What's Selling Where
WEST
Idaho
Larry's Sporting Goods, Nampa
Located in suburban Boise, this retailer features a mix of fishing and hunting gear, along with shotguns, handguns, and reloading supplies. It stocks more than 500 guns and has five employees. Bolt-action hunting guns have seen a steady rise in sales for this mountain retailer. “We have seen a steady increase in demand for higher-price-point bolt guns and hard-working varmint rifles,” said counter salesman Clinton Butler.
An array of Browning X-Bolts, Ruger Americans, and Savage Axis IIs top the sales charts for this store, followed by several Ruger M-77s in .204. High-demand calibers for spring varmints include .22 Mag. and .17 HMR. Sales of MSRs are slow. DPMS and Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport IIIs are moving best, mostly in .223, to a mix of home defense customers and varmint shooters. Glock Gen 6s and 20s top the handgun traffic list. Springfield Hellcats in 9mm and a few Sig Sauer P365s hold the next two slots. “We really push Glocks for new shooters. They are so easy to clean and, frankly, will always fire even when they are caked in mud,” said Butler.
Shotgun sales are picking up. Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon over-under are going out the door, and Benelli Super Black Eagle IIIs are in demand for for turkey season.
NORTH DAKOTA
The Boom Closet, Dickinson
Opened in September 2022, this small-town, veteran- owned gun shop services a mix of home defense and hunting clients with new and used guns. Handguns are a bread-and-butter item for this store. Glock Gen 6s, Taurus TX22s, Staccato 2011s, and Sig P365Xs are all moving consistently.
“Our spring sales are always a mix of handguns. And right now, I’m the only person for miles that seems to have inventory of Glock Gen 6s, so that’s going well,” said owner Ben Boyll.
Sales and inventory of suppressors continue to increase for this store, led by Liberty Precision Machine silencers. MSR sales have slowed, with a mix of Sig and Smith rifles turning at a few a month. A few turkey guns are starting to move, with orders on Stevens .410 single shots and used pump guns.
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ALASKA
Wolfhawk Guns & Shipping, Tok
Located in remote eastern Alaska near the Canadian Border, this small retailer specializes in handguns and hunting rifles. In addition, Wolfhawk arranges firearm shipments. Travelers entering Alaska from Canada can pick up their handguns at this store.
Handguns are selling well. Smith M&P 2.0s and Ruger Alaskans in .44 Mag. and .454 Casull hold the top slots. Anything in .45-70 in a lever gun is popular.
“We’re a mix of bear protection, tactical-style shotguns, and big-bore revolvers. Ten-mil continues to drive a large number of our sales for this year,” said owner Bryan Kerly.
Other high-demand rifles include Winchester, Marlin, and Henry .45-70s in any format, new or used. Mossberg 500 Tacticals and Remington 870 Expresses are the lead shotguns at this store.
MIDWEST
IOWA
Freedom Firearms, Grinnell
This east-central Iowa gun shop focuses on hunting and home defense and keeps in house a mix of 600 new and used guns. The store has three employees at the counter year-round.
High-school trap shooting is the hot spring activity at this counter, where experienced and first-time shooters invest in shooting. “Our teen trap leagues continue to grow in this part of the Midwest. Students from all backgrounds are trying out shooting, often for the first time. It has been a wonderful experience bringing these families into the sport,” said owner Ken Beck.
Hot trap guns include the SKB 90TSS and the Century 3. Other up-and-coming guns include the CZ All-American. Turkey guns are also starting to turn, with a mix of Mossburg 500s and 940s as well as a selection of used pumps. Handguns continue to set the pace with pre-orders for Glock Gen 6s and Smith Bodyguard 2.0s. Other in-demand pistols include just about any model that’s silencer compatible, including the Smith & Wesson M&P 22X and Ruger Mark IV.
“Our silencers have totally changed our spring and summer sales. The great entry point for customers wanting to try them out is the .22,” said Beck.
MINNESOTA
Little Crow Shooting Sports, Hutchinson
Located in the center of the state, this classic rural hunting and shooting retailer carries an average of 900 new and used guns with a mix of hunting and home defense. They are open six days a week. During deer season, they’re open seven days.
Right now, handguns are selling well. Top guns at the counter include Ruger RXMs, KelTec PR-5.7s, and Ruger Vaqueros in .357. Smaller-caliber rifle sales are picking up, with a growing emphasis on .22 lever actions from Henry. The Ruger semi-auto 10/22 is also moving well. MSRs are turning about four a month, with a mix of models from Radical Firearms and Great Lakes Firearms.
As the Midwest high-school trap circuit heats up, the SKB 90TSS is the sales leader. Browning BT-99s and a few Citoris are also in the mix. “Student shooters and their parents are welcome in our store. We love to help them with the best prices on shotguns and ammo we can offer,” said manager Mindy Noreen.
INDIANA
Top Guns, Terre Haute
Stocking over 5,000 firearms, this west Indiana retailer and training center has three indoor ranges comprising 18 lanes. “Our facility remains busy, and we are experiencing steady traffic at the range and gun counter. It’s a positive experience for our customers to see a gun and spend five dollars for five rounds and close a sale. After the quick trial, the customer is confident with their purchase,” said manager Dave Williams.
The pro shop sees its most frequent new gun sales traffic dedicated to a wide mix of Glock 43Xs, and, when available, Gen 6s. Springfield Hellcats have also seen consistent turns at this counter. Colt 1911s and 1920s also remains staples.
MSR sales are steady but slowing, as are tactical shotguns. Customers opt for a mix of the most- and least-expensive models. “The middle-priced rifles are stagnant. It’s the $500 or the $1,500 rifle that’s selling,” said Williams. Leaders include models from Andro Corp. and Daniel Defense. Ammo stocks are excellent, with 9mm and .45 in heavy rotation. This retailer reports that .40 caliber has almost completely fallen off the charts.
SOUTH
ARKANSAS
Ozark Armory, Springdale
One of the largest firearms dealers in Arkansas, this independent stocks an average of 4,000 firearms at any given time. Inventory is exceptionally strong at this store, though sales have seasonally slowed as of late. “As it warms, we see a lot of recreational boaters and anglers in our store. The local lakes pull attention away from shooting in the spring,” said counter salesman David Carpenter.
MSRs are turning at about one a week with an even mix of Andersons, Smith M&P 15 Sport IIIs, and Daniel Defense. Higher-price-point MSRs are turning slightly better than those at lower price points.
Glock tops the handgun list. Best sellers include Model 19s, 43Xs, and 48s. Other quick movers include Sig P365X Macros and Springfield Hellcats. This retailer also reports silencers are an increasingly important part of daily sales. Dead Air and SureFire top the list. Shotguns are moving slowly. However, inventory is good with a full selection of Benellis and Mossbergs.
TENNESSEE
Classic Arms, Cordova
Resting in suburban Memphis, this retailer has a long history in hunting and home defense. Collectors and shooting enthusiasts are also long-standing customers. The store also has a full-time gunsmith.
Top handguns for this retailer include a three-way Glock split between 19s, 45s, and 48s. That’s followed by a mix of S&W Shield Xs and a few Colt 1911s. This store also has seen high demand for used Remington 870s as well as a mix of new Mossberg 500 series turkey guns.
While sales remain strong, this shop is continually expanding its higher-end European double guns. “We keep adding unique double guns. In addition to these one-of-a-kinds, we’ve been increasing our selection of Browning over-and-unders,” said counter salesman Ben Moody.
Although sales of MSRs have slowed, the store’s clients are leaning into higher-end models, including Daniel Defense and Sig Sauer. A few S&W M&P 15 Sport IIIs are also crossing the counter.
ALABAMA
T&T Guns & Ammo, Foley
Located just five miles from the shores of the Gulf of Mexico on Highway 59, this retailer opened its doors just before the pandemic. It manages an average of 2,000 long guns and handguns. Handgun sales continue to move at a brisk pace. The Sig P365-Fuse AXG, Taurus G3C, and Smith Bodyguard 2.0 in .380 are in high demand.
With the exception of 6mm ARC platforms, MSR traffic has slowed. “Our custom shop is backed up with orders for MSRs in 6mm ARC. It has really taken off for distance shooters and long-shot open-field deer hunters. We project that we’ll see an increase this year from other MSR platforms available in that caliber,” said manager Drew Hemby.
Sporting shotguns, including Benelli semi-autos and pumps and Stoegers, are in good supply. Another up and comer is the Panzer “Turknelli,” a Turkish-made Benelli M4 tactical shotgun clone.
With the introduction of a Silencer Shop floor kiosk, sales of suppressors are increasing exponentially. “The simplification of the admin floor kiosk has helped dramatically with our paperwork and ease of completing a sale,” said Hembly. One of the hottest-selling models is the Ridgeback Rhodie 6K suppressor.
EAST
VERMONT
Back Country Sports, St. Albans
Located in northern Vermont just 10 miles from the Canadian border, this small-town hunting and fishing gear shop keeps about 500 new and used firearms in a large Quonset hut-style barn. While many retailers across the nation are experiencing slower turns, this rural retailer is just plain busy. “We are turning good numbers of handguns and long rifles. For us, the driving force has been suppressor sales. Our customers are adding them to their existing guns. And, if it’s not ideally suited, they’re willing to buy a new gun,” said manager Keri Hale.
As for handguns, Sig P365 XLs have the lead, but Glock Gen 6s are quickly gaining ground. Other big movers include the Ruger Mark IV and Smith M&P 2.0. When it comes to suppressors, Dead Air, Q, and Gemtech lead. This retailer has found using a kiosk system helps to simplify and substantially speed up retail purchases.
At the MSR counter, turns are frequent and seem to be driven by the firearm’s quick adaptability to suppressor mounting. Sales range from Diamondback DB15s to Sig MCXs. Shotguns are picking up, with a mix of Stevens Model 301 in .410 and Remington 870s—when the store can get them. Ammo inventories are in good order.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Jay's Gun Shop, Dunbarton
Resting in central southern New Hampshire, this classic New England independent has been on Route 13 for more than 40 years. It sells a mix of hunting and home defense products. While handguns continue to keep the spring season moving, this retailer has started to see a shift in sales. “There have been a few changes in demand. Demand for our old-school K-Frames and general cowboy action guns are falling off. However, new product has captivated our buyers. For example, Glock has reclaimed the top slot at the counter,” said owner Jay McDonough.
Glock 19s and 43Xs are leading this counter. Snub-nose-style revolvers, such as the Smith J-Frame, are also making turns, as are Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lites. Shotguns are picking up, with good demand for Mossberg 500 pumps and 940 autos. Used Remington 870s also are in high demand and are selling for close to retail “new” prices. “I would love to see Remington start shipping good numbers again. They are not forgotten here in New Hampshire,” said McDonough.
Rifles sales are slow. A few Ruger carbines are moving along with a handful of late-season lever actions in .30-30 and .45-70.
CONNECTICUT
Central Connecticut Arms, Portland
As one of the larger New England independents, this store specializes in law-enforcement supply, manufacturing, and home defense. Glock leads this retailer’s counter, with heavy orders of Gen 6 Series in police issue and consumer. Other fast movers include Sig P365 Macros and Smith Bodyguard 2.0s.
“We weren’t sure if the sales momentum would continue this year. Yet our handgun turns remain strong. We’re forecasting that we’ll see an uptick with the new product that’s just coming out and soon to be released,” said owner Rob “Sparky” Pizzi.
Sales of MSRs continue to be slow. Yet, since this retailer is a manufacturer of MSR rifles, they can find the niche markets. “We make consumer and law enforcement products. Because we stay nimble and adjust to changing Connecticut state laws, we stay busy in this market,” said Pizzi.