Academy, Good store or not?

[Mike J]

There is a Gander Mountain, Academy & Dick's close to me. While the last few firearms I have purchased have come from online sellers I prefer Academy to either of the other 2.

 

[BigBL87]

I've never actually been in a store, but I recently bought one of their range bags online. Outgrew my Gunmate bag, and wanted a MidwayUSA but couldn't afford one. Academy's Tactical Performance Competition Range Bag is a dead ringer for the MidwayUSA bag, at least designs wise, time will tell as far as quality. At $30 cheaper, I'm willing to give it a shot.

I've bought all my guns online, but my go-to place for gun stuff locally is actually Rural King. Decent selection of guns and ammo, especially for a non-specialty store. Their prices tend to destroy MC Sports and Dunham's locally, and their gun counter people tend to know more as well.

 

[Nature Boy]

I find them hit-and-miss

They seem to run out of stock on reloading stuff (mainly bullets) and it takes forever to refill the shelves. They have little signs now that they put on the empty slots where merchandise should be stating to the effect, "we will be happy to order this item for you and send it to your home with free shipping"

That's nice, but we call that "the internet". I'm at Academy looking for something I want to buy now and willing to pay a little more to have it. If I have to order it, I'll go home and get it sent to me easier, faster and cheaper, rather that looking for a clerk to fill out an order form at Academy.

I don't think they get that.

 

[lastofthebreed]

I like Academy. The one nearest me is my "go to" place for 22 ammo. They had it and would sell you a box or two when nobody else around had any. The staff has always been courteous and helpful. I got a Browning T bolt on close out at a ridiculous low price - the manager knocked an additional 20% off because it was the display model and the tape that has "Browning" on it was removed from the barrel.