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!
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
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