Nothing In Stock

[slimatsea]

I live in the greater Atlanta area. I just went on the Ruger website retailer locator. I called the 23 dealers closest to me and asked if they had ANY no 1 or Hawkeye rifles in stock. Not a single dealer had even 1 of either. What am I missing here? Why if I want a Ruger product not made from plastic I have to special order it? Where do you live and is it like this where you are?

 

[hawk_driver]

Its a sign of the times. Blue and wood are out. Tactical and plastic are in. Wood and blue guns seem to make up a smaller percentage of guns in stock every year in the gun shops I go thru.

No 1's sadly are a niche market item. Ruger probably sells 10 American rifles for every 1 Hawkeye. I like wood and blue, so it sucks. The used racks are usually full of wood and blue guns though.

 

[Rocdoc]

You should just focus on the stocking Ruger dealers, this is the best one I know of:

http://www.classicsportingarms.com/

Lots of #1s, a few of the special runs in K77RSI show available at this time, think he can likely get most anything you want.

 

[6gun]

I live in the greater Atlanta area. I just went on the Ruger website retailer locator. I called the 23 dealers closest to me and asked if they had ANY no 1 or Hawkeye rifles in stock. Not a single dealer had even 1 of either. What am I missing here? Why if I want a Ruger product not made from plastic I have to special order it? Where do you live and is it like this where you are?

Did you check on Davidson's site www.galleryofguns.com if they have what you want they will send it to your dealer of choice, better then having a dealer order it.

 

[El Numero Uno]

If you are looking for No.1's, send me a PM. I am the world's largest stocking dealer of Ruger No.1 rifles. I have more than the Website shows.
http://www.classicsportingarms.com/rugers-for-sale/

 

[STURMRUGERFAN]

The end of the year is typically the worst time to try and find certain firearms in stock at local dealers and chains. A lot sells around hunting season and that coupled with limited production runs for most things other than tactical crap gives you what you see now.

Around shot show it seems like a lot of wood and blue comes back in stock online and in stores

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Hello,

In my visits to local stores and shops I have noted that the Hawkeye line of rifles are not on display. You can find American rifles all day long but the Hawkeye is not to be found.

Now that does not include the Scout rifles. I can find them most everywhere I look.

Bill

 

[DDDWho]

I'm a wood and steel man. I'm least proudest of my plastic stocked and framed guns. Let others have the American and SRs. There is nothing more attractive to me than finely figured walnut and blue steel.

 

[9x19]

The two shops close to me have about 10 synthetic stocked bolt guns for every wood stocked model. Around here the Ruger American out sells the Hawkeye by a good bit.

My American Ranch in 5.56 offers excellent accuracy at a budget price (kind of like the old Savage 110s) so I can understand its popularity.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Stores stock what sells best. Just smart business. Otherwise there's just dust collecting, idle stock tying up $$$. How many of the Spyder 818's does the local Porches dealer carry? :wink:

 

[slimatsea]

A couple thoughts....

1. I ordered a #1 AH .25-06 from El Numero Uno. Payment will be sent tomorrow when postage starts again. Very happy with Lee's prices, selection and general knowledge of No. 1's. Great guy to deal with/talk to.

2. I get it that dealers are only going to stock what sells, but I think plenty more Hawkeyes and No 1s would sell if people could put their hands on them and see them while shopping. I'm so tired of having that conversation anytime I want to buy anything. " Pardon me, do you have XXXX in stock?" " No, but I can order you one." Well no yugo, I can order me one. If I wanted to buy everything online I'd be at home shopping there. I'm in your store because I'm not certain what I want to purchase and I want to make an informed decision. This whole concept of committing to a purchase sight unseen just baffles me. I'm not buying a toaster I'm going to use for a few years and throw away when it breaks. I'm buying a rifle that I'm hoping to spend the next 40 years carrying around the woods and hopefully leave to someone who can use it another 40 years.

3. I hate the Ruger American. There, I said it. When it first came out I was so happy. "Yes, they just made a cheap new model. They aren't going to cheapen the 77 to follow market trends. Ruger will still build a quality rifle for those willing to pay for it and just sell these things to the other guys." Well, fast forward to present, I used to see Hawkeyes on the shelf all the time. No 1's only occasionally, but always a Hawkeye or two. Since these disposable rifles came out, the only bolt actions at dealers are Americans and Scout rifles like mentioned above. And that sucks. The worst part is that I have to keep reading peoples' stories of how great a rifle their American is and how they bought one in every caliber. Is it functional? Absolutely. Will it kill deer? Yes, as long as the operator is capable. Is it a great rifle? Not by any stretch of the imagination. I will give the American fan boys one bit of credit, you're not nearly as bad as those Tikka guys. Most of those fools don't even realize they bought a long action rifle chambered for a short action cartridge.

 

[STURMRUGERFAN]

A couple thoughts....

1. I ordered a #1 AH .25-06 from El Numero Uno. Payment will be sent tomorrow when postage starts again. Very happy with Lee's prices, selection and general knowledge of No. 1's. Great guy to deal with/talk to.

2. I get it that dealers are only going to stock what sells, but I think plenty more Hawkeyes and No 1s would sell if people could put their hands on them and see them while shopping. I'm so tired of having that conversation anytime I want to buy anything. " Pardon me, do you have XXXX in stock?" " No, but I can order you one." Well no yugo, I can order me one. If I wanted to buy everything online I'd be at home shopping there. I'm in your store because I'm not certain what I want to purchase and I want to make an informed decision. This whole concept of committing to a purchase sight unseen just baffles me. I'm not buying a toaster I'm going to use for a few years and throw away when it breaks. I'm buying a rifle that I'm hoping to spend the next 40 years carrying around the woods and hopefully leave to someone who can use it another 40 years.

3. I hate the Ruger American. There, I said it. When it first came out I was so happy. "Yes, they just made a cheap new model. They aren't going to cheapen the 77 to follow market trends. Ruger will still build a quality rifle for those willing to pay for it and just sell these things to the other guys." Well, fast forward to present, I used to see Hawkeyes on the shelf all the time. No 1's only occasionally, but always a Hawkeye or two. Since these disposable rifles came out, the only bolt actions at dealers are Americans and Scout rifles like mentioned above. And that sucks. The worst part is that I have to keep reading peoples' stories of how great a rifle their American is and how they bought one in every caliber. Is it functional? Absolutely. Will it kill deer? Yes, as long as the operator is capable. Is it a great rifle? Not by any stretch of the imagination. I will give the American fan boys one bit of credit, you're not nearly as bad as those Tikka guys. Most of those fools don't even realize they bought a long action rifle chambered for a short action cartridge.

Sadly your point number 2 is the reason I have to buy everything online these days. I cant hardly stand to walk into my local gun stores anymore. It usually ends with me walking out the door after 5 minutes disappointed and in disbelief at the crap I just saw and heard :evil:

 

[El Numero Uno]

Happy New Year! I am sitting here looking out my window at just about as miserable a day as we ever have in Texas. Misty, damp and COLD. If I was to go out hunting today, it is not a climate that I want to take my No.1's out in. I have 2 Americans; a 30/06 and a 25/06. To me that is what they are made for; days like this. They are also made for the beginning entry hunters and shooters. I have sold a bunch of Americans; a lot of the Compacts for young hunters and ladies. Does me good when they send me a picture of their 1st buck taken with their new Ruger American.
These smaller Gun Stores can't compete with the Internet Warehouse Sellers; they can't stock everything. When the Americans first came out, I had one of every caliber in stock of Standard and Compact. Then Ruger comes out with the Redfield scopes mounted and the All Weather Stainless; then the Predator; then the Ranch. I can't keep them all.
Over the next 10 years, I think you will witness the general demise of the small gun shops. They can't compete, pricewise, with the big stores, like Cabelas, et al.

 

[STURMRUGERFAN]

Happy New Year! I am sitting here looking out my window at just about as miserable a day as we ever have in Texas. Misty, damp and COLD. If I was to go out hunting today, it is not a climate that I want to take my No.1's out in. I have 2 Americans; a 30/06 and a 25/06. To me that is what they are made for; days like this. They are also made for the beginning entry hunters and shooters. I have sold a bunch of Americans; a lot of the Compacts for young hunters and ladies. Does me good when they send me a picture of their 1st buck taken with their new Ruger American.
These smaller Gun Stores can't compete with the Internet Warehouse Sellers; they can't stock everything. When the Americans first came out, I had one of every caliber in stock of Standard and Compact. Then Ruger comes out with the Redfield scopes mounted and the All Weather Stainless; then the Predator; then the Ranch. I can't keep them all.
Over the next 10 years, I think you will witness the general demise of the small gun shops. They can't compete, pricewise, with the big stores, like Cabelas, et al.

Same here wet and cold. A perfect day to just stay inside and relax a bit

 

[El Numero Uno]

And for slimatsea; Thanks, I appreciate your positive comments. Also, I want to apologize to all those who may have inquired that I have not been able to get back with. Ever one wants pictures these days; I can understand that with the interest in wood quality. Thank goodness for cell phone pics! It is near overwhelming to communicate back with all who have inquired. Getting these pics is a major effort for me! I have to find the rifle for starters, get it out of the box(over 1/2 my No.1 inventory is NIB or ANIB) or find it in the racks. Then pics and then get it put back up.
So, If I have a No.1 like you are looking for, please bear with me; be persistent-and Thanks for all your business these last few years.
Lee

 

[BlkHawk73]

2. I get it that dealers are only going to stock what sells, but I think plenty more Hawkeyes and No 1s would sell if people could put their hands on them and see them while shopping. I'm so tired of having that conversation anytime I want to buy anything. " Pardon me, do you have XXXX in stock?" " No, but I can order you one." Well no yugo, I can order me one. If I wanted to buy everything online I'd be at home shopping there. I'm in your store because I'm not certain what I want to purchase and I want to make an informed decision. This whole concept of committing to a purchase sight unseen just baffles me. I'm not buying a toaster I'm going to use for a few years and throw away when it breaks. I'm buying a rifle that I'm hoping to spend the next 40 years carrying around the woods and hopefully leave to someone who can use it another 40 years.

All quite easy to say when it's not your $$$$$ keeping the racks and shelves stocked.

 

[slimatsea]

If you don't have the $$$$$ to carry inventory maybe it's time to look for a new line of work or adjust your business model. There is a fantastic little gun shop called Piestrak's in Nanticoke Pennsylvania. They're literally working out of a room built onto their house. When I lived near there that's where I did my shopping. Somehow they found a way to keep a variety of guns in stock. At any given time a shopper could find a no 1, a hawkeye, a blr, win model 70, rem 700, marlin leverguns, a few different rimfires, a savage or two, and of course the American and all of the other budget rifles. I'm not saying you need to keep every rifle in every caliber. But at least have 1. Let me hold a model 70 and a hawkeye and see the difference between the two. Then you can order me one in the caliber I want. All the shops near me advertise that they keep hundreds of rifles in stock. Then you get there and realize it's the ruger american, remington 783, and savage plastic rifles in every caliber and style imaginable. If they can keep 100 americans in stock why can't they have 95 Americans and 1 hawkeye. A hawkeye is still a $700 rifle, I'm not asking them to stock shelves with coopers and kimbers. I think you're right that the majority of small gunshops are going to fail and it's going to be their own doing. The value of my local store is that I can go there and buy something today. If I have to special order everything from them without even having a floor model to handle, then why shop there at all? Lastly, the only other no 1 I owned was a Lipsey's 257 Roberts that I sold and have regretted ever since. I can't remember the last time I rifle hunted in PA that it didn't rain. That little bob did just fine in the rain. After the hunt I'd dry it off with a rag, toss on a coat of hoppe's oil, never a spec of rust.

 

[slimatsea]

I'd like to clarify guys that I understand there is a place for rugged all weather rifles. I own a Hawkeye 308 in stainless/plastic. It isn't the plastic stock of the american I don't like. I'm not a fan of any of the receivers machined out of round stock...savage 110, rem 700, tikka, the American etc.

 

[BlkHawk73]

If you don't have the $$$$$ to carry inventory maybe it's time to look for a new line of work or adjust your business model.

With this reasoning, a shop should then carry at least one of every model of every gun. Yeah. :roll: How many Pardini's, Morini's and Benelli pistols did this apparently ell stocked PA shop carry? Dakota rifles stocked? How about a nice Merkel? After all, someone might walk in wanting to handle one before ordering and committing to one
Again, it's very easy to be on the there side of the counter and think you have the best plan, or solution. Some think it's a simple thing give it ago and fail. Others realize it's actually a business and what it takes to operate a profitable one to make a living at. Those folks have a sense of business operations, know their market and know their products. As any other time this type of discussion arises, I wholeheartedly suggest the one that has the answer, prove it. Put up YOUR $$$ to have the shop stock these models and then share the profit or open your own shop and really show how it should be one.

Even the BIG shop here doesn't carry a standing inventory of everything. Yes, they have #1's, Hawkeyes and all the standard models from the usual and common manufacturers. They also carry a few of the less common brands. Think thousands (plural there!) of new firearms in inventory on top of thousands of used ones on hand all at any given time. I still wouldn't expect to walk in and find one of the aforementioned Padini's. Just not something that the local market can support keeping them in stock. The one shop that does carry such models carry around this area carries them exclusively and none of the usual gun shop inventory. It's his niche and it works quite well for him.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Guys, one of our problems is that we're just plain spoiled.

Think of the number of gun manufacturers.

Think of the number of gun models available from each manufacturer, and chamberings, and barrel lengths, and finishes, and options. We never had it so good.

There are literally thousands of possibilities of potential guns, and somebody wants one of those possibilities. No way can a dealer, even a big one, have "one of each" in stock. That we expect them to attempt to do so only reflects the current "I want what I want and I want it RIGHT NOW" attitude so prevalent in our society. Cut 'em a little slack.

JMHO of course, and I'm not a dealer.

 

[OldePhart]

I've had friends who owned niche retail stores (not guns - musical instruments, radio control aircraft stuff, and car accessories) and I can tell you that it has to be a labor of love because there are much, much, much easier ways to make a much higher return on an investment! This was true before the internet and is true in spades, now. I often helped those folks out around their stores because I was in a position where I had a fair amount of free time - I can't tell you how many times somebody would come in and handle everything in the store, spend hours of my time asking advice, etc., and then go mail order it (pre-internet) to save five percent on the cost. Often it was people who knew both me and the owner and they still had no shame about doing that.

So...yeah...expecting any retailer (a small one, especially) to stock "samples" of anything that they know doesn't sell all that well is, frankly, pretty darned unreasonable. If you are lucky enough to find one that does the chances are very good its almost more of a hobby to the owner and that there are other sources of income involved. I know a guy that runs one of the best guitar shops in the area - rivals a Guitar Center for selection and pricing - but he has other income and runs the store because he loves guitars and hanging out with musicians.

My advice to anyone (that I like) that is considering investing their life savings in any kind of specialty retail outlet is to look for any other way to invest their savings, instead.

John

 

[hawk_driver]

I went to a gunshow today, this thread was on my mind as I went thru it. I saw not one brand new Ruger Hawkeye or No 1. I did see about 4 77 Mark 2's, 1 tang safety and 1 No 1, all used. Plenty of American Rifles. The only new rifle I saw with a wood stock was a Marlin 30-06.

The market and the times have changed.

 

[CLAYPOOL]

Well I have out lasted many failed attempts to be a "Gun Dealer" since 1985. I will only order something with payment up front. Why you ask ? Most people say order me one of those ***** and that's the last you see of the guy wanting a grade 5 whatever.. Yes we are finally expanding to a Firing Range and large reloading room with it. But I am NOT trying to make a living at it. The locals all know what is up and order certain things from me.