Aim Surplus
Aim Surplus is a privately held US retailer founded in 1997 that sells firearms, ammunition, magazines, and accessories through an e-commerce store, a Monroe, Ohio showroom, and an FFL dealer transfer network, also offering in-house laser stippling/engraving services and a used-gun buyback program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersMonroe, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Aim Surplus does
Aim Surplus (legally AimSurplus, LLC) is a US firearms, ammunition, and accessories retailer founded in 1997 and headquartered at 225 American Way, Monroe, Ohio. The business operates a hybrid retail model: a physical showroom open Monday through Saturday, a toll-free phone sales channel (888-748-5252), and the e-commerce site aimsurplus.com. Its core catalog covers rifles, shotguns, and handguns, ammunition across multiple calibers, magazines, and firearm parts/accessories (barrels, slides, triggers, BCGs, charging handles, optics). Firearms fulfillment is constrained by federal and state law — orders ship to a customer-selected FFL dealer, are picked up in Ohio, or are transferred through the company's own FFL Dealer Transfer Network spanning most US cities. Ammo and non-firearm items ship direct to qualifying customers, with state-specific restriction pages enforced at the SKU level. Pricing is unit-based with published ammo-per-pallet volume discounts negotiated by phone and a 5%-off subscriber discount via email mailing lists.
The firm monetizes across six streams: firearms sales, ammunition sales, parts/accessories, a We Buy Guns program that purchases used firearms from individuals, an in-house Laser Services Division providing stippling/engraving/undercut work on Glock frames performed by certified Glock Armorers (turnaround under one week), and a $30 FFL transfer fee on incoming and dealer-network transfers. Customer segments span firearms enthusiasts and military collectible hobbyists, individual sellers of used guns, Glock customization buyers, law enforcement and military personnel, and the FFL dealers that compose the transfer network. Go-to-market blends direct-to-consumer e-commerce with sales-assisted phone support for bulk orders.
The business is privately held, LLC-organized in Ohio, ships to all 50 states (collecting sales tax in 43), and has been continuously operating for nearly 30 years without disclosed institutional funding, parent company, or M&A activity. Its primary technical assets are the e-commerce platform, the showroom, the laser engraving equipment, and the FFL dealer network — there is no proprietary AI, no application layer beyond the storefront, and no disclosed patents or trademarks.
Aim Surplus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aim Surplus
- Legal name
- AimSurplus, LLC
- Website
- https://aimsurplus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Aim Surplus is a privately held US retailer founded in 1997 that sells firearms, ammunition, magazines, and accessories through an e-commerce store, a Monroe, Ohio showroom, and an FFL dealer transfer network, also offering in-house laser stippling/engraving services and a used-gun buyback program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aim Surplus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Firearms Retail
- NAICS
- Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459)
- SIC
- Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Firearms & Ammunition Retail (CRAMAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hunting, Shooting Sports & Archery Retail (CRAMABAK), Shooting Sports Equipment Retail (Targets, Clay, Range Gear, Hearing/Eye Protection) (CRAMAKAG)
Keywords
Where Aim Surplus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Monroe
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Aim Surplus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Firearms Sales: Retail sales of new and used firearms including rifles, shotguns, handguns, and military collectibles. Offers 'Hand Pick' option for customers who want cosmetic selection of firearms from available inventory.
- Ammunition Sales: Retail ammunition sales across multiple calibers. Ships directly to customers 21+ or to FFL dealers. Volume discounts available for pallet-sized purchases.
- Parts and Accessories: Firearms parts, magazines, optics, and accessories. Some restrictions apply for certain states like California where parts can only ship to FFL dealers.
- Laser Services Division: Custom laser stippling, engraving, and frame modification services primarily for Glock firearms. Services include grip texture, undercut frame work, side panel engraving. Turnaround time under 1 week.
- Gun Buyback Program: Purchase of used firearms from individuals. Sellers submit photos and serial numbers for quotes. Firearms shipped to Aim Surplus, inspected, and seller receives check upon approval. Nearly 30 years of experience in purchasing used firearms.
- FFL Transfer Services: $30 fee for transferring firearms from other dealers or individuals. Inbound transfers require advance notice and FFL documentation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Laser Services - Custom Deluxe Package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Laser Services - Standalone Options |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Firearm Transfer Fee |
| Freemium | Monthly | Mailing List Subscription Discount |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Aim Surplus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aim Surplus is a firearms and ammunition retailer that sells new and used firearms (rifles, handguns, shotguns), ammunition, magazines, and parts/accessories through its e-commerce site and Monroe, Ohio showroom. The company supplements retail sales with three service lines: a gun buyback program that purchases used firearms from individuals, an FFL dealer transfer service ($30 fee per inbound transfer), and an in-house laser services division performing custom stippling, undercut frame work, and engraving on Glock firearms.
Product overview
AimSurplus operates as a firearms, ammunition, and parts retailer offering a comprehensive e-commerce platform for purchasing firearms (rifles, handguns, shotguns), ammunition, magazines, and firearm parts/accessories. The company provides related services including a gun purchasing program for used firearms, an FFL dealer transfer network for order fulfillment, firearm transfer services for incoming shipments, and custom laser grip modification services for Glock firearms. The product portfolio consists of core retail products (firearms, ammunition, magazines, parts) supplemented by value-added services (laser engraving/stippling, dealer networking, gun buying). Orders can be fulfilled via shipping to FFL dealers or customers, or picked up at their Monroe, Ohio showroom.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Firearms New and used rifles, handguns, and shotguns sold through the e-commerce site and showroom, with a 'Hand Pick' cosmetic selection option. Firearm orders require shipment to an FFL dealer or in-state pickup with a background check.
- Ammunition Ammunition for rifles and handguns in multiple calibers, shipped directly to customers aged 21+ or to FFL dealers. Volume discounts available for pallet-sized purchases negotiated by phone.
- Firearm Magazines Firearm magazines sold through the website, subject to state-specific shipping restrictions.
- Firearm Parts and Accessories Firearm components and accessories including barrels, slides, triggers, BCGs, charging handles, and other parts; some state restrictions apply (e.g., California shipments only to FFL dealers).
- Custom Deluxe Package - Laser Grip Service for Glock Frames Bundled laser stippling and frame work service for Glock frames, including double or single undercut, full wrap-around or front/back strap texture, index ridge, and forward index pads, performed by certified Glock Armorers with sub-one-week turnaround.
- Laser Engraved Side Panel for Glock Frames Standalone laser engraving service for Glock frames offering multiple side panel shapes and textures for personalized style and function.
- Under Cut Frame Service for Glock Single or double undercut frame modification for Glock pistols that allows higher grip placement and eliminates 'Glock knuckle', performed by certified Glock Armorers with under-one-week turnaround.
- We Buy Guns Service Service allowing individuals to sell personal firearms to Aim Surplus; sellers submit photos and serial numbers for a quote, ship the firearm for inspection, and receive a check upon approval.
- FFL Dealer Transfer Network Network of pre-approved FFL dealers across most U.S. cities who process compliant firearm transfers for Aim Surplus customers; dealers register through the website and agree to standardized transfer terms.
- Firearm Transfer Service Incoming firearm transfer service for firearms shipped from other dealers or private parties, requiring advance notice and FFL documentation, with a $30.00 transfer fee.
Companies that use Aim Surplus
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Aim Surplus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Aim Surplus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aim Surplus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GrabAGun: GrabAGun is an online firearms, ammunition, and accessories retailer specializing in discounted and closeout firearms — directly competing with Aim Surplus on price, military/collectible inventory, and direct e-commerce fulfillment.
- Brownells: Brownells is a leading retailer/maker of gunsmithing tools, firearm parts, accessories, and ammunition, with deep assortment in magazines and components mirroring Aim Surplus's parts and accessories catalog. Both serve hobbyist gunsmiths and self-reliant firearms owners via online fulfillment.
- Palmetto State Armory: Palmetto State Armory is a direct-to-consumer firearms and ammo retailer selling AR-platform rifles, handguns, and ammunition online. It competes head-to-head with Aim Surplus for value-oriented firearms buyers shopping for rifles and accessories via e-commerce.
- Bulk Ammo: BulkAmmo.com is an online retailer focused on bulk ammunition, magazines, and accessories, competing head-to-head with Aim Surplus's volume/pallet-priced ammo offering and 50-state direct shipment model.
- Cheaper Than Dirt: Cheaper Than Dirt is an established online firearms, ammunition, and accessories retailer with a long history of discount-positioned ammo and firearms sales. It is a direct competitor in the same online firearms/ammo e-commerce category as Aim Surplus.
- Lucky Gunner: Lucky Gunner is a pure-play online ammunition retailer shipping across the U.S. with broad caliber coverage and bulk pricing — directly overlapping Aim Surplus's ammunition business and competitive with its volume-pallet ammo offering.
- Midway USA: Midway USA is one of the largest online retailers of firearms, ammunition, reloading supplies, and shooting accessories, serving the same firearms enthusiast and reloaders customer segments with a comparable e-commerce-led model. Overlap with Aim Surplus is direct on ammo, magazines, and parts.
Broad incumbents
- Academy Sports + Outdoors: Academy Sports + Outdoors is a multi-category sporting-goods retailer with brick-and-mortar stores and significant online firearms and ammo sales. It competes with Aim Surplus for value-oriented firearms buyers but with a much broader sporting/outdoor assortment.
- Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's are the largest U.S. specialty sporting-goods retailers, operating destination stores with full firearms, ammo, and accessory assortments plus omnichannel e-commerce. They overlap with Aim Surplus broadly on firearms and ammo retail as the dominant incumbents in the category.
- Sportsman's Warehouse: Sportsman's Warehouse is a national sporting-goods chain with physical stores and online fulfillment selling firearms, ammunition, optics, and hunting/outdoor gear. It competes with Aim Surplus for the same firearms and ammo purchases but operates across a much broader sporting/outdoor assortment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Aim Surplus social profiles
Digital presenceAim Surplus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aim Surplus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Aim Surplus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aim Surplus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aim Surplus
What does Aim Surplus do?
Aim Surplus is a firearms and ammunition retailer that sells new and used firearms (rifles, handguns, shotguns), ammunition, magazines, and parts/accessories through its e-commerce site and Monroe, Ohio showroom. The company supplements retail sales with three service lines: a gun buyback program that purchases used firearms from individuals, an FFL dealer transfer service ($30 fee per inbound transfer), and an in-house laser services division performing custom stippling, undercut frame work, and engraving on Glock firearms.
Is Aim Surplus a public or private company?
Aim Surplus is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Aim Surplus founded?
Aim Surplus was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Aim Surplus based?
Aim Surplus is headquartered in Monroe, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aim Surplus make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Firearms Sales are the primary driver. The others are ammunition Sales, parts and Accessories, laser Services Division, gun Buyback Program and FFL Transfer Services.
Who are Aim Surplus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GrabAGun, Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, Bulk Ammo, Cheaper Than Dirt, Lucky Gunner and Midway USA. Broad incumbents are Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse.
Does Aim Surplus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aim Surplus.
What industry is Aim Surplus in?
Aim Surplus's product category is Firearms Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAKAA, Firearms & Ammunition Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMABAK, Hunting, Shooting Sports & Archery Retail. Its NAICS code is 459 and its SIC code is 3949.