by robert a sadowski W H AT ’S SELLING
WHERE
Mountain Sports, CABear Bakersfield
Corner’s General WAFour Store, Castle Rock
View Sports, AKMountain Anchorage
NE
space with an average of 30 employees and over 2,000 firearms in stock. Founded in 1962, it is now in its second generation of family ownership. MSRs are attracting a renewed interest at this large retailer. “World events and high fuel prices are definitely ticking up sales in the MSR category,” said buyer-manager Jim Jaeger. The S&W M&P 15 Sport IIs and models from Sig Sauer sell best. Handguns continue to have steady sales. The Smith M&P Shield Plus and EZ hold the lead. Springfield Hellcats also are in high demand and hold down the third spot. Glocks are also turning well. This retailer reports that though ammo stocks are improving, some hunting calibers are still in short supply.
World events and changing local demographics are driving this store’s sales. “We’ve seen a lot of change in the last year. With spiking fuel prices, and the agricultural business in a state of high operational costs, my sales simply are not keeping up. If that wan’t bad enough, what has really been the biggest difficulty is product deliveries. Since we haven’t gotten our allotments, our sales have slowed,” said owner Roy Ballard. Sales of MSRs have remained flat since Christmas. DPMS Oracles and Ruger 556s are the top sellers. Ruger 10/22s are expected to be in stock this summer. A few clay-target guns are turning, with Browning Citori over-unders and a few Maxus semiautos getting attention. On the shotgun rack, pump-actions from Turkey are the primary inventory. Ruger EC9 and Taurus G3 handguns are still turning at a nice pace. Meanwhile, used guns are making up most of the handgun inventory.
Resting halfway between Fresno and Los Angeles, this San Fernando Valley independent homedefense and hunting store is a staple in the Bakersfield area. Glock 19s have been in high demand, but Sig Sauer P320s and P938s and 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shields have also been on the move. “All and all, it has been a good year—even with the ammo paperwork and other state requirements. At least we have good accessibility to California-compliant product,” said owner Cynthia Thome. Ruger PC Carbines are at the top of the list in the Modern Sporting Rifle category. Bolt-action rifles, particularly Tikkas and Ruger Americans, have had a strong season. Calibers like .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor have dominated the bolt category. Handgun ammo is finally back on the floor in volume, along with .223 and .556. California-compliant .30-caliber ammo is still in short supply.
Nebraska Gun, Lincoln This
small independent metro store keeps an average of 200 firearms in stock with three employees working the counter. Ammo stocks are low and a challenge to find. “We are just getting what we can without pre-orders. This is a small shop. I can’t see tying up high amounts of cash in ammo when space is tight and deliveries are so unpredictable. Birdshot in No. 5 and No. 6 is just impossible, though I can now get truckloads of 00 buck,” said owner Jeff Macintyre. MSRs, including combination uppers and lowers from Palmetto Armory and Bear Creek, are moving at two a month. Due to the availability of price-point revolvers, sales of handguns, including the rimfire Taurus TX22, are up from last year. Sales of semi-autos, including Glock 19s and SCCY, are also strong.
Gun & Tackle, MIBob’s Hastings
One of the largest independents in the state of Michigan, Bob’s sports 15,000 square feet of floor
40
❚
SHOT BUSINESS
SB_0622_WSW.indd 40
❚
MAY/JUNE 2022
With a standing inventory of 500 guns, this central Washington retailer stocks a variety of general sporting goods, including large 3-D targets. Although hunting ammo has been difficult to secure, this store is making inroads. “We really make an effort to find difficult-to-get rifle ammo. We want to be that place where you know you can find a box of .30-30 or .300 Savage cartridges,” said counter salesman Jarrod Leigh. Browning X-Bolts in 6.5 Creedmoor are just starting to move and are expected to be the top seller. Ruger Americans are sitting in the second slot and are expected to remain in that position throughout the summer months. MSR sales are slowing but still turning one every two weeks. S&W M&P 15 Sport IIs and Windhams lead the sales board. Pistols are strong. Smith M&P Shields hold the top spot, but Springfield XDMs in 9mm and .40 are coming on fast. The Taurus TX22 Competition is also selling well.
KSBull City Guns, Alton
Located on Highway 24 in north-central Kansas, this large independent has seen a local downturn in availability. Typically, it stocks 2,500 firearms. But right now, it has no more than 400 in stock.
Founded in 1961, this metro Anchorage retailer is a specialty fly shop and hunting store. It keeps an average of 180 firearms in stock, with one full-time and two part-time employees working the firearms counter. Located on the south side of Anchorage, it spans 4,000 square feet. Handgun sales continue to post strong numbers. Sig P365s, Glock 46Xs, and Springfield Hellcats attract the most attention. The Ruger Alaskan in .460 is a high-demand SKU, and the .454 Casull is on backorder. Inventory on shotguns is almost exclusively personal-defense guns sold to backcountry guides and boaters. Ammo is available, but pricing has not come down in over a year for most calibers. The exception is 9mm. “Fuel and other economic world trends are putting the sting back in our ammo supplies and cost. While we can get most of the unusual calibers, they have gone back up in price,” said store manager John Staser.
❚
SHOTBUSINESS.COM
❚
4/12/22 9:28 AM
