Gun shop owner Mike Wendl of Wendl’s Weapons is closing in on an early March acquisition of Shooter’s Outlet of Arcadia, which is being sold by retiring owner Tony Vonnahme. Both men discussed changes they are seeing in the industry and changes they would both like to see in the stores as their collaboration continues. Wendl said since his time in the business, there has been a marked increase in handgun permits.
Vonnahme said he has seen people looking at their weapons as an investment in personal security as well as a financial investment.
Owners keep tabs on what is new in the industry, and both Wendl and Vonnahme agree that some guns are more difficult for them to get than others. If it is a brand new release, everyone seems to want it right away, but dealers are generally only allocated a few at a time. Often, people will call about guns they are seeing on the front of magazines, Wendl said, but it will usually be at least a couple of months before they can get them in the store. With the sale of Shooter’s Outlet, Wendl and Vonnahme have been working together on expansion of the guns and accessories that will be offered. They both attended the Shot Show in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago and are talking about Benelli, Stoeger and Franchi shotguns as well as Vortex scopes. Both men are also looking at custom options and are extremely happy with an arrangement they have with Volquartsen Custom, Ltd., a Carroll pistol, rifle and accessory manufacturer.
Vonnahme said he has been successful in selling Volquartsen guns in other states where they are not yet well known.
