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November 7, 2015
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Between now and the first of the year I’ll be considering several business opportunities and it seems only natural that one of them should be in the firearms field. Not interested in a store front operation so I guess that leaves service-related, mail-order and gun shows or a combination of two or more. Obviously I’m interested in the pre-64 Winchester collector scene so that will be a direction I should consider. I also do a bit of bullet casting but I’m not set up for a high volume operation but it wouldn’t take much at this point. I’m planning on retiring in the next ten years and a business that I can sell when I retire would be a plus. I’m not planning on finding employment again but it’s possible I could run a small business or two while I work at my next job.
I have a few ideas already but am using the next few months to look around a bit. The gun venture will not be my sole source of income. Any one have any ideas? Maybe a small business for sale? Feel free to PM me if it’s not something you want on an open forum.
If your going to be a gun dealer in modern guns your going to have to get a FFL and all the paperwork, requirements and limitations of that. Then you have to be able to know what your buying so you can resell at a profit since a few bad buys will kill your profit for the year. Most people start as a hobby and when they find they can make money at it, they get into it full time.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
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Not interested in modern guns, too many folks doing that in a very competitive field. I will probably continue to buy & sell collector guns but on a larger scale. Thinking pretty seriously about a specialized commercial bullet casting operation or other related field. I’m not opposed to getting an FFL but will stay away from manufacturing ammunition.
The biggest problem with being in the gun related business is the paperwork required by the FFL holder and “FFL Compliance Inspections”. Your pre-64 scenario is still mostly a post-1898 scenario. Before making any decisions do your homework on the administrative requirements.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015
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Good point, Wayne. If I’m going to be in the business of buying and selling firearms I’ll need an FFL. I know lots of dealers ignore that fact but I think it’s a bad idea. I’m trying to avoid the admin and regulatory headaches of being a gun dealer, I think the better opportunities lie in gun-related goods and services.
The only way to be in the business of selling guns without a FFL is to sell only pre 1899 guns. I don’t believe you can sell for a living with a C&R. I know of guys that have tried to be in the business without any license and the ATF has pinched them. Years ago I had a FFL and got out of it when I got into the Antiques. I didn’t want to have the feds knocking on my door and fingering all my guns and they were tightening up on the requirements of being in the business.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
TXGunNut said
Good point, Wayne. If I’m going to be in the business of buying and selling firearms I’ll need an FFL. I know lots of dealers ignore that fact but I think it’s a bad idea. I’m trying to avoid the admin and regulatory headaches of being a gun dealer, I think the better opportunities lie in gun-related goods and services.
The only down side to being in the Bullet business is the weight of lead. If you do shows, your trucking and carrying lead in and out of the show.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
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I have a C&R and I’m aware of the limitations. I’m thinking a gun-related business would probably enhance and help support my collector activities. I don’t have the experience or sufficient “product knowledge” to try to make a living buying or selling collector firearms.
November 7, 2015
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Thinking pretty seriously about going the gun show route with a focus on reloading and books. I suspect a fair number of new gun owners are exploring reloading and I know enough about the subject to be helpful. I’m familiar with most of the popular reloading books and that will be helpful as well. I’ll keep a nice collector Winchester or two on the table for eye candy and try to buy a few nice ones as they wander by. Gun shows used to be a good place to find books but lately I’ve been disappointed. I know I’ll be competing with Amazon (who isn’t?) but if I can get the right deals from the publishers or wholesalers I suspect it’s doable. I’ll probably focus on reloading books, probably several of Venturino’s books and of course a stack of Red Books. I’ll also dabble a bit in out-of-print books.
Guess I better find a gun show in my area this weekend for a bit of market research. I quit going to gun shows years ago but it seems my perspective has changed.
TXGunNut said
Thinking pretty seriously about going the gun show route with a focus on reloading and books. I suspect a fair number of new gun owners are exploring reloading and I know enough about the subject to be helpful. I’m familiar with most of the popular reloading books and that will be helpful as well. I’ll keep a nice collector Winchester or two on the table for eye candy and try to buy a few nice ones as they wander by. Gun shows used to be a good place to find books but lately I’ve been disappointed. I know I’ll be competing with Amazon (who isn’t?) but if I can get the right deals from the publishers or wholesalers I suspect it’s doable. I’ll probably focus on reloading books, probably several of Venturino’s books and of course a stack of Red Books. I’ll also dabble a bit in out-of-print books.
What is your intent here? 1) Just something to do, 2) something to cover your hobby expenses, 3) something to supplement your income or 4) something to be your main source of income.
IMHO, as a retired businessman, you outline appears to fall somewhere between 1 and 2.
I base this on my own gun show experience (which I have given up attending) and can’t see much future in reloading 9mm and .223/5.56 AR-15 ammo.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015
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Hoping to supplement my income but have no intention of selling reloaded ammo. As I understand it that requires a very expensive FFL and insurance. I’m thinking I’ll sell reloading components if I find them for a reasonable price but am well aware that the mail order houses are tough competition. I’m thinking primers, powder, maybe brass but mostly books. May sell off some unused leather, moulds and other accessories.
Mike
Mike,
I had a table At the big Reno show last week and a gentleman had a table next to mine selling exactly what you’re talking about except for books. Powder was banned from the show and he wasn’t sure if it was because of the facility fire ordinance rules or generally gun show promoters banning it because most all facilities do not want explosives in the show. He had good traffic at his table all the time and people were looking for specific things. He also had G clamp looking loading devices , all Winchester Marked and in four different calipers. He never put those up on the table. He wasn’t sure what they were.
Just an fyi…
Bill
Blueliner said
Mike,He also had G clamp looking loading devices , all Winchester Marked and in four different calipers. He never put those up on the table. He wasn’t sure what they were.
Just an fyi…
Bill
Bill,
Can you describe to me what they looked like? I’m just curious if I can figure out what they where?
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
I base this on my own gun show experience (which I have given up attending) and can’t see much future in reloading 9mm and .223/5.56 AR-15 ammo.
I meant that not many people reload 9mm or .223/5.56 ammo.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015
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Wincacher said
I meant that not many people reload 9mm or .223/5.56 ammo.
I misunderstood but either way it makes sense. I buy shotgun shells two cases at a time, silly to reload them when I have factory loads that work just fine. I won’t try to compete with folks who sell junk reloads to folks who can’t tell the difference.
Maverick said
Bill,
Can you describe to me what they looked like? I’m just curious if I can figure out what they where?
Sincerely,
Maverick
The “C” or “G” shape was about 10″ high and 5″ wide with a cylinder that would drop down on a flat base piece . The cylinder varied in size depending on caliber. It dropped down to the base I think, possibly shaping a cartridge case.
It looked like a c clamp with cylinder compressing down.
November 7, 2015
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Went to a 500 table Premier show in Allen, TX today. Pretty discouraging. Prices at the majority of tables were actually pretty decent but the vendors with reloading stuff reported very little traffic. One guy had a bunch of used loading presses and powder but was away from his table.
Found a box of 348 WCF ammo but it was poorly assembled handloads so I passed. One vendor I talked to said sales were down about 60% since the election. He brings very little if any reloading merchandise and didn’t think books would do well at the shows he attends. This guy had a total of about ten tables and @ $90/table + $80 for electrical drop I’m not sure he’s going to cover expenses considering he’s from Huntsville.
Not very encouraging. May nose around a bigger show, reloading stuff reportedly does a little better there.
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