Heritage Firearms

Heritage Firearms

Written by Mark Collins Wednesday, 07 November 2007

Gun store owner switches targets

Heritage Firearms has sold guns and equipment in Austin for 10 years, and current owner Tom Snell has been behind the counter for eight of those years.

Snell was transferred to Austin by Target to be a store manager. When Snell left Target, he landed in the retail firearm industry before being hired at Heritage Firearms in 1999. He worked for the previous owners for two years before purchasing the business in 2001.

“I like guns. If a hobby can be a career, that is a good thing,” Snell said. “I’ve been working in gun sales for 10 years and shooting for about 30 years.”

Heritage Firearms stocks rifles, shotguns and pistols as well as a wide variety of accessories from magazines and ammunition to scopes and carry cases. The store buys, sells, trades and consigns firearms.

“We’re a small shop, so we don’t stock as much as a lot of the stores do, but unless it’s something the company doesn’t have in stock or it’s a crazy special item, we can get anything in one day,” Snell said.

Although Heritage Firearms does stock hunting gear, its focus is more toward concealed handguns and personal safety. That reputation has helped Heritage Firearms develop a rapport with local law enforcement. Snell has provided firearms for the Texas Rangers, Austin Police Department, the game warden and many federal agents.

This month, each Texas Ranger will pass through Heritage Firearms to pick up a limited edition Para-Ordnance 1911 commemorative handgun not available anywhere else. Snell said that being chosen to host a transfer of this size and magnitude is quite an honor.

“We’re very law-enforcement friendly, but we’re friendly all the way around,” Snell said.

Snell and store manager Dick Doak are regularly available to help customers choose the appropriate gun to fit their needs, and they aren’t shy about referring customers to a shooting range that also sells guns.

“A gun is like a golf club; Callaway may be the best club there is, but as soon as you hit it, it’s not the club for you,” Snell said. “I’m hoping that our customer service is better, and I know our prices are better, so I know after they try it, they’ll come back here to buy.”

“We get a lot of repeat customers, lot of loyal customers. There are people who have been coming here since before I was.”

When choosing a gun, it is important to consider a few questions:

• What is the purpose of the gun? Some guns are better for home defense while others are ideal for concealed carry or hunting.
• How much do you want to spend? A typical shotgun costs about $200 while an average handgun can run $400-$600.
• How much stopping power do you want? Less power is better for home defense and less experienced shooters.

Heritage Firearms, 13497 US 183 Ste. 300 A, 219-1122, www.heritagefirearms.com

1 Comments