Is Midway USA the Best Online Store?

[fallout mike]

I order from midway but only after checking midsouth shooters supply.

 

[rbernie]

I was a huge MidwayUSA customer until recently. I've appreciated that they have (finally!) revamped their silly and expensive shipping policies, but their backorder policies and inventory management has me re-thinking how much I want to use them.

At this point, I'm using a local gun shop for all my special order needs - they sell it to me at less than retail, and in turn they all get to fondle and oooh and ahhhh over the special order parts.

Just mulling this question over, I'd have to say that I actually have had better service and overall satisfaction with Natchez and MidSouth than I have with MidwayUSA. The principal draw of MidwayUSA was always the breadth and depth of their on-hand inventory. Now that they don't have much of that advantage, I dunno why I'd want to keep using them.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I actually have had better service and overall satisfaction with Natchez and MidSouth

I often see optics at great prices advertised by Natchez but unfortunately, I live in Alabama and we are one of three Southern states that Natchez won't ship to. Tennessee and Georgia being the other two.

 

[skoro]

I don't know about best, but I've always been pleased with my purchases.

 

[bhk]

Over the years, I have found Midway to be about the best. I also order from Brownells' and buy from Grafs. I live in mid Missouri so I can pick up stuff I need quickly in person from both Grafs and Midway. Some stuff I don't need quickly I let Midway ship to me (last Midway order shipped for free).

I do, though, hate the 'Mail Innovation' system (UPS/USPS hybrid) they use now. It takes about two days longer for an order to get to me. I realize it does save money and REALLY makes sense for shipping to rural areas. I remember sitting on a Wyoming ridge top a few years ago while antelope hunting and watching a UPS truck in the distance drive for miles and miles and miles and miles to a single ranch house to deliver a package that may have contained an order worth a buck or two and with minimal UPS shipping charges. I imagine that package cost WAY more to deliver that was paid for the service. The 'Mail Innovation" process really makes sense in cases like that (and perhaps in my case, also).

 

[AR-15Nutt]

the only good on line gun/ammo, bullet, powder stores are the one who have powder for reloading 5.56mm/.223 Rem.

where is all the damn powder ????

i was told by one supplier that there are so many ammo makers who are exhausting the powder supply.., do you believe that ?

i do not !

 

[GBExpat]

... So I want people's opinion to see what online store they think is the best deal.

I have long used MidwayUSA along with many others. I like MidwayUSA a lot ... but ... if I had to choose one online retailer that is the best for me, it would be Amazon.

I am a Prime member and use their streaming TV and/or movies almost every day.

For firearms accessories, Amazon will often have the same item listed in places like MidwayUSA and Brownells for the same or better price (most recently, a Lee Precision 0.311 New Lube and Size Kit) ... plus they will ship it to me, 2-day, for no additional charge.

The real key to shopping Amazon (or anywhere that you like a lot, for that matter) is to not assume that they offer the best, delivered, prices ... always, at least, google the specific item(s) and sift thru the online offerings.

 

[OilyPablo]

Agree with expat. I find myself buying an amazing amount of firearm items from Amazon.com as a Prime member. Dangerous to the pocket book good. Sometimes the tool or whatever comes the next day. Twice it's been Sunday. No extra charge.

 

[WestKentucky]

My wife buys a lot of stuff from amazon, so she paid for the prime membership which gives free 2 day shipping (deceptive, 2 days from when they receive it from Bob's Wholesale which can take 3-4 weeks) but I usually see prices very similar to the other shops there, often a bit cheaper. My last 3 sets of reloading dies, a lot of my gear, and a lot of my motorcycle stuff comes from amazon. It's gotten to be my #1 stop for everything except reloading components.

 

[anothernewb]

best? maybe not. But certainly one of the best at marketing themselves.

 

[kareen21]

Plan to buy something after come back from singapore. Well they have great costumer service, shipping cost alittle more expensive but everything is available there..

 

[guyfromohio]

I like Midway. Their checkout is easy and their communication is good. I cancelled a back order last week and it was as simple as a click of a button.

 

[mokin]

I don't know about best, but I'd rate them right up there. I like their selection. I don't shop much online but when I need odd brass and diameter bullets I'll open up several windows and shop around. Who ever has the most of what I need gets my business. Shipping costs will eat you alive.

 

[DHJenkins]

Since eBay relaxed their rules on on gun parts, I've been hard pressed to find better deals elsewhere - especially since like the OP, I have patience and am not an impulse buyer.

Not that I've had a problem with Midway, but I rarely buy something without checking multiple sources; even then, I've probably spent more money with Brownells.

It really depends on what you're looking for, as there are plenty of "boutique" sites that cater to a very small clientele, but offer better prices on what they sell than anyone else.

 

[Aragon]

I think one reality that Midway USA, Brownells and others are going to have to recognize is that more and more people aren't going to be interested in paying any shipping at all on more common gun supplies via Amazon or wherever.

 

[Erik M]

people aren't going to be interested in paying any shipping at all on more common gun supplies via Amazon or wherever.

exactly, Why order from Midway when you can buy it for a competitive price with free shipping elsewhere?

 

[Oldman1151]

I like Midway. They have good special sales and promotions with competitive shipping rates. They usually ship quickly too.

 

[CaseyRyback]

ughh...I hate Midway

I try and use Midsouth Shooters when possible because they have given me great customer service.

I haven't really used either in a while though, admittedly.

 

[Walkalong]

I use Midway a lot. Great website for gathering information, great customer service, good prices, and shipping is usually reasonable. That has changed back and forth the last few years as they have revamped it here and there.

They did screw up and take too many backorders during the craziness, for which they have paid a price. I had a backorder canceled recently, but can't really blame them. They simply can't get the stuff. Some of it was a software issue as well, and that is frustrating. The changes to the website over time have not always been good.

That said, I still use them a lot and it is the first place I go to research items.

I also like Midsouth, Wideners, Grafs, and use them as well. I also use other sources like RMR, TJconeveras, etc.

Anyone who doesn't shop around will sometimes spend too much.

 

[Nicky Santoro]

Midway is OK but still a bit stiff on shipping. Trying to put together a single comprehensive order to save on shipping is difficult because one or more items is always on back order.

 

[mgmorden]

They've done a good job on their website - particularly lately as they've seemingly solved the stability issues they used to have (it was always easy to use).

Overall though for shooting supplies and such I tend to favor Midsouth. For parts, Brownells.

 

[kitsapshooter]

I use Midway, Brownells and lately Amazon. Amazon has been amazing, my last two orders i had within 4 days each.

 

[bigride]

Amazon is my first search.

I check out optics planet too.

I gave up on Midway because of crazy shipping prices. I may revisit them if they have mitigated those costs a bit.

 

[McAngus]

Midway is the only place that I been able to get 22lr for less than 7 cents shipped. They ship quickly. They don't packed very well. I be cautious about ordering optics from them. Ammo you cannot really damage easily.

 

[il.bill]

I have had multiple issues with MidwayUSA not coming through on ammunition sales within the last year and I am now basically done with them. They just do not seem to care anymore.

Amazon.com (with my wife's Prime shipping) is now the first place I look. They had the best price I could find on a nice Bound Book and the Lyman 49th, plus 'free' shipping that took two days to deliver last week.