What's Selling Where
WEST
OREGON
Beaver Firearms and Grocery, Cloverdale
Located on State Route 101, this coastal, small-town gun and grocery keeps three full-time employees stacking milk cartons and ammo-depending on the time of the year. Hunting season is seeing higher numbers of Christensen Arms, Tikka T3s, and Winchester Model 70s turning good numbers at the rifle counter. Most bolt-action rifles are evenly split between .300 Win. Mag. and 6.5 Creedmoor.
“Big-game hunting rifles are an important part of our inventory. Our sales have continued to grow since the pandemic, when you couldn’t get a gun. The good news, they’re still in demand,” said owner Ed Owens.
Waterfowl gun sales are slower. Remington 870s, Browning BPSs, and a few Browning Pigeon Grade over-and-unders are crossing the counter. Handguns are steady with the best numbers going to Glock 17s and Sig P365Xs and 320s. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ 2.0s are also moving well.
Owens also mentioned inventory backorders are caught up. While making a bagel and cream cheese sandwich for a patron he stated, “We have the best inventory we’ve had in years.”
WASHINGTON
Cascade Loan & Sporting Goods, Auburn
Located between Seattle and Tacoma, this suburban retailer sells handguns, long guns, tools, and gold. They focus on used guns and buying new firearms for special orders. Sales have slowed, but bolt-action guns are now seasonally hot with demand for stainless Remington 700s, Ruger American Generation IIs, and Savage 110s. Any used rifle in .243 sells within a few days. Other high-demand long guns include Marlin lever actions in .45-70 Gov’t.
“Our used gun business is where we make the most profit. In the last few years, we’ve moved heavily into used rifles and handguns,” said counter salesman Mike Mace.
This retailer faces ongoing changes because of the maximum 10-round firearm capacity regulations in Washington State. There are no MSR-style guns allowed. Mace said the new handgun order mirrors California-compliant specs. This shop has a many S&W M&P Shields in stock. Meanwhile, demand for wheel guns is increasing. This retailer also reported the best handgun ammo inventories in nearly three years.
ALASKA
Chimo Guns, Wasilla
Keeping close to 400 firearms in stock, this full-service gun shop rests 40 miles north of Anchorage in the suburban Mat-Su Valley. Ammo stocks in the Last Frontier have finally caught up with demand, including .410 shotgun shells and a few rare big-game calibers.
Handgun sales are robust and include Sig P365Xs, S&W M&P Shield 2.0s, and Ruger Redhawk Alaskans in .480 Ruger. “Big-bore handguns and pistols are in constant demand in the used-gun case. Hunters continue to fluctuate between 500 Mag and 10mm. Someone will carry a big revolver for a season, decide it’s too heavy, then change to a 10mm," said manager-buyer Craig Pell.
Bolt-action gun sales are brisk. Kimber Montanas and Ruger American Gen IIs lead the pack, predominantly in .300 Win. Mag., .300 WSM, and .308. Sales of MSRs are steady at one a week. S&W M&P Sport IIs and a few local Alaskan MSR makers hold the top spots at the rifle counter. Shotguns are almost exclusively tactical. Mossberg 500s, along with a few Turkish imports, sell the best.
MIDWEST
NORTH DAKOTA
Big Boy’s Toys, Watford City
This rural northern North Dakota gun shop stocks more than 700 guns. From .17 HMR to .50 BMG, they keep an even mix of hunting and home-defense guns. The family-owned store keeps five employees busy six days a week, with 2,000 square feet of display area.
Long rifles are turning daily with Ruger American Gen IIs and Browning X-Bolts topping the sales chart in a mix of calibers, ranging from from .243 and .22-250 to .308. Sales of MSRs remain slow, turning one every two weeks. Ruger 556s, a few FNs, and models from Daniel Defense are all in the mix.
Handgun sales continue at a high pace with good numbers. Springfield Hellcats and Smith M&P 380 Shield EZs hold the highest sales positions. The Glock 43X is another impressive performer. Meanwhile, the number of Sig P365Xs is slowing.
“We send our Hellcats out to be Cerakoted and offer several colors. It has created a collector’s demand for handguns,” said manager Kirby Vogler.
Shotgun inventories are steady. Sales are picking up with a mix of tactical and hunting long guns. Beretta, Mossberg, and Winchester are in high demand from waterfowlers. Ammo stocks are in good order for this retailer.
MINNESOTA
Mankato Guns, Mankato
This retailer, located in central southern Minnesota, sits near the riverfront in downtown Mankato. Carrying nearly 700 firearms with a staff of seven, this store also manufactures MSRs under their own brand.
Handguns are steady and streaming at this location. The Canik line holds the top position, followed by Smith revolvers, and Glock 43Xs. “We’re seeing a steady increase for all things wheel guns. There’s also a new trend of used or unfired Covid guns being traded or bought outright,” said owner Toby Leonard.
Shotguns are up, with a mix in demand for Remington 870s and Mossberg 590s. Sales of MSRs are steady. The retailer’s house brand, Kato, leads the pack, followed with a wide price mix of Daniel Defense and Radical Firearms.
Within its house brand, this retailer offers custom serial numbers on all its builds. “Our serial numbers have been a big boost to summer sales, especially to couples getting married or shooters that want to document an important date on their rifle,” said Leonard.
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, Shield Bodyguard 2.0s, and Sig P365Xs are making turns in high numbers.
Shotguns are picking up. CZ 1012s for pheasant and waterfowl are doing nicely, as are Winchester SX4s in 12 gauge. “While a few new guns are turning this year, there’s a strange demand for old Remington wood stock 870s. The more beaten up, the faster the turn,” said manager Holly Starkenburg.
While bolt-action rifle 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 Great Lakes GFLA in .450 and the Ruger 556 designed for the .350 Legend.
SOUTH
ALABAMA
T&T Guns and Ammo 2, Foley
Located just five miles from the shores of the Gulf, this retailer opened its door just before the pandemic and manages an average of 2,000 long guns and handguns. Handguns sales continue to keep a brisk pace with a strong inventory of Glock 43Xs, Springfield Hellcats, and the Sig P365-FUSE.
This retailer reports good inventory of sporting shotguns, with a sales increase in gas-operated autoloaders. “We have seen a substantial shift from inertia autos to gas. Our customers are finding a quicker cycle rate and there’s significantly less recoil,” said manager Drew Hembly. Sales have been a mix of Winchester SX series and Beretta A300s along with some Benellis and a few Stoegers.
Bolt-action guns are seeing rapidly increasing turns from the Christensen Evoke series, Bergara B14s, and Ruger American Gen IIs. Calibers are a combination of 7mm, .308, and .30-06. With the exception of hunting setups in almost exclusively higher price-point guns, traffic for MSRs has slowed. Here, Daniel Defense and LWRC top the list.
ARKANSAS
Pawn Gallery, Clarksville
This small, independent pawn shop is located 40 miles east of Fort Smith off Interstate 40. On average, it stocks 250 firearms. Handgun inventories are good with SCCY, Taurus, and Ruger. “While we do order a few Glock 43Xs and Sig P365Xs, our handgun sales continue to be very price-point sensitive. This trend has continued for some time. As a rural store we depend on manufacturing jobs and the farm economy, and both are not doing well right now. Although there are several price programs keeping some U.S.-made products at lower price points, we’re leaning heavily on used inventory,” said partner Kelly Elam.
Sales of MSRs have slowed to just one a month. This shop has several Smith Sport IIIs holding on the rack. Shotguns are picking up with a few Mossberg 500s and TriStars.
Elam also mentioned a higher-than-unusual demand for used bolt-action rifles in 7mm and .308. Her trade-in inventory is better than in past seasons. Ammo stocks, including shotguns shells, are the best in several years.
KENTUCKY
River City Firearms, Mt. Washington
This suburban Louisville dealer keeps a wide variety of up to 1,200 new and used firearms in stock with an average of three employees at the counter. Handgun sales continue to emerge from the summertime doldrums, with concealed carry SKUs leading the way. Higher performers include M&P Shield 2.0s and Glock 43Xs and 17s. A few Smith 442s are also posting solid numbers.
“It’s nice to have bolt-action rifles in stock, and we expect a good fall. MSRs are slow, but most definitely hanging on in the lower price points. We expect them to continue to move well,” said manager Dillon Meyer.
Meyer also said that the store moves three MSRs per week. Smith Sport IIIs and ATIs account for most sales.
A few Ruger American Generation IIs in .243 and .308 lead the bolt-action rifle category, followed by a mix of Remington 700s and Tikkas. Ammo inventories are excellent.
EAST
NEW YORK
BareArms Gun Shop, Little Falls
This central New York independent gun shop stocks over 500 firearms with up to four employees. Specializing in a variety of shooting disciplines, the company stocks hunting, home defense, and house brand custom MSRs.
Hunting season is moving a mix of shotguns. Beretta A400s, Mossberg 500s, and TriStar .410s lead the sales board. This year, lever actions are in high demand. Henry holds the top spot in .45-70 and .357 Mag.
Bolt-action rifles are turning well. Ruger American Gen IIs and Tikka’s T3X in .308 are the most popular choices. Another fast mover includes the CZ 457 rimfire.
“The new Ruger has an impressive price point. The rifle has so much going for it. At under $600 out the door, we can barely keep them in stock,” said manager Kimberly Potter.
Handguns are holding steady. The Sig P365X, Sig P365 Macro, Glock 43X, and Ruger SR22 are all landing in the high traffic slots.
While the summer of 2025 was the slowest period in some time for this retailer, they are still growing floor traffic. “Our custom shop with rifle building, Cerakoting, and engraving continues to be a driver for our customers to come into the shop. Even when bigger purchases have slowed slightly, we’re still having a profitable year,” Potter said.
MAINE
Black Bear Weaponry, Lisbon
This family owned-and-operated retailer opened its doors in 2020. Managed by the owner with one part-time employee, this small-town shop keeps 250 firearms in stock.
Sig has a strong foothold in this shop, turning daily numbers of P320s and P365Xs. Other movers include Taurus G3Cs and Ruger EC9s. At this location, 9mm is the most consistent selling caliber.
“We continue to foster strong relationships with new customers in our shop. Our online sales are more price-point driven,” said owner Jeff Pickard.
MSR sales continue to gain attention this hunting season. A few Sport IIs with optic-ready accessories and Sig M400’\s are on the move. For grouse season, Savage over-and-under 555 Series are heading out the door in 12, 16, and 20 gauge. Other high-demand turns include Browning Citoris, and at the price-point level, Charles Dalys. “We love our upland shooters, and this segment continues to grow at our store. Any shotgun in 16 gauge is attracting a lot of attention,” said Pickard.
RHODE ISLAND
Bullseye Shooting Supplies, Woonsocket
Located just south of the Massachusetts line, this small-town New England retailer has specialized in ammo, handloading, and handguns for almost 50 years. Reloading supplies continue to challenge this retailer. “Powder and primers are improving, but we really thought that this problem would have been resolved by now,” said owner Paul Conley.
Turns on MSRs are roughly one every two weeks for this retailer. Sales lean to Smith Sport IIIs and Ruger 556s. The only higher-end rifle moving at this store is Daniel Defense.
Shotgun sales are ticking upward with Mossberg 500s two-barrel Combos. Stoeger Condor over-and-unders are on the rise as well. Handgun sales are continuing to turn at a high rate. All things 9mm pull the best numbers. Glock 19s, Smith Shields, and Sig P365s lead. This dealer also reports that used pistols are at an all-time high.
“We see at least three customers a week that bring in unfired handguns purchased during Covid. They’ve found that the guns are not getting used, and they want to get something else or sell them outright. We sell them as pre-owned, typically with the case and original accessories,” said Conley.