Getting the word out

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SteveoKnievo

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Hello to all. First real post on THR. (Other was an intro in the thread for the noobies.)

I thought I would make my first topic something interesting, and positive in my opinion. Here in Florida, I am blessed as a firearm addict to have very few gun restricting laws (Thank goodness!)

Recently, I was strolling around in the local Wally World. I decided I was going to mosey on over to the "outdoors section" to check out the firearms they have for sale. I have had very bad experience with wally world firearms (that's another thread in itself...) so I just look to look ya know? To my astonishment, there are several AR-15 variants in the case for sale! I was very impressed. I think it's great that "evil black guns" are out and about, being slowly introduced to the mostly uninformed and ignorant public. I feel like it gets the word out that they aren't so evil after all..

Anyway.. No real meaning for this thread, just trying to get a feeling for everyone here and talk about firearms!

I really feel like seeing the AR's in a very popular discount type store is a very big step in a positive direction. I feel like they are more likely to be accepted if they are more common in day-to-day shopping, and day-to-day living for that matter... But it also somewhat concerns me that they are in a discount store, and at a very cheap price.. Makes me wonder if they are safe.

[When I say "safe" it's because I have had experiences with those types of retailers and some firearms sold there, and the quality is plain and simply sub par to what you would find in an actual gun shop. So sub par, that safety has actually been a very big issue with the firearms sold in that type of environment. This is Just my experience.. Please don't flame me!]

What are your thoughts on this? Are you glad that these types of rifles are becoming accepted, or do you think it's a negative step for our 2nd amendment rights? I hope to hear from all of you, and I am glad to be a new member of THR.
 
I haven't been to Wally to check out the guns I've heard they are offering. Hopefully it's in response to the many criticisms they have been receiving about NOT selling guns.

Having said that, good for them. But I seriously don't think they would offer anything that was unsafe. Less than fantastically accurate, yeah, but not unsafe. Just because a firearm is made with something less than a Timney trigger doesn't mean it's unsafe at all. Remember Wally is a mass merchandiser, meaning they have to offer something that will appeal to the greater unwashed masses out there. That too often means a lower price. How often have we seen their commercials saying they have the lowest prices on the planet? You can't offer that with high-end firearms. So they have to make compromises somewhere, and it's often in the overall quality of the product. Fun to shoot yes, accurate maybe, but I don't think it would be considered unsafe. They DO have lawyers, after all.
 
So very true. Lawyers I'm sure they have by the dozens. I have however, come across several firearms that were literally unsafe. I personally bought a Rem. 700 from them (the first and LAST I will ever buy from a store like that..) get it home and the bolt head got lodged in the chamber (i.e the bolt came apart inside the gun.) had to take it to the local 'smith to get it squared away.. It's not like I don't know how they work or go together, I've done it a few times on friends of mine (trying to learn, because I had aspirations of acquiring one one day.)

Once that issue got handled (keep in mind it was NEVER 100% correct out-of-box.) took it to the range and the safety did not work at all (I do not use mechanical safeties at ALL just in case something like that happens.) However, when the range goes cold they ask that you put the safety on.. Thus I found this problem. I thought it was some sort of a lemon, but as luck would have it a friend of mine (who owned a Rem. 700 purchased from gun shop) bought a Rem. 870 from Wally's.. For some reason you could NOT get it to feed at all what so ever.. I went with him to the 'smith who helped me with my original bolt problem, and he made a smart remark something along the lines of "You're lucky you're only having simple problems with these wally world guns. Be happy about it." After a long discussion with him and a SIDE BY SIDE comparison of the exact same model gun from his shop, and from wally's, there are actually different pieces! Plastic bushings instead of brass, etc.. Even the internal bolt pieces in the 700 were "cheapened up"

A very interesting side note.. I learned about the 700's having safety problems.. ALOT of problems.. Either they had issues, or were fine, mine happened to be a flawed one. After some research, indeed some people have been severely injured from the bolt/safety issue..

"The manufacturer of the world's most popular hunting rifle has been wrestling for decades with a critical safety issue, and at least twice considered a nationwide recall of the gun, according to corporate insiders and internal documents revealed in a ten-month CNBC investigation."

Here is a link for more info..
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2010-10-20-remington-700-trigger-cnbc_N.htm

As luck would have it it was not a safety issue it was indeed a trigger issue.. Needless to say the gun will never be fired again. (Parts gun?)

Long story short, I have concluded that I personally am not going to buy any more firearms from wally's... Perhaps it's just the Remmy's? I've not heard much bad about them but I personally haven't had much luck.
 
This is why in my original post I mentioned poor quality guns.. I am not trying to bash anyone or their product, just simply stating the experiences I have had and how it left a bad taste in my mouth.
 
Would you want to sell your 700 if you aren't going to fire it? I would be interested as buying it as a "parts" gun......
 
Have you ever considered calling the manufacturer about the problem? They do have service Dept's. you know.
 
SteveoKnievo said:
I have had very bad experience with wally world firearms (that's another thread in itself...)
Click to expand...
From what I've seen, its also one you may as well not get into. WalMart threads don't usually stay open very long.

Aside from that, I'm not convinced that ARs being sold in more stores is going to have any significant impact on the firearm community or our 2A rights - either positive or negative.

Welcome to The High Road.
 
I contacted Rem. about it, and was honest with them. They didn't want to do anything with it because I had taken it to a gunsmith, and I guess their thinking was "Maybe the gunsmith who worked on it didn't know what he was doing and caused the issues himself.." I didn't really keep on it though.

As far as selling it.. I am going to buy a Rem. 700 in the future, and if I can use the pieces from this one I plan on it. (Obviously not the trigger though! :p)

Bobson, I understand about the wally world threads. I didn't really know how to introduce myself, and this has recently happened so I thought it would be a good way to "break the ice" so to speak. Mainly, I just thought it was neat to see black guns out and about, because that means that (hopefully) they will be just as acceptable as the good ol' mini 14, or sks with time.
 
SteveoKnievo said:
Hello to all. First real post on THR. (Other was an intro in the thread for the noobies.)

I thought I would make my first topic something interesting, and positive in my opinion. Here in Florida, I am blessed as a firearm addict to have very few gun restricting laws (Thank goodness!)

Recently, I was strolling around in the local Wally World. I decided I was going to mosey on over to the "outdoors section" to check out the firearms they have for sale. I have had very bad experience with wally world firearms (that's another thread in itself...) so I just look to look ya know? To my astonishment, there are several AR-15 variants in the case for sale! I was very impressed. I think it's great that "evil black guns" are out and about, being slowly introduced to the mostly uninformed and ignorant public. I feel like it gets the word out that they aren't so evil after all..

Anyway.. No real meaning for this thread, just trying to get a feeling for everyone here and talk about firearms!

I really feel like seeing the AR's in a very popular discount type store is a very big step in a positive direction. I feel like they are more likely to be accepted if they are more common in day-to-day shopping, and day-to-day living for that matter... But it also somewhat concerns me that they are in a discount store, and at a very cheap price.. Makes me wonder if they are safe.

[When I say "safe" it's because I have had experiences with those types of retailers and some firearms sold there, and the quality is plain and simply sub par to what you would find in an actual gun shop. So sub par, that safety has actually been a very big issue with the firearms sold in that type of environment. This is Just my experience.. Please don't flame me!]

What are your thoughts on this? Are you glad that these types of rifles are becoming accepted, or do you think it's a negative step for our 2nd amendment rights? I hope to hear from all of you, and I am glad to be a new member of THR.
Click to expand...

My walmarts has the bushmaster m4a3 for 850 that is more than I want to pay for a bushmaster

Sent from Droid Incredible on Verizon Wireless
 
I was just told that Dicks will also be stocking ARs now above and beyond the remington they already have. My local Dicks is awaiting a bushy shipment. That said, they are certainly not in the "good prices" department.
 
yeah I was surprised when I saw them.. "That cannot be right.. An AR at wal-mart? *pause* SWEET!!" was probably something along what I mumbled. lol
 
What are your thoughts on this? Are you glad that these types of rifles are becoming accepted, or do you think it's a negative step for our 2nd amendment rights?
Click to expand...

I think its great. The more the merrier. I don't see any problems with it at all. I don't see how it could be negative at all.

Have you ever heard anything on the news about guns being sold at big box stores, as far as safety goes? Or anything really? I don't think I have.

I do not use mechanical safeties at ALL just in case something like that happens.
Click to expand...

Why not? You don't use it because of the potential that it may fail, so you just always disregard it anyways? I don't absolutely trust them, but I like the additional layer to be there. I've fallen plenty of times carrying rifles, and the potential existed that something could have snagged the trigger while I was busy falling. Muzzle control may have gone out the window if I had broken my leg - which is why I still like to have that additional layer.
 
I apologize, I do not know how to quote someone I wish to reply to.. So this is going to have to do.. Haha. To Tim the Student:

I am weary of safeties. Just how I've been taught. My version of a safety, is having an empty chamber. Whether it's an auto-loading gun, or a bolt action. Yes, sometimes I do throw the conventional safety on, but it's not something I will depend on.

I have not seen anything on the news about safety of firearms at big box type stores, which is good. I would hope that such a problem wouldn't exist.. However from my experience with big box stores and firearms, I just would rather save up a few more months and get one from the local mom n pop shop anyway. At least that way I am keeping the money local ya know?
 
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My local Wal-Marts have been stocking ARs for a couple months now, Local Dick's for about a week-ish. Tickles me, exposes more people to them, increasing their since of "normalcy".

As for the Rem. 700's, it ain't just the Wal-Mart ones that are crap anymore.
I recently sat in Dick's for about 45 minutes listening to an older gentleman and a couple others absolutly RIP a sales rep from Remington, who had apparently chose the wrong day to pay a visit, lol. Anyway long story short, about 6 different people reported faulty, new, 700's. One gentleman said his younger son was deer hunting with him and upon chambering a round it went off...he told the rep he took the rifle and wrapped it around a tree, because he would never be able to trust that rifle. Actually almost all the stories went that way, minus the tree wrapping...
I've heard similar accounts about some models of 870 as well...
Honestly, unless someone were literally giving me a new remington rifle, there is no way I would get one right now. Older one, yea I'd pay a good bit, but definately not a newer one.
 
I have bought several guns a Walmart, one had a minor flaw from the factory. I have run into several fairly gun savvy associates there. Walmart seems to beat everybody else on ammo. A major portion of the cost of retailing is freight, restocking and storage and Wally does it better.
 
When I say "safe" it's because I have had experiences with those types of retailers and some firearms sold there, and the quality is plain and simply sub par to what you would find in an actual gun shop.
Click to expand...

What brands of firearms does Wal-mart sell that you won't also find the exact same guns in an actual gun shop?

My experience has been that all they sell is the most commonly available brands that are everywhere.
 
I suspect WW will stock the most basic and lowest priced firearms, so even the ones that don't have something physically wrong with them will be less appealing than the larger variety available in a sporting-goods store.

I also suspect that if a faulty firearm is stocked at WW, they'd be less likely to detect it and return it before it reached the customer. The person behind the firearms counter in a sporting-goods store would seem more likely to actually be interested in the product than their WW counterpart, who was working in groceries last month and clothing the month before that.

I definitely agree that exposure in more common shopping forums is very good for firearms.
 
Dmitri Popov said:
My local Wal-Marts have been stocking ARs for a couple months now, Local Dick's for about a week-ish. Tickles me, exposes more people to them, increasing their since of "normalcy".

As for the Rem. 700's, it ain't just the Wal-Mart ones that are crap anymore.
I recently sat in Dick's for about 45 minutes listening to an older gentleman and a couple others absolutly RIP a sales rep from Remington, who had apparently chose the wrong day to pay a visit, lol. Anyway long story short, about 6 different people reported faulty, new, 700's. One gentleman said his younger son was deer hunting with him and upon chambering a round it went off...he told the rep he took the rifle and wrapped it around a tree, because he would never be able to trust that rifle. Actually almost all the stories went that way, minus the tree wrapping...
I've heard similar accounts about some models of 870 as well...
Honestly, unless someone were literally giving me a new remington rifle, there is no way I would get one right now. Older one, yea I'd pay a good bit, but definately not a newer one.
Click to expand...
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39554936

Not that I feel NBC (parent org.) or CNBC are quality organizations!
 
First off, SteveoKnievo, welcome to THR.

You, along with many others, seem to enjoy trashing Wal-Mart while at the same time continuing to patronize them. Something I have a hard time comprehending. As others have said, altho Wal-Mart does contract out for some items according to their specs, firearms are not one of them. They are the same firearms, obtained from the same warehouses that your LGS sells. Regardless of what some say, they are not "seconds" or "blemishes" nor are they specially made cheaper "factory runs". The firearms sold by your local Wal-Mart are chosen by the store's Sporting Goods manager and obtained from the warehouse that gives them the best price. Because they may buy a larger quanity than your local Mom and Pop store, they may get a better price, but the book my local Wal-Mart special orders from is the same one used by several of my other LGS. Your odds of getting a "bad" gun from Wal-Mart is no greater or lesser than getting one from your LGS. The other thing I have a hard time comprehending is why, after having so many problems with your Remmie 700, would you purchase another? Instead of risking the chance of getting another lemon, if you are really capable enough to use the first one as a parts gun, why not just fix the one you have? Seems buying a gun just for one or two of the parts is not very cost efficient. Also, IMHO, if a model is known for having a particular problem, or a host of problems, the best thing is to look at something else. Every major manufacturer has released a model that had issues. Remington is no exception.

As far as your disdain for mechanical safeties, they are there for a reason. Hard to jumpshoot upland game without a shell in the chamber.....especially with a SxS or over/under. Hard to rack in a cartridge in a lever carbine with a deer lookin' at ya. While they are not fool-proof, most are tried and true and work within the parameters of their intent. Those with a overall problem have been recalled and/or modified to work properly. Those on individual guns are because of some other defect and need to be addressed.....and yes, you were wrong to take your 700 to a smith first instead of using Remington's great customer service. Live and learn.
 
I was at a somewhat local Wal-Mart just a couple hours ago. I naturally stopped by the sporting goods section with a gift card from Christmas. It wasn't enough for a gun, but I've been hearing Wal Marts are stocking AR's. Not the ones by me, though. I ended up looking at a .22 rifle for my step son. They had a Cricket for $100, which he would very soon outgrow, and a Mossberg 702 for $107, which he should soon grow into. not a whole lot else other than their usual fare of Remingtons and Marlins, nothing I'm interested in. I'm waiting for the AR's to show up. Might be a reason to get a Wally world credit card. :rolleyes:
 
I like the ammo prices and throw a box of each in the cart whenever I go. Less noteworthy than gun store charges on the bank statement.
 
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