[Partisan Ranger]

Went out to Wal-mart around lunch time today in Fairfax Va. I stopped by Wal-Mart to get some 9mm ammo (heard they have good prices). I asked the guys behind the counter to show me what they had in 9mm. After looking behind the counter for 2 minutes, they both told me they didn't have any.

I was rather mystified - a gun counter having no 9mm ammo is kinda like a bar not having Budweiser. I said, okey-doke, I'll check another store.

After they walked away, I was curious so I stepped around to the other side of the case so I could see the ammo they had been looking at. I saw about 6 rows of 9 mm Luger ammunition! Winchester, Remington, etc.

They either didn't know 9mm is 9mm Luger or they didn't want to show their ignorance.

I didn't bother to call them back. I'll go to a Wal-mart near my house.

P.R.

[Old Fuff]

Given Wal-Mart's attitude toward guns I don't buy their ammunition, or guns either. It may (or may not) cost me a bit more, but I'd rather spend my money at stores that support us.

[dinosaur]

You`re looking for the 100 round "white box" of Winchester 9mm. It comes loose in a white box, hence the name. Pretty good stuff.

[t-money]

Every time I buy ammo from them (I don't any more), the clerk looks at me like I'm some kind of crazed psycho, and says "The store requires us to ask you what this ammo is to be used for". I usually tell them that it's not illegal to purchase ammo, so it's none of their business.

Reminds me of the look I got at the 'Mailboxes etc' a couple of days ago when I sent my Glocks back to the factory for the frame recal deal. The guy with the nose ring just about had a coronary right then and there.

[BlkHawk73]

the clerk looks at me like I'm some kind of crazed psycho, and says "The store requires us to ask you what this ammo is to be used for".

When I used to buy ammo at Wl-Mart. They'd ask me this too. I'd tell them they were my targets. That's when you get a confused look.:scrutiny:

[Rawlings]

Every time I buy ammo from them (I don't any more), the clerk looks at me like I'm some kind of crazed psycho, and says "The store requires us to ask you what this ammo is to be used for".

"For shooting up schools, of course.... wait, did I just say that out loud?"

:rolleyes:

[J Miller]

I learned long ago to walk around and look at the ammo in stores like K-Mart, Walmart, Target, ect before I ask the counter person anything. 90% of the employees of these places are not shooters, and don't know anything about ammo or guns.

If I see what I want, I point straight at it and say, I'd like to buy that box of ................... ammo.
This eliminates a lot of confusion.

As for the question of what am I going to do with this ammo?
I agree with t-money, it's not illegal so it's none of their business.

[spacemanspiff]

i usually go into walmart once a month, theres a cool older guy who works in the sports department; he always gives my nieces and nephews a tough time.
they dont have the winchester white box though. the guy knows his stuff however. he does run a side business ordering guns for customers who cant find what they need at walmart. but he charges 15% over the cost to do so. i think i can utilize gunbroker or the trading posts here and at glocktalk to find what i need without paying his fees.

[Peetmoss]

I buy the 100 round value packs at Wally world all the time. Those guys don't know what the heck there selling or what there looking at. You have to point it out to them. If they are off a few rows you must tell nope 3 rows over that white box that says 100 round value pack. If you want more then 3 or 4 boxes expect to here what are you going to do with all that.

[Sisco]

We could all go on & on with stories about WallyWorld, have a couple myself but have already told them.
One has to keep in mind that WalMart is not a specialty gun shop, most of the people who work at the sporting goods counter make minimum wage with no benifits and are not required to know anything about the products they are selling. They might work sporting goods one week, lawn & garden the next and ladies underwear after that.
As far as asking if it's for a long gun or hand gun, notice that the register beeps when they ring ammo up; it's a question they are required to ask just like when you buy beer, cigarettes or in my area spray paint.
A couple of local employees have been burned by sting operations when they didn't ask for ID when selling paint or smokes, the fines came out of their own pocket. Most don't want to ask the question any more than you want to answer it but if they want a whole paycheck they gotta do it.

[TechBrute]

What ever pennies you manage to save by going to Walmart costs you thousand in therapy.

[gudel]

i went to walmart in CA here.
i saw the ammo in glass case. i told the guy, i want 8 boxes of that cci blazer 45 50rdbox and 5 boxes of winchester 100rd.

no questions asked, he took it out and gave it to me so i can pay it right there.
it must be your attitude.

[Standing Wolf]

Reminds me of the look I got at the 'Mailboxes etc' a couple of days ago when I sent my Glocks back to the factory for the frame recal deal. The guy with the nose ring just about had a coronary right then and there.

There's one of those not too far from my house. I tried to ship a gun to Magnaport. The snot behind the counter said company policy prevents their shipping firearms, even though they're entirely legal to ship with their carriers. I told the snot I don't do business with anti-Second Amendment bigots, and haven't been back.

[P95Carry]

Seems Wally World is almost different stores, according to where you are.

My local ones are .. well .... (grudgingly) .... OK. Tho for sure the staff at the gun dept are hardly over knowledgeable.

Round here we have the standard question (if clerk remembers to ask) ...... particularly with .22lr ammo .. ''Rifle or handgun Sir?''

I usually say ''both'' ...... and that seems to phase them a bit!:D Most clerks have no idea exactly why they ask the question and I am not sure where into the system their reply goes.

The other sequence might be ...... the question, then I might say ..... ''Does it matter'' .......... ''well not to me Sir, but I am told to ask''!! Strange! Is it for statistics, or what?

[Quintin Likely]

I once asked if I could buy the white box Winchester stuff in .223 by the case at Wallyworld...I got the weirdest look from the woman behind the counter...

...haven't been back to that store since. :p

[MJRW]

The few times they've said to me "we are required to ask you..." I always respond "ok, you've asked" and leave it there. Couple times I got blank stares, a couple of older guys just moved on understanding everyone did their part. That was a really long sentence.

[George Hill]

Rifle or Handgun?

Say "PDW".

:neener:

[joeislove]

Rifle or hangun?

Submachinegun.

[Jesse H]

If you want more then 3 or 4 boxes expect to here what are you going to do with all that.

No kidding. Then they think those thin plastic bags are gonna hold 1000 rounds of 9mm.

[Doug Add]

Then they think those thin plastic bags are gonna hold 1000 rounds of 9mm.
Both stores in my area have reasonably knowledgeable help at the ammo counter. In fact, as I was buying a couple of 100 round boxes of Winchester 9mm yesterday the guy said, "Wait, let me double bag that for you. That ammo is heavy."

[Darrin]

I guess I'm lucky in TN. Every WallyWorld I visit has someone who knows what's what.

[DigMe]

I've never found them to be particularly bothersome here. Of course I don't make statements or ask questions that I know they won't understand. They've never had any trouble finding the .40 S&W though. I buy most of my target ammo (Winchester FMJ) from them because they're the cheapest locally and then I'll buy a box or two from the local gun shop (Hydrashoks and Fiocchi today) because they're good guys and I want to give them regular business.

BTW, even though Wal-Mart doesn't carry handguns anymore there official company policy is CHL friendly as long as you're licensed and it's legal in your state. If you're local walmart has any 30.06 signs or something of that sort contact the corporate office and the signs will come down. Apparently there are some signs that can be printed out or ordered from the system but aren't really supposed to be and every once in a while an uneducated manager puts one up. There are exceptions though in some states with dumba$$ laws such as New Mexico...where you cannot carry concealed in any place that sells any alcohol whatsoever...or so I understand.

brad cook

[Darrin]

CHL friendly as long as you're licensed Yes, however, they prefer you carry concealed. No open carry in WallyLand. (I believe I read that statement on walmart.com)

[Coronach]

What is it going to be used for? "I'm going to shoot it. Duh." :scrutiny:

Mike :D

[lee n. field]

I try to buy ammo every couple weeks at our local Wally World. I figure it encourages them to keep it in stock and available for sale, which is a good thing.

Some of the people with the key to the ammo are clued, some are not ("no. One shelf down, left, yes, _that_ ammo.").

[Sunray]

"...90% of the employees of these places are not shooters..." They can't afford to shoot on minimum wage. Like Sisco says, they're mostly part timers that are under paid and untrained. They don't sell firearms at all up here. Some ammo, but air guns only. Not that I blame them. The laws up here are daft and it's far too much trouble to sell them here.

[Freedspeak]

Guess we have a good one here, the gal who is in charge of the sporting good department here asks for pictures for the bulliten board (hunting and fishing)!:D

[Zundfolge]

Given Wal-Mart's attitude toward guns I don't buy their ammunition, or guns either. It may (or may not) cost me a bit more, but I'd rather spend my money at stores that support us.

Their attitude toward guns?

They sell guns and ammo when many of their competitors are caving in to antis and Michael Moore and removing guns and ammo from their inventory... whats wrong with their attitude ???


The only reason I don't buy ammo there is because I don't have a 9mm and they never seem to carry .40S&W in 165gr (I only find 180gr).

[StLGlocker]

The reason for the "is this for a handgun?" prompt at the register is, I've been told, because they're not supposed to sell handgun ammunition to anyone under 21. I've been carded a couple of times after answering yes. One time they were busy and I ended up ringing up the ammo in the camera department...talk about hilarity. "I've never sold bullets before!" "Why is it asking 'for handgun?', what do I do?" "Wow, heavy"

At my local WM's, the sporting goods counter is usually staffed by someone who has a clue. I say I want Win white box 9mm 100 rd value pack, they put it on the counter. Well, except the last time I went in, they were out of it, because someone had come in the previous day and bought 25 boxes of the stuff.

I played around with a rental MP-5 today which, incidentally, is the same caliber as my Glock 26. I think the next time they ask I'll say "submachine gun". :D

Another thing: There are two Wal-Marts in my area. At one of them, they insist on sealing the ammo in its own bag seperate from any other stuff I've bought, and then personally accompanying me to the front of the store and out the front doors. What, exactly, is this practice supposed to guard against? "Store policy" the guy answers. Oookaaay... The old guy who runs the counter at the other location just bags it and hands it to me.

I think the next time I want to buy 1000 rds I'll go to the one where they carry it out for me. ;)

[Stevie-Ray]

"The store requires us to ask you what this ammo is to be used for". Um....for shooting out of a Glock 26?

[rebbryan]

i tried to get a job a year ago at wally workin in sporting goods but no positions were open. now they got some nerdy lookin guy (no offense to any THR's who're nerdy lookin :neener: ) and when i asked him for some .270 ammo he said they didn't have any. i pointed behind him at a long row stacked three high. he was lookin in the handgun ammo area :rolleyes:

[TonyB]

I go to the Walmart by my house.There was a guy that I finally had trained pretty good.He knew where the 38's and 9mm's were.He never asked if it was for a handgun(after the 1st few times)And only some other guy followed me thru the store.(I led him a tour of the store before leaving:D
Anyway the guy I had trained quit,He works at the gas station by my house now.He says"too bad we don't sell ammo here,you wouldn't have to go to Walmart anymore.":cool:
He also called me Mr.9mm once.;)

[12.7x99mm]

I dont have issue one with my Wally World when buying ammo. I go in a buy boxes of 500 rounds of 22 all the time. All other ammo I get at the Arms Collectors shows.

I do have issues with the quality of people they hire though

[jacketch]

They are required to ask, I, however, am not required to answer.

[45R]

I only get :fire: when they throw the boxes of loose stuff on the counter. A round popping off from the shock of the box being slammed on the table would not be common but the girl got a good lecture anyways. She has never thrown ammo on the counter again! (this was loose 9mm WWB)

I am usually entertained by the ignorace of the employees working behind the counter. This proves to show you, what Walmart sells cheap...they take it out of the training!!!!

[Mauserlady]

Yes, however, they prefer you carry concealed. No open carry in WallyLand. (I believe I read that statement on walmart.com)

Probably another instance of "where you are"and manager discretion since BIL open carries in the Kingman Wallyworld all the time and hasn't had boo said to him.

"I'm going to shoot it. Duh."

http://www.coneville.com/mauserlady/smilies/lool.gif
I've only been asked once and my response was close to yours Mike. My answer: "Shooting" short and to the point.

Like another poster said, it must be location... The two people that generally work the counter at our local Wallyworld seem to have it together and never flinch when we buy quantities...

[wingman]

Walmart like the rest of our country suffers from the dumbing down of
common sense, education, work
standards, etc.

My wife ask a wal mart clerk to remove
an item from top shelf the other day,
a women clerk told they were so under
staffed dident have time. In our area
it has been going down hill for the past 10 years. In truth good service is not
required in this modern times the consumer will buy it no matter what
and of course business owners are very
aware of it.
:fire:

[TearsOfRage]

I've never had any problem buying gun stuff at the Walmarts around here, and I make it a point to do so whenever its convenient.

When the pistol/rifle question comes up they just hit one or the other without asking (as I'm obviously over 21). Sometimes they ask to see my license but that's just to make sure I'm not a massachusetts resident (that store is right near the border).

I wouldn't expect them to know anything about guns, but I don't expect the guy behind the electronics counter to know about computers either. When I buy shoes there I don't expect a clerk to measure my feet either, do you? That's the whole concept of discount stores, duh.

[Kharn]

"Rifle or handgun?"
"Shotgun." :neener:

Kharn

[general]

$10.96 is hard to beat for 100 rnd WWB.
Time to restock.
rifle or handgun? They don't ask. But I see it on the register.
If they ever do ask i'll just say.."yes".

[CleverNickname]

"Rifle or handgun?"

A gun? Guns are dangerous, I just bang on the end with a rock. :D

[LiquidTension]

If they ask me, I tell them it is for a subgun because I know they don't have an option for that on their register :D Day before yesterday the lady asked me what that was so I told her "sub machine gun." She got all confused and just picked one, I guess. Guy standing at the counter asked if he could put some rounds through my subgun :rolleyes:

[benewton]

TearsOfRage has it right, I think.

Not everybody knows everything, and if you've never done the minimum wage thing, hard times haven't yet hit you, but they will.

Gun stores I expect to be aware of the weapons that they sell, and at least some of the more interesting factors. "Cheap Charlies" are a caveate emptor.

[Partisan Ranger]

I went out this morning to my local Wal-Mart in Winchester Va., out here in the boonies in the Shenandoah Valley, about 80 miles west of D.C. The lady behind the counter knew her ??? from a hole in the ground and gave me 3 boxes of Winchester 9mm with no questions about what I was going to use it for.

The Valley is pretty gun-friendly so I figured buying out here would be a simpler process.

Prices are pretty good - about $10.50 for a box of 100. If they ever ask me what I'm gonna use it for, I think my reply will be, "Shoot it in my K-9." I really loathe PC senseless BS that serves only to hassle law-abiding people. What, do they think somebody is going to say, "Oh, I'm planning to stop by 2-3 local elementary schools and massacre 100 2nd graders. Have a good day!" Shees.

[Double Maduro]

gudel

I thought you couldn't own more than 300 rounds in the PRK.


Handgun or Rifle?

"YES"

What are you going to do with all that ammo?

Make lots of noise and put holes in things.


I don't shop at wallyworld, I prefer to keep my local business people, who care enough to learn something about their business, in business.

[gudel]

I thought you couldn't own more than 300 rounds in the PRK.

i just got back from walmart, just now.
told the guy in counter, i want 10 boxes of the .40.
no questions asked. the other day, i told the same guy, i want 5 boxes of 100rd winchester and 8 boxes for blazer. no questions asked.

so, it must be regional thing then. so how many rounds did i buy the other day? let see... 500rds 9mm and 400rds 45acp, and today was 500rds .40S&W. i should be getting another 450rds .40S&W from CTD. that totals to 1850 rounds :D

[Double Maduro]

could be regional, the guy who told me lives in the south bay area.

[danny]

They ask "rifle or pistol?" on 22LR because the law requires 18 years of age for rifle ammo and 21 for pistol and 22LR is the only one recognized as useful for both. At least that's how it works here in Illinois.

[caseydog]

When asked I reply respectfully ,whether or not they know a gun from a fishing rod. If they're polite to me , I'm polite to them. I've made a few friends among the "blue vest" crowd , to the point where they will dig and search endlessly for something I want, even invoking the help of a manager at times , and the leader in sporting goods always holds me back a few cases of Rem 12ga field loads when they put them on blowout.

Working with the public can be a thankless job , and a smarta$$ superior attitude customer can ruin your day, whether it's guns or software , digital cameras or DVD players. How do you think the recipients of all this razor sharp wit feel about gun owners / shooters ?

Fact is these folks get up and go to work every day , for that alone they deserve a modicum of respect, unlike many others in our society today. The "Highroad" isn't a gun forum , it's a state of mind , take it with you everywhere you go , including Wal-Mart.

I have a belief that every "keyboard commando" should have to do 2 years in the Army to learn discipline / respect and 2 years waiting on the public to see how many people have no discipline / respect before they move on to their "career".

And no I'm not (presently) in the Army or a " consumer oriented " job, I do welding /machining / mechanics for a heavy equipment shop, I could probably make fools of 85% of the counter people in industrial supply / welding supply, but how would that benefit either of us in any way ?? For myself , I love to walk into these places and feel like "Norm " on Cheers, friends are an undervalued asset , even the newB Wal-Mart greeter. Case

[goon]

The other sequence might be ...... the question, then I might say ..... ''Does it matter'' .......... ''well not to me Sir, but I am told to ask''!! Strange! Is it for statistics, or what?

It is the law. You have to be 21 to buy ammo for a handgun, 18 for a rifle. I find that odd, since there are 9mm, 40, .45ACP, .357, and 44Mag rifles. That means that you could still be buying it for a handgun, but they would never know the difference.
The .22LR thing does seem to get them. Luckily, I went to HS with the girl that works the sporting goods counter at the local wal-mart. She knows me by name, and she gets mad at me when I buy my ammo somewhere else.:D

[WonderNine]

I buy the 100 round value packs at Wally world all the time. Those guys don't know what the heck there selling or what there looking at. You have to point it out to them. If they are off a few rows you must tell nope 3 rows over that white box that says 100 round value pack. If you want more then 3 or 4 boxes expect to here what are you going to do with all that.

The main reason I order ammo online now is because of the price and better selection online. However, not having to lug it home and not having to deal with the B.S. if you want more than 3 boxes is good too!

[WonderNine]

Sisco.....PAINT?

:barf:

Seriously?

[caseydog]

Sisco.....PAINT?

Seriously , paint "huffing" is a huge problem in many places, all the hardware and discount stores here are forbidden from selling aerosol paint to minors. So painting your own bicycle without telling the old man is now another memory reserved for us in the growing "old fart" community. Case

[WonderNine]

As far as I know, Sisco isn't a minor, so that struck me as odd, but seriously that's ridiculous anyways.

A friend of mine (who was 19 at the time) couldn't get a gas station clerk to sell him a lighter for his smokes because he didn't have I.D. :rolleyes:

This was at the height of Clinton fascism about 5-6 years ago.

[Kenneth Lew]

I do not support WalMart to save 10%. Personal reasons.

[CZ-75]

I do not support WalMart to save 10%. Personal reasons.

Perhaps you have that option. I do too, but some folks don't. Buying from Wallyworld keeps guns and ammo available to folks in areas that might not be served by gunstores because it shows corporate HQ in AR that there's a demand for it.

[Double Maduro]

Not only huffing but 'tagging" has restricted the sale of spray paint to minors.

[DigMe]

Just revisiting this thread due to change in the usual Wal-Mart gun section experience. Tonight I was in there buying a flashlight (Brinkmann Legend LX - SWEET!) and I asked if they had .40 Winchester white box in 100 round boxes. Turns out they were sold out of almost all .40S&W rounds but the guy behind the counter and I started talking guns and he was very knowledgeable. WAY moreso than any past Wal-Mart experience I've had. Turns out that he's posted here on THR a few times. Good guy. Whaddya know...Wal-Mart has some people that know something mixed in with the "handgun ignoramuses."

:)

brad cook

[SquirrelNuts]

I read a funny post about Wally World way back that I would like to share. At some Wally Worlds, the register will BEEP loudly when it prompts for an age check. Someone suggested taking every item to the front that requires you to be an age to purchase.

You take ammo, alcohol, paint pens, tobacco, etc. There were a few more items too. Can you imagine them ringing up each item and it beeps like crazy prompting for age? You would get some funny looks.

I always tell them my 9mm purchase is for a sub-machine gun. I always insist that my .22 LR is for a handgun too, but it only requires you to be 18 for .22 LR. I also tell them that the 30-06 is for a handgun.

All of the stores here in Georgia seem to know the difference between 9mm and .40 S&W and .45 ACP, etc. They never look at you blankly.

-SquirrelNuts

[Lord Grey Boots]

"Rifle or handgun?"

Answer: Carbine, or yes.

The Walmart nearest me seems pretty cool. I buy it at the ammo counter, the person usually there just bangs through the questions without saying anything. However I'm obviously over 21. I then continue my shopping. The only ammo I get there is the 100 round 9mm. I don't think I can reload for less than that.

[SapperLeader]

Here is my system for buying ammo at walmart.
"I need 9mm Luger. Its in the 2nd case, third shelf from the bottom. No thats the fourth case, bottom shelf. No thats the first case top shelf. Yes. That case. No one shelf higher. No one lower. " This can take a minute or two and then I get to scare them when they ask me how many boxes do I want. I always respond with"How many do you have?". If you go in there with a positive attitiute to counteract their grumpiness it can be quite fun. Last time I went the woman was a total witch and I kept smiling the whole time. It got so obvious that this woman had a chip on her shoulder that her supervisor came over to investigate. I kept smiling the whole time as I gave directions to the right shelf in the ammo case :).

Ah, walmart what I go through to be able to afford my ammo purchases

[TheeBadOne]

I'd like to hear from a Walmart employee. Perhaps the reason they are required to ask what you are purchasing the ammo for is the result of a lawsuit where Wally World was sued because the ammo used in a shooting was bought there. This way they can place a hurdle in frivolous lawsuits. Any thoughts?

[OEF_VET]

About 7 years ago, I bought 400 rounds of .223 at Wal-Mart, and the guy escorted me out the store, mostly because he didn't bag it, instead he just put it in one of those blue baskets. As we were walking out, he looked at me a bit strange, so I said "Don't worry, I don't work for the post office." His reply, jokingly by the way was "No, I'm just worried you work for Wal-Mart."

At the same store, my friend wasn't allowed to buy a box of .44 Mag for his Ruger carbine because he was only 19 at the time. So, I just went in and bought it for him.

My normal ammo buying experience at Wal-Mart is frequently a repition of the "top shelf, third box from left, no, back two, down one" routine. Just about gotta draw 'em a roadmap sometimes.

[Idaho]

Caseydog comments on taking the high road

*clap*clap*clap*

It's a big company, fair amount of employee turn over - even at my local walleyworld the reaction varies day to day. Usually, they don't know or care about what I am doing with it, and I have to give them instructions on where to find it. Sometimes they know lots and and want to talk guns. Last time I went in to buy 5 boxes of WWB and a couple boxes of .38 the guy asked, "what - you expectin' a war?"

*shrug* Why be offended? I just said "nope, just doing some shooting and want to have some left over." I coulda said nothing or something snarky - wouldn't have mattered.

[org]

Caseydog, you're exactly right. Smartass, confrontational answers to people just doing their jobs serve no purpose, except to make the smartass feel superior. It causes people with no opinion on guns and shooters to develop one: an adverse one. We don't need that.

[Ian Sean]

Been lucky at Wallyworld, retired old hunter type is the full timer at the sporting goods area. Never had a problem here. Don't go to any other walmarts though.

[DF357]

I asked the guy (in his 60's I'd guess) to get me a box of Winchester .45 Auto Silvertips (that's what it says on the box - I made it easy for him). He couldn't find them under the glass case. I pointed them out to him. Under the box was a store tag that said "Personal Defense Ammo". He says "Personal Defense huh? Gonna shoot someone?"

I replied, "Only if I have to."

The response didn't bother him at all. Just rang up the sale. In Mass. they don't ask what it's for as we have to show our CCW permit before they'll sell it.

[FPrice]

" There's one of those not too far from my house. I tried to ship a gun to Magnaport. The snot behind the counter said company policy prevents their shipping firearms, even though they're entirely legal to ship with their carriers."

They stopped accepting firearms here in Mass about three years ago. I have not set foot in one of their stores since. Also stopped using UPS about the same time. FEDEX is about half an hour away but I'll gladly drive that distance since they are more friendly.

Wal-Mart here is no problem to deal with for ammo, other than trying to find someone who has the key to the cases. THAT can take a few minutes.

[P95Carry]

The response didn't bother him at all. Just rang up the sale. In Mass. they don't ask what it's for as we have to show our CCW permit before they'll sell it. DF357 ....... HAVE to show CCW??? hell ... does that mean without one they won't sell handgun ammo? If that IS the case ...... it's pretty damn bad ..... but then I may be misinterpreting.

Here they ask the ''standard'' question .. when that is the clerk remembers! ... but NO need to show anything .. CCW, I/D ... nothing. I think I said earlier, if asked I'll always say ''Dunno ... both?'' :p

[FPrice]

" DF357 ....... HAVE to show CCW??? hell ... does that mean without one they won't sell handgun ammo? If that IS the case ...... it's pretty damn bad ..... but then I may be misinterpreting."

No, you are not misinterpreting. :mad:

In the People's Commonwealth you must obtain government permission in the form of a license BEFORE you can purchase a firearm OR ammunition. An FID (Firearms Identification card) will allow you to purchase a long gun and long gun ammunition. The LTC (License to Carry Firearms - which is NOT necessarily a CCW license (must be annotated as such)) will allow you to purchase state-approved handguns and handgun ammunition.

[gudel]

that bad in MA? here people complain about the HSC. i guess it's better off here afterall.

[P95Carry]

Thx for answering that FPrice ..... :( indeed!

I should thank my lucky stars for what I have here ..... in many ways better than most it would seem. I wonder for how long ...........

[280PLUS]

the gray haired lady behind the counter was looking a little concerned and making me feel a little edgy about my large purchase of the .223 white box.

you know, after i showed her what i wanted of course...

then the customer next to me asked what i was shooting and i said "varmints mostly, you know woodchucks, coyotes..."

little gray haired counter lady pipes up, "oh good, i hate coyotes, i can't let my cats out because of them"

i assured her i would do my best and we laughed and was all happylike during the rest of the purchase...

:D

[Akurat]

Whenever they go through the speil of "Our company requires that we ask what you are going to do with this...",

I usually give them the 'so what' look and say "And do they require an answer?"

[general]

FPrice:
In the People's Commonwealth you must obtain government permission in the form of a license BEFORE you can purchase a firearm OR ammunition. I guess you aren't kidding...What in the world... I gotta get out more. But not to Mass. - real bummer. I mean sheesh... ammo?!?!?! What about reloading stuff?

[FPrice]

"What about reloading stuff?"

I have not reloaded since I have been here so I can't really say. But it is NOT good here. However, those of us who cannot or will not leave are trying our best to reverse this trend. Or, at least, stop it.

[45R]

I bought 6 boxes of 9mm one time and had to be rung up in the electronics section.

Can you imagine the looks I got from people in CA!!!!

[DF357]

an FID card (at minimum) to purchase BB guns or even the BB's in Mass. !!!

You don't know how good you've got it.

[stevelyn]

It's sad that the birthplace of American freedom and independence has become the birthplace of American oppression.
I wonder what the founding fathers would think or say if they could see what we've allowed to happen?:(

[fish2xs]

...is to buy my 9mm ammo @ walmart along with
some other items and take them to the front
counter to see what reaction I can get from the
cashiers. Note: only do this when you have some
time to kill. Some good 'companion products'
to get with say 500 rounds of 9mm are:

1. diapers/milk
2. childrens toys
3. cat food
4. flowers


good, clean fun.

[FPrice]

"...is to buy my 9mm ammo @ walmart along with some other items and take them to the front counter to see what reaction I can get from the cashiers."

Where in Mass do you live? The Wal-Mart in Hadley, MA makes you pay at the Sporting Goods department. You then end up walking through the entire store with your purchase in hand. It never bothers me but I often wonder about what others think. But since most of them are in Condition White, I don't think they even see....

[atk]

general said...
I guess you aren't kidding...What in the world... I gotta get out more. But not to Mass. - real bummer. I mean sheesh... ammo?!?!?! What about reloading stuff?


To my knowledge, you have to have a license to purchase the brass, bulletts, and/or powder.

[fish2xs]

FPrice,

I live in North Andover. So I make trips over the
NH line to the Walmart in Salem. Most of the
people in the hunting/fishing department there
are great.

For work, I sell big computers & related infrastructure
to retailers - so I have forgotten more Walmart (corporate)
horror stories then most people have heard. But
despite this, outside of the occasional 'dumb kid',
most of the people that work the Walmart in Salem
are just fine.

Now just over the state line in Methuen, MA, the
people that work that Walmart are a different story.
I usually drive past that Walmart to go to the one
in Salem, NH - 5 miles further.

-Phil

[synoptic]

The most trouble I've had buying ammo at walmart is the standard .22lr question. and when buying pistol ammo they look at me "you 21?" .. "yes sir" .. "ok, that'll be $??"

gotta love texas

[blue86buick]

I believe that, more precisely, the reason they ask "what are you going to use this for?" or "rifle or handgun?", is so that when they push the corresponding key on the register, it prompts for the correct minimum age...21 for handgun, 18 for rifle. If you're 19, say "for handgun", and they swipe your ID (do it in Iowa now), it won't let them sell it IIRC.

I wonder...if they refused to sell 9mm to a 18-20yr old, would they mind if you brought in your carbine to prove that it's "for a rifle"? :D

[illuminatus99]

I've been buying almost all my ammo at gart sports, the people they put on the counter generally know their stuff and a few of them know their guns and ammo far better than I do.

[S_O_Laban]

caseydog, excellent post, very well said.

[WhoKnowsWho]

I should start saying "pistol caliber rifle" or "rifle caliber pistol" :neener:

I don't go to Wal-Mart often, lucky me, too many people during the times there is someone around to actually sell ammo, when they actually have some 9mm to sell. And I keep on hearing about a Win .40 S&W value pack which I have never laid eyes on there...

[DigMe]

And I keep on hearing about a Win .40 S&W value pack which I have never laid eyes on there...

Me neither! I've yet to see this 100 round box of Win WB at WalMart.

brad cook

[Mastrogiacomo]

The Walmart in my area only sells long guns -- I wouldn't buy from them for two reasons:

1. They don't know what the Hell they're talking about.
2. Nobody is ever in the sporting goods and I don't feel like waiting twenty, thirty or forty minutes for someone to be paged.

Other than that, I do buy the ammo since it's usually in stock -- thanks to my letter where I bitched about it always being out and the shabby condition of their sporting goods section. I still hate waiting forever for a clerk. You'd think they'd put someone in that section and tell them to stay there...:scrutiny:

[ScottS]

I like 9mm WWB, and at $10.96 and no sales tax, it's cheaper than mail order. Plus, if I only want/need 500 rounds or so, it's hard to eat the shipping charges for that little ammo. I make it a habit to buy one box whenever I go to WallyWorld. The $11 gets lost in the overall purchase, and the ammo supply steadily grows, plus it lets them know people buy it.

Standard drill is the one already mentioned: "No, left one. No, up one. One more left. There." Only complaint is they never stock enough behind the counter. I can't count how many times I have bought the only box back there.

I gotta try the "submachine gun" line.

Scott

[genie]

besides 9mm, i used to buy the value packs (100 shells) of 12 guage shotshells. in maryland, you have to pay at the sporting goods counter. the first time, i bought 4 value packs along with a couple 9mm boxes. lugging that around the store always brings a couple of stares from the busy moms and even made the high school kids loitering around the front real quiet real fast! :D

on second thought, every time i've been to walmart in the afternoon/evening, there's always teenagers hanging around the front. is it now the cool thing to hang out at walmart??

[Flashpoint]

Honestly I never had any prob buying ammo at Wally World. The only time I even had to give directions is when a kid handed me WWB JHP instead on FMJ. The kid just said "Oh sorry" and went scrambling to find the right stuff. After about 30 sec. of not being able to find it I pointed it out to him. Most of the time I just say "I need a box of 9MM plinkers"or".40 cal plinkers" and the clerk most always know what I want. I guess that's just an advantage of living in the Bible Belt.

[sw442642]

A lot depends on the manager. Near me the closest WalMart has a crappy ammo section. If I drive 5 miles down the highway, that one has a manager who cares about hunting and they have a great display.

Contact Walmart central and tell them the manager is losing business for them.

The think I hate most is the lack of checkouts. There are a bizillion folks and only two stoned teenagers, a guy for Berzerkatina, and a old fart for checkouts a mile long.

[blue86buick]

DigMe: I've started to see it (WWB 100pk) at other retailers in my area lately...a dollar or two more, but they have it.

ScottS: Do they not charge sales tax on ammo in your area??

sw442642: Same thing at my wal-mart's...and they have 30 registers they COULD have open. :rolleyes:

[ScottS]

ScottS: Do they not charge sales tax on ammo in your area??

Live Free or Die, baby. They don't charge sales tax on anything in my area.

Scott

[DigMe]

They don't charge sales tax on anything in my area

They always get you somehow...in Texas we have sales tax but no state income tax...some places have no sales tax but do have state income tax. I think there's one state that has neither but I'm sure they get it somewhere else. Personally I'd rather have no state income and pay sales.

brad cook

[benewton]

That'd be us!

No sales or income tax!

'course, the downside is that out property taxes are about $100/year more than MA...

I can live with that!

[ScottS]

'course, the downside is that out property taxes are about $100/year more than MA...

Damn Straight! And that's $100 I'd gladly pay (and do) to not live in MA.

Scott

[fish2xs]

>>Damn Straight! And that's $100 I'd gladly pay (and do) to not live in MA.
>>
>>Scott

...but, but wait! MA has clean needles for our addicts, and a state legislature that breaks the law by not bringing up politically incorrect legislation for vote, and MA has Teddy 'Fatboy' Kennedy who has sucked $14B from the nation to finance his democratic union toadies to build a traffic tunnel under Boston that doesn't even add lanes of trafic over what was already there.


Of course, lets not even mention our splendid pro-2nd Amendment atmosphere...

My house/prop value has gone up ~40% since 1999, and I can't imagine why...

[Ky Larry]

We have a good Walmart here in Lexington and 2 pretty bad ones. The manager of the guns and ammo dept. is a hunter and fisherman. Pretty knowledgeble and loves to shoot the breeze. When something sets around too long he lowers the price until it sells. They had several 50 rnd. boxes of Winchester 155 grain Silver Tips in .40 S&W for $12.00 a box. I bought all of them.


When you are asked if this ammo is for a handgun or longgun try saying "It's for a hand gun. I can't get a long gun into my job at the Post Office."

[Russ]

The people behind the counter are making minimum wage, are typically not into guns and just don't know. They are not inately stupid, just un-educated. If your eye sight is so poor you can't see the 3 feet behind the counter and see the 9mm stuff then you don't need to be shooting guns. They don't make corrective lenses strong enough for you.

[QKRTHNU]

"The store requires us to ask you what this ammo is to be used for".
For the Kids. Legos get chewed up to easily.

[Cosmoline]

WHY DO YOU GUYS KEEP BUYING *ANYTHING* AT THAT PLACE?!?

How many times do you have to get insulted, searched, and generally treated like a criminal before you stop bending over and taking it?!?:cuss:

STOP SHOPPING AT WAL-MART

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUN STORE OR IT WILL BE GONE! UNDERSTAND, MONKEY BOY? GONE!

[ScottS]

WHY DO YOU GUYS KEEP BUYING *ANYTHING* AT THAT PLACE?!?

How many times do you have to get insulted, searched, and generally treated like a criminal before you stop bending over and taking it?!?

STOP SHOPPING AT WAL-MART

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUN STORE OR IT WILL BE GONE! UNDERSTAND, MONKEY BOY? GONE!

Well, that's a silly post.

I have never been "insulted, searched, and generally treated like a criminal" at WallyWorld. Neither have most of the people who posted here. I imagine those who have don't shop there anymore. The majority of the above posts reflect friendly, if uninformed, store personnel. Certainly the folks at our WallyWorld are. And, I expect some of them are even my neighbors.

The day my local gun store sells 9mm WWB at $10.96 a box, or even a smidge more, I'll be the first one in the door. But they don't, and this topic has been beat to death. People go where the prices are reasonable, and I rarely see reasonable ammo prices at a gun store. If anywhere, that's where you're likely to be "bending over and taking it?!?"

BTW, "...bending over and taking it?!?" "Monkey boy?" I thought this was a moderated forum.

Scott

[Tommy Gunn]

I prefer to support local small businesses over Walmart.

Besides, you will find a knowledgable person, if not a gunsmith, behind the counter at a real gunshop.

[ScottS]

Besides, you will find a knowledgable person, if not a gunsmith, behind the counter at a real gunshop.

Please see the many, many "Can't belive what I heard at the Gun Store threads."

Scott

[JW2]

Well here in my area Walmarts, nobody has ever given me a strange look, carried out my ammo for me, or asked what I'm doing with it or why I am buying large quantities of ammunition. I do have to go through the standard "Top shelf, no the TOP shelf.. Left, left, left more, whoa too far, right two boxes, THATS IT!". They do always ask me if I'm 21 when I buy handgun ammo but I guess that's understandable since I'm 22 ;), plus they're just complying with the law which is expected . I didn't know that they would let you pay at the front registers though. I always make the sporting goods counter my last stop and pay for everything there.

[Cosmoline]

Whatever. But I don't want to hear any Wall-Mart supporters crying foul when those fine folks in Arkansas have a management change and pull an S-Mart on us.

By that time you'll be lucky if you have a local gun store left in your area. Or any local store, for that matter. See how it works? Rely on Wall-Mart, become dependent on Wall-Mart.

:banghead:

[FPrice]

"Please see the many, many "Can't belive what I heard at the Gun Store threads.""

True, but many of us also have good gun stores nearby which we can rely on upon.

My local FFL is very good, BUT he is a small operation and cannot always get all of the ammunition and small items I want to try, particularly at prices I can afford on a regular basis. So I depend upon him for my big needs (firearms) and those items he happens to come upon. But I will go to WalMart or other soures for the smaller items which they can carry at a better price.

[ScottS]

My local FFL is very good, BUT he is a small operation and cannot always get all of the ammunition and small items I want to try, particularly at prices I can afford on a regular basis. So I depend upon him for my big needs (firearms) and those items he happens to come upon. But I will go to WalMart or other soures for the smaller items which they can carry at a better price.

I agree completely. I do the same thing. In fact, 9mm WWB is the olny ammo I buy at WallyWorld, because I buy the rest of my ammo mail-order. The 9mm WWB is just so damn cheap...and it's just sitting there...calling to me... :)

My only point was you won't always find a rube behind the counter at WallyWorld (How smart does he have to be to throw a couple of boxes on counter, anyway? This is not where I go for advice.), and you won't always find friendly, Joe Gun behind the counter at a Gun Store. (Our local one is owned by a rude, opinionated jerk, and his prices are an embarassing gouge, despite his multi-year "Sale.")

Scott

[DigMe]

Many people refuse to shop at WalMart because of the fact that they ceased handgun sales after being pressured a few years back. Personally, as much as I hate to see businesses give in to that kind of pressure I think this is the best thing that has happened for the small independent gun stores in relation to WalMart. Now that WalMart doesn't have handguns someone else is guaranteed the sale. In many places, especially smaller places that have no big chain sporting goods stores, that means the small independent guy gets the sale.

I'm in no way condoning the giving in to pressure but what I've said is true. WalMart will not be the one that drives the small independent guy outta business as long as handgun sales are good.

brad cook

[TRIDENT]

I think it is good for our cause to have Walmart selling guns and ammo. They are the largest retailer in this country. All the soccer moms, democrats, antis and others that would never set foot in a gun shop can see mainstream Americans buys guns and ammo. If the Antis convinced Walmart to stop selling guns/ammo they would be dancing in the streets.

[blue86buick]

The day my local gun store sells 9mm WWB at $10.96 a box, or even a smidge more, I'll be the first one in the door.
My local stores are starting to stock the 100pc WWB 9mm. It's a few dollars more (13-14 vs 11), but still cheaper than wolf...and reloadable! :)

[Partisan Ranger]

I didn't know this thread would touch such a nerve when I started it a few weeks back!

I was surprised when I went to Wal-Mart here in Fairfax VA and the dudes behind the counter either didn't know that 9mm=9mm Luger or weren't sure and didn't want to look dumb.

But I have nothing against them. I understand they're making 7 bucks an hour and aren't gun nuts. When I worked at a grocery store going thru college, if someone asked me how cook a leg of lamb, I wouldn't have had a freaking clue. I just stocked the shelves!

The 2nd Wal-mart I went to - in Winchester VA in the sticks - was a better experience. The lady behind the counter obviously sold ammo quite regularly. She knew her stuff.

Word is that Galyans has been selling the WB for 9.99, but I haven't gone over there to check it.

[Mike Irwin]

Try the Gallyans just down Fairlakes Parkway, on the other side of 7100.

[Sulaco]

I am pretty sure region has a good bit to do with the attitude's held by many people working at places like Wal-Mart.

I like Wal-Mart and buy a lot of stuff from the place.

I live in Lexington, SC and we have a Wal-Mart in town. There are also maybe 25 other ones scattered around the Midlands (suberbs of Columbia, the capital) that I frequent depending on where I am.

I buy the bulk pack Winclean also and have never had any problems with purchases dealing with ammo or guns. My local Wal-Mart has a wall of trophy animals and fish donated by locals. They also have a wall of pictures of fish, deer and turkey. The guys that work in the Sporting Goods department are fairly knowledgeable when it comes to guns and ammo. In fact, they keep the Winclean 100 packs in stock for me and a few other people who buy it by the case regularly. They don't even put it behind the glass doors. They keep it on a shelf with all of the large packs of bird and trap shot, out on the main floor.

If ammo can be used for a pistol, the register throws up a message to ask if it is used for a pistol or rifle ("What is this going to be used for?"). This is because Wal-Mart policy is such that you have to be a certain age to purchase ammo used for a pistol. Wal-Mart is not anti-gun nor are they anti-second ammendment. They are mearly trying to keep up with all of the frivolous state and federal laws regarding the purchase of guns and related equipment. THAT is why they stopped selling handguns. It became to difficult to train employees in different states covered by different laws on how to sell handguns (especially considering the turnover rate of low wage retail sales people).

Another local Wal-Mart I frequent has a Sporting Goods sales associate working during the day who worked for Beretta for 20 something years. He also hunts and fishes a lot and we trade fishing spots and stories all the time.

[ScottS]

When I worked at a grocery store going thru college, if someone asked me how cook a leg of lamb, I wouldn't have had a freaking clue. I just stocked the shelves!

This may be the funniest thing posted in this whole thread.

Scott