What's Selling Where
WEST
OREGON
Beaver Firearms and Grocery, Beaver
Located on State Route 101, this small-town, coastal gun and grocery keeps, depending on the time of the year, three full-time employees busy stacking milk cartons and ammo. Hunting season is seeing good numbers of Christensen Arms and Winchester Model 70s turning at the rifle counter. Most bolt-action rifles sales are evenly split between .300 Win. Mag., 7mm Remington Magnum, and 7mm PRC.
“Big-game hunting rifles are an important part of our inventory. It’s great getting consistent delivery. Our sales have continued to grow since the pandemic. When you couldn’t get a gun, everyone wanted one. The good news, is they still do,” said firearms manager Ben Owens.
Waterfowl gun sales are also strong, with Remington 870s, Browning BPSs, and a few Browning Pigeon Grade over-and-unders crossing the counter. Handgun sales are steady. The best numbers go to Glock 17s and Sig Sauer P365s and P320s, followed closely by high-demand S&W EZ Shields. With some exceptions on waterfowl ammo, ammo stocks are good for this retailer.
Owens also mentioned inventory backorders are catching up quickly. While he was making a bagel and cream cheese sandwich for a patron he said, “We have the best inventory we’ve had in years.”
ALASKA
Chimo Guns, Wasilla
Keeping close to 400 firearms in stock, this full-service gun shop can be found 40 miles north of Anchorage in the suburban Mat-Su Valley. Handgun sales are robust. "Although we never had quite the demand on handguns as in the Lower 48 during the last two years, traffic has slowed slightly,” said manager-buyer Craig Pell. “Ammo, however, was a different story. It was hard to get and super expensive. But today the picture has improved.”
Ammo stocks in the Last Frontier have finally caught up with demand. Except for .410 shotgun shells and a few rare big-game calibers, this retailer reports good inventory.
Handguns on the move include Sig P365s, Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0s, and Ruger Redhawk Alaskans in .480 Ruger. Bolt-action guns are moving briskly. Kimber Montanas and Ruger Americans hold the top spots, predominantly in .300 Win. Mag. and .300 WSM.
Sales of Modern Sporting Rifles remain steady at one a week. The S&W M&P 15 Sport II and a local Alaskan gun maker, Valley Arms, hold the top spots at the rifle counter. Shotguns are almost exclusively tactical with Mossberg 500s and Remington 870 Expresses.
CALIFORNIA
Northwest Sporting Goods, Willits
Located two hours north of San Francisco, this small-town general sporting goods store sells a wide range of soft goods, team sports gear, and camping, fishing, and hunting supplies. Fall sales have been good for deer rifles, with good numbers turning on Ruger Americans and Remington 700s. A large mix of calibers in .30-06 and .308 are finding new owners.
While ammo used to be a large draw, recent California ammo restrictions have cut sales dramatically. “We are still struggling to sell ammo to anyone who hasn’t been in the state database for more than four years. If it’s less, the purchase requires a full background check and a $19 added charge,” said manager David Lamprich.
As for handguns, Glock 19 Gen 3, Smith Shields, and Browning Buckmark .22s are moving steadily across the counter.
MIDWEST
NORTH DAKOTA
Big Boy Toys, Watford City
This rural northern Midwest gun shop, stocking more than 700 items from .17 HMR to .50 BMG, keeps an even mix of hunting and home-defense guns. The store also keeps five employees busy six days a week, with 2,000 square feet of display area.
Rifles are turning quickly. Ruger Americans and Browning X-Bolts top the sales charts in a mix of calibers from .243 and .22-250 to .300 Win. Mag. MSR sales remain at historically low levels, turning one every two weeks. The Ruger 556, Daniel Defense, and FN are all in the mix. “I’ve lowered the price of price-point MSRs to near cost. Yet, we are still flush in this inventory,” said manager Kirby Vogler.
Handgun sales continue at a high pace. Good numbers of Springfield Hellcats and S&W M&P Shield EZs in .380 are crossing the counter. Other impressive performers include Glock 43Xs. Meanwhile, sales of Sig Sauer P365s are slowing. “We send our Hellcats out to be Cerakoted and offer several colors. It has really helped create a collector’s demand for handguns,” said Vogler.
Shotgun inventories are high, but sales are starting to pick up with a mix of tactical and hunting guns. Beretta, Mossberg, and Winchester have a place at this counter, with higher demand going to waterfowlers. Ammo stocks are flush for this retailer.
INDIANA
Indiana Firearms, Lebanon
This smaller independent just north of the Indianapolis metro area specializes in home defense. It has 200 guns in stock in a snug display of 800 square feet.
Handgun inventory is excellent. Glock 43Xs, Sig Sauer P365s, and Shield 2.0s are all seeing fast turns. “We have stayed consistent and are pleased with the improved availability. We can get anything our customers need, and that’s keeping sales strong,” said counter salesperson Riley Naz.
MSR sales are slowing, and the store is sitting on large inventories from Bushmaster, Smith & Wesson, and Black Rain. Bolt-action guns are attracting more attention, specifically Winchester Model 70s in 6.5 Creedmoor. Shotgun sales are picking up, with a mix of Retays and Remington 870s. Ammo stocks, including specialty shotgun shells, are good.
IOWA
Northwest Iowa Firearms, Hull
Located on State Route 18, this small independent is an hour southeast of Sioux City. Keeping about 300 guns in stock, this rural shop specializes in a mix of home defense and hunting gear.
Handguns have been the store’s number one selling category this fall. Springfield Hellcats, S&W Shield Pluses, and Sig Sauer P365s are making turns in high numbers. Shotguns are picking up quickly, and pheasant hunters and waterfowlers are opting for CZ 1012s Winchester SX4s in 12 gauge. Shotgun ammo is in good supply, with one exception. “We cannot get .410 shotgun shells. I’m not sure why the demand is so high, but we get calls almost daily for them,” said manager Holly Starkenburg.
While bolt-action sales are slow, MSRs are making moderate turns. “Over the years, we’ve had a serious group of clients hunting predominantly with MSR platforms,” said Starkenburg. Best sellers include rifles chambered for the .450 Bushmaster and the Ruger MPR in the .350 Legend.
SOUTH
TENNESSEE
Nashville Gun Shop, Nashville
Located in metro Nashville, this 1,000-square-foot store specializes in home defense. It services a wide variety of clientele from law enforcement to music industry professionals.
Handgun sales are picking up. Although the numbers are not as high as last year, they are strong. Top sellers at this location are Glock 43Xs and Sig Sauer P365s. The Ruger LC9 is also seeing some fast turns.
“Our inventory is in great shape. We are busy, especially in handguns. However, MSRs have slowed significantly,” said owner Demir Hisar. Best sellers in this category are Ruger 556s and Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport IIs.
ARKANSAS
Pawn Gallery, Clarksville
This small, independent pawnshop is located 40 miles east of Fort Smith. On average, it stocks 250 firearms. Handgun inventories are good. Top sellers are SCCYs, High Points, and Rugers. “While we do sell a few Glocks 19s and Sig P365s, our handgun customers continue to be very price-point sensitive, at least for 2023,” said partner Kelly Elam.
MSR sales have slowed to just one a month. This shop has several Smith M&P 15 Sport IIs sitting on the rack. Shotguns, though, are picking up. Remington 870s lead here, along with a few Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowls.
Elam also mentioned a higher-than-usual demand for used bolt-action rifles in 7mm Rem. Mag. and .308. Her trade-in inventory is better than in past seasons. Ammo stocks, including shotgun shells, are the best they’ve been in several years.
KENTUCKY
River City Firearms, Louisville
This metro Louisville dealer has three employees and stocks an average of 400 firearms and handguns. Throughout the fall selling season, handgun sales continue to post strong numbers. Based on availability, small concealed-carry lines dominate. Glock 43Xs, Ruger LC9s, and Taurus G3Cs lead the way.
MSRs are still selling slightly above average. “It’s gotten pretty price sensitive,” said counter salesman Ken Bernardi. Radical RF15s, Century Vista AK-47s, and Smith Sports IIs have the most availability.
A few Ruger Precisions and Americans are going to deer hunters. The 6.5 Creedmoor dominates the caliber choices. Remington 870s are in good inventory and in high demand in tactical and hunting styles.
EAST
NEW YORK
Bare Arms, Gun Shop, Little Falls
This independent central New York gun shop has up to four employees and stocks over 500 firearms. Specializing in a variety of shooting disciplines, the company stocks hunting, home defense firearms as well as house-brand custom MSRs.
Hunting season is moving a mix of shotguns. Beretta A400s, Mossberg 500s, and Remington 870s lead the sales board. This year lever-action rifles are high demand. Henry holds the top spot with models in .45/70 and .357 Mag. Bolt-actions are also turning well. Browning X-Bolts and Tikkas in .270 are now the most popular caliber. “This has been the first year .270 has outpaced 7mm or 6.5 Creedmoor since we opened. This old-school trend is a total surprise,” said manager Kimberly Potter.
Handguns are holding steady. Sig P365s, Glock 43Xs, and Ruger SR22s are landing in the high-traffic spots. This retailer is also adjusting to the new New York State Police background check system.
DELAWARE
StarQuest Shooter & Survival, Wilmington
Located in north Wilmington just 10 miles south of the Pennsylvania line, this 2,500-square-foot retailer has five employees. Specializing in general firearms and survival equipment, this independent keeps over 300 guns in stock, with a wide variety of home-defense and sporting guns.
According to this retailer, MSR sales have stagnated. “We are really seeing a sharp decline since our new semi-auto state legislation passed. We are limited to California-compliant and no-threaded barrels,” said manager Ken Fooks. Most sales are Ruger Mini 14s and 10/22s.
Handgun sales have increased with brisk turns on Glock 17s and 19s. Smith & Wesson M&P .22 pistols are in high demand. Sig P365s and P320s are also crossing the counter. Shotgun demand is increasing, with tactical-style
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Village Gun Store, Whitefield
One of the oldest gun shops in New Hampshire, this small-town store sports over 800 firearms and keeps three employees busy. While sales are trending down in some segments, the store’s overall sales are good. “We have seen a steep decline in MSRs and are now selling less than two a month. Our clients love the guns, but most have more than two or even three,” said owner Josh Dagnese. Inventory for this store is flush with a mix of Sport IIs, Deltons, and Rugers.
Bolt-action rifle sales are brisk with high demand for lever actions from Henry and Marlin. Most popular calibers are .35 Rem. and .44 Mag. Bolt guns are also in demand, with turns going to Browning X-Bolts, Bergaras, and wood-stocked Remington 700s. The most popular calibers are 6.5 Creedmoor and .308.
Handgun numbers have slowed slightly, but remain in high demand. Sig P365s, Glock 43Xs, and Shield Equalizers are selling well.