Is there a difference between buying a gun from a big box retailer, versus buying a gun at a local gun shop?
The answer to this question is quite simply "Yes".
There are many differences when buying from a big box retailer rather
than from your local gun shop. Here's a short list of differences in
question/answer format:
Question: Are guns at big box retailers less expensive?
Answer: That depends on whether you are comparing
apples to apples. For instance, Wal-mart often orders guns that have
fewer features than the guns found at traditional gun shops.
This is very often the case, and extreme caution should be used when price comparing between the two.
Let's look for example, at the Mossberg 715T sold by Walmart. Often
this rifle is mistakenly compared to the Mossberg 715T sold at
traditional gun shops. This gun is made for Walmart and at first glance
looks to be the same Mossberg 715T sold at gun shops. Most people who
have seen the Mossberg 715T in their local gun shop think they've just
found it for a deal at Wal-Mart. They couldn't be more wrong. Closer
inspection will show that the Walmart version has no threaded flash
suppressor, has a different and cheaper sighting system, and only a 10
round magazine - thus the reason for the lower price.
The one sold by most gun shops has a flat top receiver, folding rear sights, threaded flash suppressor, and 25 round magazine.
Here's comparison pics. The first is the Walmart version, the second is the one carried by most gun shops:
Question: Do big box retailers take firearm trade ins?
Answer: Usually
not. Most of your larger retailers do not take trade ins. Most do not
have competent enough staff to correctly inspect and value a used
firearm. Also, many of them don't deal in handguns at all.
Question: Is price negotiable?
Answer: Price IS usually somewhat negotiable at your
local gun shop and NOT negotiable at the big box retailers. For
instance, if you are paying cash at your local gun shop, you should ask
for a cash discount. Most gun shops will gladly give you a cash discount
since they are not having to pay the fees associated with accepting
credit cards. Big box retailers do not care if you are paying cash or
using a credit card. Their prices are usually written in stone and not
negotiable.
Question: Who is more knowledgable about firearms?
Answer: You will almost always find a more
knowledgeable staff at your local gun shop. These are people whose
profession is firearms and and firearm accessories all day, each day
they are at work. The staff at most gun shops are people who are deeply
involved in the shooting sports industry, and much of their off time is
also devoted to shooting sports as it's not only their chosen carreer
but also their favorite hobby.
Not so at big box retailers - It's usually "hit or miss" to whether the
person behind the gun counter has any firearms knowledge at all. These
are people who have applied for a job and the opening they had was in
the sporting goods section.
Question: Is it true that Rural King is going to start selling guns?
Answer: As scary as that sounds, the answer is yes.
Have you ever asked ANY Rural King employee for assistance? Think back
on that experience and now just imagine that these are the same people
who are going to be behind a gun counter selling firearms! If that
doesn't scare the pants off of you I don't know what does!
I do shop Rural King for some things but guns certainly would not be on
that list. Here's a laughable pic of one of their shelf signs.
The funny thing is "boxes" was spelled correctly on the sign they pasted this over!
To sum things up, when price shopping firearms, be
sure you are comparing apples to apples. Don't let the price fool you -
make sure your new firearm has all the features you are looking for. If
and when there comes a time you want to trade or sell the firearm, the
features will make a difference in determining value.
With that said, it does not mean the firearms sold at the larger
retailers aren't good firearms. This post is just a simple comparison
between the two options.
Clarksville Guns & Archery
Be Safe, Be Confident, Be Prepared
