What's Selling Where
WEST
CALIFORNIA
Bear Mountain Sports, Bakersfield
This 3,000-square-foot general hunting and fishing store stocks an average of 100 guns and has a mix of soft goods and archery. “Like everyone in California, we’ve faced increased restrictions and paperwork for ammo, handguns, and AR parts. However, stock has improved dramatically in the last year. We’re experiencing a larger inventory of ammo and handguns across the board,” said owner Cynthia Thome.
Glock 19s, CZ 75s, Walther P22CAs, and wheel guns are in demand at this location. On the rack, Henry and Uberti classic long guns are making quick turns. Hot bolt-action guns include Tikka and Ruger American. Ruger’s deliveries are improving at this store compared to last year. PC Carbines and 10/22s are in stock. Fast-moving shotguns include Benelli Super Black Eagle IIs and Stoeger M3000s.
IDAHO
Idaho Arms & Ammo, Meridian
Located on the eastern side of Meridian, this western retailer keeps about 1,000 firearms in stock with five employees. The store services a home-defense clientele.
For the first time in four years, this retailer reports a full floor inventory. “While it would have been nice to have a few more hunting calibers, we headed into the holiday season with every peg in the store occupied,” said owner Dave Freshwater.
Although daily turns are going to Glock, Sig Sauer, and Taurus, handgun sales have cooled since last year. Sales of Modern Sporting Rifles are moving at three to four per week. Son of Liberty Rifles leads, followed by a mix of a few Daniels, Mossbergs, and Smith & Wesson MP 15 Sport IIs.
While this retailer is pleased to have the inventory caught up in the store, he has noticed a change. “We’re doing well, even by the standards of the new normal. However, we are beginning to see the economy slow. It feels like inflation is becoming a bigger issue. It will be interesting to see if manufacturers respond in 2024 by lowering their pricing,” he said.
COLORADO
Tacticool Arms, Greeley
Located on the north side of Greeley, this retailer specializes in custom MSR rebuilds and sales. Tacticool Arms occupies just 600 square feet in its sales and build operation. They stock an average of 200 firearms.
MSRs remain in the high sales category, turning SKUs from Radical and Century Arms. “While we’re able to do some custom work, our building has been sidelined by the Covid shortages. But, it’s improving slowly,” said co-owner Augustin “Gunny” Salas.
At the handgun counter, a few Glock 19s and 17s are on the move. But at this store, Taurus GX4s and G3s have become the hottest sellers.
Salas mentioned that he has every intention of going to SHOT Show this year. “We’re a small store, and we need new companies to work with to fill our pipeline. It would be nice to connect with people in the industry. It has been a while,” he said.
MIDWEST
MINNESOTA
Saginaw Firearms, Saginaw
This independent typically stocks over 300 guns and has a seasonal outdoor shooting range. Ammo inventory has improved greatly. “For a small shop like ours, availability is important. We don’t have the buying power of larger retailers. Although our distributors look out for us, the pandemic made it tough. Thankfully, we’re doing well as inventory access continues to rise,” said president Frank LeFevre.
The store has concentrated on locating used guns and conducting firearm transfers. State permit training is key. Classes for combat, conceal-carry, and self-defense training continue to be a large part of this range–retailer’s business.
MISSOURI
2Alpha Armories, Arnold
Located in South St. Louis County, this store is situated inside the Top Gun Shooting Range facility. The small pro-shop retailer keeps 100 guns in inventory. Outside the door is a certified five-star range rating from the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
“Separating the firearms retail side just made sense for Top Gun. It allows a greater focus on firearms sales and service, and it lets the range do what it does best, training and range services,” said owner Robert Tyler.
Top Gun employee Dominick Hortiz agreed that moving the independent firearms sales inside has freed up administrative labor at the range. Handguns are turning steadily at this shop, with Shield EZs, Glock Gen 19s, and Sig P365s crossing the counter. At an average of two per week, MSR sales are on the increase. This retailer reports that higher-end rifles are significantly outpacing the entry-price-point models. Sales are split between Daniel Defense and Troy Industries. Ruger 10/22s are turning well, as are the Remington 870 Express and Mossberg 500.
INDIANA
Indiana Firearms, Lebanon
This smaller independent just north of the Indianapolis metro area specializes in home defense. It stocks 200 guns in 800 square feet of display space.
Handgun inventory is the best it has been in three years. Sales continue at near pandemic levels. Most turns accrue to Glock 43Xs, Sig P365s, and Smith CSXs. Ammo is in good order at this store, with no limits in any calibers. Holiday sales featured high turns on Henry Rifles. “This is the first year we have had good inventory on Henrys. It has become a tradition to sell .22s in our store at this time of year. We also move a lot of gift certificates,” said manager Riley Smith.
MSRs are turning at three a week. Palmetto is posting the highest numbers, but Colt and Rock Island are right behind. Shotgun inventory is the best this store has seen in several years. Good numbers of Remington 870 Tacticals and CZ USA 1012s are heading out the door. Iver Johnson pumps and semi-autos are also selling well.
SOUTH
TENNESSEE
Crazycaches Tactical, Kingsport
This eastern Tennessee hybrid specialty retailer combines a website with a small storefront. Keeping roughly 50 guns in stock, they divide their inventory between accessories, police supplies, and home-defense items. Pistol sales have vastly improved. Glock 43Xs, Taurus G3s, and Springfield Hellcats are available and turning weekly.
“I’m placing some orders and can get a good number of law-enforcement SKUs. What’s saving us is our MSR custom work,” said co-owner Bo Perry.
MSRs are in stock. Supplies are coming from Palmetto State Armory, Mossberg, and Smith & Wesson. Ammo, however, is still difficult to stock. To meet customer demand, this retailer often gets in his truck and buys ammo from distributors in person. “I learned during Covid that it’s hard to say no to a vendor when you’re standing there in person,” said Perry.
GEORGIA
Deaton’s Gun Shop, Loganville
This family-run retailer is located between Atlanta and Athens Georgia on Route 78. The store keeps about 300 firearms in stock.
While inventory has made vast improvements this year, handgun sales have slowed slightly compared to the sales seen during the height of the pandemic. Glocks in 9mm lead the numbers board. Sig P365s and S&W Shield EZs are right behind.
Used guns are still hot. Like many retailers, this store is seeing great demand for bolt-action hunting guns. Some ammo is still difficult to acquire. “The classic rifle hunting cartridges, like .30-30 and .30-06, are still really hard to stock. These are what many of our older shooters use,” said counter salesman Josh Jones.
Sales of MSRs continue to slow for this store. Turning less than one a week, most customers lean to entry-level rifles.
Shotgun inventory, especially Benellis and Mossbergs, are the best this store has seen in three years. However, higher pricing has moved most pump sales to Turkish-branded shotguns.
TEXAS
Texas Gun Shop, San Angelo
Located in the center of San Angelo, this family-run shop has been in business for nearly 27 years. It stocks a large assortment of Class III firearms and accessories.
Inventory here is the best it has been in a decade. “We are in notably better shape than two years ago. We really can get just about anything we want,” said buyer Wes Hamilton.
The store’s Class III licensed sales have continued to increase all year. A strong inventory of suppressors from Texas Silence Company, Thunder Beast, Dead Air, and Live Q Or Die has helped spur sales.
MSRs from Sig, Daniel Defense, and Smith & Wesson are turning almost daily. Additional strong sellers include CMC triggers and grips. Handgun sales are super brisk. The highest demand is for Glock 43Xs and 48s, Sig P365s, and Canik SFTs. FNs are crossing the counter as well. Ammo stocks are good across the board. Another high-demand item is any kind of lever gun. “We listed a Marlin .30-30 on Facebook, and we got a call in just 15 minutes,” said Hamilton.
EAST
NEW YORK
Seneca Guns, Rock Stream
Located on New York Route 14, this small-town shop stocks an average of 400 guns with a wide variety of hunting and home-defense firearms. Like many smaller shops, inventory has reached a point where the available price-point guns are now in stock for the first time in almost a year. “We still have trouble with popular hunting rifle calibers, but we’re in better shape than last deer season,” said manager Steve Emmons.
Glock 43Xs and Shields EZs are turning well. Browning Buck Marks posted strong holiday numbers. Used handguns are selling every day.
Traditional bolt-action rifles, such as Ruger Americans, Mossberg Patriots, and Savage Apex Hunters, are at the highest inventory mark this store has seen in four years. Lever-action demand is high, but stocks are lower than this store would like to see.
Ammo stocks are improving steadily, even in classic rifle calibers. The exception is .30-30 and .30-06.
NEW JERSEY
The Owl’s Nest, Phillipsburg
Close to the Pennsylvania state line, this small dealer keeps 200 firearms in inventory and specializes in hunting and shooting sports products. Here, it’s all about high-demand pistols, shotguns, and rifles. “Things have sure changed since the pandemic. I can now get just about anything I’m looking for, except for a few hunting rifle calibers,” said owner Jim Heebner.
Handguns continue to move briskly, with Glocks and a mix of Sigs in the top positions. On the repurposing side, this retailer sources 1960s and 1970s pumps with Poly choke tubes. The shotguns are repurposed with Parkerized finishes and are cut to an 18-inch barrel length. “We can sell them for over $350, and the clients love them,” said Heebner.
A few muzzleloaders, mostly Thompson Center Triumphs, are still turning. Semi-auto rifles are in good inventory and turning weekly. With the exception of .30-06 and .30-30, ammo stocks are flush.
VERMONT
Gun Supply of Vermont, Winhall
Located on State Highway 30, this tightly packed storefront keeps about 600 firearms in just 400 square feet. The store has two full-time employees who service a wide variety of hunters and self-defense customers. Winter is always busy in this store, and it is seeing high turns OF Glock 19s and Sig P365s, and P320s. Smith& Wesson wheel guns are also in high demand.
Because hunting calibers like .30-30 and .35 have been hard to secure, this retailer has become a direct customer. “We have really improved our inventory as a direct buyer with Norma. It’s easy to order on their website. In just a few days, the orders arrive,” said partner Elton Coleman.
MSR sales have been steady, with multiple weekly turns going to Ruger and Daniel Defense. Accessories for MSRs are an important driver for returning customers. Shotgun sales have moved to more price-sensitive hunting guns such as Chiappas and Stevens.