Walmart Sells "Seconds"?

[Unocat]

It appears to me the guns they sell have lower quality wood than others I've seen at gun shops. I do not think they sell blemished or lesser built guns but I wouldn't be surprised if they sell the lowest grade the manufacturers make.

This is the correct answer... Also, Walmart will sometimes have some exclusives, where the wood on the stock will be different, or a different configuration... but the actions are in no way "seconds".

Academy, Bass Pro, and other big box stores will carry the same models that are lower priced and made for the big box market.

Yes - one way you can tell if the item is a Walmart exclusive is to check the UPC code (often referred to as and used as a SKU) and/or Manufacturers model number (MFG #). Manufactures will place a slight different number on a one-off line or made for store 'exclusive'.

[mojo84]

It appears to me the guns they sell have lower quality wood than others I've seen at gun shops. I do not think they sell blemished or lesser built guns but I wouldn't be surprised if they sell the lowest grade the manufacturers make.

As stated in my post Walmart has special models made by manufacturers for their price point, have fewer features and utility wood stocks such as birch wood or even laminated. I know for sure Marlin made a model 336 for Wal Mart that was specifically marketed by them. I bought a Marlin Model 60 (made before Remington/Freedom Arms took over Marlin) that had a unique Model number not listed in the regular Marlin catalog.

Many times I read and respond to the original post without reading through all of the subsequent posts in the thread. I didn't read your post. It seemed awfully wordy. Sorry if I stepped on your toes.

[stealthfightrf17]

Not sure about there guns they sell. I do know that many items you buy at Walmart are made for them only to sell. Items have a unique model number or additional letter to the model number added. I heard this rumor for years and never believed it until we had a problem with a bunn coffee pot. I could not find the model number on their website and called CS. That was when I was told this was true. Does it mean they are "substandard", not really.

[Right2Carry]

I have purchased several guns from wal-mart and the model numbers ore exactly the same as you would get from any other gun store.

[mojo84]

I have purchased several guns from wal-mart and the model numbers ore exactly the same as you would get from any other gun store.

Is that the case for all guns and other merchandise walmart sells? I don't think anyone is saying or implying that all guns and merchandise carry retailer specific model numbers.

[G.A. Heath]

Traditionally a manufacturer will not put their name on a "Seconds" grade product, You used to see this in the firearms industry when a manufacturer would sell firearms to a big box retailer and then put that retailers house brand rollmark on the firearm. While the "Ted Williams" shotgun was 100% parts compatible with a High Standard it simply had some blemish that kept it from getting the higher priced roll mark.

Today there is no way a manufacturer will sell a lesser quality firearm out of fear that they will be sued out of business should it "fail spectacularly" and the fact that a second parts compatible line would simply cause confusion simply keeps them from it. Mossberg does have a second line that is semi-parts compatible, but it is not actually a seconds line but more of a "budget" line.

[Right2Carry]

I have purchased several guns from wal-mart and the model numbers ore exactly the same as you would get from any other gun store.

Is that the case for all guns and other merchandise walmart sells? I don't think anyone is saying or implying that all guns and merchandise carry retailer specific model numbers.

Wal-mart sold Sigs and Colt ARs. Does anyone really believe those two companies would put their name on an inferior product? I believe selling seconds as a new product would fall under some type of misrepresentation of the product and open themselves up to a potential lawsuit.

[mrvmax]

I have purchased several guns from wal-mart and the model numbers ore exactly the same as you would get from any other gun store.

Is that the case for all guns and other merchandise walmart sells? I don't think anyone is saying or implying that all guns and merchandise carry retailer specific model numbers.

Wal-mart sold Sigs and Colt ARs. Does anyone really believe those two companies would put their name on an inferior product? I believe selling seconds as a new product would fall under some type of misrepresentation of the product and open themselves up to a potential lawsuit.

I believe that WM can and has forced manufacturers to provide a product as cheap as possible. I would be suspicious if there were WM only models but run of the mill models would be fine. I wouldn't put so much faith into Colt. They have proven that despite having a brand that is probably the most well known in their industry, despite people waiting for months and paying premium prices to get their single action revolvers and despite having large military contracts that they can go bankrupt from mismanagement.

[G.A. Heath]

I would also like to point out that Walmart is no friend to the firearms industry and has turned on us before. While they may use their ability to buy in volume in an effort to force manufactures to give them a deal, they are not the 500lb gorilla in the room when it comes to firearms. Many manufactures look at Walmart as a short term deal and will not jeopardize other existing or new markets to please them because they do not know when Walmart will make another deal with Bloomberg to turn on them again.

[Right2Carry]

I would also like to point out that Walmart is no friend to the firearms industry and has turned on us before. While they may use their ability to buy in volume in an effort to force manufactures to give them a deal, they are not the 500lb gorilla in the room when it comes to firearms. Many manufactures look at Walmart as a short term deal and will not jeopardize other existing or new markets to please them because they do not know when Walmart will make another deal with Bloomberg to turn on them again.

How does anyone know the firearm they are buying from the LGS or any dealer isn't a "second"? Seems this is just another wal mart bashing thread.

[G.A. Heath]

As I posted earlier, most manufacturers will not put their name on a firearm that would be considered a "second" because of liability. Often seconds have cosmetic blemishes, but those could be indicative of problems in metal or fitment and therefore in todays society where everything gets litigated seconds are often considered too risky. You used to be able to buy a firearm with a store's house brand that was nearly identical to a major name brand the only real difference was fit/finish issues and the rollmark for the brand name. Today that practice is all but abandoned in the firearms industry out of fear that the manufacturer will be litigated out of business.

[mojo84]

I have purchased several guns from wal-mart and the model numbers ore exactly the same as you would get from any other gun store.

Is that the case for all guns and other merchandise walmart sells? I don't think anyone is saying or implying that all guns and merchandise carry retailer specific model numbers.

Wal-mart sold Sigs and Colt ARs. Does anyone really believe those two companies would put their name on an inferior product? I believe selling seconds as a new product would fall under some type of misrepresentation of the product and open themselves up to a potential lawsuit.

I'm not talking about damaged or dangerous. I know for a fact that sell stripped down guns that have lesser grade components, such as stocks and optics. Do you not realize that just about every manufacturer has multiple quality grades of of there products? Do you think all gunstocks are created equal?

Why do some guns from a manufacter cost less than other guns from the same manufacturers? Wal-Mart does not carry the top of the line guns. That doesn't mean some of their gun aren't the same as those sold elsewhere.

For those that still doubt this, go compare the shotgun and rifle stocks and wood to others. They typically use cosmetically lesser wood.

[Unocat]

All correct. again checking UPC and/or mfg model numbers will reveal if it is a made for Walmart item. This is also why often stores that say they will match price will not with Walmart and other big box stores that have an exclusive line for their store... they will show you that the item is the normal item and has a different model number. This has happened to me a few times, albeit many years ago.

[puma guy]

I have purchased several guns from wal-mart and the model numbers ore exactly the same as you would get from any other gun store.

Is that the case for all guns and other merchandise walmart sells? I don't think anyone is saying or implying that all guns and merchandise carry retailer specific model numbers.

Wal-mart sold Sigs and Colt ARs. Does anyone really believe those two companies would put their name on an inferior product? I believe selling seconds as a new product would fall under some type of misrepresentation of the product and open themselves up to a potential lawsuit.

I'm not talking about damaged or dangerous. I know for a fact that sell stripped down guns that have lesser grade components, such as stocks and optics. Do you not realize that just about every manufacturer has multiple quality grades of of there products? Do you think all gunstocks are created equal?

Why do some guns from a manufacter cost less than other guns from the same manufacturers? Wal-Mart does not carry the top of the line guns. That doesn't mean some of their gun aren't the same as those sold elsewhere.

For those that still doubt this, go compare the shotgun and rifle stocks and wood to others. They typically use cosmetically lesser wood.

You statement that WalMart doesn't carry top of the line guns is not true. They do market lower end models as well as exclusive model firearms, but that doesn't mean they don't sell top of the line weapons. As R2C stated - SIG-Saurer AR's, Colt AR's etc. The WalMart in Burleson, TX had a Remington 700BDL 30-06 in their case when I was there last summer. That's a $1000 rifle retail, definitely on the higher end of Remingtons 700 series. Their price was about 650 bucks. On the other end my local Wally World has Remington 770's with scope for $240, choice of calibers - 7mm-08Rem, .270 Win and .243 Win. Those 770's cost less than the 700's because they have fewer features, plain stock, less finish and cost less to produce to answer your question.
I don't have any ties to WalMart, but I also don't like to see them get an undeserved bad rap. The discount chain I worked for sold some very high end weapons. The complete Colt line (which we couldn't discount per our dealer covenant), Franchi, Charles Daly O/U, JP Sauer, Steyr-Mannlicher, Sako, Beretta, Colt-Sauer, Mannlicher–Schönauer. S&W, Ruger, Charter H&R High Standard, Savage, Marlin, etc. We had low end stuff as well. Rohm, RG and everything in between, and as I said like WalMart we were always being accused of selling seconds and low quality merchandise.
Winchester got a bad rap in the 1960's that their post 1964 firearms were made in Japan. It wasn't true but they suffered falling sales as a result. Winchester had changed manufacturing methods and redesigned and dropped many model to cut costs but didn't move their production to Japan. Only the Model 101 O/U Shotguns were made in Japan by Olin Kodensha,LTD, but they were quality firearms. We carried the 101's. The same company made Nikko SG's and were well respected manufacturers.

[mojo84]

I have purchased several guns from wal-mart and the model numbers ore exactly the same as you would get from any other gun store.

Is that the case for all guns and other merchandise walmart sells? I don't think anyone is saying or implying that all guns and merchandise carry retailer specific model numbers.

Wal-mart sold Sigs and Colt ARs. Does anyone really believe those two companies would put their name on an inferior product? I believe selling seconds as a new product would fall under some type of misrepresentation of the product and open themselves up to a potential lawsuit.

I'm not talking about damaged or dangerous. I know for a fact that sell stripped down guns that have lesser grade components, such as stocks and optics. Do you not realize that just about every manufacturer has multiple quality grades of of there products? Do you think all gunstocks are created equal?

Why do some guns from a manufacter cost less than other guns from the same manufacturers? Wal-Mart does not carry the top of the line guns. That doesn't mean some of their gun aren't the same as those sold elsewhere.

For those that still doubt this, go compare the shotgun and rifle stocks and wood to others. They typically use cosmetically lesser wood.

You statement that WalMart doesn't carry top of the line guns is not true. They do market lower end models as well as exclusive model firearms, but they also sell top of the line weapons, as R2C stated SIG-Saurer AR's, Colt AR's etc. The WalMart in Burleson, TX had a Remington 700BDL 30-06 in their case when I was there last summer. That's a $1000 rifle retail, definitely on the higher end of Remingtons 700 series. Their price was about 650 bucks. On the other end my local Wally World has Remington 770's with scope for $240, choice of calibers - 7mm-08Rem, .270 Win and .243 Win

Where did I say what you said I said? (bolded)