What's Selling Where
WEST
OREGON
Keith’s Guns, Gresham
Keeping 7,500 guns in stock, this large independent located in east suburban Portland is feeling the pinch of a slow summer. “We had a slower summer than expected, partially because of Measure 114 that will ban several firearms and require a local police background check for all firearms. Although it moved inventory several months ago, sales have slowed as it just creates uncertainty,” said owner Keith Ward.
Handguns have been the best sellers. Glock 43Xs are holding the high spot and Sig Sauer P365s are moving daily. Another fast mover is the Tisas Turkish 1911.
Higher-end shotguns have sold better than they have in a long time. Beretta over-and-unders and semi-autos hold a remarkably strong lead. A400s and Silver Pigeon 686s are also attracting attention.
Sales of Modern Sporting Rifles are slow. Price-point brands like Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport IIs are working the low end. Bolt-action rifles have been steady during hunting season. Tikkas in 6.5 PRC and .308 lead the pack.
IDAHO
Red’s Trading Post, Twin Falls
Founded in 1936, Red’s is the oldest standing gun store in the state of Idaho. The store keeps nearly 1,000 firearms in stock.
For this store, 2023 was a flat year. While there has been inventory, local shooters are holding on to their cash. “It has been a quieter year across the board. Although we have good traffic in the store, our customers are spending less,” said buyer Larry Barksdale.
Bigger caliber revolvers saw sales equal to that of conceal-carry guns. Big-bore Smiths and Ruger Redhawks, ranging from .357 to .44 Mag., lead the pack.
Late fall posted slower bolt-action sales than the preceding fall. A few varmint guns moved, notably Montanas, Bergaras, and Browning X-Bolts in .243.
MSR sales were flat at this retailer, selling an average of one a week. “Two years ago, it was all high-end MSRs. Now it’s all low-end. It’s hard to sell an MSR for more than $500,” said Barksdale. Current inventory includes Radicals and Andersons along with a few from Daniel Defense.
ARIZONA
Sprague’s’ Sports, Yuma
Specializing in law enforcement and military sales, this large Arizona independent rests just 15 minutes from the Mexican border. MSR sales have picked up. Leaders include Daniel Defense, Ruger 556s, and FNs. “The political climate has heated up sales. With this being an ‘almost’ election year and world politics leading the news, our MSR sales are heating up. While we are not Covid busy, it’s brisk,” said manager Chad Converse.
Bolt-actions are seeing steady turns.
Christiansen Arms, Tikkas, and Ruger Americans are ranging evenly through the price scale. Converse also mentioned lever-action rifles are exceptionally hot, with .45-70s from Henry moving quickly—and when they can get them, Marlin.
Handgun sales have been heavily slanted toward Glock 43Xs and Sig P365s. Ruger revolvers also seeing more turns than in the past.
MIDWEST
MINNESOTA
Boone’s Fine Guns, Isle
Opening in 2008, this destination northern Minnesota store has an indoor range and keeps over 2,500 guns in stock while selling fishing and soft goods. The handgun inventory and sales have moved steadily upward. Glock 43Xs, Sig P365s, and Smith Shields continue to pull strong numbers. Over the past two years, the 9mm has been, by far, the chosen caliber. “We haven’t sold a .40 handgun in a long time,” said buyer Rayan Schick.
As deer season ended, a few 204 Ruger 77s and CZ bolt actions were still going out the door. “Our MSR sales have slowed to two a month. We have monitored this trend, and our customers have become much more price-point driven. We are also a far north rural destination, and good jobs are just getting harder to find,” said Schick. At this shop, the top two MSRs are models from S&W and ArmaLite.
MISSOURI
Razorback Armory, Des Peres
Located in west suburban St. Louis County, this retailer specializes in general hunting guns with an emphasis on its own custom MSR and 1911 buildouts. The store stocks about 200 new and used firearms, with an even mix of long guns, handguns, and custom demo MSRs.
Handguns rule here. This retailer posts high numbers of Sig P365s and P322s. Other high-selling pistols include Glock 43Xs mated with Shield brand magazines to increase capacity to 15 rounds.
Remington 870s are in stock for the first time in years. Mossberg tactical shotguns are making good turns. Shotgun ammo is finally in supply.
One of the biggest growth segments for this dealer is in in suppression. “There’s a mindset for a customer to deal with the wait times and the paperwork. However, it has really been a growing part of our business. We do a lot of custom suppression mods. The big change has been that we can electronically process the paperwork. Now it takes about four months to complete. It used to take more than year,” said co-owner Jessy Rolfes.
Sales of MSRs have just started to increase. Arrow Precision leads the pre-manufactured MSR category. This retailer’s gunsmith is back-ordered with a variety of MSR custom builds. These builds are set up primarily for distance shooting and varmint hunting.
KANSAS
The Trading Post, El Dorado
Twenty miles east of Wichita, this former pawn and gun shop is now dedicated exclusively to firearms, with an emphasis on handguns. Compared with recent months, the chill of winter is bringing improving turns on handgun sales. Ruger LC9s, Glock 43Xs, and Springfield XDMs in .40 are selling well.
“We were slow in the fall. Handguns are the only segment that’s selling consistently. Our local farm economy is not what it has been. We’re expecting the coming election will pick up sales quickly,” said manager Mary Ann Contour.
Demand for MSRs is rising slightly to three a month. This retailer is holding strong inventory on Smith M&Ps and Rugers. Sales of bolt-action rifles slowed in late fall. However, some Savage Model 110s and Ruger Americans are moving.
SOUTH
GEORGIA
Googes’, Hazlehurst
Located in southeast Georgia, this rural general sporting goods, meat supply store, and gas station sells ethanol-free fuel and stocks 250 used and new guns. Holidays are all about plinking for this retailer. “We are so glad to see .22 ammo come back. Small-caliber sales can be up to half of our sales during Christmas. Handguns have been especially brisk this month,” said owner Ray Googe.
Familiar standbys like Ruger 10/22s and Marlin lever-actions are moving at this store. Although slower than last year, handguns are holding their own. Glock 43Xs, the occasional Hellcat, and Ruger LC9s rule the counter. Used Smith& Wesson wheelguns are also in high demand.
MSRs, particularly Ruger 556s, are selling at roughly three a month. Used shotguns are in greater demand than they have been in several years. Ammo stocks are solid at this small store.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Pawn Gallery, Clarksville
Keeping 100-plus hunting guns and handguns in stock, Gun Doctor maintains high traffic by retaining a full-time gunsmith who performs work for several other local gun shops. Deer hunting with dogs is still popular in this area, so semi-auto shotguns and buckshot loads are products that sell quickly. Browning A5s in 12 gauge and Remington 1100s are the top sellers at this store.
“You stock a used Remington 1100 or Browning A5, and it’s usually gone the next day. Classic used shotguns continue to be a big part of our sales,” said owner Christy Elan.
The store also moves a lot of rimfire rifles. Elan says lever-actions, especially those from Henry and Marlin, are in high demand. While this store stocks new guns, it continues to lean on used firearms for better margins. Handgun sales are steady. Glock 19s, Springfield Hellcats, and Taurus 692s top the list.
TEXAS
Sharp Shooters, Lubbock
In business since 1992, this is one of the largest independents in the state. With 3,000 firearms in inventory, this West Texas shop specializes in hunting rifles, handguns, and home defense products. The store saw strong sales in the last quarter of 2023. “Even without an election in full swing, business is brisk. Also, world news has been driving faster turns with concealed carry and MSRs,” said salesperson Jayden Tyler.
Deer-season bolt-action rifles moved well. Turns were split between high-end and price-point rifles. Christensen Arms and Tikkas in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .243 secured the most attention. MSRs are turning at about five a week and climbing. Daniel Defense and Smith are pulling the best numbers.
Handgun sales are strong. Sig P365s hold the top slot; Hellcats are just behind. A few Shield EZs are also crossing the counter.
EAST
CONNECTICUT
Bob’s Gun Exchange, Darien
With 500 firearms in stock, this retailer is just 15 miles from the New York State line. In business for more than 50 years, this retailer specializes in handguns, reloading supplies, and higher-end shotguns.
After a relatively slow summer (compared to the previous year), the Sig P365 and Glock 43X are garnering attention. “While we used to sell a notable number of custom 1911s, that market has gone cold. Outside of sporting shotguns and rifles, concealed carry handguns are dominating our turns. We attribute it to the increase in global violence,” said manager Hunter Tassitano.
Clay target guns are moving. Beretta Silver Pigeons and Benelli M2s are making good turns. Sales of bolt-action rifles are slowing. Tikkas and Sakos in 6.5 Creedmoor and .243 lead the pack. While ammo stocks finally improved last year after a long frustrating shortage, this retailer is reporting new shortages. This shop expects 2024 to be a difficult year for ammunition across the board.
NEW JERSEY
The Owl’s Nest, Phillipsburg
Close to the Pennsylvania state line, this small dealer keeps 200 firearms in inventory and specializes in shooting sports products. As deer season winds down, slug guns continue to move briskly. Savage 220 20 gauges packaged with Leopold scopes are especially popular. “These guns are a mainstay for our customers, and they really shoot well. Our deer season combined with an extended season and extra permits lasts into February.
It is an important part of our business at a small, rural shop like ours,” said owner Jim Heebner. “We package them with a mid-level premium scope and sell strong numbers all the way until Christmas.”
A few muzzleloaders are still turning, mostly Traditions Buckstalkers. Handguns are slightly up. Sig P365s command the top slot, followed by Glock 19s and Ruger SR22s. Rimfire rifles are seasonally extra hot, with Ruger 10/22s and Crickets in purple and pink leading the way.
NEW YORK
S&S Sales, Auburn
Located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York between Rochester and Syracuse, this shop has about 900 square feet and two full-time employees. The shop is less than one mile from a Bass Pro Shop. At the handgun case, S&W Shields are slightly ahead of Springfield Hellcats.
Sig P365s are also doing well. “I’m careful and highly competitive with Bass Pro,” said owner Paul Smith. “It’s easier than most stores think to compete, because the big stores can’t respond quickly to my special prices. Their salespeople send me customers all the time.”
Recent quick movers included Cricket .22s in purple for Christmas. Ruger 10/22s, as well as American Rifles in .22 and 6.5 Creedmoor, have seen exceptional traffic. Remington 789 bolt-actions in .308 are still selling. Remington Wingmasters are on backorder in 20 and 12 gauge. A few Mossberg Mavericks are turning quickly.