starting an online gun store

**SunnysideOutdoor** · January 24th, 2010, 10:34 PM

I'm wondering what the general feeling is about buying guns online. I have thought about starting my own business but not sure if it will make money or not.I'm just tired of my local gun shops not having what I'm looking for. What's the thought?

**Emptymag** · January 25th, 2010, 12:47 AM

Gun owners are cheap bastards. They want everything for nothing, and will complain even if they get what they want.

Seriously though, if someone else sells the same firearm for $1 less than you, and someone here posted asking about your shop, ten people would chime in to say how you could get it for a dollar less from the other site. Even if your shipping were free, and the other place charged $75 to ship, they would STILL suggest the place that's "$1 less."

I don't have any issue ordering guns online, but I've never done so with the exception of my AR kit. Usually, the local shops are pretty close in price after factoring in shipping and transfer fees.

**jcabin** · January 25th, 2010, 12:57 AM

I could be wrong in my thinking, but unless you come up with something creative the online gun market is probably already dominated. It's like trying to be Bersa and making a polymer duty pistol.. which they are, which probably won't do well.. (flame suit activate)

**Highpockets** · January 28th, 2010, 04:58 PM

Consider competing with "Gunbroker, Auctionarms & Gunsamerica". Big established sites. I bought a gun on gunbroker that I couldn't physicaly see. The seller didn't have much of a discription. That's just me in one transaction. Everyone is different. Nothing wrong with buying or selling guns on line. Sooner to have tried & failed than never to have tried at all. Good luck.

**SharpShooter88** · February 1st, 2010, 04:47 PM

I wish you the best of luck my friend and if you do start one let me know. (Especially if you give forum member discounts!) But I try to support most local business's as much as possible, I am a huge fan of mom and pop shops! A local yocal with an online firearms business would be cool IMHO. Good luck!

**Hawk** · February 1st, 2010, 05:36 PM

My first thought is where are you going to come up with the money for your initial inventory? I would think even a modest online shop would need $100K worth of guns. If you borrow the money at current rates, I don't think you'll make any profit unless you can turn your inventory over rather quickly.

IMHO, gun shops primarily stay in business because of the used gun market. Think about it, you want to trade your current gun in on another, or sell it to the store, from my experience they will offer you half or less of it's current value. They then throw it in the case a week later at current value and gross 100% on their investment.