LOL that's awesome.
Too bad your not local OP. Great thing about being a home based dealer- you bring the cigar- I can find time to BS.
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Some one needs to open a Gun Smiths Bar for shop talk :cool:
That just gave me a thought, open a place for people to bring their guns to clean/lube/troubleshoot, etc (especially for those that have wives/significant others that don't like the smells of guns being cleaned.) Rent out/sell cleaning rods, brushes, solvent, oils etc, and as an added thing maybe a small charge for a before, during and/or after inspection. For people that are new to firearms, a inexpensive class on how to properly clean guns and how to take them apart to do the job right. Unless you are going to do repairs on site or sell guns, you wouldn't need a FFL. Might even sell snacks (remember the sandwich ovens?) and soft drinks (I'd stay away from alcohol for liability reasons).
I can't tell you the last time I overheard a gun store conversation I wanted to be a part of. The majority of gun store owners I know are not into mechanics. They are into business and making money. The majority of customers have no clue how their car or gun works and can't talk mechanics.
It has taken me a long time to find people who actually want to talk gun building and gun mechanics.
I suggest you download a podcast ap to your phone and give these podcasts a listen (or listen at the links below). These are just the first three "gun nerd" podcasts from Primary & Secondary (I think they have 15 now) and some of the podcasts not labeled as gun nerd can get pretty technical. These podcasts are LONG and I usually listen to them while working in the garage or driving. The conversation can be aimless at times but there is a TON of cool info in these discussions.
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/mat...sts/e/50343198
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/mat...sts/e/49987089
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/mat...sts/e/50136917
A few years ago I stopped into a sporting goods/hardware store in south Jersey for some fishing tackle. While there, the guns pulled me to them. Understand, this operation had been around a few years. ACP was mentioned by someone, and the guy behind the counter asked what does ACP stand for (!). I told him/them automatic Colt pistol. He looked at me like he didn't believe it.
I had about the same thing happen to me at the range. Some off duty cops came on the range and asked what I was shooting. I said ".45 automatic". I started to get a lesson on automatic vrs. semiautomatic. I showed them the .45 ACP on the box and they just stared at me. I talk to people at the range, or when out hunting, but not much at shows or stores. These places seem to attract a whole lot of people that know a whole lot about nothing.
Yes, OP.. Both Gunstores & especially Gunsmiths (shops), are NOT the place to try to “hang out”, like one of them! You see people like that, but the ones truly in conversation with the staff are most likely the invited ones. You don’t invite yourself!
OP, I was like you. I was a career auto tech. Master tech. But after some trouble in my life & an injury, I stopped wrenchin’ and switched to the firearms business. I couldn’t stand people that would come in and act like we were friends because I sold them a gun the other week! Jeez! Honestly, I was there to do a job..just as I was as an Auto Tech. And what I found is that it was the new guys who wanted to hang around and beat my ear off...trying to convince me of “how much” they knew! When in reality they were really looking for something. Free this I’d that..free range time...”ah, Hey Dave! What’s up bro! Hey its cool if we squeeze a 3rd person in our lane, right bud!?” UHHHHH... Nope! Sorry..bro!
Sorry to be harsh sounding. But I’m simply saying what everyone in the business is thinking.
Now, fast forward to NOW. I’m actually disabled, but I love guns more than ever. I’m a Gunsmith, a builder, & machinist..and love “talking shop” about everything firearms now. So that’s your best bet OP. You need to come out to the shoots and get togethers. Find guys like ME in your area and start some conversations. I have all the time in world now. I can talk about guns for HOURS! And I have 20 years of information that I love to pass on! I even do free things for friends..trigger jobs and what not. Just how the cycle goes I guess.