by robert a sadowski W H AT ’S SELLING
WHERE
Sporting Goods, UTAl’s Logan
Stocking an average of 1,000 firearms, this general hunting and fishing retailer is one of the oldest independent retailers in the western states. Although sales are not as high now as they were at this time last year, traffic is still brisk. “Not only have turns stayed impressive, but now we can get what we want for our handgun department,” said assistant manager Bo Nelson. Glocks, primarily 43s and 19s, have a narrow lead over all others at the handgun counter, but Smith & Wesson Shield EZs and J-frame revolvers are doing well, too. Nelson says Springfield’s entire line is hot, especially the Hellcat. Sales of Modern Sporting Rifles remain consistent, at five per week. Springfield Saints and S&W M&P Sport IIs are also selling well. Bolt-action gun inventories remain good after big-game season, but popular rifle cartridges remain in short supply, with no relief in sight.
Sporting AKBoondock Goods, Eagle River
Keeping a mix of home-defense and hunting firearms and accessories, this store sits in between the cities of Anchorage and Wasilla. The retailer also stocks an assortment of camping and fishing gear. It’s been a busy year for this retailer, and the staff is pleased to see sales for late 2021 were still high. “While MSRs have slowed, daily sales have remained high for handguns,” said manager Shawn Johnson. At this counter, the Springfield Hellcat is in first place, followed by Glock 43s and Springfield XDMs. There are multiple standing orders for the new SA35. Demand outpaced supply for boltaction rifles, but the store has been able to keep Tikkas, Ruger Americans, and Browning Hell’s Canyons on the rack. Popular calibers continue to be .300 Win. Mag. and the new 6.8 Western. MSRs are moving at more than two a week, with Ruger 556s in the top slot.
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new and used guns in stock, this small shop is located 20 miles northeast of Des Moines. Handguns sales are steady. Glocks sell best, but their overall numbers are down from last year. Other fast movers include Springfield XDMs and Ruger SR22s. Sales of MSRs are flat, turning just three a month. Here, the Ruger 556 does best. “There’s no question that MSR numbers are down, but sales of higher-end rifles, like the Ruger Precision, are starting to improve,” said buyer Dana Schoppe. Getting enough ammo remains a big challenge. Schoppe said shotgun slugs and anything in .30 caliber is especially hard to get.
square feet in metro St. Paul. Glock 19s and 20s and the Taurus model 709 top the high-demand list at the handgun counter. The store is also moving some Sig P365s. “It’s been a busy year, and I’m pleased that we’ve been able get through it,” said owner Rick Kay. The store has plenty of MSRs in stock. It turns one per week. Springfield Saints deliver the most consistent sales. Shotgun demand has fallen, and Kay has been left holding a larger number of SKUs from Turkey. “The whole Turkish shotgun shipment was great when they showed up. Now our customers will not buy them unless they are priced below cost,” said Kay. Ammo stocks are better than expected with 9mm, .40, and .223 in good inventory.
H Kay Firearms, St. MNRPaul
Masters, ColumMOTarget bia
Daryl’s Gun Shop, State Center Keeping more than 300
This home-defensefocused retailer stocks an average of 300 firearms in a tightly inventoried 500
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A serious contender in this town for more than 21 years, this store has a ten-lane 25-yard range. Big-box stores
Ammo stocks are okay for handguns, but rifle calibers remain a challenge to stock.
MTShedhorn Sports, Ennis
This retailer, located just 70 miles outside the Yellowstone Park entrance, has been in business for 34 years. Twelve employees are kept busy stocking over 1,000 guns. Handguns continue to rule; the high turns go to Colt Pythons and Anacondas in .357 Mag. and .44 Mag. Glock 20s and Kimber 1911s in 10mm are also in high demand. Bolt-action rifle sales are up, and this retailer is managing inventory more than a year out. “Rifles are the major part of our business, and it takes advanced ordering to be sure we have a strong selection when fall arrives,” said owner Melissa Glaser. A mix of models from Christensen Arms and the Savage Axis are getting the most turns. MSR sales are slowing; Daniel Defense and Ruger 556s command the high ground.
surround this retailer, including a Bass Pro Shop just a few miles away. This has been a tricky time for ammo at this retailer-range. “We are just not willing to gouge our customers. We can sell 9mm for 45 cents per round all day long, but we would rather send them to a box store. If we can get a range round below 29 cents, we’ll stock as much as we can get. We just don’t want our customers to feel like we are taking advantage of them,” said manager Thomas Wright. At the handgun counter, Glock 43Xs top the list. Springfield Hellcats and Sig P365s are also turning daily. MSR sales have slowed significantly to just two a month. The largest turns are going to Smith M&P Sport IIs. There is an expectation that MSRs will pick up as winter varmint season gets moving. “Our MSR sales always find new owners in the winter. Either it’s a first time .223 shooter, or someone looking to upgrade their distance accuracy with a higher-grade rifle,” said Wright.
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12/13/21 8:45 AM
