Friend wants to purchase firearm at Walmart

c-03003 · February 27th, 2012, 08:10 AM

A friend of mine wants to purchase a Ruger Mini-14 ranch rifle at Walmart due to the following reasons:

1) He has $300 worth of gift cards that he can use towards the purchase.
2) Price is lower at Walmart than his local gun store.

I couldn't find any reason to dissuade him from doing so since he would be saving a lot of money just by using the gift cards. The only thing I can think of is the "ongoing" issues/comments posted on the internet regarding Walmart selling lower quality firearms than their similar counterparts being sold at gun specific stores.

I don't have any experience with Walmart firearms nor know anyone that has bought a firearm from them.

axshon · February 27th, 2012, 08:17 AM

When I wanted a 10/22 I was recommended to Wally World by a bunch of members who will be by shortly I'm sure. Pretty painless purchase and a good price. Not sure that they sell enough guns for Ruger to actually manufacture a Walmart-only edition with different quality characteristics.

The only down side I've heard is that many stores record ammo purchases so that's kinda big brother but no issues with their arms. Volume usually means lower prices.

august1410 · February 27th, 2012, 08:17 AM

I bought a Mossberg 702 Plinkster from Walmart last year.

No problems with the purchase. Took a while to find a manager to sign off on the purchase and verify the paperwork was all in order, but nothing bad.

Mooseman · February 27th, 2012, 08:18 AM

I can't see Ruger putting their reputation on the line to sell a lower grade gun to Walmart. Using the gift cards is like a $300 discount. I would go for it.

hvymax · February 27th, 2012, 08:18 AM

See my sig. The Wal Mart price is because when Wal Mart orders from a manufacturer they order thousands at a time. I have yet to get a dud from Wal Mart(exept for certain brands of bulk 22). about half of my firearms have come from Wal Mart or Dicks and many of my acessories come from Sportsmans Guide. There are times where you only get what you pay for but sometimes you can get an amazing value.

rwatson · February 27th, 2012, 08:21 AM

A buddy of mine recently bought a Mini 14 from Walmart. No issues what so ever with the rifle or the purchase process.

zoostation · February 27th, 2012, 08:23 AM

Walmart gets the same quality of firearms as everyone else from a manufacturer.

hvymax · February 27th, 2012, 08:24 AM

I think La Plata has them in stock.

axshon · February 27th, 2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axshon

... by a bunch of members who will be by shortly I'm sure.

Tolja!

FIREHAWK · February 27th, 2012, 08:28 AM

$300 off a mini-14........DUH

erwos · February 27th, 2012, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by august1410

No problems with the purchase. Took a while to find a manager to sign off on the purchase and verify the paperwork was all in order, but nothing bad.

Yep. Got a cheap 870 from them once upon a time, and other than waiting for the managers to get over there, it was a smooth process.

Sometimes manufacturers will have Walmart models that are a little different than what you'd normally see. This isn't always a bad thing; Beretta used to have an inexpensive semi-auto shotgun there that people loved.

llkoolkeg · February 27th, 2012, 08:50 AM

If you buy a gun from them, there better be no "we're really busy" delays relative to your BATF paperwork or you'll be screwed. Wally World held onto a paid-for Ruger M77 stainless in 30-06 for over three months in Westminster because they did not receive a "please proceed with transfer" message despite my weekly protests until I finally just got my money back in frustration and purchased the exact same gun from Dicks in Hagerstown three days later. The store manager apologized and said Walmart Company Policy requires that they wait for a "proceed with transfer" message instead of the lack of a "don't proceed" message like everyone else does from the supposed instant check system.

mckraut · February 27th, 2012, 08:57 AM

I say go for it. I bought a Remington 870 from them and haven't had any problems.

PJDiesel · February 27th, 2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoostation

Walmart gets the same quality of firearms as everyone else from a manufacturer.

But, they DO have Walmart only models, at least in the Marlin model 60's anyway. They have been that way for a few years now, there are (were) certain stock configurations that were ONLY sold new at Walmart.

zombiehunter · February 27th, 2012, 09:26 AM

I've bought 3 guns from walmart...no issues. Go for it.

c-03003 · February 27th, 2012, 09:31 AM

Alright gentlemen... I 'll let my buddy know to check the Ruger Mini-14 at Walmart.

wilcam47 · February 27th, 2012, 09:50 AM

i bought my first shotgun (870) from them around 1993...still shoots great! Most of the time you cant beat the prices they have on rifles and shotguns such as the 870 and remington 700's...I have a .270 Is a bad ass shooter for a "deer gun" from walmart.

-Z/28- · February 27th, 2012, 11:35 AM

I'm going to go against the grain here and say go to a local shop. For one, you will get far better service at a gun shop. Good luck getting good answers to any questions you have at Walmart, and don't even think of going back there if something should happen to break.

Two, I am a big fan of keeping money local when I can. I would rather buy from a local business man then feed the giant made in china corporation.

Three, I just don't like Walmart that much. Yes they are convenient and good for some things, but in general I'm not a fan of all their business practices. Or the cleanliness of their stores, or how some of their employees act and dress.

lx1x · February 27th, 2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Z/28-

I'm going to go against the grain here and say go to a local shop. For one, you will get far better service at a gun shop. Good luck getting good answers to any questions you have at Walmart, and don't even think of going back there if something should happen to break.

Two, I am a big fan of keeping money local when I can. I would rather buy from a local business man then feed the giant made in china corporation.

Three, I just don't like Walmart that much. Yes they are convenient and good for some things, but in general I'm not a fan of all their business practices. Or the cleanliness of their stores, or how some of their employees act and dress.

would agree if no gift card is involved..

op: bought couple firearms from walmart.. have not had issues..

FnsweetS3 · February 27th, 2012, 11:39 AM

I have bought from there.... no issues

February 27th, 2012, 08:10 AM	#1
c-03003 Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Fort Washington, MD Posts: 173 Images: 2	Friend wants to purchase firearm at Walmart A friend of mine wants to purchase a Ruger Mini-14 ranch rifle at Walmart due to the following reasons: 1) He has $300 worth of gift cards that he can use towards the purchase. 2) Price is lower at Walmart than his local gun store. I couldn't find any reason to dissuade him from doing so since he would be saving a lot of money just by using the gift cards. The only thing I can think of is the "ongoing" issues/comments posted on the internet regarding Walmart selling lower quality firearms than their similar counterparts being sold at gun specific stores. I don't have any experience with Walmart firearms nor know anyone that has bought a firearm from them.

February 27th, 2012, 08:17 AM	#2
axshon Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Baltimore County Posts: 854 Images: 1	When I wanted a 10/22 I was recommended to Wally World by a bunch of members who will be by shortly I'm sure. Pretty painless purchase and a good price. Not sure that they sell enough guns for Ruger to actually manufacture a Walmart-only edition with different quality characteristics. The only down side I've heard is that many stores record ammo purchases so that's kinda big brother but no issues with their arms. Volume usually means lower prices. __________________ --> --> --> Wag more, bark less, be ready to bite.

February 27th, 2012, 08:18 AM	#5
hvymax Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Dentsville District 28 Posts: 9,947	See my sig. The Wal Mart price is because when Wal Mart orders from a manufacturer they order thousands at a time. I have yet to get a dud from Wal Mart(exept for certain brands of bulk 22). about half of my firearms have come from Wal Mart or Dicks and many of my acessories come from Sportsmans Guide. There are times where you only get what you pay for but sometimes you can get an amazing value. __________________ Wal-Mart (where the discriminating white trash shop) Good Luck and Good Shooting John B

February 27th, 2012, 08:23 AM	#7
zoostation Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: mein 530xi Posts: 9,419 Images: 12	Walmart gets the same quality of firearms as everyone else from a manufacturer. __________________ "Though defensive violence will always be 'a sad necessity' in the eyes of men of principle, it would be still more unfortunate if wrongdoers should dominate just men."-St. Augustine

February 27th, 2012, 08:24 AM	#8
hvymax Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Dentsville District 28 Posts: 9,947	I think La Plata has them in stock. __________________ Wal-Mart (where the discriminating white trash shop) Good Luck and Good Shooting John B

February 27th, 2012, 08:17 AM	#3
august1410 Forty-Five Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 17,206 Images: 23	I bought a Mossberg 702 Plinkster from Walmart last year. No problems with the purchase. Took a while to find a manager to sign off on the purchase and verify the paperwork was all in order, but nothing bad.

February 27th, 2012, 08:18 AM	#4
Mooseman Hooligan #4 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 7,973	I can't see Ruger putting their reputation on the line to sell a lower grade gun to Walmart. Using the gift cards is like a $300 discount. I would go for it.

February 27th, 2012, 08:21 AM	#6
rwatson Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 170	A buddy of mine recently bought a Mini 14 from Walmart. No issues what so ever with the rifle or the purchase process.

February 27th, 2012, 08:50 AM	#12
llkoolkeg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fredneck Posts: 1,229	If you buy a gun from them, there better be no "we're really busy" delays relative to your BATF paperwork or you'll be screwed. Wally World held onto a paid-for Ruger M77 stainless in 30-06 for over three months in Westminster because they did not receive a "please proceed with transfer" message despite my weekly protests until I finally just got my money back in frustration and purchased the exact same gun from Dicks in Hagerstown three days later. The store manager apologized and said Walmart Company Policy requires that they wait for a "proceed with transfer" message instead of the lack of a "don't proceed" message like everyone else does from the supposed instant check system. __________________ "Any nation that draws too great a distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools." -Thucydides in The History of the Peloponnesian War

February 27th, 2012, 08:57 AM	#13
mckraut Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Abingdon, MD Posts: 383	I say go for it. I bought a Remington 870 from them and haven't had any problems. __________________ Southern Lancaster County Farmer Sportsman's Association

February 27th, 2012, 09:26 AM	#15
zombiehunter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5,802	I've bought 3 guns from walmart...no issues. Go for it. __________________ Soap box and ballot box have failed and will continue to do so. IMO, any further effort spent here IS a complete waste of time and serves no purpose other than to waste resources and further degrade our morale. Any further communication with pro-2a elected officials should only revolve around filing lawsuits and injunctions.

February 27th, 2012, 09:31 AM	#16
c-03003 Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Fort Washington, MD Posts: 173 Images: 2	Alright gentlemen... I 'll let my buddy know to check the Ruger Mini-14 at Walmart.

February 27th, 2012, 09:50 AM	#17
wilcam47 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: IN IDAHO!!!!!!!! Posts: 8,743	i bought my first shotgun (870) from them around 1993...still shoots great! Most of the time you cant beat the prices they have on rifles and shotguns such as the 870 and remington 700's...I have a .270 Is a bad ass shooter for a "deer gun" from walmart.

February 27th, 2012, 11:35 AM	#18
-Z/28- Young Gun Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Baltimore County Posts: 4,126 Images: 2	I'm going to go against the grain here and say go to a local shop. For one, you will get far better service at a gun shop. Good luck getting good answers to any questions you have at Walmart, and don't even think of going back there if something should happen to break. Two, I am a big fan of keeping money local when I can. I would rather buy from a local business man then feed the giant made in china corporation. Three, I just don't like Walmart that much. Yes they are convenient and good for some things, but in general I'm not a fan of all their business practices. Or the cleanliness of their stores, or how some of their employees act and dress. __________________ “The M1 rifle is the finest battle implement ever devised.” – Gen. Patton “Driving a muscle car fast isn't that fun, it's driving one slowly and making a ton of noise and pissing people off, that's what’s fun.” –Matt Farah

February 27th, 2012, 11:39 AM	#20
FnsweetS3 Pro Whack-a-mole chanpion Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Taneytown Posts: 89	I have bought from there.... no issues

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