What do you want in a Gun-Parts store?

[Fentonite]

Here's a couple questions....

A buddy and I are considering opening a store for gun parts, particulary AR building. We're not looking at selling guns, just parts and accessories - a one-stop-shop for anything you'd need to build or customize your own ideal AR (except the lower - maybe later).

Any thoughts?

Is there a need? (it seems like there is, unless everyone likes ordering the odds/ends and small parts online).

What would you like to see in such a store?

Just kicking around ideas - would value any input.....

[sniper7]

pretty tough to get into. with all the online sales out there. if you are doing it for a full time job it will be very tough. as far as an internet sales type gig as a side job there is some potential.
basically it will come down to you need to sell a lot of stuff and buy in bulk to get decent prices from manufacturers, you might even have to put in big initial orders for them to even deal with you at all.

as far as the AR market goes, everyone has a like and a dislike, a company that is great or a product that is great, but the next guy might hate it or want something else. Kinda of hard to pick and choose. obviously everyone is happy with magpul stuff, you can't beat quality of Larue tactical, I don't think I know anybody that would turn down a colt.
but getting any of those companies to work with you on a small scale will be extremely difficult.

[micah360]

we have a store like that in south Denver... Bowers Tactical

[Fentonite]

Good advice. Sniper7 - You just summed up our list of cons. But if there were such a store, would you shop there?

Maybe north or central metro?

[DD977GM2]

we have a store like that in south Denver... Bowers Tactical

+1 Bowers is a great store and a dupe of it would not last long. Sorry

Dont waste your money and time would be my opinion. I have always wanted to open a climbing gym in the C-470 corridor near Ken Caryl and C-470, yet i dont because we have a shitload already in Metro Area.

[sniper7]

Good advice. Sniper7 - You just summed up our list of cons. But if there were such a store, would you shop there?

Maybe north or central metro?

for most things I order online, and if I am in the area I might browse a store and pick up something I need. I hate paying sales tax to be honest.

so if there was a store locally i would probably drop in. I have never been to Bowers tactical, been to Jensens just a few times while on the way up to my goose hunting spot and other than that, everything is online except maybe some primers at sportsmans warehouse

[BPTactical]

Not to pee on your dream but a couple of things to consider:
1- How much are you willing to tie up in overhead/stock?
If you dont have the storefront and dont have the parts people WANT, they cant buy them. Are you willing to have $250 tied up in a Daniels Defense forend if you only sell one a year and have to sit on it for 10 months until the one guy that wants it and will actually pay the price for it shows up?
2- Variety of stock on hand- It wont take long to have a shitton of cash tied up in stock from all the possibilities to be had. The firearms industry doesnt work on a 90 day billing cycle either. It's COD or at the most 30 days net.
3- If you have to tell a customer "I'll order it for you" you have more than likely lost the sale. They will just go home and order it online.
4- You more than likely will have to have a couple of rifles on hand to show off examples and let customers drool on. At that point in time you may have to have an FFL. You will absolutley have to have one if a customer leaves a firearm for you to put any parts on for them for more than one business day and if you do it for profit. Get a FFL and try to get business insurance! It aint cheap and there are only 2 or 3 carriers in the US.
5- A lot of manufacturers wont bother with small orders and will force you to go to a wholesaler. A wholesaler almost always requires you to be a FFL holder to get dealer pricing.

Sniper 7 had some great points.

Gun people are usually a very frugal lot. They will dilligently drive across town to save $5 on a $35 sling.

[Fentonite]

OK - it sounds like I'll be keeping my day (and night) job!

Thanks for your input - probably saved us some pain.

And on the bright side, I didn't know about Bowers - now I get to check out a cool store!

Thanks again.

[Irving]

Get a FFL and try to get business insurance! It aint cheap and there are only 2 or 3 carriers in the US.

I don't know if that is true. If you get more serious and want a quote, I can do some looking around for you.

[GreenScoutII]

Well, don't be too discouraged. Research and learn everything you can about the business you want to get into. Find out who you are competing with and find out what they are missing. Find your niche. Do something the other guys aren't doing. Maybe Denver isn't the best place. Maybe Colorado Springs or Ft. Collins needs a shop like you're thinking about opening.

I don't claim to know much about anything, but one thing I have decided for myself is that the only way I'm ever going to see any real money is to work for myself.

I'm a plumber. There are a ton of plumbers and plumbing contractors out there right now. Next year though, I've made it a goal to get my Master's license and at least give it a shot! If I fail, I'll just go back to working as a licensed journeyman as I do now. At least I'll know and at least I'll have given it a shot.

I say, do your homework, plan, and GO FOR IT!!!

Good Luck my friend!