What's Selling Where

WEST

NEVADA

Carson Armory, Mound House

Located northeast of Carson City, this medium-sized shop keeps nearly 200 guns in stock with 5,000 square feet of display area. It has an average of three employees.

Sales of MSRs continue to stagnate, but with a slight uptick. Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport IIIs and units from Diamondback lead the pack with the lion’s share of sales.

“We really haven't seen the election spike that we expected. And yet, we have a long way to go until November. Who knows what will happen?” said owner Eileen Ferguson.

Handgun sales are solid and have stayed consistent throughout the year. Sig P365s, S&W EZ Shields, and Glock 19s all sit at the top of the sales chart.

Tactical shotguns are slow, with just a few turns a month from Remington 870s and Mossberg Maverick 88s. Used shotguns are in higher demand than last year.

Although ammo inventories are good, the lone exception is .410 bore.

COLORADO

Jerry’s Outdoor Sports, Grand Junction

This mountain retailer fills 11,000 square feet with a firearm selection of 1,400 guns, along with a large inventory of safes, holsters, and reloading supplies.

While early summer is a slower time for this store, handgun sales are slightly up from last year. S&W EZ Shields, Sig P365s, and Canik TTI Combats are garnering the most attention.

MSRs are averaging one unit daily. Sig 516s and Alpha Foxtrots are sitting securely in the top spots. “MSRs were almost restricted in Colorado this year. Although the bill did pass both houses, it has been shelved for now. As you can imagine, the instability is disheartening,” said general manager Mike Brown.

With the release of special-unit game tags each June, this store always sees an increase in the number of muzzleloader and big-game rifle turns. Thompson/Center Arms Pro FX muzzleloaders and Savage Axis centerfires in .308 are on the move. There have also been some early summer turns of Bergaras and Tikkas in 6.5 PRC.

IDAHO

Lolo Sporting Goods, Lewiston

Located in downtown “Old Lewiston,” this small storefront employs three full-time salespeople with a large inventory of reloading supplies, handguns, long guns, and MSRs.

Summer has brought a notable uptick in handgun traffic. “It’s not crazy yet, but handgun sales are definitely higher than last year. We are seeing solid turns on anything 10mm. Many of our backcountry travelers are replacing their heavy-to-carry .44s, 500s, and FN 545s, with these lighter options,” said manager Jesse Ricks.

Sig P635s and EZ Shields are both strong sellers, as are Springfield 1911 Ronins in .45 and 10mm. Additional notable sales include higher summer traffic on a few Smith 669s.

Ruger 10/22s and Americans are receiving plenty of attention. However, the category leader honor goes to Henry Lever Action .22s. This store reports that although MSR sales are down, the Ruger SFAR in .308 is on the rise and in high demand.

MIDWEST

MINNESOTA

R H Kay Firearms, Burnsville

Established in 2010, this retailer stocks a tightly inventoried 500 square-foot-store in metro St. Paul to meet the needs of a home-defense clientele. MSR inventories are moving, and traffic is slowly increasing. “To capture all the traffic we can muster, our transfer fee is just $15. Our goal is to get customers coming back into our store. My shoppers are highly price sensitive,” said owner Rick Kay.

Sales of MSRs have slowed to six per month. Palmettos and Sport IIIs hold the top spots.

Handgun sales are steady, with Glock 19s in the highest slot. EZ Shield 2.0s and CZ 1911s are just behind.

INDIANA

Muncie Guns, Muncie

Keeping over 300 guns in stock, this home defense, law enforcement, and hunting retailer keeps two employees busy in about 1,000 square feet of retail space. Sales of MSRs have been flat, mainly because the retailer is not looking for the low-end turn. “It has been super slow on MSRs; we’re selling just one a month. I just haven’t catered to the low-end rifle manufacturers because of the lower profit margins. At least when we turn an HK or a Daniel Defense, we do make money,” said manager Joshua Hellberg.

Although MSR sales are stagnant, handgun sales are brisk. This retailer turns Sig P365s and Springfield Armory Hellcat Micros almost daily. Shotgun sales have been slower since fall. This counter has several Remington 870 Expresses on the rack. “Turkey season is coming. In the meantime, we offer great deals on scope mounting to encourage our off-season traffic. We always pick up when tax-season refunds start,” said Hellberg. The store reports that all ammo is available except for .410.

MISSOURI

Target Masters, Columbia

Resting in a college town in the center of the state for more than 21 years, this shop has a 25-yard, 10-lane range. Big-box stores surround this retailer, including a Bass Pro Shop a mere two miles away.

Handgun sales are strong at this location. “Our traffic has slowed in the last few months. However, registration in our conceal-carry classes is still brisk," said counter salesman Jim Hill.

Glock 19s and 43s sit staunchly at the top of the list. Smith EZ Shields and Springfield Hellcats are also moving briskly at this counter. Ruger LC9s continue to attract second looks and are in high demand.

MSR sales have slowed down significantly, to just one every month. The largest turns are going to Smith M&P 15 Sport IIIs. At the same time .22 caliber models are starting to turn some heads.

Overall, ammo inventories are better than this time last year. However, some shotgun loads are in short supply.

SOUTH

FLORIDA

Gainesville Target Range, Gainesville

This retail store, with an outdoor gun range that can handle over 80 shooters, caters to a home defense and tactical clientele. Handguns are hotter than last year, with Glocks leading the charge. Glock 43Xs, 45s, and 19s are in one-two-three order in the top slots for this range-retailer. The store continues to see 9mm as the most popular caliber.

The store and range offer a wide variety of training and events. However, it has been a bit slower than expected. “We’re not seeing the pre-election bump we were planning on. That said, recently we are seeing a trend for higher-end and expensive-outfitted custom MSRs,” said counter salesperson Alex Parks. At this shop, the top-selling MSR platforms include Daniel Defense, followed by Colt and IWI.

Ammo stocks are generally good. Yet, inventory of .410 bore is still coming up short.

LOUISIANA

TP Outdoors, Monroe

With two locations in northern Louisiana, this sporting goods retailer splits its inventory with fishing, soft goods, archery, and firearms. The stores turn nearly 5,000 firearms a year with over 20 employees.

Handgun sales are steady, but down from last year. Springfield Hellcats lead the pack. Glock 43xs are also moving quickly. “Although there has been no panic election buying, sales have held remarkably steady,” said vice president Bill Petrus.

MSR sales are increasing to about four to five a week. A mix of FN, Daniel Defense, and Ruger 556 occupy the highest spots. Shotguns are moving earlier than last year. Benelli Super Black Eagle IIIs, Stoeger M3500s, and Benelli Nova pump-actions are all posting higher than normal turns for summer.

NORTH CAROLINA

Hyatt Coin & Gun, Charlotte

With over 12,000 square feet of retail space, this store turns an average of 7,000 firearms displayed on a large light-green wall. The store is staffed with more than 20 employees. Hyatt’s has expanded with a new outdoor facility an hour out of Charlotte that includes a 600-yard rifle range, sporting clays, and a corporate meeting facility.

“The pre-election summer has proven surprisingly slow without the slightest peep of panic buying. That said, our regular categories are steady and turning well,” said owner Larry Hyatt.

MSR sales are increasing slightly with an emphasis on higher-end brands. Evolve, FN, and Sig sell best. At the handgun counter, Hellcats and Sig P365s are pulling the strongest numbers. Glock 19s trail right behind.

Bolt-action rifle sales have cooled, but there is some demand for Tikkas and Savage Model 111s. On the other hand, Ruger 10/22s are turning high numbers.

EAST

NEW JERSEY

FSS Armory, Whippany

Just 30 minutes from New York City, this company offers public vault storage space for its clientele. It was the first federal- and state-approved public gun-storage facility in New Jersey.

“Our summer traffic is historically the slowest time for our store. That said, we do expect to see an improvement as the election progresses," said manager Ross Osias.

MSR sales are steady and slightly higher than last year. S&W M&P15 Sport IIIs and SPC9 carbines are turning the best numbers. Lever-action rifles are picking up, with Henry Big Boys in .357 and Marlin 1894s. Shotguns are led by Mossberg 500 combo sets.

CZ Shadow 2 Compacts are fast movers this summer. Additional hot-selling pistols include Canik TTI Combats, Kimber Micro 9s, and Hellcats.

PENNSYLVANIA

Sportsman’s Gun Shop, East Earl

Operating since 1954, this company expanded in 2015 to a new 25,000-square-foot location with a 12-lane indoor range. A general hunting and fishing retailer, they inventory more than 2,000 new and used firearms with 30 employees.

Spring turkey season closed with higher traffic. “We really had a great spring season, possibly the best in some time. It’s encouraging to see a combination of good inventories and traffic. We’re looking forward to a strong hunting year overall,” said owner Anthony Keffer.

Shotgun high performers include Mossberg 500s and Benelli Novas. Handgun sales are steady, with heavy, consistent traffic on Sig P365s. The EZ Shield Plus and the Glock 43 both have maintained a steady demand throughout the year.

Bolt rifles are picking up. Ruger American Gen IIs, Weatherby Mark Vs, and CVA Cascades top the list. For 2024, the most popular caliber has been a consistent mix of 6.5 Creedmoor and 350 Legend.

Demand for MSRs is steady, selling about two a day. M&P 15 Sport IIIs, Diamondbacks, and Daniel Defense hold the attention at the upper end. Sales of Ruger 10/22s and Savage .22 bolt-actions are brisk.

VERMONT

Wright Sports Shop, Newport

Located in northern Vermont just five miles from the Canadian border, this shop stocks general sporting goods with an emphasis on soft goods and hunting firearms. Handguns are in steady summer mode. Glock 43Xs, Sig P365s, and the FN Reflex are all gathering attention. “We’re coming off of a very strong spring turkey season. Our summer is slowing down, with an emphasis on handguns and .22 rifles,” said owner Ben Bruce.

Small calibers rule the rifle counter, with classic Ruger 10/22s and Mark IVs. Certain medium- and large-caliber rifles are continuing to make turns through the summer, notably, Marlin lever actions in .45-70 and .30-30. The store is also seeing a few hold-over late-turn turkey guns, mainly Mossberg 500s and Stevens 301s in .410 bore.

August 8, 2024