KNOWLEDGE CLOSE AT HAND

NSSF’s SHOT University™ Online is a one-stop e-learning platform for firearm retailers and ranges. On-demand and free for NSSF® members, this new library of interactive online courses provides a deep-dive on critical topics ranging from compliance and regulatory issues to operational guidance and business improvement for both business owners and employees.

FOR RETAILERS:

• Planning for an ATF Inspection

• Standardizing Operating Procedures

• Inventory Management

FOR RANGES:

• Road Map for Range Safety and Health

• Addressing Lead at Ranges

• Marketing Your Training Programs and more!

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Blount’s Guns, Roswell

This 3,000-square-foot store sits one block off Main Street in Roswell. Opened a few years ago, the store, manned by two employees, sports a lean inventory of roughly 100 firearms.

Handguns are moving at this location. Springfield 1911s and Smith & Wesson Shields are sitting in the top slots, followed by a few high-demand Sig Sauer P635s. The store has orders for Glock 43Xs and Springfield Hellcats.

Reloading supplies are improving at this location. “It has been a long haul improving our inventory on primers and powder. We have some now in stock, but the price is now twice what it was a few years ago,” said owner Dan Blount.

A small inventory of modern sporting rifles, mainly S&W M&P 15 Sport IIs and Ruger 556s, are turning weekly. Shotgun sales include Remington 870s. Savage bolt-action Model 110 rifles are moving as well.

MT Mitchell Supply, Great

Falls Located on the north side of Great Falls, this firearms dealer stocks an average of 300 guns. Three employees tend the counter.

Glock is the front-runner for this retailer, with 43Xs and 19s making the most turns. The FN FNX-45 Tactical is also on the fast track.

“Handgun sales during this past winter were even better than last year. It’s nice that we can get most of what we’re looking for,” said owner Ben Mitchell.

MSRs are selling at three a week, with a three-way split between Daniel Defense, Great Lakes, and Radical. As for Ruger, Mini 14s and 10-22s are steadily finding new homes.

Bolt-action guns are moving at a seasonally slow pace. A few late-season Remington 700s in .243 and Savage Axis youth models are crossing the counter. Shotguns are divided equally between Mossberg 590s and Winchester SXPs.

CATurners Outdoorsman, Lake Forest

From its first store in Long Beach in 1971, this western chain today has 34 stores throughout California and Arizona. Each store sells a wide variety of soft goods, fishing and hunting gear, and firearms. Handgun sales have remained high for this southern California store, even after the waning of the pandemic. “Our customer files for a purchase, and when the paperwork’s complete, we schedule an appointment for them to come into the store. They can then close their purchase and pick up their new firearm. Our counter salespeople have pick-up appointments most of the day. It just hasn’t slowed down,” said counter salesman Andy Peck.

With handgun inventory at the best level this store has seen in some time, high turns of Glock 17s, Sig P229s, and S&W M&P Shield 9s are moving the needle.

Ruger 10/22s for pre-summer plinking are also turning well. Bolt guns are slow.

MIAnn Arbor Arms, Ann Arbor

This range-retailer is located ten minutes west of Ann Arbor off Interstate 94. The building’s floor plan totals 26,000 square feet. The 6,000-square-foot retail store carries an inventory of over 700 firearms.

Handguns are steady at this location. Glock Gen5 17s lead the field, followed by Sig P365s. Smith Shield 2.0s are just behind.

Ammo stocks are finally at a level where this range feels confident. “We did a good job getting ammo when others couldn’t. That said, it was expensive and kept some shooters from the range. I feel like our availability and pricing are back to normal,” said retail associate Shane Bartam.

Rifles are picking up, with consistent turns on MSRs. Daniel Defense V7s are attracting the most attention. Models from BG Defense are also seeing interest. Bolt-action Tikka T3s in .243 and 6.5 Creedmoor are selling well for the spring season. Shotguns are also turning. Benelli M2s and M4s sit securely in the top slots.

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S&H Arms of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Specializing in custom-built Class 3 machine guns and suppressors, this small shop sells used guns and custom orders. The shop’s suppressor business continues to expand. They have a good inventory of used MSRs, all of which turn quickly. “Our license approval times are close to normal. We’re able to service our clients far better than we could during the pandemic,” said owner Curtis Higgins.

Additional custom orders include Timney Trigger installs, stocks, and grip changes. This retailer has an excellent inventory of ammo for the first time in years.

IA Daryl’s Gun Shop, State Cen-

ter Located just northeast of Des Moines, this rural gun shop shares quarters with the founder’s construction company. It has been in business for over 56 years.

The store stocks firearms, hunting and fishing gear, and other items of sporting equipment.

Although ammo inventory is no longer a concern, the high prices new ammo stocks command continues to be an issue for this range-gun dealer. “We have an indoor and outdoor range. And while we now have ammo, the cost has still been on the high side for some of our shooters,” said owner Dana Scope.

High school trap season continues to turn sales, and 2023 is the first year this store has had a good selection of middleand lower-priced shotguns. Turkey season is helping to turn high numbers of the Remington 870 Express. Mossberg Shockwaves and Mossberg 835 turkey guns are also moving well.

At the handgun counter the Ruger LC9 and the Glock 43X are best sellers. A solid number of guns from Walther and Taurus are also making turns. MSRs are in high inventory, though moving slowly.

NHL.L. Cote, Errol With over

1,000 firearms in inventory, this small-town, northern New England sporting goods store sits 25 miles from the Canadian border. They offer a total of 30,000 square feet of retail floor space.

Inventories are high with most in-demand handguns. Glock 19s, Sig P360s and 320s, and S&W Shield EZs are turning daily. MSRs from Daniel Defense and Smith & Wesson turn within 48 hours of landing on the rack. Some shotguns, like Benelli Super Black Eagle IIs and Winchesters, are available at higher price points.

Although ammo inventories have recovered, some calibers are back in short supply. “We were out of rifle calibers like .30-06 for so long. When we finally inventoried a large amount, it was gone in a couple weeks, which pushed us back to being backlogged,” said manager/owner Shawn Cotes.

NYSeneca Guns, Rock Stream

Located on New York Route 14, this small-town shop stocks an average of 400 guns with a wide variety of hunting and home defense firearms. Handgun sales continue to show higher numbers, with a mix of Kimber Micros, Sig P320s, and S&W Shield EZs turning high numbers. “Our handgun business continues to be driven by our NRA and USCCA training classes. It’s an important part of how we reach new customers,” said manager Steve Emmons.

In used rifles, traditional bolt-action rifle sales are the most consistent. This retailer reported any used gun in the $400 range sells within a few days. New rifle sales include Henry Repeating Classics and Frontiers in .22 and Savage Axis XPs in .22-250.

Sales of shotguns are warming up quickly because of turkey season. In demand models include CZ 612s and 1012s along with the Savage 320 Security. Ammo stocks are in good shape, even for classic rifle calibers.

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Northeastern Firearms, Turner This rural, central Maine gun shop is 20 miles north of Lewiston and 30 miles west of Augusta, the state capital. The store is approximately 2,000 square feet with a wide mix of hunting and home defense firearms.

This retailer reports good inventories across the board. “Ammo has improved notably. However, turkey ammo is really expensive, and getting 3.5-inch shells is difficult,” said counter salesman Mark Wilcox.

Used pump demand is robust. Benelli, Mossberg, and some Turkish guns are turning for turkey season. This store lists every used gun on their website. The comprehensive list is updated daily to create, maintain, and build traffic.

Rifle sales continue to remain steady. MSRs turn at close to five a week, with the majority selling in the higher retail category. Bolt-action guns are garnering out-ofseason attention. Price-point rifles, including Savage and Ruger Americans in .30-06, .308, and .243, are turning at higher numbers than is seasonally typical.

AR Fort Chaffee Outfitters,

Fort Smith

Keeping close to 4,000 guns in stock, this retailer, one mile from the Arkansas River, maintains a brisk business by utilizing a wide variety of home defense and hunting inventory to serve its constituency. Buyer Chad Duncan reports that the store has the highest inventories they have had in three years across all SKUs. “It has really been a relief to have store shelves full of inventory. While it’s not as busy as it was during the pandemic, sales are very good except for MSRs,” he said. MSR sales have slowed notably, turning at about one a week at price-point sales.

At the handgun counter, Walthers, Glock 19s, Sig P320s, and S&W Shield EZs top the list.

Turkey season is helping to move good numbers of used and new shotguns.

TN Crazycaches Tactical, Kingsport

This eastern Tennessee specialty retailer moves product through a website and a small physical storefront. Keeping roughly 100 guns in stock, they divide their inventory between accessories, police supplies, and home defense items.

Pistol sales are high, with good Glock inventories. “As with most stores, our handgun and rifle shortages have been met, and we can finally offer a good selection. Our customers are still walking in the door. It’s a pleasure to serve them at a time when life at long last feels normal,” said co-owner Bo Perry.

Handguns are in good supply. Taurus PT-1911s and 92s are selling exceptionally well. Other fast movers include a pair of revolvers from European Armory: the Weihrauch Windicator .357 Magnum and the Weihrauch Bounty Hunter .22.

MSRs that are moving include models from Palmetto State Armory and the S&W M&P Sport 15 .22 LR. Other rifles in stock include the Winchester Wildcat .22 and Thompson Center Compass II bolt-actions in 6.5 Creedmoor.

KY Spyder Arms LLC, Alexan-

dria Located just ten miles south of Cincinnati, this suburban retailer primarily sells Class 3 firearms and accessories. But it also stocks a wide range of rifles, handguns, shotguns, optics, ammo, gun parts, and accessories.

Handgun sales have risen to the highest turns since the beginning of the pandemic. Glock 43X and 19 pistols hold the high sales spots; Springfield Hellcats are just behind. A few Smith & Wesson and Ruger revolvers are also attracting attention.

The MSR inventory is good. Radical, HM Defense, and Anderson Manufacturing hold the high sales slots. “Our inventory is the best it has been in years. Our retail sales history continues to inch up every year,” said owner Aaron Baars.

Suppressors and other accessories are a large part of this store’s retail mix, selling at an all-time high. Dead Air and SilencerCo are the two top sellers.