Buyer Beware -Quantico Tactical.

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briang2ad

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Bought an M&P 45 on Friday from Quantico Tactical. It is what I would call a 'tactical store' which sells firearms, and NOT a gunstore per se. I would say first that it is 'store policy' not to be able to field strip a firearm in the store. Some would say that 'it serves you right' to get smoked - fair, but not necessarily always applicable. I think I got burned a little, but may turn out fine. The following is for education/experience to others near a store or chain like this.

Friday I purchased the firearm, and before the sale, told it came with 3 mags. So... I stupidly didn't check before I took it to the counter. When I got to the car, I noted it had two. I took it right back, and the salesperson would not openly admit he told me that, and gave me the "store policy is no returns on firearms". Bad enough, but when I got home and was finally able to field strip to clean, I noted that: 1. The barrel was very dirty. 2. The rails were pretty worn. 3. There was plenty of brass residue on the slide breech face - more than one would see from a test fire. 4. The date of the fired round was April 2010. Yes, I could have looked into this before I left the store, but NEVER would have thought about it to even look at it.

I called SW, and unless it had had warranty work, they really would not know even if it had been sold on retail before. So, I called the QT Gen Manager, and kindly went through all of the above. After asking him to reconsider the policy, as this weapon has evidence of at least a range session or 2, he fell back into the "store policy" mode.

I only have to get burned once on this. Buyer beware. If you see a smokin deal here, look very carefully, and look at everything in the box, and do not trust what a salesman says. Verify BEFORE checkout.

I posted this ONLY after trying all avenues. I talked to the GENERAL manager of QT, and I don't think his response is adequate.
 
I am not sure I would buy any thing from any one with tactical in their name. I would be afraid that their would be a bunch of range commandos in their with only day dreams and no real expertise or experience.
 
I second that. I would never buy anything from anyone who had "tactical" in their name. I guess it might seem petty but I feel that just a bunch of romper room commandos would feel compelled to to name themselves something like that.
 
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If it was sold as new and not, let alone the magazine shenanigans, I'd get my money back one way or another.
You could at least picket the store in your spare time.
 
I'm not sure if they're a chain, but there is a Quantico Tactical pretty close to where I live. I think their preferred clientelle is LEO. I have noticed they have a smaller selection of weapons than I'd like, and higher prices than even Cabelas. I personally wouldn't go there.
 
I would say first that it is 'store policy' not to be able to field strip a firearm in the store.

Yeah I would have walked right out of the store at that point.

I will say that I have looked at a few S&W M&Ps which I know were brand new and they were filthy
 
They're local to me and had a great deal on some magazines for my XD 40, ordered online and waited two weeks.

At the next gun show, lo and behold, there they were. With a box of XD 40 magazines. I spoke to the guy working the table (he turned out to be the manager), and showed him my receipt (email) and confirmation from his website (on my iPhone). He cancelled the online order and gave me magazines from the table. I don't know how he handled the back-end money situation and I don't care.

They seem to specialize in "Mall-Ninja" gotta haves. They usually have 5-10 tactical iPhone cases on their tables. That was my only dealing with them.
 
I understand that a shop may not wish a customer to field strip a firearm. I would not want to watch a stranger work on mine.

However, I will gladly watch them as THEY do it, prior to the sale.
 
Irrespective of what the employee may have said, from what I'm seeing on other sites, it appears that the M&P 45 usually ships with just two mags.

Many gun sellers won't let you disassemble a gun.
Work the action, and pull the trigger usually OK.

Interesting that the OP was prepared to disassemble the gun in the store, but failed to even count how many magazines were in the box with the gun.
 
IF the firearm was sold to you as new, and you have evidence that it wasn't, then report the seller to the BATFE. Their giving you the extra mag wouldn't violate their "not returns" policy. If you feel strongly about the extra mag, file a suit in small claims court, asking for court costs as part of your judgment.
 
Many gun sellers won't let you disassemble a gun.

I refuse to buy a gun that I do not field strip and inspect first.
I am not going to do it without asking first, and I wouldn't do it unless I was ready to buy. If they want to do it for me that is fine also. However, I absolutely would not buy a gun if I were not allowed to inspect the internal parts. That would be about like buying a car which I could not test drive first.
 
I think I would really consider the small claims aspect. Plus if you paid by credit card, your card company will likely help you out. I would call them and tell them what happened they will usually take the money right from the vendors account.
 
I'm pretty sure I've bought a gun from QT at one of the gun shows, but I don't remember what.
 
I think I would really consider the small claims aspect. Plus if you paid by credit card, your card company will likely help you out. I would call them and tell them what happened they will usually take the money right from the vendors account.
Usually in small claims activity, the loser pays the court costs, filing fees, etc. So if you can prevail, you woud get your damages, and the cost of filing. If you are not satisfied within 30 day's you can file for assistance forcing them to pony up the setlement.

Good Luck, Hopefully all who read this have learned something....

M4 Tricked out (Laser, Eotech, 3X40X40, 150db Light, 5-30 Rd Magpulls), HMR17, H&K MP5, Sig Sauer Whisper, Colt Agent, Winchester 94, Browning A5 & BPS, Original CZ-75, and a few firearms as well. Loading all Brass ammo above, about 30 years experience.
 
I will say that I have looked at a few S&W M&Ps which I know were brand new and they were filthy

This^. I have bought a few M&Ps, and one came to me from Bud's, still sealed in the case, that looked like it went through a couple hundred rds.
 
Bought an M&P 45 on Friday from Quantico Tactical. It is what I would call a 'tactical store' which sells firearms, and NOT a gunstore per se. I would say first that it is 'store policy' not to be able to field strip a firearm in the store. Some would say that 'it serves you right' to get smoked - fair, but not necessarily always applicable. I think I got burned a little, but may turn out fine. The following is for education/experience to others near a store or chain like this.

Friday I purchased the firearm, and before the sale, told it came with 3 mags. So... I stupidly didn't check before I took it to the counter. When I got to the car, I noted it had two. I took it right back, and the salesperson would not openly admit he told me that, and gave me the "store policy is no returns on firearms". Bad enough, but when I got home and was finally able to field strip to clean, I noted that: 1. The barrel was very dirty. 2. The rails were pretty worn. 3. There was plenty of brass residue on the slide breech face - more than one would see from a test fire. 4. The date of the fired round was April 2010. Yes, I could have looked into this before I left the store, but NEVER would have thought about it to even look at it.

I called SW, and unless it had had warranty work, they really would not know even if it had been sold on retail before. So, I called the QT Gen Manager, and kindly went through all of the above. After asking him to reconsider the policy, as this weapon has evidence of at least a range session or 2, he fell back into the "store policy" mode.

I only have to get burned once on this. Buyer beware. If you see a smokin deal here, look very carefully, and look at everything in the box, and do not trust what a salesman says. Verify BEFORE checkout.

I posted this ONLY after trying all avenues. I talked to the GENERAL manager of QT, and I don't think his response is adequate.
If that is same as Quantico Arms they sold me my first handgun H&K Mk23 pistol. I got good deal on the gun from them. Worn rails usually means several thou rounds fired unless the gun was fired dry w/o any lubrication. You should have had salesperson strip the gun for your inspection. I'm sorry for your problems but as they say education in America is very expensive.
 
I have been to several "Tactical" stores and have been rudely treated in all, now I avoid "Tactical" stores and any store where the staff wears black BDUs.
 
^^Yep^^, me too, avoid them like the plague as their workers and owners are typically real dull blades.
 
Take it as a lesson learned. You didn't inspect to see you had the right number of mags, although the store could've rectified it by giving you a 3rd one. Not being able to field strip on the store is not out of the norm, they probably consider this a liability until you pay for the firearm.

I would just avoid them like the plague, and also pass the warning around. On the plus side, You still got a great pistol that carries a lifetime warranty.
 
Well, I've had excellent customer service at my area Quantico Tactical.

I find it somewhat amusing that some of you claim that you will boycott an establishment because it labels itself "tactical."

"Tactical" is just a word. A word used to imply a rather specific selection of goods for sale. Those who would choose not to shop at a retail store simply because of one word in the store's name may not be able to satisfy their needs at a shop with "sporting goods," "guns," "discount," or "mart" in its name. Your loss.

For me, I find that a "tactical" store might have exactly what I require for my work needs ... or even my fantasy life needs, while Sportsman's Warehouse or Joe's Gunshop may not ...

Quantico Tactical typically opens its stores near large military bases and areas with a lot of law enforcement agencies about ... I rather appreciate my local franchise.
 
What WEG said. The M&P45 comes with 2 mags while the 9/40/357 versions all come with 3 if they are LEO packages; otherwise, they are 2 also. I have never purchased from Quantico, but they are an authorized S&W LEO distributor, so I don't think the 'mall ninja' moniker applies here. It sounds like the sales guy made an honest mistake in quoting you 3 mags as many M&P's do come with 3 mags. As others have said, and I have experienced as well, M&P's are often dirty when delivered. I don't think you got taken. I'd try taking the gun out and enjoying it and maybe it will put your perception of a bad experience behind you. And, BTW, I don't fault you for being angry when you thought you got cheated, but I would hate for you not to get to enjoy your new purchase because you feel like you got burned. Best of luck.
 
I've driven by the Lakewood store but have never been in. I did my 20 years in the military, carried a concealed handgun in more countries than most people have ever visited as well as on my survival vest while flying over nations that would prefer we were a smoking hole in the ground. I'm not tactical, I'm just a guy with an appreciation for firearms.

Tactical in the name carries a stigma. If that's your cup of tea, I won't knock you for it, but it's not for me.

To the OP, sorry to hear about the drama. There are better places to buy a gun, especially if you're in Washington. Some lessons are learned expensively.
 
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