Wal-Mart to start selling handguns in 2012

Survival of the fittest. In this disposable society, Wally world will win, no matter how much people stomp their feet and huff and puff. Don't like it, don't go there.

If you have all the extra money to throw around to support your local guy, then more power to you. Most people out here these days are looking for a deal. The Remington 870 that I bought from Wally world for $40 less than the other stores in the area, is the same piece that is on the shelf down the block.

If you want to point a finger and ask what's up, what is up with BIG 5 sporting goods???? They are doing exactly what everyone here is saying Wally world will eventually do. They sell cheapo knock offs of decent weapons under the brand name of Stevens. Cheap-o Chineese knock offs of a decent weapon.
 
I'm pretty sure that I will not be buying any guns from Wal-Mart, long guns or even handguns. It has nothing to do with the "I only want to buy American" or "Wal-Mart is evil" philosophies. I won't do it because Wal-Marts have low paid clerks working for them who are almost always ignorant of the products they sell. Also, I rather not be escorted out to the front of the store and then handed my firearm like I'm a criminal just because I bought a gun from them.

I still will occasionally shop at Wal-Mart, however, every single time I go to their stores, I'm in Condition Orange/Red. It's not because I'm paranoid - REALLY! Because of their low low prices, the store attracts a certain clientele. Maybe your Wal-Marts don't but the ones I go to DO. I just don't need that, so I shop at Target or Meijers 90%+ of the time if I have to do shopping.

Want low prices? Open up an Amazon Prime account along with an UPS Store account. You'll find that outside of shopping for groceries and clothes/shoes, most of the stuff you need can be found online on Amazon. Free 2-day shipping and almost zero chance of someone stealing your package. Well worth the $300 bucks a year in terms of less headaches along with less driving around searching for your stuff.

Amazon, Buds, Gunbroker, MidwayUSA, AmmunitionToGo, CheaperThanDirt are my favorite go to shopping sites.

Wally World? Heh, who needs 'em. ;)
 
So you'd pay more money for the same exact gun and buy elsewhere, if Walmart carried what you were looking for? Just because of the person selling it?
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I can't understand that either. My LGS had a Mossberg 930 SPX at the time I was looking for one for $648. Dicks had them for $589. I told them at the LGS if they could even come close to Dicks, I'd rather give them the sale. They wouldn't budge so I told them they lost the sale. It's nice having LGS in the area, but if they don't deal now and then they won't be getting much of my business.
 
I'm pretty sure that I will not be buying any guns from Wal-Mart, long guns or even handguns. It has nothing to do with the "I only want to buy American" or "Wal-Mart is evil" philosophies. I won't do it because Wal-Marts have low paid clerks working for them who are almost always ignorant of the products they sell. Also, I rather not be escorted out to the front of the store and then handed my firearm like I'm a criminal just because I bought a gun from them.
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Educate yourself- then it doesn't matter who the clerk is and what they know or don't know.

And does it really matter if they have that policy? If you're saving a good amount of money, smile all the way to the door and out. Damn, some of you guys go out of your way to be unhappy with anything you can find.
 
AH.74
Educate yourself- then it doesn't matter who the clerk is and what they know or don't know.

And does it really matter if they have that policy? If you're saving a good amount of money, smile all the way to the door and out. Damn, some of you guys go out of your way to be unhappy with anything you can find.
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I have educated myself in regard to firearms, at least more than the average guy on the street. I don't depend on the counter help. However, why should I subject myself to policies that require me to be escorted out of the store? It's not only Wal-Mart. I don't subject myself to this type of treatment at any store. The last time was at Dick's but I had no idea that they had that policy because it was the first time I'd ever purchased from them. Does anyone get escorted out of the store after they buy a baseball bat? I mean, they can turn around and start whacking peoples skulls?!

You're implying that Wal-Mart has the best prices. I can assure you that this is not the case. Not with ammo and not with long-guns. Online is where the deals and SELECTIONS are. If a LGS doesn't have some kind of online presence, they're dead. Even my favorite FFL who is in his 60's and owns a brick & mortar shop has an online presence. He does 20% of his business online! His shop is a little 1,000 square feet shop!

I don't shop at Wal-Mart if I can help it and it is mostly because the ones near me attract a certain type of customer. Am I a snob? NO. I just don't like being in Condition Orange/Red when i shop and head to the parking lot.
 
Quote:
...The last time was at Dick's but I had no idea that they had that policy because it was the first time I'd ever purchased from them. Does anyone get escorted out of the store after they buy a baseball bat? I mean, they can turn around and start whacking peoples skulls?!
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Cabela's does it as well. I don't like it but if they have a good deal on firearms (rare), I will abide by said policy as it's anything but a perfect world. I spoke to the manager there of whom I know--he's big-time Pro Second Amendment and he said it's because of ST. Louis' liberal (Chicago-Like) regulations.

I agree with you concerning the invaluable nature of online deals (of course, if properly researched) but I hate to think sometimes I am contributing to the decay of the old hometown brick and mortar shops. World is changing so fast it's sometimes difficult to know what to do relative to commerce from an ethical perspective but the bottom line anymore for most folks is they shop where it least hurts their pocketbook.

-Happy New Year
 
arch308

I do my darnednest to stay out of the Wal-Mart on general principles. I hate China! I realize you can't completely stay away from Chineze products but I'll bet 95% of what WM sells is cheap Chineze junk. They quit selling firearms around here quite a few years ago and in my opinion have been declining ever since.
I must admit tho', I do like my Norinco SKS. For a cheap rifle it's hard to beat. Go figure.
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Your admitted hypocritical contradiction (no offense intended) is more than likely indicative of most American consumers (whether they'll actually admit as you do or not).

-Cheers
 
but I'll bet 95% of what WM sells is cheap Chineze junk.
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You would be wrong - they carry more US products than Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, Sears, and many other big box stores.

As far as them crushing small businesses - I'll call BS - Once they open a store, it is merely a matter of a few months and there are over 2 dozen small businesses opening in the same section to get Walmart customers into their stores - and they all seem to be doing well. To stay on topic, Walmart here in the South, uses the same distributor my local guy uses - and they cannot always beat his selling price - but then he can typically beat Bud's - even when including his profit, shipping and sales tax.

The point is small businesses can compete with wally world in every retail segment, even firearms - now if wally world would carry quality guns, they would be onto something
 
You would be wrong - they carry more US products than Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, Sears, and many other big box stores.

As far as them crushing small businesses - I'll call BS - Once they open a store, it is merely a matter of a few months and there are over 2 dozen small businesses opening in the same section to get Walmart customers into their stores - and they all seem to be doing well.
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I never worked for Walmart but I have been in retail management for 40 years. I have seen the effects of a Walmart coming to town.

When word comes out that a Walmart is opening close by, all the area stores who are corporately owned suddenly lower their prices to try to keep their losses to a minimum when Walmart opens up. When the Walmart opens, these chains send in their secret shoppers to get Walmarts local pricing on thousands of staples that we use in our everyday lives. When you shop your local chain store you then see the "store brand" items priced the same as Walmart's prices and many times Walmart's prices are on brand names and the locals match it with the "generic" brands.

What all of this means is we, the consumer, pay less for our goods. We pay less for groceries, tires, bedding, etc. We save a lot of money whether we shop at the new Walmart or continue to shop at our original stores. A lot of people curse Walmart for being so big but all they do is beat up the producers for cheaper prices so they can sell them TO US for less money. The Rubbermaid story mentioned earlier brought a tear to my eyes. Rubbermaid had the market cornered for years and got fat and lazy and rich over that time. If you remember, if you wanted a Rubbermaid product it was a lot more expensive than the other choices. Walmart tells distributors and producers to cut the cost or they will miss the millions of dollars of sales that Walmart offers. The cost cuts are then passed to us.

If you buy a Sony TV or a brand name computer at Walmart (and save $) and it breaks in 30 days or 90 days (depending on the item) then Walmart will give you a new one off the shelf. If it's after that time, you have to go thru the company that made that product. If you buy the same item at another store, you still have to go thru the company that made the product. The warranty is the same so those who think they use sub-standard parts to build Walmart items are fooling themselves. Conspiracy theory people are a little too paranoid to shop at a Walmart.

I buy most of my everyday items at Walmart because they are cheaper, period. Each store employs several hundred people with entry level jobs and they generate a ton of sales tax revenues for the local economy. If I want underwear, it is always 25%-35% cheaper at Walmart for the same brand name that Sears or Penneys or any of the other mega stores charge. So, you can boycot Walmart all you want but that means you have less disposable income to spend on your shooting hobby. Why should I pay my LGS $16 for a box of 9mm ammo that Walmart sells (the same brand) for $10.99? Oh yeah, I forgot, the kid selling you the ammo never shot a gun and doesn't know .357 Magnum from .357Sig. My bad. That makes paying $5 a box more easier to swallow.

I just don't get it.
 
Walmart can sell all the guns they want. I don't care. They can sell handguns, too, if they want, I don't care.

I realize I'm in the minority, but Walmart doesn't and won't ever carry the guns I want. I'm into older guns, specific guns, most no longer made. I buy used guns. Because they are the particular gun I'm looking for at the time. I buy guns at gun shows, guns that Walmart would never touch, simply because there is no "supply" of them for Walmart to rely on and buy in bulk, to control the price.

Tell me Walmart is going to stock pre-lock N frame S&Ws, or Lugers, or anything similar. And I'll belive you after you make the last payment on that bridge I'm selling.

Sure, Walmart may have the best prices, on the handful of models of guns they sell. So?

I rarely buy ammo from Walmart, either. And the ones around me don't carry reloading components, which is how I get most of my ammo, other than .22LR. So, for my guns & ammo supplies, I'll be shopping other places, thanks.

I buy groceries at Walmart. I buy videos and some clothes there too. I'm not anti Walmart, I'm just not interested in the guns they carry.
 
Wally world has never stopped selling guns here ,even pistols. but I have never bought from them. Why? Cause I've always been able to get a better deal somewhere else.
 
Larry- well-said. I agree with pretty much everything you said.

And it's being borne out in my local area. There has been an older WM in the central part of town for years. A couple of years ago WM bought some land on the edge of town and word went out that there would be a new super-WM built there.

Low and behold, all the land around that spot, which no one had been interested in for years, suddenly was bought up. Before you could practically shake a stick, a new lexus dealer went up across the street from the new WM spot. A toyota dealer bought land next door to the WM spot, and there is another large area across the street being developed right now.

The super store opened in October. I went to the grand opening and saw the GM of the closest supermarket there, checking out the new grocery section.

The new store is very convenient for us because now we no longer have to go to the other store, farther away. We also live in an area in which choices are limited. A new option is always good.

Onward- I have not made that implication and have stated such earlier upthread. All I said was that IF WM has better pricing on something, I would take advantage of it.

And again about the policy- is it really such a hindrance? If you can save money and get the same item, what is the big deal about being escorted to the front of the store? They're not saying you're a criminal- they're just carrying out a POLICY. LET THEM carry your item for you- you got it at a better price! That's what really matters. Anything else is just an excuse to be upset about something.
 
AH.74 -

Being escorted out is only one of several reasons why I don't normally shop at Wal-Mart. It may be different where you are but the Wal-Marts around me attract some unsavory people. Yes, I understand that one can't always judge a book by its cover, but I trust my slightly overweight gut on this. :)

Also, as 44AMP said, Wal-Mart just don't carry the guns I'm interested in - either currently or likely in the future. I'm into older real steel guns, some mil-surplus, and customizing (read mall-ninja'd) AR/AK & 10/22's. While I do have a Tupperware guns, those are not my passion. So, it is unlikely that Wal-Mart will serve my needs because I have gotten all my guns, including poly ones at very very low prices via GB, CDNN, & AA.

With all that said, I will not say that I will never shop at Wal-Mart, only that I try to avoid it most of the time for online stores, Target, & Meijers for my daily needs, including shooting sports. I avoid the LGS as well, because the ones around me are worked/owned by jerks.

I am also in agreement that Wally World creates tons of jobs and are overall good for the economy and consumer. Heck, if a company can't evolve and compete, they don't have anyone to blame but themselves. If 60-something YO guy is doing a thriving business processing FFL transfers and selling stuff on the web from a 1,000 sqft shop and another shop is dying - it's no one's fault but the shopkeeper's.
 
There is no gun store in Comanche county, OK. We do have a bunch of pawnshops with FFLs but their prices are terrible. Duncan, OK has the closest gun store: The guys prices are very high and i won't buy anything from him. When i want a new gun there's a good chance it will come from Wal-Mart.
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That's actually the problem I run into here in SE Oklahoma. We have 1 place, a pawn shop, that sells handguns. They are the biggest ripoff I have ever seen. They CAN sell guns cheaper, the sales guy told me so when I was looking at getting my LCP. However, since they know they are the only place in town, they jack their prices up. They wanted $399 for the Bodyguard when places like Acadamy were selling it for $299.

When I want to buy a handgun, I have to either pay the pawn shop's insane fees, or go to the only FFL dealer around. The problem with him is that if you are transferring a gun that he can order from his distributors, he charges over $50 to do the transfer. He charges $20 if it's one he can't get.

30 minutes away is a large city in TX that has many gun shops, except they can't sell handguns to out of state people, even those with CCW licenses.

Walmart sells long guns here. If they ever started selling handguns I would have no reservations what-so-ever in buying from them. I don't care who Walmart has put out of business, I say in the retail world you either sink or swim. Do I buy major electronics from them? No, not normally, but that's just cause Amazon is cheaper.
 
That's actually the problem I run into here in SE Oklahoma. We have 1 place, a pawn shop, that sells handguns. They are the biggest ripoff I have ever seen. They CAN sell guns cheaper, the sales guy told me so when I was looking at getting my LCP. However, since they know they are the only place in town, they jack their prices up. They wanted $399 for the Bodyguard when places like Acadamy were selling it for $299.

When I want to buy a handgun, I have to either pay the pawn shop's insane fees, or go to the only FFL dealer around. The problem with him is that if you are transferring a gun that he can order from his distributors, he charges over $50 to do the transfer. He charges $20 if it's one he can't get
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Called supply and demand - sounds like you have a golden business opportunity right there for you - get your FFL and start undercutting everyone else in the area -they will either meet or beat you or they go out of business and yours grows - called Capitalism
 
So you'd pay more money for the same exact gun and buy elsewhere, if Walmart carried what you were looking for? Just because of the person selling it?

I do my own homework and don't make decisions based on factors like that.
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Local stores here generally charge less on guns but more on ammo. Still I would rather support the local guy.. for his good service and attitude. I know a lot of shop owners because I am an employee at one.. but even when I go visit another local shop I am greated kindly. Also the one I frequent a lot has free coffee waiting for me.:D

I would rather deal with them then people that have no clue at Walmart.
 
Called supply and demand - sounds like you have a golden business opportunity right there for you - get your FFL and start undercutting everyone else in the area -they will either meet or beat you or they go out of business and yours grows - called Capitalism
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I have considered it before. Not only make purchasing for myself a lot easier, but I could make some money on the side with transfers. I don't think the demand is really here in my area for just a transfer service though....
 
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