Top Selling Guns?

[TheRaspyRabbit]

Hello,
We are in the process of stocking up for our grand opening (adding firearms to our inventory) and I thought I would ask all you experienced FFLers out there what guns are selling these days.

Obviously tactical guns are very hot and we are trying to find a few Colt LE6920CA's to put up on the wall along with ATI, DPMS and a few other bullet buttoned CA Compliant center and rimfire black rifles but beyond that I'm just not sure. I really like some of the new Savage sporting and varmint rifles but cant tell if these are selling or not (watching our suppliers stock levels). My gut feeling is we should probably have a mix ratio of tactical to sporting/hunting of about 75/25% both rifle and shotgun and about the same ratio of auto and revolver hand guns...maybe a little higher count of pistols.

The other issue I see is that most distributors are out of stock on the majority of what I consider popular guns (makes sense) so I can see this is going to be one of our biggest challenges. Any thoughts, comments or advise will be greatly appreciated....thanks

[dachan]

You already stumbled upon a good measure of what is currently popular, though it's not very helpful. Whatever is on allocation or OOS at your distributor is what is selling. Get to know your rep well, have him put a few things on stock watch or pass a few of the allocated items your way.

[tenpercentfirearms]

Cheap guns. Customers that walk through the door and are going to impulse buy like cheap guns. You can custom order the nicer ones.

[Ebola1282]

Couldnt agree with 10%'s assessment more... I've only been open for 6 months and I'm buying those hi-point c9's in groups of 20-30 at a time and I'm no sitting on them long. Between people looking for a cheap entry level/impulse buy and internet sales its hard to keep them in stock. Mark up isn't great but $20-$30 per pistol over 20-30 pistols at a time adds up real quick.

[Squid]

I'm in market for Marlin or Rossi/Puma 357 lever gun BUT......

I've heard nothing but stories of extremely inconsistent quality control.....

things that are 110% apparent the first time it is taken out of the box, sometimes without even trying to load the 1st round.


SO......I'd really like to:

1)buy one I can eyeball and touch 1st

2)buy one that the FFL has given a decent "once over" so I've got some confidence I'm not getting a lemon.


PS-IMHO, if the FFL rounds a dozen test rounds of various types through the gun it can still be sold as "new".


As far as starter 1st time impulse buy, personal defense, etc I'd expect the Phoenix Arms line would sell well, and address a different market than the Hi-Point centerfires, and they have good overall rep, although they are also said to want some 'tuning'.

[Delfuego]

As far as starter 1st time impulse buy, personal defense, etc I'd expect the Phoenix Arms line would sell well, and address a different market than the Hi-Point centerfires, and they have good overall rep, although they are also said to want some 'tuning'.

Don't stock Phoenix Arms, unless you want your customers to come back 3,000 rounds later with a cracked frame. PLEASE DON'T STOCK THESE! Stock the inexpensive Rugers and S&Ws instead.

[TheRaspyRabbit]

Thanks a bunch guys, you just confirmed my notion that the lower priced guns would move better.

Speaking of Hi-Point, have any of you had experience with the 9mm, 45 & 40 S&W carbines. I know they need a bullet button but for around $300 seems like they would sell very well, when anything comparable is twice the price for used (Camp 9, etc)

[Ebola1282]

Funny you should ask about the carbines... A rep from Davidson's call me earlier today and we were discussing options for distribution of them for people who want one/several and most of the major distributors being out of stock. I've read good things about them online however have yet to shoot one. I can get them in bulk (boxes of 5) at fairly well under the $300 range. I'm looking to make an order of them however need to find a few more buyers (have money tied up in other inventory at the moment).

If you'd like once I get my hand on a few I'll let you know what I think of them. The company I get them from has them in both stock and upgraded configurations (front grip, flashlight, laser) and all with CA bullet buttons already installed prior to shipping into CA. The upgraded configuration comes with a $100 price difference.

[aristeia]

10/22s! Takedowns included.

This year, being an election year and all, 75/25 Tactical/hunting sounds about right.

Low end models from well known companies will be your best sellers. (For example: More 500s than 930s)

Promising special orders is a nice selling point but be careful with Ruger (not sure if they're taking any orders yet) and any manufacturer under the Freedom Group umbrella (I've had to cancel a few special orders that kept getting pushed back for delivery)

[tenpercentfirearms]

Don't stock Phoenix Arms, unless you want your customers to come back 3,000 rounds later with a cracked frame. PLEASE DON'T STOCK THESE! Stock the inexpensive Rugers and S&Ws instead.

I try and keep Phoenix in stock to sell to guys I wonder about. That way if I have to get in a gun battle with them on the street someday, my odds are that much better they can't figure out how to make it work. They definitely won't get a reload done very fast that is for sure.

[send it_hit]

you've pretty much got it covered. and unfortunately you're right... the popular things that will sell might be very hard to get. glocks sell quick, most 1911's do too. Kimber, Sig, and even RIA.