What's Selling Where
WEST
NEVADA
Carson Armory, Mound House
This family-run business just five miles outside of Reno specializes in home-defense, collectibles, and hunting firearms. The store incorporates a shooting range in the same building with a large selection of rentals.
Handguns are steady year-round for this retailer. The top sales award goes to the Glock 43X. Sig Sauer P365 Micros and Springfield Hellcats also share high honors at this counter.
While used rifles and shotguns dominate the store’s long-gun category, it continues to expand its collectibles and used inventory. “We see a lot of older gun owners or their families turning over collections for consignment. It’s become an important part of our business to find new custodians for these meaningful firearms,” said owner Eileen Ferguson.
As for summer shooting, Ruger 10/22s are getting plenty of attention. At the rifle counter, MSRs are slowing to two a month, mostly Diamondbacks and Ruger 556s.
ALASKA
Mountain View Sports, Anchorage
Founded in 1961, this metro south-side Anchorage retailer is a specialty fly shop and hunting store. Spanning 4,000 square feet, it keeps an average of 200 firearms in stock, with one full-time and two part-time employees working the firearms counter.
Handgun sales continue to post strong numbers, with Sig P365s, Glock 43Xs, and Springfield Hellcats turning heads. Other high-demand SKUs include big-bore revolvers. Here, Ruger Alaskans in .460 and .454 and Smith 629s top the leader board.
Inventory on shotguns is a mix of defense guns and pumps sold to backcountry guides and boaters. Higher-end Browning Citoris in 20 and 28 gauge and Beretta 686s in 12 gauge are crossing the counter. “Our shotgun customers are a strange mix of guys that buy an 870 Express with a slug barrel for bear and a long barrel for grouse. Then they lay it on the bottom of a boat because they don’t want to tear up their nice over-and-under,” said gun manager John Staser.
MSR sales are flat, selling only one a month. General turns skew to higher price points with Daniel Defense and Sig in the top spots. This retailer rotates high-end consignment MSRs sporadically.
WYOMING
T&T Guns and Ammo, Inc., Rozet,
Located at the edge of the high plains in the northeast part of the state, this family-owned independent has been in business since 1974. The store features a three-position outdoor shooting range next to the shop.
While handgun sales are brisk in the summer, this retailer reports varmint guns are the focus of many of their warm-weather customers. “Bolt guns are just huge for us in the summer as prairie dog season peaks. It pushes sales of a lot of optics, ammo, and rifles,” said owner Kelly Townsend.
Remington 700s and Ruger Americans lead sales, primarily in .204 Ruger and .22-250. Other high-demand rifles include any kind of lever action. Marlins and Henrys crowd the top slots in .45-70, .44 Mag., and .357 Mag.
Handguns are moving briskly with a mix of Hellcat Pros, Sig P320 X10s, and Glock 43Xs, 48s, and 19s heading out the door. Ammo stocks are the best they’ve been in years with moderate pricing.
MIDWEST
INDIANA
Gabe’s Gun Shop, Williamsburg
Located between Iowa City and Des Moines, this small-town rural farm retailer keeps over 500 guns in stock. This shop’s focus is trending to collections and used trades.
Handguns are the primary focus during summer for this retailer. “We have seen a steady decline in general sales this season. The slowing economy and unstable changes in farm-market tariffs are just killing us. Farmers do not spend money when questions abound in the market. That said, if the farming issues get resolved, we will have a great fall. At this point, we just don’t know,” said manager Cody Gabriel.
Only the handgun counter is steady at this store, with solid turns on Glock 43Xs, Sig P365s, and a mix of Smith M&P pistols.
MSRs, predominately Radicals and models from Daniel Defense, turn at about one every two weeks. Other than pistols, used .22s seem especially in demand for the summer. A few sales in the rifle category are leaning to a mix of .22 and .30-30 Marlin and Henry lever actions. The highest demand remains centered on .45-70s, when this retailer can stock them.
As 2025 progresses, new handguns and used collector guns on Gun Broker are making the best turns for this store.
MINNESOTA
Hair Trigger Gun Shop, Zimmerman
Located just one mile from Lake Freemont in the center of Zimmerman, this small-town recreation destination shop keeps an even mix of 400 hunting and home-defense guns in stock. Summer turns the highest number of .22 rifles at this retailer. “We really enjoy selling .22s this time of year because it’s always tied to family fun shooting,” said owner Rick Snook. Turns include Ruger 10/22s and Americans, along with a few Browning SA-22 semi-autos. On the bolt-action side, Ruger Americans and Tikkas are just starting to move in .308. With an average of two a month, MSR sales are flat. However, close-to-cost Radicals and Andersons are selling.
Shotguns are attracting some attention. Winchester Super X4s, Browning Maxus IIs, and Benelli Novas lead the category. Handguns are holding steady. The Glock 43X holds the high spot, followed closely by a mix of Springfield Echelons and Smith Shield EZs. This retailer reports good inventories and stable pricing on rare hunting-caliber ammo.
WISCONSIN
R & R Gun Shop, Loyal
Located in a converted barn in rural central Wisconsin, this small-town retailer keeps its firearm inventory below 150 units. It’s flanked by limited archery and fishing supplies. Top handgun sales accrue to the Smith & Wesson Shield EZ, Kel-Tec PF9, and SCCY. “Our customers are super price sensitive and are looking to trade for higher-end guns. We are really seeing a slowdown this summer,” said owner Mike Denton.
Bolt guns, including Savage Model 93s in .17 HMR and Axis rifles in .223, are getting more than one look. Ruger Americans in .22 are moving as well. MSRs are trickling over the counter at one a month. Palmetto Arms sits comfortably in the few sales slots. As the economy in this market slows, used guns continue to increase at this retailer.
SOUTH
KENTUCKY
Gilbert’s Gun Shop, Frankfort
In business since 1978, this established firearms store stocks an average of 1,500 units and serves a wide customer base spanning from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky. While this store moves a notable number of rifles and shotguns, handguns have continued to drive traffic even in the summer. “I understand that some parts of the country are not as busy as they would like to be, but our turns are up. We are looking at a solid high-volume year for 2025,” said owner Jason Gilbert.
Handgun leaders include the Springfield Hellcat Pro series and the entire Sig P365 line. Glock 43Xs are also riding high in the mix. Gilbert said his store is experiencing a new trend with first-time gun buyers. “Our entry-level shooter shows up with a staggering amount of research. They often purchase a higher-end platform. They want ‘new.’ The barrel must be threaded and the upper ready for the appropriate optics. This new customer lends themselves to unique pistols in limited production. They are willing to spend far above the entry-level price point, and they often show up with the actual factory SKU number. It’s super impressive,” he said.
TENNESSEE
Guns and Leather, Greenbrier
Located on Highway 41 just north of Nashville, this retailer and range keeps close to 1,000 firearms in stock with an average of four employees. Handguns rule at this store. Hefty numbers of Glock 43Xs and Sig P365s dominate the top slots on the leader board. Hellcats follow while Glock 48s hold strong on the next rung.
“We really sell a lot of handguns. However, sales in the MSR category are flat as a pancake this year. To get them to turn we must have special pricing,” said counter salesman Joe Rice. MSRs are moving at close to one every 10 days. Smith Sports and Ruger 556s lead the way. On the other hand, anything in .22 is moving fast. Ruger 10/22s and S&W M&P 22-15s are selling particularly well.
Benelli Super Black Eagle and Franchi Affinity shotguns are slowly gaining speed. Stoeger M3000s dominate and hold the lead as the highest seller.
MISSISSIPPI
Philadelphia Gun & Pawn, Philadelphia
This east-central Mississippi shop specializes in handguns. It keeps over 500 firearms in stock for its rural clientele. The store also sells archery, safes, ATVs, and even designer handbags. Glock 43Xs and 19s split the ruling position at this store, followed by a high number of Springfield Hellcats and Shield 2.0s.
“Our ammo inventory is strong, and the pricing is really coming down. We don’t see it climbing this season. Our floor inventories are over six months,” said sales manager John Eek.
Bolt-action hunting rifles are active. Browning X Bolts and a few BARs as well as a few Remington 700s are crossing the counter. The most popular calibers are .308, .30-06, and .270. MSRs are down since late spring to two a week. Sport IIIs and Andersons capture most turns.
EAST
MARYLAND
Atlantic Guns, Inc., Rockville
Located just north of metro Washington, D.C., this strip-mall location stocks what’s advertised as the “largest new and used gun selection in Maryland.” On the rifle side, .22s are a summer staple for this retailer. Ruger 10/22 takedowns lead the pack, followed closely by M&P 15-22s. The CZ 455 in .17 HMR is in high demand for local Maryland shooters as well.
Long rifles are slowly securing more attention. “Our precision target guns are getting popular and adding to our late-summer sales. Tariffs are on our radar, but haven’t emerged as factor—yet,” said manager Mark Schneider.
In the bolt-action category, the PMR Pro in 6BR from Masterpiece Arms leads the category. Additional high-selling bolt guns include Ruger Americans and Savages chambered for the 350 Legend.
MSRs continue to move across the counter at approximately three per week. American Defense is in the highest slot; Sport IIIs are next, and a few models from Daniel Defense are on order.
Handguns have maintained steady demand. The Glock 43X and Sig P365X are in the lead followed by the Glock 19 in the third slot. Hellcats are edging in at a close fourth. Ammo stocks are excellent, and prices have been stable.
MAINE
Bill’s Gun Shop, Orrington
This medium-size independent, located 45 minutes north of Bangor, carries more than 1,000 new and used firearms. They feature traditional hunting and home-defense guns along with an emphasis on accessories. This retailer believes entertaining their customers is a high priority. They have a room with 25 vintage pinball machines to keep the place lively.
Glock 43Xs and Sig 365s lead the pack at this store. A healthy number of Smith Shield 2.0s are making turns. Notably, this location features a steady demand for older wheel guns and 1911s in any format. With varmint season closed, bolt guns have cooled. However, Mossberg Patriots and a few Ruger Americans in .223 and .243 are still walking out the door.
Ruger 10/22s and Americans and Henrys are dominating the summer .22 sales. “While most rifles fall off for the summer, .22s are always dependable turns for family shooting and gardeners keeping rodents out of their vegetables," said manager Payton James.
Sales of MSRs remain slow, with only one unit selling every week. This store has seen several used MSRs trading. Meanwhile, prices for entry-level MSRs are selling for under $500. A few shotguns are turning with a mix of used pumps and a few KelTec KSGs for home defense.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Ducret’s Sporting Goods, Colebrook
This classic New England hunting, fishing, and hardware shop rests just a few miles from the Canadian border. They supply everything from camping supplies to propane. On average, this retailer stocks fewer than 50 firearms. Demand is high for all Smith revolvers at this retailer. “We always have a high demand for Smith wheel guns, and we like to trade for them. After Covid, we eased our new gun inventories. We are adjusting and moving our inventory slowly to used,” said owner Brian Pariseau. This retailer also reports orders for Glock 43Xs and Sigs P365s.
Ruger 10/22s are hitting the high sales mark for new rifles, followed by a few used Marlins and Henry lever actions. Ammo stocks are the best they have been in five years. The selection includes rarer rifle calibers.
“As a destination hunting store, we always get requests for calibers like .300 Savage and 16-gauge bird shot. Well, we finally have them,” Pariseau said.