Question How are the gun stores you go to doing after the sin tax; RECENTLY?

[OpusX]

I guess we'll find out soon enough. If'n it shows up at LGS's and it's too fugly... It's a "want", not a "need".

Even with the CA features it still feels really good in the hand. The SK is a little bulbous at the base of the grip for my taste, but the standard models are great. My buddy got the VP9L OR, and even though I had no desire to buy one before, it was pretty hard to resist the temptation after holding it.

 

[DB>)>]

Need to get some 1/3N batteries, wandered into a small LGS and a Turners, both were slow, T's was 5 guys behind an empty counter, LGS had 4, but at least some "action". I had lots of helpful suggestions to "buy online" for those batteries...

 

[DuckDawg22]

People overestimate how big the gun industry is. It's a lot of small businesses that need high margins to cover overhead. The only path to becoming a large company is essentially government contracts, and you have to walk a fine line between keeping gov and civilians happy in such case.

Ammo is even bleaker: It's a commodity business with HUGE liability concerns and domestic ammo industry likely couldn't exist without US gov subsidies.

The implication was that some of those companies with government contracts are still maxing out margins, which is every bit their right to do. I choose to support PSA/AAC where I can for doing what they do to keep the game "affordable." For my needs, their components and AAC ammo is plenty good enough.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

Rinkor Arms in Santa Rosa, CA is going out of business at the end of the year. They are having a sale. 15% off new guns. That helps.

Heard something about owner is retiring?

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

Need to get some 1/3N batteries, wandered into a small LGS and a Turners, both were slow, T's was 5 guys behind an empty counter, LGS had 4, but at least some "action". I had lots of helpful suggestions to "buy online" for those batteries...

Yeh, Amazon prime is a good place. I guess because it’s somewhat considered an oddball size compared to something like a CR123a. The virdian ones are good; or you can just get a Duracell. If you have a crimson trace device the company offers a free once a year 1/3n battery; you fill out the application online once a year and they ship you one for free.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

The implication was that some of those companies with government contracts are still maxing out margins, which is every bit their right to do. I choose to support PSA/AAC where I can for doing what they do to keep the game "affordable." For my needs, their components and AAC ammo is plenty good enough.

I noticed AAC .308 150 grain fmj groups like 3-4 inches at best for me out of a aero m5 16 inch .308 mid-length gas system with AERO/BA 1:10 twist barrel.

 

[offrdmania]

I was just at Al's Guns and Gear in Corona yesterday and Al said that business is really down. Al and Lisa are such great people. I hope they can ride out the storm. Its a wonderful little shop.

 

[-D.M.-]

I was just at Al's Guns and Gear in Corona yesterday and Al said that business is really down. Al and Lisa are such great people. I hope they can ride out the storm. Its a wonderful little shop.

Heard something about owner is retiring?

This is exactly what newscum wanted when he and his stooges enacted this bill. I'm trying to find other ways of supporting the places I shop (2AZone, Ammo Bros., etc) but it's gonna be rough seas for all LGS's who don't have a robust enough business model where "New guns" make up the bulk of their business.

That said, I did a PPT at 2AZone recently, it was a busy shop. Didn't see what everyone was buying, but there was a lot of paperwork being done. So there's that, at least.

 

[westsidearms]

Need to get some 1/3N batteries, wandered into a small LGS and a Turners, both were slow, T's was 5 guys behind an empty counter, LGS had 4, but at least some "action". I had lots of helpful suggestions to "buy online" for those batteries...

Damn, I have some I would love to sell you! I bought more than I needed for my Streamlight TLR-6.

 

[NASAcollector]

I deal with Rifle Supply in HB and they're doing very well. I think that gun biz will slow down with the Trump win, because we know we'll have 4 years of no anti-2A BS legislation from the federal Gov't or 3 letter mafia.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

I deal with Rifle Supply in HB and they're doing very well. I think that gun biz will slow down with the Trump win, because we know we'll have 4 years of no anti-2A BS legislation from the federal Gov't or 3 letter mafia.

That’s true, usually during election season, before an election, gun sales do tend to increase. However, sometimes I think to myself maybe it makes more sense in other states but kind of pointless to panic being in California because it seems like they are really just trying to make other states similar to California?

 

[offrdmania]

Whenever I stop into little shops, I always make sure to buy something, every time.
Even if its just a box of ammo or a bottle of Hopps, whether I need it or not.
Every dollar helps these shops and you would be surprised at how many window shoppers they get every day.
It is a lot harder for the little shop to pay for rent and electricity than it is for a Turners or a 2A Zone.

 

[OpusX]

Whenever I stop into little shops, I always make sure to buy something, every time.
Even if its just a box of ammo or a bottle of Hopps, whether I need it or not.
Every dollar helps these shops and you would be surprised at how many window shoppers they get every day.
It is a lot harder for the little shop to pay for rent and electricity than it is for a Turners or a 2A Zone.

I appreciate people like you.

 

[bluesky762]

Only buying PPT or C&R until unconstitutional tax is struck down or makers/distributors/dealers lower ridiculous prices (greedflation is real). If it isn't stricken, then so be it. I got everything I really need. I saw this coming years ago and planned accordingly (bought cheap, stacked deep).

I've been following this exact path.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

Whenever I stop into little shops, I always make sure to buy something, every time.
Even if its just a box of ammo or a bottle of Hopps, whether I need it or not.
Every dollar helps these shops and you would be surprised at how many window shoppers they get every day.
It is a lot harder for the little shop to pay for rent and electricity than it is for a Turners or a 2A Zone.

I noticed for the ones that are window shoppers, it seems like majority of the window shoppers tend to be there just to look at guns or finger-f*** guns.

If I don’t buy any guns I usually just ended up buying either cleaning supplies, or lubricants/greases.

It helps but it seems like there is more of a push to buy “our guns” (their guns) compared to ammo, accessories, or cleaning supplies; even though I read that they make more profit percentage wise compared to firearms?

 

[OpusX]

I noticed for the ones that are window shoppers, it seems like majority of the window shoppers tend to be there just to look at guns or finger-f*** guns.

If I don’t buy any guns I usually just ended up buying either cleaning supplies, or lubricants/greases.

It helps but it seems like there is more of a push to buy “our guns” (their guns) compared to ammo, accessories, or cleaning supplies; even though I read that they make more profit percentage wise compared to firearms?

Correct. Most stores don't make a huge margin on guns themselves, so they need to sell a large volume of guns, or make up the difference with add-ons like optics, magazines, gun cases, ammo, gear, etc.

 

[DesertDepotArms]

I've recently been to 3 different FFL's and I have asked each one of them how's business these days? The response is "Down" I mentioned it may be time to cover some of the tax or place some items on sale and am told that their margins are so small they can't do that...

The markup on guns is very little.
Dealer cost in a gen3 glock for instance is ~$450 so selling it for $499 doesnt leave much of a profit margin.
Most guns have maybe a 15% profit margin some even less.
So covering a 11% tax would basically make a sale a loss

 

[offrdmania]

Accessories, oils, lubes, etc. The little stuff usually has about a 30% markup. That is where most shops are able to make their money. The guns get you in the door and the accessories keep the lights on.
I have to go get a gun out of jail next week so ill probably pick up some stuff while im there. I dont mind paying a little bit more to help keep the little guy afloat

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

The markup on guns is very little.
Dealer cost in a gen3 glock for instance is ~$450 so selling it for $499 doesnt leave much of a profit margin.
Most guns have maybe a 15% profit margin some even less.
So covering a 11% tax would basically make a sale a loss

So, for the stores that are selling non competition model gen 3 Glocks for $500; how are they able to do it? I noticed that certain areas/counties are able to do this for 9mm; most are not able to. Is it that they have good distributor prices, low ceiling/overhead costs, or buy enough in bulk?

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

The markup on guns is very little.
Dealer cost in a gen3 glock for instance is ~$450 so selling it for $499 doesnt leave much of a profit margin.
Most guns have maybe a 15% profit margin some even less.
So covering a 11% tax would basically make a sale a loss

If someone paid all cash,

Accessories, oils, lubes, etc. The little stuff usually has about a 30% markup. That is where most shops are able to make their money. The guns get you in the door and the accessories keep the lights on.
I have to go get a gun out of jail next week so I’ll probably pick up some stuff while im there. I dont mind paying a little bit more to help keep the little guy afloat

I noticed Lucas extreme duty gun oil 4 oz is very good for the money, is thick, and it stays wet since it’s good for heat.

Hoppes black grease really helps smooth a bolt out on a bolt action rifle.