So there I was.

 Walmart had a good deal on a 12 guage over under, and I had just got my wife to clear me for another gun buy.  All the pieces were in place, so I got up two hours before the skeet range opened figuring I could have the shotgun in hand and busting skeet by 10:00 AM...

 At the sports section, I wait 10 minutes for this hippy looking guy to show up and open the case.  After a last fondle, I say "I'll take this off your hands, bud."  He gives a blank look, then finally gets out the ATF form and I start filling it out.  He calls the sales person who is "gun sale qualified" to come and do the NICS check on me.

 30 minutes later she shows up.  Reason for the delay?  She was "on break."  Walmart at 0900 on a saturday morning, in the sports section, is surely a stressfull experience.

 So sweetie cakes does the NICS check, god was with me and the computer's weren't down.  Then she demands my military ID, my drivers license (WA State) and a copy of my orders.  I furnish all of them, while trying to explain that I don't need to be a state resident to buy a long gun...to no avail.  She gets what she needs, then tells me that she is going to go make copies of it all, which I'm not too keen on, but I really want that shotgun.

 After she leaves, I tell hippy boy that I want to buy some shells.  He tells me that they can't sell me a gun and ammo at the same time.  I tell him that's fu**ing silly, but buy the shells and take them out to my car and come back, expecting sweetie cakes to be back with my gun box ready to get my increasingly angry ass out the door.  Not a chance.

 She shows up 10 minutes later.  She boxes it up, I grab my ID and orders off the table.  "Please leave those there, sir." Says she, "My manager has to look at this before I sell the gun to you."  At this point she gets on the intercom and calls the manager to sports for a "Gun approval."  He shows up and asks "How are you today, sir?"  I let him know that his employees were a disgrace (This whole process up to now had taken over an hour - the NICS check took all of 30 seconds...) and that his no gun and ammo policy was idiotic.  Anyway, he gives me the "safety" song and dance, and I give him the "you're a jackass" song and dance.  I tried to explain that his employess had just run a criminal history search on me not 30 minutes before and I obviously wasn't a dangerous criminal...and furthermore I'm a goddamn officer in the US Army (you know, one of the only people in the country who is smart, responsible, and trusted enough to handle a weapon in this increasingly pussified country...)

 Finally, he "approves" the sale of the gun and I pay and pick the box up - not so fast.  The manager took it from my hands and told me that it was company policy for the manager to carry the gun out of the store and only give it to me in the parking lot. (Which really is dangerous for him, since that is where I craftily pre-positioned my previously bought ammunition)  It is at this point where I tell him that people companies like Wal-mart and people like him are the reason why our country is starting to circle the drain...
 
 Anyhow.  I will finish up at this point.  But, I have pleged to NEVER buy any guns or ammunition from wal-mart again.  And those of you attending the Knob Creek shoot may want to keep this story in mind, as this was at the Radcliff, KY Wal-Mart (closest one to knob creek).  

Death to wal-mart!!

LOAD SABOT!!

Tanker

Beer slayer-

Yeah, I'm in 3rd sqadron 16th CAV.  You?

Exact same thing down here in Texas too. I found it kind of humorous as I used my CHL to bypass the NICS and was told the same no ammo thing and that they had to carry it out to the car for me. I asked why and was given the little safety story about how it could somehow get loaded and accidentally "go off" and hurt someone. All the while I'm standing there with a Glock 17 on my hip with one in the hole.

Next time you go in to buy some .22LR ammo and they ask if it's for a rifle or a handgun tell them "Neither. It's for a machinegun." That always goes over pretty well. [:)]

M1 -
 This ain't new.  I finally broke down and bought a .22 last Summer (10/22) at Wally World, same shit.  I asked what was to prevent me from having some .22's in my pocket - maybe een a 10/22 mag, and the manager looked at me like I just grew a third head...  Go figure.

I rarely bother with Wally World anymore, but my wife finds a lot of our staple items there.  Given that she's getting to be more of a gun nut all the time (tho not as rabid as I am!) and the new Wally World CCW policy, we are getting there less and less....

FFZ

Basic there in 85. D 18/4. We were in the old shitty WWII barracks. My Senior Drill Instructor looked just like a damn Bulldog. He used to say as he went out the door at the end of the day, "Now, I'm going home to beat my wife and kids, and kick my dog, You know why? Because they are Goddamn civilians"!  We knew he was kidding but I doubt he could get away with that anymore.


Aviator  [img]www.milpubs.com/aviator.gif[/img]

what is their policy on concealed carry?  I've never heard anything about this before, and frankly, if I'm there at 1am to buy some diapers, I am going armed- company policy be damned to hell.

could be worse! try buying one at Kmart!
rosie says you cant have one!  im glad they are going under! i have not shoped at kmart since they first bashed christians 16 years ago

OUt of KSSR, Wally World has posted "No CCW" signs everywhere.  Granted, most private posting of those signs is BS as we have discussed before, but I think the return argument went something like "Will I still get nailed by Wally World if I stop some idiot from knocking you over in the middle of the night?"

Considering the mental calibre of the average employee of Wally World, I think CCW holders already show themselves a few steps up the ladder - for being able to pass tests and accomplish paperwork properly.  That's just me tho, and I'm usually cranky.

All else being equal, I don't trust anyone that WON'T trust me.  That's also a significant part of the reason I haven't flown since 11SEP1992 (read the date carefully...)  When you're 6'3", 240#, and wear a 52L jacket, your ass just don't fit in them little bitty seats.  Flying was easier when I was single (I'd usually manage to swap with a stew for her jump seat on the bulkhead, and probably be in her hotel room that night.  Those was the days!)

FFZ

m1t - Get your a$$ posted (back?) here in WA, and I'll set you up with a couple of real gun dealers where evil black guns are plenty (suppressors too), and there's no BS about slapping cash for one + ammo. Same deal, same day. And no wussies allowed (Go home, ET [(:|)]).

The CCW up here is also good - no waiting period if you have the magic VIP white card.

If any of you gentleman that are buying guns at wally world in radcliff, want directions to:

Shooters Supply in Louisville
Kiesler's in Jeffersonville, IN
Tilfords in Louisville

Just drop me a line.

I can't believe you expected service at a Wally World....What the fugg, were you thinking?  [rolleyes]

What never seems to amaze me about Wallyworld is the number of employees running around doing absolutely nothing, they know nothing, cant tell you remotely about anything even in "their department", I honestly believe most of them don't know where they had their last bowel movement. They stand around talking to each other usually about what shift they have or what weekend day they have to work, or if they have to "close" tonight. I would like to be a manager at a given store for 60 days, I would fire 50% of the people there and give the other half a 50% raise. Maybe that way you could weed out most of the morons up front, then replace the othes as you go. They and their gun policy truly suck.

m1tanker -

That story was humorous, well written, and to the point.

Not to mention informative. You’ve just changed my mind about buying a 1022 at Wmart.

Great post.

Mike

Strange. I bought a 30-30 and couple of boxes of cartridges for it at a wallyworld here in San Antonio about 6 months ago — nobody said anything about not being "allowed" to buy a gun and ammo in the same visit. Got the royal gun escort out the door by the manager, though — which is also bull, since their property doesn't end at the door. If they were really serious about gun accidents occuring on their property, they should insist on riding along in your car until you drove past the end of their parking lot![:D]

People who shop at walmart get what they deserve.

Excellent selection, a variety of goods in one location, and low prices?

A well as that warm, fuzzy feeling one gets knowing you are supporting the PLA.

Hmmmm. Guess I "deserve" to save a few bucks, too.

Cheap ammo? [;D]

Waldo,
 You, sir, are either not married, or making more money than a lowly soldier in the armed forces and don't have to ask before you buy.  For that, I admire you...to add insult to injury, I had to also give up my beloved Kodiak smokeless tobacco...

 It pains me to say it, but, I think I may have become....(cue dramatic music) P-Whipped.

 Mourn me.

LOAD SABOT - (On the other hand, I still have a bigger gun than you, I'll bet...and you pay for me to shoot it 3 times a year...)

TANKER

I buy all my guns at the local gun store.

But 9mm ammo... I buy it at Wal-Mart. Can't beat the price for a 100 box.

Av.

Here is my response to a thread on how extra mags to carry with your CCW:

Bought my 870 combo at Wally World a couple of years ago.  No problem to speak of.  Yeah, three people had to look at the paperwork.  Big deal. Then they hand carry the shotgun out the door and then give it to you in the parking lot.  A little weird maybe, but for the money I could put up with a couple quirks.  I was out the door for under $300.  Now buying a handgun there might be a challenge, but I buy most of mine used so that's a non-issue.

Buy most of my 22's and 12 ga there as well as hunting license.  Can't reload 12 ga for what they sell them for.  

I don't expect premium service for a discount price.  And I've had dealers a gunshows treat me a whole lot worse, but that's another rant for another day.

Yes... you can.

It is $11 per box of 100.

You can get Greek 9mm from www.sportmensguide.com for $99/1000.

It's great stuff, never had a failure, and CHEAPER THAN WALMART.

I'm wondering if the store manager had the correct permit to be carrying that shotgun outside of the store.

Glad Some one counts them to keep'em honest [;)]

I did the machinegun reply when they asked if it was for a pistol or rifle. They just starred at me and then checked my ID. Pretty funny.

What throws me off is that they don't carry the same ammo at all walmarts, especially My damn .22LR remington target in the orange  box bulk pack.
and no special orders on ammo either.

Have to say I shop at a WallyWorld real close to where I live. Best prices on pool supplies, and can't beat their price on bulk .22's. Did notice, however, that they have REMOVED their "NO WEAPONS PAST THIS POINT" sign. Went there this past weekend, had my Beretta tucked in my waistband in the back under my tee shirt. One of the older guys there probably noticed it as he walked past me and I was bent over checking out some camcorder batteries. He hung around until I left-emptyhanded-but didn't say anything to me. Here in AZ, even if a sign is posted, they have to ask you to leave, and give you a chance, before they can call the heat. Also, they DO seem to have great prices on their firearms.

Its pretty sad.  Walmart is the equivalent to Fry's Electronics.  Piss poor service most of the time.  You to hate go in there to buy stuff and look around.  The employees think their better than you (at least in Fry's they do).  But you (we) keep coming back because you just can't beat the price...

I only buy USA made ammo. Winchester whitebox is my favorite.

I support the USA, not Greece.

Av.

If all you folks are getting better deals on ammo at Walmart than at your gunshop, then your local shop must truly suck. My local gun dealer will beat Wally's price an honest 95% of the time, with about 4 times as much selection per caliber than Wally's. I routinely buy name brand 9mm for $7.00 a box, 45acp for $11.00 a box, and .223 for $3.95. (Winchester white box, UMC, Speer Lawman, etc.) He truly beats gun show prices the majority of the time, but I think that is getting to be the norm everywhere.
The last time I went to Wallyworld I asked the goatee wearing 90 day wonder behind the counter if he had any standard velocity .22LR, his answer was "We got ALL the standrad brands, Federal Remington, ..."
Wally wants $6.99 for a box of 7.62x39, I hardly call that a bargain.

Ok, lets be specific....

Walmart Winchester white box is $10.96 plus tax.  For 1k rounds, that works out to $118.64 by my math.

The Greek ammo is Brass cased, and boxer primed.  Fully reloadable.  Just like the Winchester.  It cost me $94 for 1k round, plus $10 shipping.

Hmmm, that works out to $104 / 1000 rounds, delivered, to my door.

I have NEVER had a failure with the Olympic ammo, yet I have had two bad rounds in Winchester white box. (Primer structure failed, gas blew through hole in primer)

So I can get better ammo, delivered to my door, and I dont have to support Walmart or wait in line and deal with dumbass clerks????

I'll take the Greek ammo anyday.

Yup ranked #1 over all of the oil and car manufacturers. ENRON even still ranked #5 at $148 billion because of their existing contracts.

I think we should all buy stuff from Walmart and submit to their minor inconveniences. OR would you rather have a store with no guns like KMART? Buying stuff from those mom and pop gun stores is just throwing your money away as they won't stay in business long. It is better to choose the lesser of 2 evils.

If they were REALLY concearned with the liability issues, they wouldn't sell them at all. After all, if it is ok to sue the manufacturer, then I had better shut up before someone gets another brilliant idea.

The key to selling cheap is buying in volume, and your local gun store cannot compete.  I called my local gun store yesterday looking for Winchester AA shotgun shells.  They are great folks to deal with and have always given great prices on their merchandise.  I was told to go to WALMART; they sell them cheaper than I can buy them.  This is HONESTY, and another reason I do business with that gun store, but it proves the point.

My local gun store carries very little ammo. They don't even try to compete with Wal-Mart and all the sellers online. It saves them money since they don't have to stock much. They only have a few boxes of 9mm, .45, and some .357.

Guess what caliber range guns they have?

Av.

I will support my local gunstore when they sell for a fair price.

I'm not paying his monthly lease with a single gun purchase though. When the gun dealers learn that it is better to make $1.00 on 100 sales than $100.00 on 1 sale we will all be better off.

[/quote]


Basic there in 85. D 18/4. We were in the old shitty WWII barracks.

Aviator  [img]www.milpubs.com/aviator.gif[/img][/quote]

No F-n way!  I was in D18-4 for ROTC basic camp in 85.  

SSG Messer (him I remember) and SFC Barlow/Barstow/B something (I think) were my Drills.  You remember those guys?

I'll assume that you aren't a gun dealer or in a smaller retail establishment. Here are my .02 on this topic...

The Walmart vs. Mom and Pop shop isn't limited to just their gun/ammo counter, as we all know.

Profit of $1 on each sale is fine, when you're making 1,000's of sales a day like Walmart does. Your average gun shop doesn't have that luxury - they don't get that volume of customer traffic to allow themselves to sell at that price, though, while still paying the rent. Simple economics, unfortunately. However, paying $100 higher than Walmart on a pricy firearm may endear you to the local shop owner, who will recognize your face and (in a perfect world) help you out in the future (special orders, etc.)

It would be great if it was as simple as "whoever is cheaper gets my money". Those who complain of terrible service and [b][i]STILL[/i][/b] go back because of price have made a definite choice that speaks volumes...[b]THE PRICE THEY'RE OFFERING IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN THEIR LACK OF SERVICE.[/b] The local dealer will never be able to reach those folks, and I personally think that those who complain of the lack service in those stores would complain loudly about anything. (Nothing personal guys, just what I've experienced.) HERE'S A TIP - GO ELSEWHERE IF YOU'RE NOT TREATED THE WAY YOU WANT.

Now, I agree that price is very important, but only to a certain point. I won't go to a few supermarkets in my area because the employees are uneducated and rude, even though the prices in the stores are better that the one I do frequent. It depends on what you're shopping for...I guess I'll still shop in gunshops for guns, auto part stores for auto parts, etc.

I won't rule out going to a mart-store for a great deal on something...however, I'll walk right out the door if I feel that the lack of attention/service costs me in terms of time, energy, and exasperation and I'll go elsewhere. To me, that's the REAL American way- not just buying American.

Again, my .02.

Sorry if I misrepresented the price as being for 100 rds, that's for 50 rds! The Wally price would work out to $5.50, which in your case would be $1.50 less, but that is just one brand. I must eat crow. Haven't seen the 100 packs, but in UMC 50 rds they are $7.96!
My dealer usually has at least 4-5 brands say in a given load, i.e. 115 gr. ball. Usually he will have UMC, American Eagle, Speer Lawman, USA, etc. He then usually has the "discount" and quantity section with Wolf, Sellier & Bellot, Surplus, Olympic, Blazer etc. etc. etc. Wally doesnt give you that kind of choice, which is nice if your gun has a preference for a certain brand or weight, or want a quantity discount. His price for Federal Premium .30-06 is $2.00 a box LESS than Wally, and most hollow point handgun loads are less or equal.
I've never seen Hydra-Shocks, CorBon, or GoldDots at WalMart either.
Internet sales & the popularity of Shotgun news buyers has exploded, but is only good for quantity purchases.
I know that many dealers truly are a pain, and have limited selection. In my area there are 5-6 shops but 99% of the time I shop at just this one. His people are for the most part enthusiasts themselves, not just another salesperson out to make a buck. I certainly know about the dealers with attitudes, and this is why I like my dealer so well. If you go in and ask for something, if he doesnt have it he ALWAYS offers to order it, and will even stop what he is doing and get on the horn right then. Not many of these guys around anymore. I guess I'm lucky to have a place with as much selection, good price & someone who knows what he is talking about.

Not quite.  You forgot TAX, which you have to pay at WalMart.

It would be 109.60, PLUS TAX, which at 8.25% comes out to... yep....  $118.64

I think that using that dollar figure (and my reaction to spending that difference on a firearm in one place compared to another) really depends on the firearm in question.

[b]GOOFY EXAMPLE:[/b] I go to a martstore looking for a 40 quart Igloo cooler in red. They didn't have [b][i]EXACTLY[/i][/b] what I wanted, but they do have an Igloo 32 quart cooler in green. When I see the great price, the "40" and "red" are overshadowed. I buy it because I need a cooler, and it fits the bill. I don't care about those details anymore.

Walmart (in general) does the same thing with guns...keep the selection pretty basic, and the great low prices will attract those shoppers who are less picky about the details.

If I could save $100 on a plain-vanilla 28" Mossberg 500 Field gun buying from Walmart (and that's the specific model I was looking for) I'd buy there. Even if I [b][i]REALLY[/i][/b] wanted a 24", I'd probably go with Walmart's item on hand because to me, the bbl difference is minimal. They have it in stock, and if you want it, you buy it and everything that goes with it.

However, when it's $100 on a $2000 MSRP'd Beretta 585 12ga. O/U, I may not accept even the slightest "minor" difference. Walmart almost certainly wouldn't special order it, and they also don't buy that model by the truckload. Your local dealer should gladly order the EXACT thing that you want.

[b]Mart Stores Carry one item that will suit most people, and is a "good enough" substitute for some other things.[/b]

If I want "a deer rifle with a scope", they'll have something for me, maybe even a few choices in a few price ranges that could work.

However, if I want a "Remington 700 Sendero SSF in 7mm STW with a Leupold VXIII 4.5-14x40" for an upcoming Mule deer hunt, I wouldn't generally go to a Walmart. Beyond that I would expect to pay more money for my local dealer to order it, have a professional set it up, and arrange some payment options for me.

That's the difference. Now, if a local dealer isn't willing to go that extra step for you, they're only trying to compete on price.

I'm picky with what few firearms I buy, so for me, the local shop is where I would tend to gravitate towards. But when it's a purchase and I'm not concerned with the details (like a Ruger 10/22, an Rem. 870 Express, a Marlin 336, which are all great guns BTW), I may just go there, 'cuz they're probably on sale this week.   YMMV.

I go to WalMart for all my Class II and III needs- anyone seen their new WalMart Brand suppressor for the 10/22?  

 Oh yeah, and if the poor service isn't enough, they don't stock any good carry ammo, and also don't sell ANY ammo after a certain time (here it is 9 or 10pm).  The only reason I will even go there is to buy at the last minute, if my local shops are not open yet.  Otherwise, WalMart can kiss my ass.  

Of course, I will be happy to make this a "hot" topic.   ...