How Many Gun Shops That You Know Of...

Joe_Pike · January 1, 2013, 07:07 PM

...have gone out of business due to periods of panic? I thought November 2008 was bad, but this beats it by a long shot. Most manufactures of firearms are now back ordered for 12+ months and I imagine ammo suppliers are right there with them. This can't be good for small shops. They buy inventory in relatively small quantities and if it isn't available they will not be able to replace it any time soon. There was no way for them to foresee the future and stock up on desirable products, so, I wonder how they will be able to stay in business over the next few months. Retailers like Bass Pro sell a lot of different products, so they are not as reliant on firearms as some. One of my favorite shops is very small and I worry that they may have to close if there is nothing to sell.

Rifleman1776 · January 2, 2013, 09:41 AM

Too soon to panic. Small shops have the advantage of being able to provide personal service. New gun sales are not the only revenue stream for local gun shops. We don't know what the next few years will bring in regards to gun control laws. That is the concern.

JagFarlane · January 2, 2013, 03:53 PM

It depends on the business plan of the LGS, most owners I've known over time make it a point to not rely on firearms sales as their primary form of profit. The sales are just too finicky. Instead they choose to rely on other products in the store, reloading components, clothing, services provided, etc. High ticket items like firearms tend to be a slim profit margin item, hopefully they learned lessons from 2008 and are planned around it.

Joe_Pike · January 2, 2013, 05:45 PM

Well, this shop has been in business quite some time, but there main line of business is firearms. They do pawn items, but again, they mostly pawn firearms. It is a tiny place with not much overhead, so, who knows what will happen.

I do remember someone posting four years ago about a gun shop(s) that went out of business becuase they couldn't get orders delivered after the election.

**Tom Servo** · January 2, 2013, 05:51 PM

There's a good chance that some of the newer and smaller dealers will go under.

The big question is this: how long can you go without cash flow? At the moment, everything (and I mean everything) is allocated. Dealers are looking at a possible two months' worth of drought on product.

Even then, the available product will be snapped up by Bud's, CTD, Cabela's and the like, leaving local dealers to grovel for crumbs. Prices are going to go up. They have to.

Assuming supply is a bit better in March, you'll have another bout of hoarding every time someone opens their mouth about gun control on the news. It's going to be a long year, and some dealers won't make it through.

jimbob86 · January 2, 2013, 06:05 PM

The only LGS's to go out of business that I know of went out due to either poor location (an otherwise deserted indoor shopping mall) or ATF records violations and a zoning board issue. In the same amount of time, several more small shops and ranges have opened up and/or expanded.

B. Lahey · January 2, 2013, 06:22 PM

Around here, gunshops only seem to close when they are a one-man operation, and that one man dies. Sometimes not even then.

We have one gunshop where one of the owners sold a gun to a nutcase with no background check, the nutcase killed a cop with it, the gunshop guy was murdered while in federal custody awaiting trial... And the shop is still there, apparently doing fine.

Unspoken · January 3, 2013, 06:06 PM

I wasn't into shooting in 2008.
So all this panic buying and ammo shortage has a precedent?
What caused it? How long did it last?

spanishjames · January 3, 2013, 06:18 PM

Quote:

I wasn't into shooting in 2008.
So all this panic buying and ammo shortage has a precedent?
What caused it? How long did it last?

The election of BHO. Everyone thought the new administration would go after guns with new legislation. It was pretty rough in 2009, .380acp was non-existent, and if it was you could pay 75 cents a round. 2010 and 2011 were better, and 2012 was the year everyone should've bought what they wanted while they still could, as prices and inventories leveled off and were pretty good for a while.

lordhedgwich · January 3, 2013, 06:48 PM

Im pretty new shooter as i just turned 21 last year and started getting into C&R guns. I have 7 guns (mosin, tok, makarov, 8mm mauser, sks, and a nagant)

I also have a low spending budget for ammo. and this panic sucks i cant find any 8mm, 7.62x39, 9x18, or 7.62x25 anywhere how long will it take for things to even out so i can start shooting again

RamItOne · January 3, 2013, 06:54 PM

Haven't noticed much of the Russian surplus (excluding x39) being unavailable.

lordhedgwich · January 3, 2013, 06:59 PM

Russian surplus of what?

Joe_Pike · January 3, 2013, 08:26 PM

Keep an eye on Aim Surplus for a lot of imported surplus ammo. They seem to get supplied fairly regularly. Or, at least they did. Seems to be a new world now, though.

Unspoken · January 3, 2013, 10:46 PM

Thanks for the answer, spanishjames.
But why did Obama's inaugural election incite a spree of panic buying? Is he adamantly anti-gun?

Regarding the current ammo shortage- I have about 1000-2000 rounds each of 7.62x39, 40SW, and 22LR. Would I be wise to reduce my range time, and shoot less, until this mania regresses? Do you think these inflated ammo prices will continue? And if so, for how long?

MonkeyKnight · January 3, 2013, 11:09 PM

So far the LGSs here are thriving. Not everything is allocated. I see ARs are, and some pistols. So now I am stocking up on levers and single action wheel guns. When one thing drys up folks usually buy another.

Since November these local shops are crowded every day. One in particular, there isn't more than fifteen minutes that there isn't someone there. I have a bud who lives across the road. And this is in a town with about 2k population.

jimbob86 · January 3, 2013, 11:20 PM

Quote:

But why did Obama's inaugural election incite a spree of panic buying? Is he adamantly anti-gun?

Does a bear #2 in the woods?

Two questions:

1: Where was BHO a Senator?
2: What is the only State without a provision for CCW (Despite having it's hand slapped by the Supreme Court in McDonald v. Chicago)?

Hint: the answer is the same.

Quote:

Russian surplus of what?

Bears. Lots of 'em!

Surplus .mil ammo, silly.

Skans · January 4, 2013, 09:01 AM

Smart gun store owners know that "banned weapon" scares take place from time to time. They would have purchased lots of assembled AK's, AR's parts, ammo and magazines when they are readily available, and save them for a rainy day. If they did this right, they are making a killing right now. And if everything gets banned, they will have enough money to retire on or start a new business.

lordhedgwich · January 4, 2013, 01:58 PM

"Bears. Lots of 'em!

Surplus .mil ammo, silly."

i see lots of russian surplus 7.62x54r but not much else

BigPoppa · January 5, 2013, 02:05 AM

I know of a great Local Gunshop that I bought two firearms from and was very likely to buy more but they went out of business. Them going out of business really drove me to purchase firearms off of the Internet which really saved me alot of money. Hated to see them go out of business outside the town of Greenville,NC. Other gunshops in the area act as if they are doing the customer a favor by serving them and I refuse to spend my money in them and I had quite a bit to spend with them but they will never know it because I am not a flashy type person and I prefer to keep it that way.

JoeDorn · January 5, 2013, 07:20 AM

Manufacturers being back ordered for 12+ months only means that the manufacturing facilities are going at full blast not that the pipeline is closed down. A small gun store depends on a distributor and what the LGS gets will be based on that relationship.

kayakersteve · January 5, 2013, 08:09 AM

I think lgs that have home based operations might survive, but smaller gs with buildings on rented land and high overhead will struggle to survive with little to no income over the next several months.

UtopiaTexasG19 · January 5, 2013, 08:19 AM

If the current gun ban in the works does indede include buying ammo "face to face" only it will kill internet ammo sales and might be a huge boon to local LGS opperations in the long run. Naturally this is only speculation at this time.

lordhedgwich · January 5, 2013, 08:13 PM

buying ammo face to face

i buy almost all my ammo online so i dont have to drive 30 min to closest gun shop

Joe_Pike · January 5, 2013, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Manufacturers being back ordered for 12+ months only means that the manufacturing facilities are going at full blast not that the pipeline is closed down. A small gun store depends on a distributor and what the LGS gets will be based on that relationship.

But retailers like Bass Pro, Bud's, etc. will be taken care of before any of the smaller shops will. The bigger accounts get preferential treatment because of the huge amounts of product they buy. That's the nature of the beast. Bass Pro spends thirty-five million a year with Remington. I'm guessing they will get restocked before Ma & Pa's Gun Shop will.

Alabama Shooter · January 5, 2013, 09:17 PM

I imagine they could suspend operations for a while if things get that bad. Otherwise I say get creative with reloading, accessorizing, training programs etc.

January 1, 2013, 07:07 PM	#1
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	How Many Gun Shops That You Know Of... ...have gone out of business due to periods of panic? I thought November 2008 was bad, but this beats it by a long shot. Most manufactures of firearms are now back ordered for 12+ months and I imagine ammo suppliers are right there with them. This can't be good for small shops. They buy inventory in relatively small quantities and if it isn't available they will not be able to replace it any time soon. There was no way for them to foresee the future and stock up on desirable products, so, I wonder how they will be able to stay in business over the next few months. Retailers like Bass Pro sell a lot of different products, so they are not as reliant on firearms as some. One of my favorite shops is very small and I worry that they may have to close if there is nothing to sell. __________________ Stay Groovy

January 2, 2013, 03:53 PM	#3
JagFarlane Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Posts: 282	It depends on the business plan of the LGS, most owners I've known over time make it a point to not rely on firearms sales as their primary form of profit. The sales are just too finicky. Instead they choose to rely on other products in the store, reloading components, clothing, services provided, etc. High ticket items like firearms tend to be a slim profit margin item, hopefully they learned lessons from 2008 and are planned around it. __________________ Too many to list...enjoy em all!

January 2, 2013, 05:45 PM	#4
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	Well, this shop has been in business quite some time, but there main line of business is firearms. They do pawn items, but again, they mostly pawn firearms. It is a tiny place with not much overhead, so, who knows what will happen. I do remember someone posting four years ago about a gun shop(s) that went out of business becuase they couldn't get orders delivered after the election. __________________ Stay Groovy

January 2, 2013, 05:51 PM	#5
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	There's a good chance that some of the newer and smaller dealers will go under. The big question is this: how long can you go without cash flow? At the moment, everything (and I mean everything) is allocated. Dealers are looking at a possible two months' worth of drought on product. Even then, the available product will be snapped up by Bud's, CTD, Cabela's and the like, leaving local dealers to grovel for crumbs. Prices are going to go up. They have to. Assuming supply is a bit better in March, you'll have another bout of hoarding every time someone opens their mouth about gun control on the news. It's going to be a long year, and some dealers won't make it through. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

January 2, 2013, 06:22 PM	#7
B. Lahey Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,857	Around here, gunshops only seem to close when they are a one-man operation, and that one man dies. Sometimes not even then. We have one gunshop where one of the owners sold a gun to a nutcase with no background check, the nutcase killed a cop with it, the gunshop guy was murdered while in federal custody awaiting trial... And the shop is still there, apparently doing fine. __________________ "A human being is primarily a bag for putting food into; the other functions and faculties may be more godlike, but in point of time they come afterwards." -George Orwell

January 2, 2013, 09:41 AM	#2
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Too soon to panic. Small shops have the advantage of being able to provide personal service. New gun sales are not the only revenue stream for local gun shops. We don't know what the next few years will bring in regards to gun control laws. That is the concern.

January 2, 2013, 06:05 PM	#6
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	The only LGS's to go out of business that I know of went out due to either poor location (an otherwise deserted indoor shopping mall) or ATF records violations and a zoning board issue. In the same amount of time, several more small shops and ranges have opened up and/or expanded.

January 3, 2013, 06:06 PM	#8
Unspoken Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Posts: 99	I wasn't into shooting in 2008. So all this panic buying and ammo shortage has a precedent? What caused it? How long did it last? __________________ Proverb for Paranoids: The innocence of the Creatures is in inverse proportion to the immorality of the Master. -T. Pynchon

January 3, 2013, 06:48 PM	#10
lordhedgwich Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Posts: 180	Im pretty new shooter as i just turned 21 last year and started getting into C&R guns. I have 7 guns (mosin, tok, makarov, 8mm mauser, sks, and a nagant) I also have a low spending budget for ammo. and this panic sucks i cant find any 8mm, 7.62x39, 9x18, or 7.62x25 anywhere how long will it take for things to even out so i can start shooting again

January 3, 2013, 06:54 PM	#11
RamItOne Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2011 Posts: 990	^^^^ Haven't noticed much of the Russian surplus (excluding x39) being unavailable. __________________ M&P- the other dark meat https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pet...rtant/DJyvnHz0

January 3, 2013, 06:59 PM	#12
lordhedgwich Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Posts: 180	Russian surplus of what?

January 3, 2013, 08:26 PM	#13
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	Keep an eye on Aim Surplus for a lot of imported surplus ammo. They seem to get supplied fairly regularly. Or, at least they did. Seems to be a new world now, though. __________________ Stay Groovy

January 3, 2013, 10:46 PM	#14
Unspoken Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Posts: 99	Thanks for the answer, spanishjames. But why did Obama's inaugural election incite a spree of panic buying? Is he adamantly anti-gun? Regarding the current ammo shortage- I have about 1000-2000 rounds each of 7.62x39, 40SW, and 22LR. Would I be wise to reduce my range time, and shoot less, until this mania regresses? Do you think these inflated ammo prices will continue? And if so, for how long? __________________ Proverb for Paranoids: The innocence of the Creatures is in inverse proportion to the immorality of the Master. -T. Pynchon

January 3, 2013, 11:09 PM	#15
MonkeyKnight Member Join Date: December 2, 2012 Location: Mi Posts: 20	So far the LGSs here are thriving. Not everything is allocated. I see ARs are, and some pistols. So now I am stocking up on levers and single action wheel guns. When one thing drys up folks usually buy another. Since November these local shops are crowded every day. One in particular, there isn't more than fifteen minutes that there isn't someone there. I have a bud who lives across the road. And this is in a town with about 2k population. __________________ Nicholas "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," -- Wayne LaPierre, NRA's executive vice president.

January 4, 2013, 09:01 AM	#17
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Smart gun store owners know that "banned weapon" scares take place from time to time. They would have purchased lots of assembled AK's, AR's parts, ammo and magazines when they are readily available, and save them for a rainy day. If they did this right, they are making a killing right now. And if everything gets banned, they will have enough money to retire on or start a new business.

January 4, 2013, 01:58 PM	#18
lordhedgwich Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Posts: 180	"Bears. Lots of 'em! Surplus .mil ammo, silly." i see lots of russian surplus 7.62x54r but not much else

January 5, 2013, 02:05 AM	#19
BigPoppa Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2008 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 166	I know of a great Local Gunshop that I bought two firearms from and was very likely to buy more but they went out of business. Them going out of business really drove me to purchase firearms off of the Internet which really saved me alot of money. Hated to see them go out of business outside the town of Greenville,NC. Other gunshops in the area act as if they are doing the customer a favor by serving them and I refuse to spend my money in them and I had quite a bit to spend with them but they will never know it because I am not a flashy type person and I prefer to keep it that way.

January 5, 2013, 07:20 AM	#20
JoeDorn Member Join Date: May 24, 2010 Location: Belton, Texas Posts: 26	Manufacturers being back ordered for 12+ months only means that the manufacturing facilities are going at full blast not that the pipeline is closed down. A small gun store depends on a distributor and what the LGS gets will be based on that relationship. __________________ Joe Dorn, W5VEX Belton, Texas NRA Benefactor, GOA, SAF & TSRA Lifer

January 5, 2013, 08:09 AM	#21
kayakersteve Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 925	I think lgs that have home based operations might survive, but smaller gs with buildings on rented land and high overhead will struggle to survive with little to no income over the next several months. __________________ See Ya!

January 5, 2013, 08:19 AM	#22
UtopiaTexasG19 Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Location: S.E. Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 743	If the current gun ban in the works does indede include buying ammo "face to face" only it will kill internet ammo sales and might be a huge boon to local LGS opperations in the long run. Naturally this is only speculation at this time.

January 5, 2013, 08:13 PM	#23
lordhedgwich Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Posts: 180	buying ammo face to face i buy almost all my ammo online so i dont have to drive 30 min to closest gun shop

January 5, 2013, 09:17 PM	#25
Alabama Shooter Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: Sweet Home Posts: 886	I imagine they could suspend operations for a while if things get that bad. Otherwise I say get creative with reloading, accessorizing, training programs etc. __________________ Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday.

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