distributor as cheap as the local Kmart was selling it!

 

[JJEH]

I hear ya'll, just don't forget that companies have contracts. They are long term contracts and nothing and nobody will change that.

I inquired about "becoming a dealer" for a certain brand that I would like to love to carry in stock. It's not a problem to become a dealer, but they told me right away that certain models are only available through their distributor b/c of those contracts.

Love it or hate it. At the end most customers buy there where they can save some of their hard earned money.

 

[Arik]

There are no major retailers around me. Cabelas is an hour drive up the highway and Bass Pro is another hour past that. Walmarts here don't sell guns and I dont count Dicks because they dont sell what im into. So, all thats left here ARE "mom and pop" shops but I dont see them doing so bad or being out of stock. While they are locally owned businesses they are by no means small, hole in the wall, drive by and miss it, types. 2 have full ranges 24 lanes and 10. The smallest one is heavy on police trade and confiscated weapons. Good place to get cheaper Glock, HK, Sig, S&W, Colt if you dont mind holster wear. This is where I get most of my 3rd gen S&Ws.

The one up the street from me has about every make and model of new firearms. Prior to the craze they always held specials. New M&P 357sig $350, FN 45 tactical $599, Witness 40 $299....etc...etc...Every time there was a special they would sell several hundred a day. As of now they are stock with everything at last year's prices. Ammo is plentifully but about $5 higher per cal. The other 2 with ranges sell a lot of 1911s and have been in stock with most everything else including Knights and DD ARs. The other has about 30 different AR, AKs, and everything else.

Mom and Pop is a relative term. But they are the only stores I shop at. Every so often I'll go to Cabelas for their ammo selection. Not everyone carries 303, 8mm or 7.62x54

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[cballman]

Just a little note about my LGS. I went to a gun show, 2 big box retailers just to handle and look at a Shotgun. It took me about a month to finally make up my mind to purchase it. I called my local Gun Shop asked about the price, He told me the price. I thought about it and asked him if he had any in stock he said no. I asked him to order it and pain only 15 dollars more than any of the large retailers for it. I am happy I bought local, know the people, and hope they can stay in business longer so they can take more of my money. I know what customer loyalty is. The problem with most people is that they want something and they want it now. So then the loyalty goes out the window. Just my humble little old opinion.

 

[Nframecollector]

I very seldom buy a gun from a "chain store". I buy and trade a lot of used guns and most chain stores don't do trades let alone carry used guns. Most of my gun shopping/trading is with the little guy. One in particular has and keeps acquiring a lot of vintage S&W's so I'm there several times monthly.

 

[wyccad915]

While I agree with you it is good to support LGS, I have seen multiple times at LGS near me where I can get x gun cheaper at major retailer than there. Not that I do necessarily, but it's just an observation.

 

[Old TexMex]

I buy all my guns here.

 

[shouldazagged]

I've never bought a gun of any kind from a big-box store. Closest I've come is ordering a little ammo online from Cabela's. And I'm lucky enough to have a real hardware store a mile from where I live.

I like to support the little guys.

 

[Kanewpadle]

To answer some of the previous posts, like I said, there are some exceptions.

True some companies order direct from the manufacturer. And some manufacturers have quit using distributors altogether.

The same patterns exist regardless. I'm no expert on the matter. However, I have close friends at three local gun shops. I see and hear what's going on first hand. I see that they haven't much ammo or guns to choose from. I see their everyday struggle to find guns and ammo. They have back ordered them but have no idea when they are coming.

The truth is, if you aren't buddy buddy with your distributor, you suffer.

One friend went to the Shot Show and placed a $250,000 order. He hasn't seen a tenth of that order. He also placed a large order at the show of a major distributor with the same results.

I also make my rounds at other gun shops during the weekend. And every once in a while I will drive 35 miles to Cabelas. And on the way back I will stop at two other big box sporting goods stores. I see what they have or don't have. And I see the same things week after week.

Again, I understand supply and demand. But I don't understand the favoritism. More needs to be done to make sure that the smaller shops survive.

 

[Kanewpadle]

While I agree with you it is good to support LGS, I have seen multiple times at LGS near me where I can get x gun cheaper at major retailer than there. Not that I do necessarily, but it's just an observation.

At least here locally some people won't even give the local gun shop a chance. Sure they can't get what they need. That's my point. But some dummies will drive 30-50 miles just to save twenty bucks!

My limit is $50. I won't drive 10 miles to save $50.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Most folks don't realize what a 50 mile one way trip costs to save a few bucks.

Exhibit A:

• 100 mile round trip, will cost about $12 to $20 in gasoline.
• Time to go that distance: likely 3 to 5 hours at minimum
• Likely will get hungry and stop at restaurant- $10-20.
• Might get speeding ticket trying to get back fast- $400.

So, where's the savings?

 

[Brian41]

I shop at local shops here and am blessed to have several within reasonable driving distance but all in different directions wouldn't you know? They have better prices on most guns I'm interested in and the only ones that'll stock oddball guns like the .41 mag. I don't hardly ever go to the big box stores unless I want to wander around and look at their game mounts and such things. I've never bought a gun from one as they don't hardly stock old S&Ws or meet my LGS's prices.
I noticed one small shop no longer had any Kimbers and asked him about it as he used to have several. He told me they have a minimum purchase now on their guns and he can't afford to buy in those quantities. Too bad as he was reasonable on them too. I have a good relationship with him and he'll call if he gets a 41 mag or other gun I might be interested in. You probably won't get that at a big box store.

 

[snowman]

I also prefer to shop locally and support the small gun shops. However my problem is that they never have what I'm looking for. In the past decade I've bought a number of used Smith revolvers('70s - '90s generally), which has been my exclusive interest up to this point. There are six local shops within reasonable driving distance, and I stop in them fairly regularly to see what they have. Had I waited for any of them to get in what I wanted, I would still own no guns, a situation which likely would continue, perhaps the rest of my days. I know that they have no control over that; but if I want a certain model, I get it where I can get it.

I do buy accessories from them, but of course that's not going to keep them afloat.

Regards,
Andy

 

[LVSteve]

I am lucky enough to have a buddy who is an FFL and his mark up on stuff from the distributor makes the 60 mile round trip worthwhile. Gives you an idea how much the other stores in the Las Vegas Valley mark stuff up.