What's Selling Where
WEST
WASHINGTON
Big J's Outdoor Sports, Orting
Resting outside Tacoma, this 13,000-square-foot general outdoor sporting goods store keeps an average of 700 firearms in stock with plenty of fishing, camping, and clothing to drive traffic. Sales have remained brisk for this Washington store, with handguns seeing continued high demand for the past two years. “It’s remarkable how busy the store has been—traffic has just not slowed. Handguns, in particular, are in swift demand. The good news is our inventory has remained strong with manufacturers like Sig and Springfield. We’re also seeing calls for the Canik line of pistols,” said counter salesman Jim Barker.
Top handgun sales include Sig P365s, followed by a few P320s, Springfield Hellcats, and Canik TTIs. Shotguns are in excellent inventory, with a wide mix of Mossberg 500s, Benelli Super Black Eagle IIIs, and a notable number of Stoeger M3500s.
Big-game season is just ahead, and the store is seeing a growth in daily sales of Tikkas, Ruger American Generation IIs, and Mossberg Patriots. The most popular calibers include 7mm PRC and .308.
NEW MEXICO
Blount's Guns, Roswell
This 3,000-square-foot store sits one block off Main Street in Roswell. The small independent sports a lean inventory of roughly 100 firearms manned by two employees. Handguns are moving at this location. Ruger LCRs and Smith & Wesson Shield M2.0s are sitting in the top slots. The store has regular orders for Glock 43Xs and Sig P365s.
“We do a lot of transfers and only charge $35 for them. It brings us new customers, and it’s a great driver to get them in our store,” said owner Dan Blount.
Used guns are in high demand. A small inventory of S&W M&P 15 Sport IIIs, Remington 870s, and Savage Model 11s comprise the long-gun inventory. Specialty accessories heading out the door include holsters, reloading supplies, and Hodgdon black powders.
MONTANA
Shedhorn Sports, Ennis
Located 70 miles outside the entrance to Yellowstone Park in western Montana, this 34-year-old retail store keeps 12 employees busy stocking over 1,000 guns. While the summer slowed sales for this retailer, traffic is quickly picking up. “August is the beginning of it getting crazy for big-game season, and during September we are really busy. It sends our fall accessories business through the roof and puts a great strain on hunting ammo sales. However, our inventory for hunting calibers are the best they’ve been,” said counter sales person Andriana O’Keefe.
Handgun sales continue to increase during fall hunting season, with high turns going to Colt Pythons and Anacondas in .357 Mag. and .44 Mag., Glock 43Xs and Glock 20 Gen 4s, along with big-bore Ruger Alaskans.
Since the pandemic this shop has reported an increase in sales of higher-end bolt-action rifles. This year top sellers include a mix of Tikkas, Christensen Arms, Coopers, and Remingtons. There has also been an increase in demand for anything bored in .300 Win. Mag.
Sales of Modern Sporting Rifles rifles have slowed, but remain steady. Daniel Defense and Ruger 556 claim the the high spots.
MIDWEST
MINNESOTA
Cabin Fever, Victoria
This general sporting goods store is 40 minutes due west of downtown Minneapolis. It uses 1,500 out of 6,000 square feet to market their inventory of about 650 firearms. The store carries soft goods, archery, camping, bait, and even refills propane tanks.
Shotguns are what’s turning at this store. High school trap season is bringing good numbers on everything from Remington 870s to Stoeger Condor Field guns and Benelli Super Black Eagle IIIs. Shotgun ammo is improving and available.
Sales of MSRs are slow. CMMGs and Del-Tons are selling best. However, long-distance bolt-action guns are particularly active. Anything in 7mm PRC and .308 turns almost daily. Browning X Bolts lead the category. Other in-demand rifles are Tikkas and higher-end SKUs such as those from Christensen Arms and Fierce Firearms.
“We are moving into offering a much larger selection of top-tier bolt guns. Our customers have embraced price points that are over $2,000. We’re looking to have another great fall season on rifles,” said counter salesman Evan Govig.
Handguns are steady. Glock 20s, Sig P365s, and Browning Buckmark .22s are racing out the door.
IOWA
Daryl's Guns, State Center
Located northeast of Des Moines, this rural gun shop shares quarters with the founder’s construction company. It has been in business for 60 years. The retailer is recovering from a flood last year that damaged their retail building and range. Although it has slowed traffic, the store remains reasonably busy.
Handgun sales are moderate, with Sig P365s, Ruger LCPs, and several Glitter Gunzs finding new homes.
High school trap season continues to create sales. These shooters are turning to Remington 870s and Mossberg 500s. A few first-time shooters are leaning toward Benelli M2s.
“Things just stay the same in our shop. We stay open seven days a week. We’re also combing through old inventory and parts and putting them on Gun Broker while we restructure the retail area,” said owner Dana Scope.
MSRs are moving slowly. Ruger 556s take the bulk of sales. Meanwhile, rimfires are active with turns on Henry Golden Boys. The retailer also had a few S&W 620 Mountain Guns that moved off the rack quickly.
KANSAS
Olathe Guns, Olathe
This well-established independent keeps over 1,000 firearms in stock with various sporting, home defense, and soft goods. Handguns are steadily coming off an excellent selling summer. Glock 43Xs, Hellcats, and Sig P365s all turned daily. This store has also started to move a large numbers of Caniks.
“Our sales guys love Caniks, and the price point is super motivating for anyone that’s looking for a pistol to add to their safe. We are impressed at how well they do in matches and on the range. It’s a fast yes from a customer,” said manager Cameron Warner.
Shotguns are in stock and turning well. It’s a mix of higher-end upland guns from Benelli, including Monafeltro and Super Black Eagle IIIs, in addition to Stoeger 3500s. This retailer also carries one of the largest L.C. Smith side-by-side inventories in the country.
Other long guns are a one-to-one mix of MSRs and bolt -action rifles. This retailer also commented that most MSRs come in at a price of less than $1,000, but the customer almost always adds accessories that top $500.
SOUTH
ARKANSAS
Unlimited Firearms Outfitters, Cabot
Located in central Arkansas one hour northeast of Little Rock, this small retailer keeps an average of 300 firearms in stock with just one full-time and one part-time employee manning the counter. They specialize in a mix of mostly defensive guns.
Handguns are the bread and butter for this shop, with steady turns on concealed-carry pistols. This year it has been a mix of Glock 43X and Sig P365 configurations holding the top slots. Canik SFXs are also in the mix for this small shop.
“We have a pretty price-sensitive customer. They like special buys, and anything I can put on sale gets a hard look,” said manager Matt Huddleston.
MSRs are turning a few a week, predominately models from Radical and Palmetto State Armory. Semi-auto shotguns from Mossberg and Tristar lead the scattergun category, along with a few Turkish pumps. Ammo stocks are good for this store.
TEXAS
Wiley's Guns, Wills Point
Serving a rural community 50 miles east of Dallas, this larger independent firearms retailer stocks an average of 1,000 guns. Concealed carry continues to push the sales needle for this counter, with a mix of Glock 43Xs, Sig P365s, and M&P 2.0s. Pistol sales have remained remarkably consistent since tax season and through the hot months.
Other late-summer movers include Ruger 10/22s and M&P 15-22s. Bolt rifles are moving, mainly with Ruger Generation IIs in .243. Outside of .22s, MSRs are slower but selling weekly with a mix of Century Arms WASR-10s and Diamondback DB15s in the lead.
Inquiries for suppressors are trending up due to the changing regulations, and this retailer reports some confusion with customers. “Nothing has changed except the federal permit cost. The paperwork is still the same and the process is no different. That said, customers like the reduced administration cost that will start January 1, 2026,” said manager Bill Wheeler.
Shotguns are picking up. Mossberg 940s and 500s along with several Beretta A300s are turning for dove season. This retailer also reported that because of higher prices, bird shot sales were down.
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 HAMPSHIRE
Milford Firearms, Salem
Located in southern New Hampshire, this tiny store just west of Nashua crams over 1,500 guns into a tight space along with a complete line of reloading supplies. This retailer has a positive outlook on the fall hunting season. “We may have the best inventory in a decade, and our rifles are still selling strong. It’s a wide mix with first-time buyers spending about $700 and our experienced shooters that are well above the $1,000-dollar range,” said manager Nevin Donavan.
MSRs range from Ruger 556s and Sport IIIs to models from Daniel Defense and Barrett. Bolt rifles are selling as well, and the store is flush with inventory from Remington and Ruger. Handguns are particularly hot. Glock 43Xs, 19s, and 17s are moving quickly. Other hot sellers include Sig P365s, models from CZ, and Smith Shield 2.0s.
Sales of sporting shotguns are steady. Mossberg and Remington hold the top positions. Turkish pump actions dominate the home defense front.
VERMONT
M&R Guns, Highgate
Considered by many to be a classic New England hunting gun shop, it’s one of the larger New England independents stocking close to 1,200 firearms. This store rests just a few miles from the Canadian border. Demand is high for all Smith guns at this retailer. “While we move a lot of Glocks and other pistols, revolvers always remain in demand. Our customers are always looking for a more classic product,” said manager Mike Fontane, Jr.
This retailer also reports fast sales throughout the summer months on Glock 43Xs, Sig P365s, and Kimber Marco 9s. MSRs are in good supply, with occasional turns going to high-end guns like FN and Desert Tech. Meanwhile, most sales are landing entry-level models like Sport IIIs. Shotguns are starting to move for fall bird season with a mix of Benellis and Berettas. Used over-and-unders from Browning, SKB, and Winchester are in especially high demand.
MAINE
Wiley Sports Center, Ellsworth
This firearms and fishing tackle store rests between Bangor and Bar Harbor in the northern third of the state’s coastal communities. The store is a mix of home protection, hunting firearms, and e-bikes, while stocking close to 700 new and used guns.
The summer brought high demand for .22s and handguns. This retailer thinks 2025 will be a significant year for bolt-action rifles. “Although our inventory for MSRs is significant, sales are super slow. We can barely sell an MSR at more than $500,” said manager Brandon York. He notes that MSRs move at about two a week with a mix of mostly used rifles and a few new Sports IIIs and Ruger 556s.
For bolts guns, Browning X-Bolts are topping the list in .308 and .300 Mag. Additional big sellers include the Savage Axis and the Ruger American Generation II. Shotguns are a mix of a few used Browning over-and-unders, Mossberg 500s, and Remington 870s.
The handgun counter has stayed warm with Glock 19s and 43Xs. Springfield Hellcats and Sig P365s top the in-demand list. Ammo stocks at this store are good, except for few rare turn-of-the-century hunting rifle calibers.