Extreme Tactical develops loyal customer base

Noah McConnell, owner and operator of Extreme Tactical in Evergreen, knows his customers well.

Extreme Tactical specializes in guns, ammunition and gun products, and in the decade since McConnell opened the business at 464 Ash Road, he has developed many loyal customers.

"There is a lot of support for small businesses here, and I have a lot of loyal customers because I treat them well," he said. "My customers definitely get a more personal experience with me and it's been beneficial to have been here as long as I have."

McConnell grew up as a firearms aficionado. He started shooting at age 10, got into hunting and then collecting firearms.

"As I got older, my interest in guns increased quite a bit," he said.

McConnell said he worked as a self-employed contractor since he was 19 before going into the firearms business.

"Assembly-line work was not for me," he said. "It also doesn't hurt living in a state where the average household has 15 or 20 guns."

One study indicates 66.3% of adults in Montana own a gun. No matter how many statistics are cited, one thing is obvious — Montana is home to many gun lovers.

McConnell's loyal customers include veterans and law enforcement officers, as well as those who love to shoot at targets and protect themselves. He said he even has one customer from Virginia and many people who spend time here during different times of the year.

But the majority of his customers are from the Flathead and across Montana.

"People buying firearms for personal protection has really increased in the last 18 months with COVID and the uncertainty which has come from it," he said. "A state that is well-armed is better off than a state where you can be arrested for just having a gun in your car."

Shotguns and handguns are the favored firearms of those seeking security, according to McConnell.

McConnell also touts the safe use of firearms and refers new customers to Northwest Shooter, which is located nearby on U.S. 2, for safety training and the proper use of various firearms.

"It's a great place to learn how to shoot safely," he said. "Their combination of quality instructors and good ranges is hard to beat."

AMMUNITION IS a key part of Extreme Tactical's business.

Even during the current ammo shortage, McConnell's shelves were stocked with calibers from .22 to .50 BMG.

"I go to second, third or fourth sources to remain stocked with ammo," he said. "I've had more ammo than anyone in town for months. Some places will get a shipment in, set limits on how many boxes you can and have a line out the door. But I won't do limits; I'm here to provide ammo when someone comes in the door."

While the array of firearms and ammunition in his store and online inventory, what may really set Extreme Tactical apart from others are the gun parts he offers.

"Parts, particularly AR-15 parts and other small parts, are one of the important items we offer," McConnell said. "If you break a part or lose one, you can come in and get it replaced today and your gun is back in operation in minutes instead of waiting several days and paying $6 shipping for a $2 part."

Shooters seeking suppressors or silencers are also in luck with the selection at Extreme Tactical.

"They are becoming more normal among active shooters," McConnell said. "They reduce noise so you don't have to wear hearing protection; they can increase accuracy and even for hunters. They are starting to gain popularity because it changes the sound that is made and even the origin of the shot."

He also offers sales of guns on the National Firearms Act list, which includes fully automatic firearms, rifles and shotguns with an overall length under 26 inches, rifles with barrels under 16 inches and shotguns with barrels under 18 inches.

"I have a $1 billion inventory in guns and parts on my website; I can do federal firearms license transfers, too," he said.

McConnell said when he started his business in 2011 there wasn't a gun dealer like his at the time.

"There are a couple of dealers here that are trying to duplicate my business model, but I believe my personal service sets me apart," he said.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.