A Brisbane store owner was struck over the head with a gun as he fought off the armed intruder with a mere cleaning mop.

Adrian Richani told 7 News he never considered handing over his money at Joe's Snack Bar in Sunnybank on Tuesday night.

“He pulls out a single barrel shotgun from his bag, aims it towards my dad, and says ‘Do you wanna die? do you wanna die?’,” the owner’s son Yaz Richani told 7 News.

A Brisbane store owner was struck over the head with a gun as he fought off an armed intruder with only a mop. Source: 7 News

“My dad wasn't having it, so he just went straight for him.”

Adrian had to think quickly and armed himself with the first thing he could find.

He ran at the intruder, bashing him over the head with the mop's wooden stick, then used his fists to knock away the man's firearm.

A would-be thief pulled out a single barrel shotgun from his bag and tried to hold up a Brisbane convenience store. Source: 7 News

An intruder armed with a gun versus a man with a mop. Source: 7 News

Locked in a violent struggle, the pair tumbled down the stairs and the culprit fled empty-handed.

“It was the easiest thing I could grab!” Adrian said.

"He got away with a sore chin, that’s about it.”

The shop owner’s injuries were worse - he needed 10 stitches after he was hit in the head with the gun during the struggle.

It was a sacrifice Adrian said he was willing to make to protect himself, his family and his cash.

Adrian Richani needed 10 stitches after he was hit in the head with the gun during the struggle. Source: 7 News

This isn't the first time the Richanis have been targeted. Seven years ago, two armed robbers made the same mistake.

"I said ‘Grab me gun’ to my daughter. She was standing behind me,” Adrian said.

His son spilled the beans, revealing: "We didn't have a gun. My sister just buckled and walked inside and those guys just ran.”

A warning to anyone who dares - don't mess with the Richanis.

The owner of Joe's Snack Bar said there was no way he was handing over his money. Source: 7 News

"Yeah, try it again, see what happens. We'll be ready this time,” the son said.

Adrian added: “This time it'll be different… definitely not a mop.”

The man is still at large. Police said they are looking for a caucasian male in his 30s or 40s, believed to have balding, ginger hair.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page.