Jay beat me too it, and you can read it here. Still friend and excellent holster-maker Dennis of Dragon Leatherworks is taking his online gun and holster business to a brick-and-mortar store, and since he’s essentially starting from scratch in inventory, he asked Jay and myself what we like to see in a good shop.
Jay’s post has a number of great things, one I hadn’t through of is basic armorer tools. I don’t own a bushing wrench for my 1911s because my thumb works fine…but if one was at my local shop, I can’t see why that WOULDN’T make its way into my order. Same with brass punch kits, AR-15 tools, M1911 Tools, Glock tools, etc.
Also from my personal interests I really dig new neat guns…but also old classics. The new stuff is pretty easy to get a hold of, and constantly being detailed in shooting mags as well as blogs. Still the old classics are AWESOME, and if you have some capital buying a few crates of Mosins at bulk rates, or say Walther P1/P38 pistols, or the various Hi-Power clones from the various countries that adopted them and got licenses to manufacture the gun.
Many of these pieces have historical significance, and also will price below many new and used modern guns. I see that as nothing but win-win. Hell my first Mosin was simply because I wanted a bolt-action rifle that was cheap to own, and cheap to shoot. I didn’t know crap about the history of the guns, or even that the M44 I bought was a variant of the M1891 and M91/30 rifle. Still with that cheap shooter in hand I suddenly wanted MORE.
Also remember that people might buy one gun a year, or even 2-3 guns in a LIFETIME. Still those people will be coming into the shop to buy ammo, cleaning supplies, magazines, and ear protection.
That’s the stuff that keeps me darkening the door of my favorite shop. They have a wide selection of all the stuff I burn through on trips to the range. What helps them more is every time I come in for some targets, or a box of ammo, or a bottle of solvent is I end up looking at the gun cases, and sometimes a box of .22 turns into a box of .22 AND a new pistol or rifle for my collection.
So add on what interests you, or what you like about YOUR shop, and best of luck to Dennis.
Your thumb must be stronger than mine because there is no was I could dissemble and assemble my S&W 1911 with its full length guide rod without a wrench.
That’s why both my Smiths wear Wilson Combat standard-lengh guide rods and spring plugs.
I have stripped them in factory configuration several times…and only shredded my thumb with a runaway FLGR Plug once…which was one too many!
Thats’ why I just use the floorplate of a magazine to press down the spring plug. Easy as pie.
Though maybe I should get a standard guide rod.
Never thought of that, but that sure would work!
Still I replaced both the rods and plugs on my 1911s, and they went from damn-near-100% reliable to damn-near-100% reliable and easier to strip, and better looking. So I’ll stick with the GI-style rods and plugs.
He should look at what he can sell that he can easily ship across state lines. He’s in Tennessee I think. Most of us aren’t? It’d be nice to support him and easier to do with things FedEx can drop at my gate.
Tough environment to do biz. Wishing him the best of luck and only success.
You can already buy guns from Dennis. Have a look here!
Plus add on a custom holster for a combo deal! 🙂
I think the number one thing for a gun shop would be to have good customer service. I know, not a thing, but it’s really the one thing I miss. I haven’t found “my gun shop” down here where I live. All the local ones have either treated customers like outsiders, or have been openly hostile (yes, this happened). I know, I look like a lookey-loo to the average gun counter guy. However, it’s because I take a while making up my mind about things and like to look at all the options. I really DO by a gun or so a year, and if there were a shop that I wasn’t made to feel like I was inconveniencing the guy behind the counter would be the shop I would go to. Unfortunately, I haven’t found such a place down where I live now.
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