What guns would you sell? (If you ran a gun shop)

[Mungo]

I was chatting to an outdoor/country gear shop owner who wants to apply for a registered firearms dealership.
He’s currently quite niche, only selling Harkilla, Pilla and Swatcom.
He asked me, if I was opening a gun shop, what brands would you sell?
Here’s my list, but what would yours be, if you wanted to make money? There’s little point in stocking lots of exotic calibres because you’d rarely ever sell any. For example, my ‘go to‘ rifle is a 6.5x55, but I wouldn’t sell them in my shop, because so many more people are buying Creedmore’s.

Shotguns: Beretta, Browning, and maybe one Turkish brand, Yildiz or ATA.
Calibres: 20b and 12b. (I wouldn’t bother with 410 & 28b, purely on a volume basis)
Rifles: CZ, Sako, Tikka, Blaser.
Calibres: 17HMR, .22LR, .243, 6.5 Creedmore, .308.

That’s it.

Go down the American route: two thirds other outdoor gear (bikes, tents, kayaks, sleeping gear etc etc). One third firearms.

In the UK we have a historical (and entirely artificial) split between ‘outdoor’ sports and ‘field’ sports, which means a firearms dealer is forced to specialise on a very small market.

Something like the bastard offspring of Tiso and Bushwear would be awesome. With a cafe… I mean, the number of times I stop at Inveralmond and go into both!

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Something like the bastard offspring of Tiso and Bushwear would be awesome. With a cafe… I mean, the number of times I stop at Inveralmond and go into both!

I did think a cafe downstairs and RFD upstairs would make a good mix!

 

[Overlay]

Go down the American route: two thirds other outdoor gear (bikes, tents, kayaks, sleeping gear etc etc). One third firearms.

In the UK we have a historical (and entirely artificial) split between ‘outdoor’ sports and ‘field’ sports, which means a firearms dealer is forced to specialise on a very small market.

Something like the bastard offspring of Tiso and Bushwear would be awesome. With a cafe… I mean, the number of times I stop at Inveralmond and go into both!

Hahaha
I would honestly love the idea BUT I couldn’t bear the thought of going into my go to gunshop and asking him for a latte and a blueberry muffin, meeting up with your buddies for a chat, coffee and a browse I would imagine the expletives would be considerable.

 

[harrygrey382]

Go down the American route: two thirds other outdoor gear (bikes, tents, kayaks, sleeping gear etc etc). One third firearms.

In the UK we have a historical (and entirely artificial) split between ‘outdoor’ sports and ‘field’ sports, which means a firearms dealer is forced to specialise on a very small market.

Something like the bastard offspring of Tiso and Bushwear would be awesome. With a cafe… I mean, the number of times I stop at Inveralmond and go into both!

My favourite shop in Petersfield used to be Lay, Cock and Gerrard which was a hardware but had a pretty respectable gun room out the back. Got my air rifle there when I was 13. It was a dark day when they closed down.

But to the point, if I owned a gun shop I’d sell only blue walnut CRF rifles. I’m sure I wouldn’t make any money, but at least I wouldn’t suffer looking at offensive guns

 

[Siggy]

Only Left handed, sold at the same price as right handed...but then I'll never own a gun shop...business acumen is probably one of the reason why...

 

[kenbro]

The more successful gunshops here make a substantial percentage of their profits by selling used rifles . I frequent a number of thriving outfits that sell nothing but secondhand firearms . Most of the better shops also have good scopes , a lot of aftermarket accessories and reloading supplies available as well . I've purchased a number of firearms over the years because I was there to buy reloading components and they happened to have a rifle/ shotgun I couldn't live without . That being said , I have no idea how the UK market works and would be hesitant to suggest a business model for your part of the world . I have found that the broader the appeal , the more profitable your business will be however .

AB

A lot of firearms would change hands more frequently in UK if the buying system was more user friendly.
Variation process needs overhauling.
Ken.

 

[Dave_45]

I spoke to an rfd , its been ages since he sold a blaser or high end sauer or sako.

His words

"It's all the sh**e that's selling"


Suppose the economy isn't currently great

 

[Essexsussex]

My favourite shop in Petersfield used to be Lay, Cock and Gerrard which was a hardware but had a pretty respectable gun room out the back. Got my air rifle there when I was 13. It was a dark day when they closed down.

But to the point, if I owned a gun shop I’d sell only blue walnut CRF rifles. I’m sure I wouldn’t make any money, but at least I wouldn’t suffer looking at offensive guns

That’s a blast from the past. I also used to go and hang out with Steve at The Forge (age of 14 or so I’m sure he was delighted!) who it turned out used to make greenhart rods. He helped me work out how to do so myself pre-YouTube. What a great workshop as well.
Clusons was pretty fun too!

 

[Heym SR20]

Firstly I would make it a destination to treasured by visitors. I would have skilled gunsmiths building guns and rifles using a mix of both modern and ancient techniques. And I would have a viewing gallery so people can see their gun being built or repaired.

I would also make sure we had a good restaurant selling good healthy food at reasonable prices.

In many ways I would follow the business model of many whisky distilleries.

I would have a good clay and rifle either on hand or close buy

And I would make sure that we catered for all ends of the spectrum. From a good solid working rifle or shotgun for a few hundred right up to hand built bespoke for several tens of thousand.

I would add in outdoor clothing, equipment etc - again from affordable to very fine. And I would include other outdoor pursuits such as mounteneering, skiing, climbing and fishing.

 

[long_range_rob]

I wouldn't sell any. Any means having stock and at present that's bad business. The money IMHO is not there as the market is awash with secondhand guns.

I just wouldn’t have a shop, I have a mate with one and he gets so many halfwits it’s incredible For example customers comes in and wants a rifle (Can’t remember the make) in 300WM. Told it was special order, says OK. Rifle duly turns up, chap turns up, looks rifle over and says “Very nice, I just wanted to look at one!”

Special orders are now 100% non-refundable deposit.

 

[enfieldspares]

Firstly I would make it a destination to treasured by visitors. I would have skilled gunsmiths building guns and rifles using a mix of both modern and ancient techniques. And I would have a viewing gallery so people can see their gun being built or repaired.

I would also make sure we had a good restaurant selling good healthy food at reasonable prices.

In many ways I would follow the business model of many whisky distilleries.

I would have a good clay and rifle either on hand or close buy

And I would make sure that we catered for all ends of the spectrum. From a good solid working rifle or shotgun for a few hundred right up to hand built bespoke for several tens of thousand.

I would add in outdoor clothing, equipment etc - again from affordable to very fine. And I would include other outdoor pursuits such as mounteneering, skiing, climbing and fishing.

You forgot the electric vehicle charging points...

 

[kenbro]

Firstly I would make it a destination to treasured by visitors. I would have skilled gunsmiths building guns and rifles using a mix of both modern and ancient techniques. And I would have a viewing gallery so people can see their gun being built or repaired.

I would also make sure we had a good restaurant selling good healthy food at reasonable prices.

In many ways I would follow the business model of many whisky distilleries.

I would have a good clay and rifle either on hand or close buy

And I would make sure that we catered for all ends of the spectrum. From a good solid working rifle or shotgun for a few hundred right up to hand built bespoke for several tens of thousand.

I would add in outdoor clothing, equipment etc - again from affordable to very fine. And I would include other outdoor pursuits such as mounteneering, skiing, climbing and fishing.

Nice thoughts Mr. Heym, is that what they used to call a Pipe Dream?
Ken.

 

[paul o']

None it would be on VR . I'd order what you like and you would pay post should you buy it you would get refund on post! but if you did't buy it then you would pay to return the item aswell ! This would all be pre agreed.
That go's for all items all on Show on the VR web! you pay the post and full amount of items . Once collected there would be a refund of post or return postage will be adjusted from the agreed held amount.
No one gets stock they don't need and the buyer do's not have to buy it should he dislike the items but If the item is not as they wished then an admin fee would be charged at a set rate.

 

[Pedro]

I guess it’s a bit like the car trade of late. Prices of new and nearly new vehicles are extortionate. But the sales of cheaper runabouts is booming. Transfer that idea to your stock. Some of the smaller but successful RFDs diversify too. Take R. Macleod & Son. Most people will know they’re an excellent RFD with their online presence, but if you’ve called in, (it is a fair way up there) you’ll know they sell kitchen/household items. Last time I called in, I picked up some ammo and a big stainless steel pot to make jam. I’m not necessarily saying do exactly the same, but spread your usefulness to the community to spread your customer base and lessen your vulnerability.

 

[Lateral]

What with the US restricting rifle sales to Europe, and Brexit making importing both expensive, and a hassle, I'm not certain I'd want to be stocking new rifles, I think I'd be taking advantage of the very depressed used market, concentrating on buying only first class examples, of various of the better brands, covering the most popular calibres, and price points. I would include Blaser, because it is an excellent rifle, with a vast number of options, that can be bought for relatively sensible money used.

I'd build a reputation for only offering properly inspected, rifles, if possible, with a target showing a grp, and the suggested ammunition, taking that "what am I buying" fear out of the equation.

I would narrow down the number of stock items, to limit stock investment, and stick to the core products, where there is a sensible margin, and let the on line bucket shops, and Ebay fight it out for the shrapnel.

Over time, I would expect the business to evolve, finding it's own niches, to build a loyal customer base.

 

[Liveonce]

Firstly I would make it a destination to treasured by visitors. I would have skilled gunsmiths building guns and rifles using a mix of both modern and ancient techniques. And I would have a viewing gallery so people can see their gun being built or repaired.

I would also make sure we had a good restaurant selling good healthy food at reasonable prices.

In many ways I would follow the business model of many whisky distilleries.

I would have a good clay and rifle either on hand or close buy

And I would make sure that we catered for all ends of the spectrum. From a good solid working rifle or shotgun for a few hundred right up to hand built bespoke for several tens of thousand.

I would add in outdoor clothing, equipment etc - again from affordable to very fine. And I would include other outdoor pursuits such as mounteneering, skiing, climbing and fishing.

is that a “if carlsberg did a gun shop“ advert

 

[User00040]

The customers:

 

[Domer]

rifles would have to be the full range of Cz, tikka and begara

shotguns - beretta, browning, mosssberg

Not sure about anyone else but there seems to be a lot of rifles outside of the most popular brands just sat on the shelf’s for ages. If I was an rfd I would limit my range but not sure what choice they have in the matter or for that fact what incentives they are offered to stock certain brands.

 

[harrygrey382]

That’s a blast from the past. I also used to go and hang out with Steve at The Forge (age of 14 or so I’m sure he was delighted!) who it turned out used to make greenhart rods. He helped me work out how to do so myself pre-YouTube. What a great workshop as well.
Clusons was pretty fun too!

Steve Pibworth (spelling?)! Yes he was a fantastic man, so generous with his time and his stock. Unfortunately I starting spending time with him a bit too late - sounds like you knew him better. What was Clusons?

 

[Essexsussex]

Steve Pibworth (spelling?)! Yes he was a fantastic man, so generous with his time and his stock. Unfortunately I starting spending time with him a bit too late - sounds like you knew him better. What was Clusons?

Yes him! A great man.
Cousins was a sort of farm shop (the other side of the railway if I recall on some sort of estate) that sold all sorts, and I think the brand clulite may have stemmed from there. I would have known Steve in the late eighties early nineties.