No accusing WalMart, but it has long been customary for some of the big box stores to offer custom versions of other products - TV's, fridges, etc., with different specs that what might be the same item elsewhere.
Back during the CB craze (around 1975), I ran across a very high quality radio made by E.F. Johnson for sale under their own name, and another look-alike that one of the stores was selling (J.C. Penney, I think) that was marked with Johnson's name, etc., but internally appeared to have been assembled by putting the necessary components into a bag and tossing it about....
From personal experience, the former day job once contracted with K-Mart to make a simple plastic widget that let you carry more than one wire coat hanger in your hand - like while travelling. Working out their shipping arrangements alone was like shooting at a rolling donut with a bow & arrow. Every time I got the latest requirement set, they wanted something else. I wasn't involved in production, though....
Whether they'd do this with guns, I don't know. It was common for big name retailers (think Abercrombie & Fitch) to market their own house-brand guns in the 20th Century (maybe before), and these were made all over the place, but I'm sure some came from major manufacturers like Purdy.... How close to specs, though, I don't know....
I'd call this plausible, although I would expect model number variations and other such "well, it wasn't THIS one" weaseling, as well as "house" names....
Short answer is to look at the thing....
Regards,
