The best ammo distributors

xbcrick

I've received my FFL and now I'm stocking my small store. What is the best ammo distributors or wholesalers? All the firearms distributors seem a little high on their ammo. I know ammo has gone up but, I can buy it at wal-mart for the about the same price or cheaper than I can from the firarms distributors.

ammo guy

Several suggestions. Don't try and compete with Wal-Mart. Try and carry items they don't. You need to scope out the competition in your area to see what they carry and their prices. If you have regular gun shows in your area these are another area of competition you need to consider. I found that having items other don't have is a good way to start. Some of this is a learning curve that takes time. The buyer interest in various types of firearms vary from one region to another and ever the time of year. A good way is to offer special orders with with a 10-15% markup. Most people know you need to make something on the order. As to possible sources, Zanders, RSR, Jerry's Sports, Buckeye supply are a few. The biggest issue will be setting up open accounts with them. This will save you money if it can be worked out. Actually buying here on GB is another source for guns and ammo.

Mooseyard

I can buy it at wal-mart for the about the same price or cheaper than I can from the firarms distributors.




Exactly why I don't stock ammo. You will need to purchase a lot of ammo to be able to compete with the big guys. If you really need to have ammo, then buy it from the closest source so that shipping is reduced. Black Hills is also a good choice, they pay shipping, and it's something that the big box stores don't handle so you can justify a higher price. If you're just going to stock Remington, Winchester and Federal, you can do like one local shop does, he buys it from Walmart and then adds a buck to it. It is close enough in price to Walmart that no one will complain, and it keeps his customers coming back. It is worth it to someone to pay the extra buck than to have to go to Walmart.
Good Luck

iwannausername

Also, are you going for bulk (surplus or new/commercial) or 20/50 round boxes? In either case, check out places like Georgia Arms and other small manufacturers/remanufacturers/commercial reloaders. And don't forget the surplus stuff...

BHAVIN

We carried ammo for common calibers because we sold a fair amount. To me it makes no sense to sell someone a gun and then send them to a competitor to get the ammo for it. You may not be the cheapest but convienience is the key as long as you're price is fairly good. We also were able to carry high end ammo as the "Wal Mart" types did not carry this.