Brownell's isn't what it used to be!

[Roboshred]

The past couple of months I've tried to buy various products
from Brownells with no success. It seems they continue to thin
their product line. For instance, they carry very little of the Kings'
1911 parts and have thinned the Wilson and Brown lines as well.
I understand the need to get rid of slow movers and non sellers but
not at the expense of losing their "one stop shop" niche. The issue
that has me swaring off them is that they are selling the Winchester large
loop lever at $114 which is $40 more than I can buy them retail thru
Winchester. I'll buy direct thru Willson Brown and Whomever else
in the future. Just my .02 RB

 

[f4t9r]

they used to be pretty good but have not ordered in some time ... thanks for the warning

 

[WarMachine]

How does Midway compare? I have about $200 worth of 1911 stuff that has been sitting in my shopping cart for a few days, and I was just wondering before I made the order.

 

[zzzarkt]

From my experience, Midway usa is one of the best in terms of service, selection and shipping. Everything I have ordered from them was shipped quickly, and packaged well.

Brownells has been a bit overpriced for a while in my opinion.

 

[No_Brakes23]

My Dad carps on me for using MidwayUSA instead of Brownells, Numrich or Graf, but I have had good service from them. Some jerk at UPS swiped my 870 barrel, and Midway sent another out without question. They don't always have the best prices, but usually good ones. Picking through their discontinued section usually gets me some good stuff.

BTW Amazon.com sells gun parts, too.

 

[..]

I've noticed Brownell's has thinned some of their lines, but they have the best customer service around.

I won't use Midway after a couple of there goons were such a pain in the ass about me returning a RUSTED part. They charge when b/o's ship and they charge a restocking (BS) fee. I won't shop with folks who do this.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Brownell's technical people have helped me quite a bit here and there. I used to buy a fair amount from Midway, but switched to http://www.natchezss.com for better service and identical or slightly better prices.

 

[pcf]

The issue that has me swaring off them is that they are selling the Winchester large loop lever at $114 which is $40 more than I can buy them retail thru Winchester. I'll buy direct thru Willson Brown and Whomever else in the future. Just my .02 RB

And you wonder why Brownells is thinning their product line? When a manufacturer competes with or undercuts one of their dealers, they are going to get dropped.

 

[AFhack]

In the last six months I've placed four orders with Brownells and six with Midway. They're both great companies to deal with and I have no reservations ordering items from either one of them.

I do check to see if an item is "in stock" or not on their websites before ordering. Both of them are very good about sending out orders, even with me just mailing in a check and an order form I always receive the order within 11 days (from the date I put my order in the mail).

 

[hksw]

My very first purchase with my C&R was with Brownells. Since then, however, I've gone with Midway uch more often than Brownells. For me, the main reason was that the website for Midway was a bit easier to use than Brownells.

 

[rbernie]

Brownells is always a full-cost option, but they still have more to offer than Natchez or Midway. Last year I spent a LOT more at Midway than Brownells, simply because the bulk of what I mail-order are bullets and such and Midway is simply cheaper. But, for example, I also bought four AR stripped uppers from Midway at an average cost of $80/each when the exact same item at Brownells was $149/each.

 

[SAWBONES]

If you even do "tinkering" gunsmithing for friends, you'll qualify for Brownell's discount prices.
Brownell's service is among the best in the industry, IME.

It's true that they seem to have discontinued a number of items lately, marking many of them "discontinued by manufacturer" on their website, when the manufacturers in question have definitely not discontinued making the items, but I'll keep ordering from Brownells nonetheless. As a one-source gunsmithing/parts house, there's nobody better.

 

[3rdpig]

Do yourselves a favor, spend the $30 and get a C&R license, besides the advantage of being able to purchase C&R weapons and have them shipped right to your door with no FFL transfer fee, you'll get dealer prices at Brownells, MidwayUSA, CAI, and others. That license pays for itself over and over again. The discount at Midway and Brownells ranges from 10% to as high as 40% on some items.

 

[Rabid Rabbit]

Midway seems to have better pricing

I just ordered some 1911 parts and they beat the pants off of brownells. One example a 5 pack of various Wilson main springs Midway less than $3.00 with C&R, brownells wants about $4.00 for one Wilson spring.

 

[S_O_Laban]

I've ordered several times from both Brownells and Midway with excellent results from both. Just make sure you compare prices before you buy. They both have their place in the market and are excellent companies.

Brownells tends to give a much deeper discout for C&R/FFL holders across the board,and seems more gunsmith,gunpart oriented.

Midway carries a lot more in the reloading, ammo area, and according to the most recent flyer I've recieved, is now carrying smokeless powder.

You can buy from both with confidence...

 

[bg]

This doesn't mean much, but Midway ALWAYS sends me a
"happy birthday" around my birthday via e-mail. That for me
is a pleasant surprise....until I realize how old I'm getting.