
What's Selling Where
WEST
ARIZONA
Bear Arms, Scottsdale
Located in the heart of Phoenix’s urban metropolis, this retailer specializes in a mix of hunting and home defense firearms and outdoor accessories. The store keeps an inventory of nearly 1,000 guns and has a seasonal staff of four.
Although dove season is open, this retailer is concerned with customers adjusting to the hotter weather. “It has been a slow summer—and really a slow year. In our area, we’re finding that shooters are just not spending time in the desert like they have in the past. The over-100-degree days are catching up with us. To adjust, I’ve moved some of our inventory to Gun Broker; that’s been a good solution to offset slower summer turns,” said owner Kurt Stancl. He does note that even though dove season has been slow, he has seen shotgun turns on Stoeger M3000s and Benelli Montefeltros. In addition, cases of No. 8 shotgun ammo are moving quickly.
Although overall sales have slowed, one bright spot is handguns. Colt 1911s have been a high sales marker for this store. Other top sellers include Glock 19Xs and Sig P365 Nitron Micros.
MSRs have cooled down, but a few Ruger 556s are selling. Tikka and Sako bolt-actions are just starting to move, and a few Henry lever actions in .45-70 and .22 have crossed the counter.
CALIFORNIA
Redstone Firearms, Burbank
Just north of the Griffith Park Zoo, this metro Los Angeles firearms store keeps an average of 100 guns in stock in a small Burbank storefront. Selling handguns, rifles, and shotguns, they cater to a wide variety of clientele, including Hollywood actors, stunt workers, and producers.
Despite the hot weather, sales are brisk. Handguns are turning daily with a mix Glock 19s, Springfield Hellcat Pros, and Sig P365s. Although this retailer doesn’t enjoy dealing with the constantly changing California regulations, he says it’s a learned skill.
“We wanted to help gun owners have a better experience with their gun purchases. We have a lot of clerical work that must be done, but through careful planning and good communication, our customers feel well served,” said owner Jonathan Solomon.
Sales at the MSR counter include Anderson Arms and Wilson Combat AR-10 rifles. Popular bolt guns include the Savage Axis and Remington 700. The most popular caliber is .308.
Shotguns in demand include Benelli M4s, Remington 870s, and Mossberg 500s. Ammunition stocks are good. Law-enforcement contracts are on the rise.
HAWAII
X-Ring Security & Firearms, Waipahu
Located 14 miles west of Honolulu, this store offers rifles, pistols, shotguns, reloading supplies, accessories, and training. The company also features a nine-lane indoor shooting range. It has 70 guns in stock and an extra 50 available for rentals. The store attracts a variety of tourists, island hunters, and shooters.
Handguns are bread-and-butter items for this retailer and range. Sig P365s and P365Xs top the sales chart. Other fast movers include S&W M&P 9 Shield EZs and Glock 43Xs.
“We have great foot traffic and feel our consistent sales are driven by the range and our well-stocked inventory. It’s not easy waiting a month for a barge to deliver much of our orders, especially ammo. It can be even more challenging when our orders sit on the dock in Long Beach due to labor shortages or paperwork challenges,” said manager Jim Pickers.
MSRs are turning for shooting enthusiasts and hog hunters. Models include Live Q Or Die Sugar Weasels and Sig M400s. Home defense shotguns, Mossbergs and lower-price Turkish pumps are also on the move.
MIDWEST
NEBRASKA
Boop’s Shooters Supply, Grand Island
Holding close to 300 guns, this central Nebraska small-town retailer has an active clientele of home defenders, distance shooters, and trap enthusiasts. The store supports an average of three employees; it also has an online presence.
Coming off a strong first quarter, this store has been in the summer doldrums. However, owner Rice Forgy feels sales are now picking up steam. Handguns are moving, with good turns on Sig P365s, Glock 43Xs, and Shield EZs. “Day in and day out our handgun sales represent 70 percent of our business. It’s remained consistent for years,” he said.
Shotguns are seeing a mix of sales between early season waterfowlers and high school trap and skeet leagues. Strong sellers include Winchester SX4s, SKBs, and Brownings. “Late every summer we get several new young shooters looking for their first shotgun. It’s super gratifying,” said Forgy.
Rifle sales are ticking up. Ruger American IIs are in the lead followed by Winchester Model 70s. The most popular caliber remains 6.5 Creedmoor.
ILLINOIS
Simpson Ltd. Firearms for Collectors, Galesburg
Located in western Illinois, this unique firearms retailer specializes in antique firearms that attract a discerning customer. Located across from the Amtrak station, this storefront and turn-of-the-century warehouse holds nearly 18,000 used and 500 new firearms. With more than 20 employees, staffers include gunsmiths, sales, and inventory.
While the store keeps a fluid number of new handguns, sales are trending with Sig P320s and P365s and Smith wheel guns. This specialty retailer is known for their expertise and large inventory of Lugers and 1911s.
“We seek out a large number of collectors and estate experts to secure guns across the world, many with historical significance,” said sales manager Floyd Gray.
On the rifle and shotgun side, it’s hard to not find what you’re looking for when it comes to traditional long guns. They can include everything from old Brownings and Winchesters to L.C. Smiths. “There’s no end to what rare gun can show up, and this year has been one of the busiest. When we develop a customer, they tend to check-in with us often. When we have a unique gun, they know they may not see another one for years, so they purchase it,” Gray said.
WISCONSIN
St. Croix Outdoors, St. Croix Falls
With over 1,000 guns in stock, this large northern Wisconsin outdoor shop keeps a wide variety of new and used hunting, clay, and home defense guns in stock. The log cabin storefront is 30 miles northeast of the Twin Cities just off Route 8.
Shotguns are hot with a mix of early season waterfowl and upland guns. However, it’s the local high school trap leagues that make the register ring. “We love these kids and their parents coming in to buy their first guns just to shoot in these high school leagues. They spend a notable amount of money that’s often not tied to other shooting sports. We take great care of them and offer a lot of encouragement,” said counter salesman Brian Pilot.
Stoeger and Franchi are the leading brands at the shotgun counter, with high numbers of M3000s and Condor Supremes going out the door. Winchester SXPs and Browning Maxis are also gaining attention.
Handgun sales are steady. Springfield 1911s and XDs sit in the high slot. Atypically, big-bore Ruger Blackhawks are selling quickly. As for the price-point leader, that belongs to the Taurus G2C. MSR sales are steady, with a mix of Del-Tons and Colts. There is also interest in the GF25 shotgun from Force Arms. “So far the election hasn’t driven demand for any specific firearms,” said Pilot.
Bolt guns are getting busier with an even mix of X-Bolts and Model 70s. Other high-demand rifles include the XPR Compact for women and youth. Ammo stocks at this store are strong, with many rare and unusual calibers in stock.
SOUTH
GEORGIA
Southeast Armory, Augusta
Just two miles up the road from the Augusta National Golf Club, this large independent specializes in both fine firearms and basic deer rifles. A wide customer base helps fill this store with a large section of estate guns and special military collectibles.
Sig P365s, Hellcats, and Shield M&P9 EZs, most of which are 9mm, rule here. A few larger-caliber Glocks (.40 and .45) are also moving. “We continue to grow in compact and micro-compact pistols. This year they are strongly outpacing anything larger,” said counter salesman Nick Burck.
Shotguns are picking up quickly for dove season. Benelli Super Black Eagle IIIs are in the lead, followed closely by Franchi Affinitys. Flats of bird shot are moving quickly out the door. This retailer commented that it’s been almost three years since they have seen any deliveries of .410 ammo.
MSRs are turning at about two a week with a mix of Daniel Defense, Radicals, and Springfields. Savage Axis bolt guns are starting to move, and there is renewed interest in Remington 700s. The most popular caliber remains .308.
NORTH CAROLINA
Cherokee Guns, Murphy
Located in the southeastern end of the state, this small independent gun and pawn stocks about 400 new and used firearms. It offers a private shooting range and firearm safety classes.
While the summer has been slow, the handgun counter is picking up. Glock 43Xs, Sig P365s, and a wide mix of used revolvers are on the move. MSRs are slow, and this retailer reports that customers are very price sensitive. Typically, new and used MSRs in the $400-$600 range are heading out the door.
“We’re known in the community for our conservative position. We’ve built our store with hard work with no financial help from anyone. Customer service and knowledge is how we sell our products, and we stay busy,” said owner Doc Wacholz.
FLORIDA
Green Acres, Jacksonville
Located in west Jacksonville off Highway 228, this large independent stocks more than 2,000 guns. It also offers a full line of soft goods, archery, and fishing and and hunting gear. This retailer boasts the best inventory it’s had in years, and they are feeling the hot weather. “Man, it’s been a slow summer. I’m sure it will pick back up, but we’re down to the lowest turns in ten years. In our archery department, it’s a 42-year historic slowdown. It just seems strange. It’s an election year, and our local employment picture is very good. To compete, we simply must get more creative,” said owner Abie Farhat.
The handgun counter is ticking forward with sales on Ruger LCP Maxs, Hellcats, and Shield M&P9 EZs. Farhat said discounted sales will be key to building traffic in the coming season. Dominated by lower price brands in the $500-$600 category, MSRs are turning at about one to two a week. Del-Tons and Radicals are their best sellers. Higher-end MSRs are selling at one every six weeks.
EAST
PENNSYLVANIA
Red Dot Training Range, New Castle
This seven-lane range is located halfway between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Keeping an average staff of four, with approximately 150 firearms in stock for sales and rentals, the inventory is a mix of home defense and hunting guns.
Glock is the clear leader at this counter. The most popular pistol is the 43X, followed by the 19. Springfield’s Micro Hellcat also sells well.
This range owner reports 9mms are taking over. “Our range has become totally driven by 9mm. I have cases and cases of .45 and .40 just collecting dust. Even our law-enforcement customers are just shooting up the department’s inventory of old ammo and then making the change over,” said owner Justin Mateer. He added that the only .45 ammo getting used regularly is in 1911-style pistols. Outside of traditional pistols, Mossberg 500 shotguns and H&K MP5Ks in 9mm are the most popular requests at the rental counter.
A growth service at this range is emergency medical training, which began in spring 2024. They offer a program called Nine Minute Medicine. The class fills a niche between military self-aid/buddy-care training and civilian EMS training. Tailored for individuals with limited or no medical experience, it provides students with critical, need-to-know information. “We see this as an important growth segment and are selling trauma kits to our customers,” Mateer said.
PENNSYLVANIA
Fenelton Firearms and The Range, Fenelton
Established in 2014 and located in western Pennsylvania northeast of Pittsburgh, this family-owned business stocks a variety of firearms and accessories for hunting, self-defense, and competitive shooting. In 2018, they opened a 10-lane indoor shooting range offering private and group instruction.
While many retailers are experiencing slower traffic, this store is having a strong year. Handgun turns have been brisk; the Shield M&P Plus, Glock 43X, and Sig P365 lead the way. “We’ve offered a number of deeply discounted sales for our price-sensitive clients. We were lucky to build our range pre-Covid. It absolutely has had an impact on our traffic,” said buyer Brent McLafferty.
MSRs are moving at four-plus a week. Like with handguns, sales promotions on Smith MP9s helps move traffic on older inventory like Sport IIs. Shotguns are picking up with Mossberg 500s and a few Remington 870s.
Bolts-actions are just starting to get attention, primarily for the Savage Axis, Browning X-Bolt, and Remington 700. The most popular calibers are .308 and .30-06.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Village Gun Store, Whitefield
This small-town New England gun shop resting 35 miles south of the Canadian border keeps a wide mix of traditional hunting guns, home defense, and military antiquities. A local fixture, the shop attracts storytellers, antique collectors, bird hunters, and farmers.
The handgun counter is an unusual mix of Colt 1911s, Sig P365s, and Glock 43Xs. Used Smith wheel guns also attract attention. “Although I wouldn’t call this year a struggle, it’s been one of the slowest we’ve seen. Sales are starting to pick up as it cools. I really think there’s a lack of new products. In response, my customers are looking for older guns,” said owner Josh Dagnese.
While MSRs are selling at one a month, this store is turning every M1 Garand it can find in just about any condition. At the shotgun counter, 20- and 28-gauge over-and-unders are picking up, and a few used Brownings and Berettas are finding homes for upcoming grouse season. Bolt guns are gaining some attention. Savage Axis and Ruger American IIs lead the pack.