Increase Shop Revenue with Accessory Installation Services
Gunsmithing is a career that is both professionally fulfilling and can be very profitable. Like every self-employed business, while there is money to be made, it takes hard work and dedication, especially in the beginning. The most important thing for a gunsmith to be successful is having extensive knowledge and a personable demeanour. These things will bring customers to your shop and keep them coming back.
But many other strategies will also help a business thrive. One of the most profitable ones for gunsmiths is including the purchase and installation of gunsmithing and shooting accessories. It is an excellent addition to any business. Think of a supermarket with a deli, bakery, and fishery all in one place; the customer does not need to go anywhere else. By offering accessory installation in your store, you will increase your profit margin, prevent botched home installations, and attract repeat customers, which is very important to any business.
How to Present Your Services
When it comes to accessory installation in gunsmithing, there are several avenues you can explore. All-inclusive bundles where the customer receives several accessories together. This service would include selling accessories like sights or optics with free mounting or a discounted installation to entice the customer to avail of more of your services. Also, complementary items when you spend a certain amount are always a customer favourite.
Offering services like express turnaround, where you offer to complete an accessory installation in a short period of time, is excellent, as many people lead very busy lives and could get turned off by long wait times. Also, if customers have an emergency problem, an express service could be of use.
Point-of-sale prompts are excellent at making your customers aware of everything you provide as a business. This involves a selling technique where your staff is trained to offer accessory installation with every accessory purchased.
Other services include seasonal offers for Christmas, Easter, and birthdays (with a valid ID lol) and menu board pricing where each accessory installation pricing is clear to see when browsing the shop.
Now let’s talk about the different accessory installations that you can offer within your store.
Accessory Installation
When it comes to accessory installation, knowledge is key. When you show the customer that you know what you are talking about and can answer their questions easily and confidently, that is the key to success.
Trigger upgrades
One of the most common upgrades you will be asked to complete is a trigger upgrade. This involves safety checks always first. Once the firearm is safe, the action is stripped, and the housing components and pin are taken out. The old trigger is then completely removed, and the new one can be installed. This involves seating the new trigger and securing it with retention pins. Once you feel it is secure, then before you return it to the customer, you must perform a series of safety tests to ensure its functionality.
Sling swivel installation
Like the trigger upgrade, the sling swivel installation should begin by doing an extensive safety check. Once that is complete, for a wooden stock, place the stock in a padded vise, mark your drill location, and drill a pilot hole. Coat the wood screw thread and screw in until they sit flush against the stock.
To install the swivel, open the spring gate on your swivel, add the cross-pin through the eye of the mounted swivel stud, and release the spring gate until it sits against the swivel body without any gaps. Again, once the safety check is complete, the installation is finished and functional.
Recoil pad installation
A recoil pad is another accessory that needs to be changed regularly. Usually this is completed by removing the old recoil pad. Once that is completed and all the old screw holes are plugged, the new recoil pad has to be fitted to ensure the size is correct. This is done by tracing the outline of the stock, then removing the pad and adding it to a shaping fixture. Grid it slowly and stop at the line you traced earlier. The recoil pad can then be added back onto the stock and secured. It needs a final sand then the accessory installation is complete.
Custom grips and stocks
Every gunsmith that is selling firearm accessories will have the option to customise customers’ grips and stocks. This process usually involves creating a template of the grip or stock, rough cutting it, loosely fitting it to ensure it will fit, then shaping and contouring it. It will be sealed using boiled linseed oil or a polymer finish. The shape, dimensions, and sealant will be based on the individual customer’s wants and preferences.
Cerakote preparation services and Engraving coordination
Along with removing older parts and replacing them with newer, better ones, accessory installation also includes services like cerakote preparation services and engraving coordination.
Cerakote preparation services involve adding a thin ceramic coating to a firearm that provides better heat and chemical resistance as well as better wear protection. It involves an extensive cleaning process before the coating, but when completed with precision, it is an excellent asset.
Engraving coordination is one of the services that you can offer customers as an express turnaround. It involves preparing a part of the gun surface, then etching a personalised message into it. This is mostly for unused firearms that are being presented as gifts. But it is definitely a fan favourite with many gunsmithing customers.
From this article, it is clear to see that accessory installation is an excellent notch to have on any gunsmithing belt. There are so many different accessories and services that you are providing your customers that it can expand and solidify your business for years to come. If you are interested in expanding your gunsmithing knowledge, then look no further than MGS Trade School; it has an extensive library of information, perfect for any gunsmithing business owner or enthusiast.
Written by: Ryan Clancy, Mechanical Engineer
