Stocking a new Gunshop with AR10 and AR15 accessories

[1Sg (ret)]

Hey guys i am working at a new Gunshop in my area.I have been messing with ARs for over 25 years.I have been on the cutting edge of technology in years gone by.I will be helping stock the AR accessories. I would like everybodys input on what you think would sell and whats new in the AR world.Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.IE Triggers,Rails,Stocks,slings and anything AR10 and AR15.Thanks in advance.Richard

 

[ORD]

Give the people what they want!

Loosely translated to: Don't worry so much about what the Hide wants unless you'll be doing a lot of mail order business/online sales, but instead focus on what the customer base in your AO wants, can afford, etc., etc. I went through this helping a shop wind up its business a couple years back and they were GROSSLY overstocked with a ton of expensive merchandise that was top-of-the-line, but wasn't widely supported/purchased by the masses in their area. All the great gear in the world won't keep your business afloat if you can't sell it to the people who walk through the door and you don't otherwise actively sell online (whether through your own website, GunBroker, Forums, etc.).

That said...Magpul everything sells and sells VERY well across the board (i.e. - a variety of their collapsible buttstocks, as well as PRS models along with quality mil-spec hardware to mount them up/get them running). Same goes for Magpul magazines in a variety of configurations/colors/models/etc. (both AR-15 and large-frame ARs), as well as many Magpul parts/accessories such as grips, trigger guards, BUIS, slings, etc. Hard to go wrong with the vast majority of their products.

Lancer Systems also makes some incredible magazines (the L5 AWM mags) in a variety of .223/5.56 versions, as well as what promises to be one hell of a lineup of .308/7.62 DPMS-pattern mags due out around/after the first of the year.

The Ergo Grips (Falcon Industries) are also first rate and what many of my precision ARs wear, as well as working carbines, etc., and I know that a ton of folks here on the Hide have the same views from previous posts on their grips being widely supported.

As for triggers...again...this will depend heavily on your target market. Many folks I know who own local shops refuse to stock the best in components like triggers because their customer base won't spend $200+ on a FCG when "the basic parts kit trigger makes the gun go bang too..." (STUPID...YES, but nevertheless a fact of life for some folks/businesses). If you are going to do online sales and you can justify it, then Geissele triggers are where its at for precision-minded ARs. Similarly, I see a ton of Timney drop-in triggers get sold to the single-stage trigger crowd. There are also the JP Enterprises FCGs which are also excellent for the single-stage crowd. Speaking of JP...they offer some of the finest top-tier parts/accessories on the market from barrels/bolts/BCGs to modular handguards to...well...you get the idea.

All of Seekins AR components are top-notch as well from receivers (upper and lower) to handguards/rail systems to misc small parts such as gas blocks, brakes, etc.

Again...knowing more about your particular target market, etc. might help this discussion along a great deal, but those are some things to think about as you start considering what inventory to carry with respect to all things AR.

 

[shovelstrokeed]

Don't forget to stock a couple of moderately priced red dots. Bushnell actually makes a couple of decent ones in the <$200 range.
My KAC SR-15 is right now sporting an Aimpoint Comp M4 with a 2 MOA dot and previously had a Trijicon Accupoint 1-4x26 on it in a LaRue QD mount. Sold the mount to finance, in part, the Comp M4.
Not every Joe walking into the shop is gonna want to spring for an ACOG, Comp M4 or the like but a $200 red dot will get the job done out to 300 yds or so and the casual shooter will have all he needs.
Heck, I have a Swarovski 3-18x46 on my LWRC REPR in a Spuhr mount, but, I do like nice stuff on my guns. Helps my old eyes and such to keep on shooting. I'm not rich but have nothing else to spend my money on but ammo and toys.

 

[LRRPF52]

Online sales will be 4/1 in today's market in most retail businesses that don't rely on an indoor range for sales.

For the first and 2nd-time AR15 buyer, you will be dealing with customers who have a very sharp learning curve ahead of them, who have read a few things online, and now they're an expert. Instead of trashing them and opting for the counter-guy gunstore clerk, use this as an opportunity for sales.

That requires the employees to be knowledgeable, and so far, I have only seen maybe one retail firearms store in the entire US that had employees who knew their AR15's and AR10's like nobody's business, and that was Shooter's Supply in North Carolina on Bragg Boulevard, but it's been a while.

I would stock mostly basic, but quality guns with standard handguards, then upsale them into float tubes with service if you have competent staff. Have maybe 1/4th to 1/6th of the AR15's for your bigger spender clientele. Also, the staff can make a lot of sales by having their personal guns there, with all the doo-dads, optics, and functional, quality components, and that will help with educating and up-selling the customer. Nothing like pointing to your Chevy/Ferrari on the lot of the dealership you work at.

Vortex Optics makes one of the best line-ups for AR15's and AR10's, because you have price points across the board for all customer types, and reliable units that are backed by the best warranty service in the industry, in the rare event you need it.

You can also offer custom-order service for your regulars, and cut between margins to get them back into the store. You'll want some good brand names that have good margins, like Surefire used to. Not sure what they're like now, but they used to have excellent margins for the retailer.

I would say that customer treatment & service is more important than the product line, but you still need reputable products. If you remember customers by name, smile big, and genuinely take care of their interests, they will remember that they had a positive experience in YOUR store, regardless of what cool doo dads Joe's Big Anal Rape You A-Hole Guns has down the street. I learned to know my customers by name, their needs and wants, interests, shooting disciplines, and did everything I could to take care of them.

If your owner and employees adopt a customer-friendly human interaction posture, backed with good prices and reputable products, and the owner knows how to manage a business (only a small % actually do), you will be immensely successful.

 

[Speedster00]

All suggestions are good but one not mentioned is pricing. I know you have a retail store but keep pricing in mind. We have one store locally that thinks it can run full retail pricing and on some items like PMAGS and is still upping the price over retail. That's store product is still sitting because other local shops, are beating their prices. For instance, they want $29 for an AR10 PMAG. Other Shops in the area stock them for the regular $19 retail price.

Im not sure where you are, but in Houston there are lots of gun shops, gun shows, and more specifically plenty of vendors on line. Heck, this same shop told me that they couldn't sell the new XD-S 9mm when they had tones of inquiries about them. They had them priced at $599. 15 minutes down the street they sell them for $499. And when I told the guy that, what do you know, they went on "sale" .

So in a nutshell, don't price gouge, build a reputation, and stock lots of the popular items as mentioned. Magpul, vortex, Midwest industries rails, Gieselle triggers, voodoo bags, pelican hardcases, surefire flashlights, etc. The shop down the street has good selections, but their prices are too high for this competitive area...so their gear just sits.

 

[1Sg (ret)]

Thanks for the replys guys keep them coming.

 

[LRRPF52]

Plus 1 on the pricing. Every time I walk into a store, I first gauge their pricing posture on magazine prices.

If I see an aluminum 30rd magazine for $19.95 to $29.95, my wallet stays in my pocket unless I see some other unusual deal. One of the hardest things for brick stores to deal with is the competition from online sales, especially when taxes are figured in, but I like to keep local businesses in business as best as possible.

 

[EL34]

Listen to LRRPF52, especially on "Customer Treatment and Service". If your friendly, and try to help me I'll try to buy from your store, if on the other hand your a condesending asshole, because I don't want what you personally use then I'll go elsewhere, or back online. There are just 2 gun shops that I've ever been in, that I go out of my way to do business with (this is over 23 years of buying guns, and gun stuff). It's a tough business to be in, and how you treat people is what can make it, or break it.

 

[wareagle700]

Please, avoid Tapco, Mako, and ProMag.
Every gun store I go into has mostly crap parts. Carry good parts and when people complain tell them why they are more expensive than the china crap.

 

[346ci]

Please, avoid Tapco, Mako, and ProMag.
Every gun store I go into has mostly crap parts. Carry good parts and when people complain tell them why they are more expensive than the china crap.

While I agree with most of that, the Mako E-lander steel mag is one of the best out. If you happen to see one, get it in your hands and you will see what I'm talking about. I love my HK416 maritime mags but the E-landers are not far from them.

For the OP, your store needs to build a website. Once created and all the bugs are worked out, the maintenance isn't much. That way, you have foot traffic and online sales.

 

[346ci]

That requires the employees to be knowledgeable, and so far, I have only seen maybe one retail firearms store in the entire US that had employees who knew their AR15's and AR10's like nobody's business, and that was Shooter's Supply in North Carolina on Bragg Boulevard, but it's been a while.

Sorry to hijack but that is one of the few places in fayette'nam that does know ARs. Marty is at Phase 5 now but if big John is still at Shooters, they are GTG.

 

[Danco411]

If your a competent ARmorer and with 25 years experience you should be then you should offer low cost installation of stuff like rails, triggers and other parts. Most first time AR buyers get something they can afford then want to accessorize. Your more likely to get a better margin on a new rail, stock, trigger or optic if you offer to install for free or a small fee. I've fixed more than a few local ARs that had stuff installed wrong.

 

[WaveNature]

My quick reply wasn't quick enough. I'm thinking basically along the same lines as Danco.

If I was in your shoes I would get 3-5 guys together who are certified AR armorers and focus more on building rifles to order. I would focus more on stocking parts than I would on stocking complete factory rifles. Simply because the AR aftermarket is so big. You'll be ahead of the curve if you're set up to cerakote as well.

 

[protoolsnerd]

Anything seekins , jp , BCM, LMT are all good to go and get sold quickly. Moderately prices red dots like the Lucid HD7 and the Vortex Sparc are key to have around. Also have the complement of Leupold and Bushnell AR specific products. One piece quick detach mounts , rails , hand guards , anything and everything Magpul . Have all the small components around because i can't tell you how annoying it is to have to order from brownells for a gas tube roll pin.

Triggers , CMC makes a really nice moderately priced drop in trigger for around 170 bucks . Timney and a few others offer drop ins that are popular now. Offer uppers and lowers of all price ranges from forged cheapies to billet . Grips of course . Ergo , magpul and hogue account for most of the grips you see. The usual other rail stuff, stubbies , forward grips , cheap lasers and lights.

Plenty of 223 ammo will bring AR shooters into the store more then almost anything . PMC does it for me even though i reload. Price your 223 a dollar lower then anyone around you and people will flock to your shop.

All of the decent mags , magpul, lancer, troy , and surefire.

 

[usmcmk12]

Stock Ammo and Mags at competitive online pricing. That will keep them coming back in.

 

[1Sg (ret)]

Thanks guys keep the ideas coming.Thanks for you time.

 

[bentbolt308]

You always need sales staff to know their products that they sell.

 

[greentimber]

Powder and primers. Too much of a pain to stock all the small bits & pieces for reloading, but people will travel to your store to buy a pound of powder or a brick of primers without Haz Mat shipping. That's one of the few areas where brick & mortar still has an advantage over shopping online.

As far as pricing, I don't mind paying a *little* more (max 5%) in a store, but consider it an insult when I see $19 black windowless or $24 windowed PMags, $29.99 Glock mags, etc...

 

[cotntop]

John is still at Shooters and the store is busy as can be. John told me that BCM products sell fast if around a military base. Location makes a diff. I live a few miles from Delton and a local hardware store set-up a parts display for retail sales and it took off. Delton is too busy to maintain a storefront with the current situation.

 

[Name Enough]

I think it would be a good idea to stock small parts as well. If I need a crush washer I don't want to order it on line and I head out to the store 25 minutes away that stocks small parts. Along the way I pass up three other gun shops that u know don't stock small parts. One of them claims to be the largest gun shop in Texas. They used to have a gunsmith and stocked parts but, not anymore.
Last time I was at the store that stocks the small parts I also purchased an Atlas Bipod. Nobody is going to make a trip to the gun shop and just walk away with a couple of small parts. The store in question also has an armorer who will install parts you purchase and or give you some advise. His work bench is out in the shop so he will chat while he is installing someone's new forearm.

If I am going to purchase a larger purchase and I am planning it ahead of time - I will shop it on line so your pricing has to be somewhat in line. I am willing to pay a little more to support my local business but when prices are way out of line I don't go back to shop there again as I theorize everything else is priced high.
Just one man's humble opinion.

 

[GaryOlson]

Provide lubricants more appropriate for the AR platform. Not RemOil, not Hoppes, not Breakfree CLP which can be found in any generic gun store. I've been buying small AR equipment bits at Academy Sports (of all places) because the LGS only have rifles, optics, and cases. Sell items for which the shipping costs are high on Internet orders.