East

By Peter B. Mathiesen

RI
Bullseye Shooting Supplies, Woonsocket

Located just south of the Massachusetts line, this retailer specializes in ammo, handloading, and handguns. New shipments of Mosin-Nagent Russian surplus rifles are flying out the door with a retail price below $140. "We really try to keep something in stock that any customer can buy. The goal is to keep them coming by to see what we have specials on. It creates a lot of traffic and ancillary sales," said owner Paul Conley.

Handgun sales are steady. Big sellers are Glock 19s, Smith M&P 22s, and Taurus Model 605s in .357 Mag. Reloading supply sales for handgun shooters continue to rise. However, Conley expects to see higher ammo prices in response to coming presidential election.

NJ
Casco's Gun-A-Rama, Jersey City

Located across the Hudson River in the shadow of lower Manhattan, this retailer has been in business for more than 42 years, selling handguns, rifles, and shotguns. The family-run store always has fresh, hot coffee on hand.

Handguns are hotter than they were at Christmas. Sig 226s, Springfield XDMs, and Smith Bodyguards are selling well. "Our sales remain consistent because we make every effort to know our customers' names and show a sincere interest in their shooting habits," said owner Frank Casco.

Bushmasters in .223 are selling moderately well, along with some Remington 770 package guns in .243. Shotguns are starting to pick up, with a few Stoeger 3500s and Benelli M4 guns seeing turns.

NH
The Village Gun Store, Whitefield

This small-town gun shop keeps three staff members busy with 2,000 square feet of retail space and 700 guns on the floor. The shop has seen a surge in handgun sales that started during the October hunting season. "Our handgun sales continue to rise and are well above last year. The increase has come from many first-time lady shooters," said owner Stan Holz. All things .38 and .380 have held the leading sales position, and Ruger LCPs and Smith Bodyguards are at the top of the list.

Youth guns are especially strong, ranging from Mossberg 500 youth models, Thompson/Center Hot Shots, and Rossi Trifecta 20-gauge in .243 and .22 combos. MSR sales are steady, with most turns going to DPMS and Olympic Arms.

South

By Peter B. Mathiesen

TN
Game Fair LTD, Nashville

With more than 250 fine guns in stock, this metro store caters primarily to used hunting and collectible gun owners. "We have no trouble selling high-grade double guns in good condition. Our problem is that it's been difficult to find them. With the market down, many owners are holding tight to fine guns," said owner John Allen.

For shotguns, the market for Belgium Brownings is as hot as ever. Other high-demand items include American-made, British, and Italian guns in 20- and 28-gauge. Caesar Guerini Summits and Beretta Silver Hawks have been the most popular 12-gauges sold this winter.

Pre-'64 Winchester rifles continue to see increased demand, while new and original Army Colts ranging in price from $1,200 to $9,400 have moved exceptionally well. Allen said that he expects the retail price of heavily used 12-gauge field-grade doubles to continue to decline.

AR
King's River New and Used Guns, Berryville

This rural gun dealer packs 400 firearms into a building that measures just 16 by 20 feet. Specializing in home defense and hunting guns, late winter sales are steady for this retailer. However, hunting shotguns are slow. "I'm not sure why, but we can barely sell a classic hunting shotgun," said owner Charles Hambay.

Shotgun sales may be off, but .22 calibers have been moving fast. Savage BTCSs in .22/250 and Henry Golden Boys in .22 hold the top spots. Several Ruger 10-22s have continued to sell since Christmas.

Handgun sales are brisk, and Ruger LCRs and LCPs are in the top spot, with Smith Bodyguards just behind. Hog guns are starting to cross the counter. Popular choices here are .30/30 Henrys and Marlins.

TX
Monty's Shooters Supply, Graham

This small-town retailer specializes in reloading supplies and gun parts. With deer season over and local rifle competitions starting up, the store's customers have turned to reloading supplies. "Our inventory of bullets, primers, and brass is the best it has been in a long time. Although availability is good, prices are almost as high as last year," said owner Monty Seymour.

Target rifles from Anschutz in Model 64 BRs and 1517 BRs are selling, with a few Steyr LG 110 High Power 5.0s crossing the counter.

Midwest

By Peter B. Mathiesen

MI
Bob's Gun & Tackle, Hastings

Bob's sports 15,000 square feet of floor space, with an average of 30 employees and more than 2,000 firearms in stock. Predator hunting is nearing its peak; as a result, Marlin X7s in .22/250, Smith M&Ps in .223, and Remington R-15 VTRs in .30 Rem. AR are selling well.

Handguns continue to have steady sales. "We're starting to plan for election season. Our reps are predicting shortages and high demand for MSRs and pistols by fall," said buyer-manager Steve Hayes.

At the handgun counter, Ruger LCPs and LCRs are topping the list, with strong numbers on Smith Bodyguards and Model 642 revolvers. On the accessories side, Redfield Rebel Series binoculars have been selling well.

IA
Fin & Feather, Iowa City

This general hunting and fishing shop keeps 300 guns in stock with three employees working the hunting department. After Christmas, the hottest seller has been anything in .22 caliber. "Rimfire gear has just gone crazy this year, with exceptional demand on .22 pistols and rifles. Our customers see it as a new, fun, and cheap way to play," said manager Clint Hartsock. As for .22s, Sig Mosquitos and tactical .22s from M&P are moving well.

Due to the mild January weather, predator hunting is down. Customers have been very price-sensitive about MSR purchases; the Smith M&P Sporter has garnered the most attention. Handgun sales are steady, with the best turns coming from Sig 9238s and Smith M&P 9s.

IN
Little Hawks, Warsaw

Located between Fort Wayne and South Bend, this retailer is a general shooting supply store, with 350 guns in inventory and two full-time employees. Handguns continue to swell in sales, with strong numbers on Ruger LCRs and LCPs. Smith Bodyguards are a strong second.

"Our handgun business is still growing even in a difficult economy, and we haven't even started with election season," said manager Dave Shirley.

A few Remington Model 700 Varmint series are still selling from predator season, and the store is doing steady numbers on Rock Rivers and DPMS in .223. Due to a recent change in the deer regulations, the store did large numbers of H&R single-shot .44 Magnums, and they continue to move.

West

By Peter B. Mathiesen

CA
Lake County Gun, Lakeport

About 100 miles north of San Francisco, this small-town California shop stays busy with 220 firearms stocked into less than 900 square feet of floor space. Modern sporting rifles are especially hot this winter; sales have tripled in little more than a year.

"We have always had the demand for MSRs, but there were few models that were California-compliant. Since that's changed, sales are way, way up," said owner Cliff Rakic. Most MSR sales are split between Smith M&Ps, DPMSs, and Franklin Armory's V series.

All things .22 are moving briskly. Ruger 10-22s, Savage Model 64 BTVs, and Marlin XT-22ROs are all posting excellent numbers. At the handgun counter, Glock 19s, M&P P9s, and Smith Bodyguard .380s are seeing the most attention.

NV
Nevada Western Firearms, Stateline

Specializing in original Colt firearms, this Lake Tahoe--area dealer keeps an average of 250 guns in stock. "We inventory both new and vintage Colt single-action revolvers. When the economy hit the skids three years ago, we moved to stocking more home-defense guns, and it's been a good move. Our average invoice is still above $1,000," said owner Scott Myer.

In addition to single-action handguns, Colt 1911 Anniversary Models are doing better than expected. Kimber 1911s are just behind, and Smith M&P 45s are also seeing turns.

Several Uberti 1860 Henry Rifles also are selling this month. On the used side, Myer is seeing high demand for 12- and 20-gauge Winchester 101 over/unders.

ID
World's Smallest Pawn, Fruitland

Selling a mix of saddles, jewelry, and musical instruments, this pawn shop manages more than 400 guns in stock and boasts to be "the friendliest pawn shop in Idaho."

Handguns continue to move quickly, with Ruger SR9s and LC9s at the top of the list. Taurus Judges and Model 257s in .40 bring up the rear.

Sales of MSRs have slowed to about one a month, with Stag Arms seeing the majority of traffic. Savage Model 12FV in .22/250 have sold well since January, even with the mild winter weather.