here's Money To Be Made Selling New Rifles, Shotguns And A Showroom Full Of Add-Ons!

Long guns continue to hold steady in overall sales performance. While not setting sales records, long guns, especially rifles, have increased in sales since 1998. It is the one growth area in the firearm category.

The increase in long gun sales is based on continued innovation by manufacturers and an increase in the number of long-gun accessories. While margins on firearms remain modest, often unimpressive, their accessories are providing dealers with higher profits. Marketing long guns and accessories together is proving an essential strategy in today's gun shop.

Whether it's long guns for hunting, target shooting or self-defense, manufacturers are providing a wide inventory of firearms. New cartridges and shotshells continue to inspire new firearms that grab customers' attention. And there is no lack of long gun accessories. Dealers can spur sales with ammunition, stocks, recoil pads, optics, slings, carrying cases, hearing and eye protection, range bags, shooting benches, bipods, targets and other accessories.

To make the combination of long guns and accessories work, dealers need to carry more than a minimal inventory. No matter what region your gun shop is in, consider the market potential of all the hunting seasons, shooting competitions and general enjoyment shooting. Address these categories by carrying a broad inventory. The result can be respectable year-round sales of rifles and shotguns, and the accessories that go with them.

The message? Examine your long-gun and accessory sales strategy. Look to innovative firearms that are catching the customer's attention. Then hike your profits with package deals that match firearms and essential accessories.

2003 Rifles Offer Innovative Features, Calibers

One continuing trend in new rifles is the development of lighter-weight firearms. That trend is, in part, driving interest in the ultra-short Magnums, including Winchester's new .223 and .243 Super Short Magnum (WSSM).

"Winchester has had the short magnums for the past couple of years, and they've been looking at where they were going to go next," said Kevin Howard, who does public relationship for Winchester Ammunition. "Their thought is there's more interest and more potential in the .22 caliber and .243. This can be in a combo gun for thin-skinned game such as deer, and can shoot a 55-grain bullet for varmints and predators."

Continuing a partnership of the past few years, Browning and Winchester Firearms developed new rifles with 1/2-inch shorter actions to handle the .223 and .243 WSSM. Two new A-Bolts are chambered in the new calibers. They are available in the Hunter, Medallion, Composite, Stainless and Varmint models.

Winchester is chambering two Model 70s in the new WSSMs. They are the new Black Shadow, Coyote and Featherweight.

In addition, Browning is introducing the BLR Lightweight '81 lever-action with a traditionally styled straight-grip stock. New calibers available in the rifle are the .450 Marlin and .358, with .270 WSM, 7mm WSM and .300 WSM calibers to follow.

Browning's new Model 9417 rimfire is chambered in the .17 HMR, and will be offered in both a Legacy and a Traditional version. This lever-action has an 11-cartridge magazine capacity, and a 22 1/2-inch barrel. It has the same takedown feature as the Model 9422 Winchester.

Benelli has developed its first semiauto rifle. The Model RI is gas-operated, features interchangeable barrels, a stainless steel upper receiver, and cryogenically treated free-floating barrel. The aluminum lower receiver is available in anodized or nickel-plated finish. The butt-stock and forend are selected walnut. It is initially available in .30-'06 and .300 Win. Magnum.

From Beretta, the new Sako Tikka T3 is available in a Hunter wood/blued model and a Lite synthetic stock version. The New Sako 75 Custom Deluxe has a hand-selected premium-grade walnut stock and custom-shop features. The Sako 75 Hunter is now available in a left-hand version, chambered in .25-'06, .270 Win. and .30-'06.

European American Armory is introducing a Russian-made semi-auto, the Saiga. Featuring the Kalashnikov action, it is chambered in .223, .270, .308, 7.62x39 and .30-'06. The Saiga is also available as a shotgun in 12 and 20 gauge, and .410 bore.

Kel-Tec's new SU-16 Sport Utility Rifle semi-auto in .223 features a forend that folds down to form a tripod. The SU16 folds just in front of the trigger for compact carry and storage.

Kimber's new .22 Custom Classic rifle features a AAA Claro walnut stock with full-wrap checkering and ebony forend tip. The new Kimber Varmint Rifle has a 20-inch medium stainless steel, fluted match-grade barrel.

In its 84M rifle line, Kimber is chambering a Super America in .243 Win., .260 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem., and .308 Win. Kimber has also developed a new line of rifles chambered in .270 WSM, 7mm WSM and .300 WSM.

Marlin has five new lever-action rifles this year. The Model 336 Spikehorn is a compact version of the venerable .30/30. If you have cowboy action customers, offer them the Marlin Model 1894 Cowboy Competition 45. For hunters interested in big-bore guns, show them the new Marlin Model 1895MR in 450 Marlin.