[Blueduck]

Thread on incompetent sporting good help at WM got me thinking.

I know some of you guys live in Gun Shop mecca's where prices are competitive and service is good, and likely some don't even remember that Wal Mart used to sell handguns. In my area however Wally World ending handgun sales was a blow I don't think I'll ever quite get over.

Prices were always at least 15-20% lower than local shops, sometimes way more. They would order basically anything you wanted with no "My distributor does not have one in stock right now, and I don't like to order from..." If a handgun did not work right at any time in the first year you could take it back fill out a quick form and be handed a brand new one right there.

[Keith]

Wal-Mart still sells handguns in Alaska.

However, I don't find the prices very competitive, and the choices in guns are weird, to say the least... probably based on some national survey instead of what local buyers would like to have. For instance, they have a lot of full sized 9mm's gathering dust on their shelves. A compact 9mm (for carry) might sell, but nobody around here is going to want a large one.

The prices (on both long guns and handguns) can be beat by any of the local gun shops.

Keith

[coldshot03/04]

I have never seen a handgun for sale in Wal Mart.

[PeteyPete]

Walmart doesn't even sell firearms or bullets here in NJ.

[WhoKnowsWho]

I am guessing this is pretty far "back in the day"

I first went to Wal Mart I think 5 years ago, no handguns then.

[usnavymasterchief]

Wally World used to sell handguns in Florida up until about 4 or 5 years ago and yes they were cheaper and yes I miss that very much. They still sell rifles and shotguns cheaper than anyone locally. Just this morning I admired a Model 94 Lever Action .30-.30 for $264.00. While I was there I picked up a box of 100 Winchester White Box .40 cal ammo for $14.00, 9mm goes for $10.00 a hundred. Can't beat Wally World.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Hey DuckMan, my ole' friend!:D I never have purchased
a gun period, from Wally World. However a long time ago,
I did purchase a few from the old' Woolco store #6237
here in Poverty, U.S.A.; aka: Bessemer, AL.

Yep, bought two NIB shoot'in irons from them good folks;
one was a very early Smith & Wesson model 67 "Combat
Masterpiece" in .38 Special, and the other was a 6" Colt
Python in .357 magnum. Plus, I bought several rifles from
these folks, as well. But, never a purchase from Wal-Mart.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Mark IV Series 80]

Hello Ala Dan,

You may be living in "Poverty", but you are rich in guns!

-Mark IV Series 80

[Matthew Courtney]

Wal-Mart stopped stocking handguns after the Brady Act became law citing the burdensome paperwork. Some Wal-Marts may still order a handgun for you.

[gryphon]

No, I never bought firearms at Wal-Mart, only ammo, and only when it is cheaper than the local guy, which is not very often.

[Ala Dan]

Hey There Mark IV Series 80, My Friend-

Thanks for the kind words; as I appreciate the compliment!:D

Yes, I have been more than blessed; not only by GOD, but
by hard work and having an understanding family as they
made some significant sacrifices to support my gun habit.
But, it gave me an opportunity to share with other's the
joys of the shooting sports.

In the early day's the cash flow was extremely tight, and
I could not really afford "decent gun's"; settling for what
most of you guys would call "junk guns". But, as times got
better and the cash flow increased; I invested wisely, by
buying quality pieces that I knewI could get my money out
of, if the need ever arose. And believe me, it did on more
than one occassion. Having a good inventory on hand has
saved my bacon a few times. Now days. I'm down to just
what I use and/or shoot the most. My friend Capbuster
will tell you that on some days I would bring home a NIB
firearm and it would be weeks or even months before I
would get it to the range! Such was the case with
a Browning 9m/m Hi-Power "Practical Model" and a .45
caliber H&K USP; just to name a couple.

If I had converted all the firearms that I have owned
into money; well needless to say, I would not be living
in Poverty, U.S.A.

In closing, my one wish would be that all responsible
firearms owners world-wide could have the same
opportunity that I have had; in owning some of the
most respected firearms available to mankind!:)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Blueduck]

Now days I'm down to just what I use and/or shoot the most.

When I finally grow up I wanna be just like Ala Dan :)

Even from the old TFL days when you see the name you virtually always knew the post will be about the beloved Sig 220 or one of 3-4 other more specialized pistols.

Blueduck on the other hand... Several Post on 1991A1's, then note 1991A1 for sale in classifieds, Post on Glock 23...then for sale in classifieds, Post on Glock 19's..then a for sale or trade ad (looking for a 1991A1...) Round and round it goes ;)

[Zundfolge]

I remember as a young'an visiting my grandparents in El Dorado Kansas. At the time, WalMart had a policy against opening stores in larger urban areas (and I lived in Wichita ... which at the time was too big for a WalMart).

I remember looking at all the handguns in the display cases.

[Ala Dan]

Very nice commentary, BlueDuck; and believe me I
do appreciate that. I always knew that former TFL
and current THR members share a lot of "class"!

As the ole saying goes, "we may disagree vehemently
among ourselves; but we ain't gonna' let any one else
---- over us"!:uhoh: :)

In keeping with tradition, when a code red alert exist-

I dial 10-10-P220!:rolleyes: :D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[OneShot]

I remember Wally World selling handguns even here in California for a short time. I bought a Ruger P85 when they first opened here in the Bay Area. It only lasted a few months though, then the local cities wtopped them from doing so.

Now they don't even sell long guns here at all, thanks to their own employees not following the rules. Supposedly after "proper training" they will resume long gun sales, but I seriously doubt that they will.

They do still sell ammo at good prices when they have it in stock.:) --Oneshot

[Majic]

I can't say for today, but when Walmart took the handguns off the shelves here in Va you could still order one thru them. They kept a catalogue behind the counter and would had it to you if you asked. The trick was knowing to ask since they no longer displayed handguns.

[Blueduck]

Yeah Magic our WalMart would do that up until I think a year or two ago, but only at MSRP which would not save you much over our gun shops (MSRP being competitive tells you something about our gunshops huh:eek: )

The good old days were when, "Sam" could call up Beretta and ask thier best price on 5000 92's and pass the savings along.

[denfoote]

I remember!! I was not impressed with the prices!! :rolleyes:

[PawDaddy]

I believe that handguns can still be ordered from the Wal-Mart where I live.

[foghornl]

Last time I remember seeing hand guns in Wally World was some time around 1985/1986. The Then-wife bought a cheap knock-off of the Colt SAA in .22LR/.22Mag for around $70. Think it was called the "Buffalo Scout".

[10-Ring]

I go to Walmart for ammo & cleaning supplies usually. Guns, I go elsewhere...& CA is far from Gu Shop mecca ;)

[Wil Terry]

I CANNOT STAND THE PLACE!!!
Going somewhere to spend my money and having to deal with the idiots who work there is more than I care to cope with, and K-MART ain't one whit better.
I will spend my money with local merchants who know me, appreciate my business, and call me by my first name when I walk in the front door.

[sm]

What Terry Murbach said.

[King]

no Walmart for me ..........they aren't that interested in guns and I'm not interested in them. There are other discount places around here if cost is the main issue...Academy, Oshman's....

Walmart...:barf:

[martin]

I bought a Ruger MkII Bull Barrel at WalMart in 83. I think I paid around $125 or so for it at the time.

[Hal]

Thread on incompetent sporting good help at WM got me thinking. Blue, got me thinking too,,,,'bout what a pompus buch of jack-holes gun owners are at times.

Wally World is a JOKE; when it comes down to sporting good sales people being helpful!

They hire folks that don't know the sun rises in the east;

AND

Yes, I have been more than blessed; not only by GOD, but
by hard work and having an understanding family as they
made some significant sacrifices to support my gun habit.
But, it gave me an opportunity to share with other's the
joys of the shooting sports.

Dan,
I used to have a great deal of respect for you. That pretty much evaporated when I read the first coment above. Having worked in retail for a number of years, I can tell you straight out. Well. maybe those folks don't know East from West,,,,but they sure as !#4@$ know he difference between stading in a welfare line and standing in line to collect a pay check. Sorry bud, cops and such don't have an exclusive lock on hard work and sacrifice and family values.

[RustyHammer]

First handgun I ever owned came from Wal-Farts. (20+ years ago.)
Still have it to this day.

Bought a Marlin Mod. 60, SS, .22 LR w/ scope from many moons ago too.

Times have changed and so have they.

Rusty

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Hal-

"Who you going to call when the boy's come for you"?
And I ain't talk'in about the boys in blue (or brown)
uniforms; I'm talk'in about the boys in the hood!:uhoh:

Cuz, more than likely you will dial 911 and say some
thing like "Mr. policeman I need help really quick, as
there is a drug addict/sex offender/parolee from the
state lock-up facility trying to break in my house".
"PLEASE HURRY"

And only minutes later, a man and/or woman behind
the badge shows up; putting there life on the line
to rid you of YOUR problem. With NO respect, NO
hail of glory, NO commendations, NOT even a "Thank
You Officer" he/she goes about their daily beat; having
to deal with some of the world's worst scum bag's,
that NOBOBY else cares to deal with!:rolleyes:

Friend, don't began to tell me about hard work and
family values; as its the STRESS of being on the bubble
all the time. Someone, always wanting to take a "pot
shot" at you; either verbally or physically. Lastly, its
the officer on the beat whose patrol vechile is full of
teddy bears; so when you have to inform a family
member that their loved one has been killed in a
car accident, you can open the trunk and give a
small child one of these teddy bears. It's the LEO
whose life expectancy is only 60 years old; and
whose suicide rate is 9 times higher than the
national average!:( It's the PRESSURE of the job
partner; but that's part of the dealings of life,
NOBODY said it would be fair.

Respectfully,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Hal]

Dan,
Your missing the point.

The point is, those "idiots", "losers", "mental deficients", etc, etc, (I've heard just about all the deragtory descriptions) that work at Wal Mart, K-mart or whatever mart,,, that everyone is so eager to dump on,,, are putting in a honest days work, for an honest day's pay.

They (in my book anyhow) are deserving of a small measure of respect,,,,not ridicule for that.


While I'm at it,,,and more to the topic,,,,maybe,,just maybe,,the reason Wally doesn't sell handguns anymore is because of the "low quality" of the customer? Think about it. Read any number of posts dealing with ____- mart and ask yourself if that's the type of customer YOU'D want to shop in your store.....all "attitude", "all mouth" and ready to run screaming to the home office over the smallest little thing.(real or imagined)

Truth is, as a gun owner,,,it's everyones responsibility to be a "good will" ambassador. It doesn't take but a second to thank the "Droid behind the counter" instead of rolling your eyes and muttering "clueless" as you walk away. As a uniformed officer, I'm sure you understand the importance of acting "by the book" while in uniform, on or off duty. Well, that's exactly how a gun/ammo buyer has to start conducting themself in public these days.

I expected better from you than to ridicule someone over what they do for a living. Maybe that US vs THEM gulf is wide after all.

[Ala Dan]

Got'cha Hal- you are certainly correct; at least
those poor folks behind the counter are working for
a living; and are not totally dependent of some form
of government assistance!:D Beisdes, I remember
the fellow who sold me that S&W model 67 and later
the 6" Colt Python well; as he was a former police
officer for the City Of Bombingham. Funny thing, his
last name was KOPP!:uhoh: Turned out, he was
very intelligent and really new his inventory of
weapons and supplies.

Sorry Hal, for the mis-interpertation as I thought
you were getting down on us LEO's? Speaking of
which, the reason I got into the business in the
first place was cause I like meeting/greeting/or
dealing with the public; not that I like to cause
anyone any harm. Unfortunately, some of those
folks that you meet/greet/or deal with won't let
you be nice to them. Then, you have to go to a
back-up plan!:uhoh: And most of the time, they
really don't care for that either.:rolleyes:

Hey, my friend if I can ever be of help; don't
hesitate to holler! Take Care-

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[brookstexas]

Sears, Target etc used to sell guns...

[Dorrin79]

back in the day (like, 50 years before I was born) you could get guns anywhere.

As to Walmart, I don't mind that they quit selling handguns, now that Academy Sports sells them (at least in Texas). Not-so-good selection, and not-so-helpful employees, but their prices (if you know what you want and they have it) are amazingly low.

Good prices on ammo too, although they don't have the WWB 9mm 100rd packs.

[Dr.Rob]

As I understand it you can still buy handguns at Walmart here in Colorado, but they must be special ordered.

I remember passing on a Makarov from Wally World in the final days of over the counter sales NIB Izmash for $130.

I also recall taking a trip to a Sam's Club for some reason and coming across a pallette of .50 cal CVA in-line rifles in blister packs with starter kits for $50 or $60 total. (At the time wal mart had stocked up on cheap in-line rifles but the DOW had not yet allowed in-line rifles, so all the unsold surplus rifles from all the Wal-Mart stores ended up at this one Sam's Club.

Now that the DOW allows inline rifles proces are back up.

[J.J.]

In Texas for sure Wal-Mart does not sell handguns special order or otherwise...

[zpo]

I used to work at walmart, so here is what I think I know.

1. the ATF 4473 is the only gun form to fill out. You either check long gun or hand gun. Its not the paperwork.

2. Alaska is supposed to be the only state that walmart still sells pistols to because of wildlife.

3. some guy who had been in a mental hospital at one time bought a pistol and went to his local courthouse to visit a judge, shot several people including the judge. the judge organized the survivors into one of those all American lawsuits saying walmart was to blame for not knowing he was not sane. last I heard the lawsuit was tied up in red tape, but for those wishing for wally world pistols, its a possibility that if walmart wins, they might start selling pistols again. but its been a year since I worked there, so who knows.

[blue86buick]

....as i turned 21 last fall, but I just got a rifle from them for the first time. Got a hella good deal on it too, as it was in the wrong rack. I had actually just stopped in to ask for their special order catalogue, to see if there were any pistols in there. No pistols available, but I still walked out with a gun I didn't *really* need and hadn't planned to buy. :rolleyes: (Marlin 336W 30-30 lever)

[Peter Gun]

I never saw a Walmart w/ handguns, but i used to get a kick out of shopping at Sports Authority in MD. I loved going in there and talking as loud as I could about calibre and magazine capacity while snapping the slides loudly, pulling triggers, and snapping cylinders on every single gun in the case. The sheeple would turn and run! Wal mart would have been even more fun.

On another note: those of you that have good gun shops in the area should be ashamed if you buy anything gun-related from walmart. They dont respect your rights and will only have good prices until they drive all the local shops out of business. Then they either raise prices or stop selling firearms and you're out of luck. I mention this because I was forced to go to the Walmart in Williston, VT the other day and was horrified at the large business their firearms counter was doing. Right across the street from this place is the best gun shop most people will ever see. Huge selection, good prices, knowledgeable help. There are two other shops within 20 miles I would also say are very good. This walmart's prices are poor except for bulk ammo (12ga, 9mm) and counter help is completely ignorant. I dont get it.

[Majic]

I loved going in there and talking as loud as I could about calibre and magazine capacity while snapping the slides loudly, pulling triggers, and snapping cylinders on every single gun in the case.

So that's how you treat someone else's firearm? :scrutiny:

But what's the point? Are you one of the counter commandos we all see? Actions like that are what gives us gun owners the perceived bad reputations.

[Peter Gun]

The point is I hate wal mart and other big box stores and if I can have some fun scaring foolish people while hurting their business at the same time, I like it!!

[Majic]

So you dislike some retailers, but why take it out on the firearms? The firearm could be damaged and another shooter will have to deal with your frustration as they have to have it repaired.
Suppose some of those so called foolish people were potential shooters who turned away because of your actions?
Actions like this seen by anti's only fuel their point and hurts our image. We must be accoutable for our actions and hold ourselves to a higher degree to get any respect and lose the uneducated, imbecile, good-for-nothing, character flawed tag that is being placed on all of us gun owners (especially us handgun owners) as a group.

[Adventurer_96]

I remember when WalMart pulled a Sheryl Crow album because it had the lyric, "WalMart's selling handguns to kids," or something to that effect.

The irony of it was, as I recall, that they'd stopped selling handguns prior to the song coming out.