Gun store quality ,vs Academy quality , real or BS?

[xman59]

large chain store often do buy factory seconds, ive seen it with arrows, very common with tires,, it might be no more than a blemish on the finish most often its not ever seen... i do doubt theres a true quality difference in firearms, liability would be tremendous.... and there are certain " options " that may only be had at a pro shop.. use true fire archery releases as example,,, there are some i can get at my shop that are not available at academy... are they better, doubtful but may offer a slightly different option or look...

the gun at academy is probably every bit as good as the one at carter co, unless carter special orders certan specs, but then you would no duobt be paying a premium for it... as far as the 270 over the 30-06 either one is great but if you look at the ballistics tables, the 270 is not really better, its flatter a bit but sheads speed faster and retains less energy at long range.. buy the one you want... i have used both i still have the 30-06,, and who knows i might actually get to elk or moose hunt some day

[41Chevy]

I know walmart has some special "cheaper" runs made... usualt the wood and finish only... I'm not sure about academy...

I bought a Winchester 270 from them. Had a new Leupold scope put on it at Pigeon Road in Stephenville. He asked me if I bought it from Walmart. Seems that some of their rifles are seconds. The machining where the barrel connects is a little off. Had to put an adjustable rear scope mount to bring the scope in line with the barrel. Doesn't affect accuracy. I've made quarter mile shots with it.

[StevenW]

Looks like the new ADL's have a different stock (SPS looking w/out floorplate)than my ~7 yo ADL does.

Do they both have the same trigger?


My SPS is the varmint and had the X-pro trigger, I thought all the SPS's went to it, but I don't see mention of it on Remingtons website.

FWIW, they don't mention an ADL that I can find.
I wonder if they made the ADL's for Academy?

I've ordered from Buds before & will again, but the price listed is their "cash price" if you pay with a card you get hit with 3% more. Mail a check and you get the cash price.

I have a Remington SPS Varmint .300 WSM and ADL .243 and they both have the X-mark Pro trigger.

[Soapeddler]

I'm no expert in guns, but I've heard that same story when comparing tires at Discount, Firestone, and NTB. I tell them all that I am looking at tires at Costco and they all say that Costco tires are seconds, blems, etc.

The reasons they might say that the Academy gun, or the Costco tire, is inferior are;
1.) they have no way to justify the price difference
2.) some manager told them that and they believed it
3.) they aren't professionally trained sales people and don't know how to build the value in their product (we have better, faster, more experienced service, before during and after the sale, gunsmithing, etc) so that you are comfortable in your decision to spend more money with them. A professional sales person always seeks the win-win sale where the customer makes a decision that is good and right for them.

I look at it like this - the tire says Michelin, its a Michelin - the gun says Remington, its a Remington - those companies have a lot at stake and they probably don't want to jeopardize their reputations by putting inferior products out there just to satisfy a price point. Especially when you are looking at a product that involves the safety of their customers. The Academy gun is less expensive because they sell a lot more of them than Carter's and they get volume discounts as a result.

Just my .02

[Madsonz]

Sounds like someone a Carters Country is blowing smoke. Which Carters were you speaking of. I frequent the one in Spring and will not give them my business any longer if I find out that is practiced there. Buy the gun with the better price (as long as the model numers are the same the guns are the same). The advantage to Carters is the same as cash financing for 6 months if you choose to buy on credit. Other than that they will be priced higher on most items. They actualy onsulted me last week with an offer they made on my Springfield XD .45. I may stay away from there based on that alone.

[SmTx]

I look at it like this - the tire says Michelin, its a Michelin - the gun says Remington, its a Remington - those companies have a lot at stake and they probably don't want to jeopardize their reputations by putting inferior products out there just to satisfy a price point. Especially when you are looking at a product that involves the safety of their customers. The Academy gun is less expensive because they sell a lot more of them than Carter's and they get volume discounts as a result.

Just my .02

X2 there has probably been more guns sold at walmarts and academys around the US then actual gun stores.

[Bank Stalker]

It was the Carters in Pasadena ,, on S.Shaver

[RedRaiderInAustin]

I don't know about the difference in quality between retailers but I'm skeptical and would probably call the manufacturer to get a definitive answer. I can speak to the merits of the .270 BDL, though. I've been hunting with one for 29 years and have never seen a need for anything else in Texas. It shoots like a dream and I'll never let this one go.

[TexasBob]

In my opinion, a manufacturer would never make different quality guns with the same model number. Asking for trouble and to lose a customer. Can't (well, wish i didn't have to) beleive CC flat out told you something like that. Either the salesman is an idiot or a jerk. My $$ is on the second option.

[Bank Stalker]

In my opinion, a manufacturer would never make different quality guns with the same model number. Asking for trouble and to lose a customer. Can't (well, wish i didn't have to) beleive CC flat out told you something like that. Either the salesman is an idiot or a jerk. My $$ is on the second option.

I dont think the guys @ the Pasadena store are all bad. I went in twice ,, the first guy I talked to , didnt tell me any of this stuff, just that I shouldnt buy from Academy , cause you cant return if somethings wrong.
Now the second time I went in,, a older gentleman helped me. He seemed to be honest, but while asking about prices another salesman interrupted and made the remarks about the Academy stores guns being "different" "inferior quality."
He even said
" just like when you buy wranglers at academy or Walmart , they are a different quality than if you buy them at a boot barn, allens etc. "

I didnt believe that ,,, but that at least seems more possible than , the gun issue

I think that fellow is just full of something

[Tommyh]

CC runs "sales" for the Vanguard line occasionally for the supposed to be price of 399, but other than that, they sell it for 469 all day long. Almost bought a 257wby vanguard from there a few weeks ago.

That said, CC reminds me of Viking back when Tim was there. None of the sales staff will talk to you unless you beat them about the head and shoulders with your money, and not very friendly when answering questions.

[CaptainDave]

The primary difference between Academy and Carters is very simple -

Academy will NOT accept a return on a firearm. You must deal with the manufacturer if you have a problem when you get it home. Carters offers a return policy.

Last purchase I made a Carters was a Beretta Silver Pigion. I paid less than what BPS had the Beretta White Onix marked for, which is a grade below the Pigion. Carters does have deals from time to time, but it generally comes from overstock on items or discontinued models of firearms. Academy generally will beat them on price across the board. However, Academy does not have that great of a selection either.

[Liberty06]

I have purchased several guns from Academy and they all shoot much better than I do.

[gwellstx]

what he said

[LeonCountyRook]

I bet academy sells more guns nation wide than does Carter's Country.