Alternative to Walmart for ammo purchase?

[George P]

Ha! You made me laugh at myself, Buzznrose. I’m long time retired, live out of town, and detest going to gunstores (which there aren’t any within 30 miles anyway) on Saturdays; it seems like on Saturdays the gunstores are usually crowded with know-little, first time gun buyers. So my wife (also retired) and I usually try to do our gun/ammo/reloading shopping during the week.

However, last Monday we drove clear into town just to go to a fairly new gunstore our daughter’s fiancé has been talking up. The darned place was closed! The sign on the door said they’re only open Tuesday thru Saturday, and I was so mad I didn’t even bother to look at the hours.

So, when I read your post, I had to laugh. It reminded me that most people probably aren’t like me – retired, would rather sit home and watch TV on Saturdays than deal with the crowds, and get cranky(er) when stores aren’t open on my schedule.

My LGS in my small town is run by an active LEO, so he is only open Sat and Sun from noon-5ish. How he pays the rent I do not know, but all of the stores in that little downtown area are all closed M & T

 

[RA40]

I'm all for supporting the local mom-pop shops too. They know just as well that it is easy for any buyer to go online and get the same merchandise in most instances. As buyers there are financial limits that we're willing to pay for so finding that balance provides for our uses and the businessess we want to keep around. For some Walmart is an easy place to grab a couple boxes and go plinking without having to spend $200+ for 1K worth of 9mm. I know a few casual shooters that don't stock ammo yet buy as needed. Walmart had ready access with their numerous locations across the area. Gun stores can be spaced apart depending on ones location. Buying at the range is near robbery like buying a hot dog at the convention center for $8. (I don't know why hot dog came to my mind for excessive costs.)

 

[2bfree]

Wal-Mart isn't a gun or ammo store and I don't really understand why everyone is so up in arms and willing to pay more for the same or get even less and in the end screw over their local economy.

It is not just their new ammo policy, it is also because the CEO is also asking the Prez and congress to pass a background check bill a a ban on semi auto rifles. That is worth not supporting them in my book. They are welcome to set policy about what they want to sell in their stores but when they start advocating for tougher laws they are no longer just a store they have also become a lobbyist .

 

[tubeshooter]

I am happy that my local gun shows are still pretty good.

This ammo thing, along with the "support your local dealer" angle, are part of why I try to support my local shows. As stated, not everybody wants to buy bulk online and the ability to use cash is a plus in my book.


It is funny - people bemoan what WM did to the small retailer, while we watch it happen all over again with Amazon. We deserve whatever we get on that, I suppose.

 

[George P]

It is not just their new ammo policy, it is also because the CEO is also asking the Prez and congress to pass a background check bill a a ban on semi auto rifles. That is worth not supporting them in my book. They are welcome to set policy about what they want to sell in their stores but when they start advocating for tougher laws they are no longer just a store they have also become a lobbyist .

I'm surprised the Walton family is letting this go on.

 

[Charlie Horse]

I'm surprised the Walton family is letting this go on.

It makes me wonder where they are on this, and how much control they still have.

 

[George P]

They are the largest stockholders

 

[Charlie Horse]

Out of curiosity, I looked up their BofD. Not expecting a sympathetic ear amongst that bunch.

 

[Meeks36]

That's the problem, closest one to me is 150 miles away as with similar sports stores while there are four Walmarts within a 10 mile radius of me. Except a Rural King 20 miles away thankfully

Your best bet is online then. I'm buying 5000 of .22 tomorrow. $170.00 shipped or wait for a gun show to roll around.

 

[lionking]

Your best bet is online then. I'm buying 5000 of .22 tomorrow. $170.00 shipped or wait for a gun show to roll around.

I buy online often, it is just that common calibers 9mm .45 and .223 are just easier and basically the same price at Walmart or other sports stores. Now Walmart is out of the choice.

 

[Meeks36]

I buy online often, it is just that common calibers 9mm .45 and .223 are just easier and basically the same price at Walmart or other sports stores. Now Walmart is out of the choice.

I try to avoid Walmart as much as possible. Worked for them a few years back. Worst job ever. Crappy pay and horrible management. That and weird folk you see walking around.

 

[huntsman]

Fin Feather Fur. Always has good deals on 9mm. I think $8-50 now. Sign up for their email alerts and they do a magnificent 7 deal every Tuesday. I think it went as low as $6 for Aluminum federal.

Ashland store is a day trip for me, Boardman is about 45 m one way but I like the stores.

What was great about Walmart was even though we don’t shop there religiously when I popped in for food I could top off my ammo stash wilth a few bucks and little effort.

 

[P5 Guy]

Publix grocery chain asks customers to not openly carry gun
Publix is a Florida based chain. We shop there all the time. Probably the best Supermarket in the USA.

I guess I will nave to buy my food someplace else now!

Oh wait, there is no open carry in Florida! What do I do??

Guess you folks in Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama and Virginia. will have to boycott for us!

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-brie...chain-asks-customers-to-not-openly-carry-guns

Maybe a LIVE - IN protest is due for Publix? Nope not enough interest. No billionaire backers either.

 

[22-rimfire]

In my area, Sportsman Warehouse and Academy are probably the best options other than gun shops. There are both Cabela's and Bass Pro stores locally. There are Durhams around but not in my immediate area. They require a special trip and I haven't found their stores to be particularly interesting or inexpensive.

 

[Catman42]

in my area the bomgaars farm store has good buys on .22 long rife ammo.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I have a Prime account at Target Sport USA. It’s only $95 a year. You get 8% off all orders, even on sale items, and free shipping. I save $42 just last month.
With my Prime account I can get better prices then SG Ammo.
I do order Surplus ammo from SG Ammo.
I do try to buy from my local gun stores, but when it comes to ammo they are on the high side.

 

[22-rimfire]

....I do try to buy from my local gun stores, but when it comes to ammo they are on the high side.

The high side is putting it mildly from my experience. People go to gun shops looking for guns and probably major accessory items primarily. Ammo is often an impulse purchase and they take advantage of that. They also don't have the buying power that many larger retail stores do. So, it is what it is for the time being.

 

[Caplock]

Not that it matters now but I thought it was common knowledge how to get someone to show up at Wal-Mart's gun counter. You had to go on the inside where you can see what was there and for how much. Then it seems like they appear out of thin air like Mixedup98 does on his YouTube videos.

 

[22-rimfire]

Not that it matters now but I thought it was common knowledge how to get someone to show up at Wal-Mart's gun counter. You had to go on the inside where you can see what was there and for how much. Then it seems like they appear out of thin air like Mixedup98 does on his YouTube videos.

I've done that in the past primarily because I couldn't see the price numbers clearly from behind the counter.

 

[Meeks36]

I wonder if they will have a 50% off sale? If so stock up. Thought about wandering down to my local Walmart. Just to see.

 

[TomJ]

As an FYI for those of you looking, I received an e-mail from Target Sports yesterday. They had 1000 rounds of brass case 9mm ammo from a couple of manufacturers for $170, free shipping but you did pay sales tax.

 

[DustyGmt]

Target Sports Club.



View attachment 859710 View attachment 859711

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/

Screw Walmart

TargetSports is my new best friend. Best prices that I hve found at least. I may join the member club but since I'm already buying in bulk it may just barely be worth it, idk.

I was Looking at the 10,000 round barrels of 5.56 and was very surprised to see a savings of about .1cent per round. This is somewhat aggravating. Why would anybody front such a huge investment for such menial savings? I mean I guess if you're a 3 gun guy or can afford to shoot everyday, week, etc...

 

[DustyGmt]

Depending on the caliber, the whole 1st page and more can be only steel cased.

Click on Advance Search Options and you can filter for bass case only.


On a side note,
IMO, looking only for lowest Internet pricing is worst for your local economy than buying from your local big box store.

If buying from the local shop or big box store wasnt 2×+ the cost of going online than maybe more people would go that route. Someone recently suggested on THR that the local shops couldnt buy it for what Walmart could sell it for. This still confuses me, if I can get it for wholesale pricing online why cant a dealer get it for the same or cheaper. Makes no sense....

 

[22-rimfire]

I think it has to do with the gun shop markup which is high or everything they can get away with. Guns are easy to price away from a local gun shop and you can generally see the difference if you are interested. I have no problem paying a little more at a gun shop, but not for large amounts of ammunition.... a box or two, sure.

I am no expert on this, but I'm guessing that the big stores can buy directly from the manufacturer and cut out any middleman.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

Anyone who shoots and is not reloading by now I believe is a fool. The writing is on the wall if we will jut read it and it doesn't bode well for us. I haven't bought any factory ammo in over 8 years and I shoot a lot. Well I did buy some CMP Greek.30-06 but that was a gift for my son.

I'm planning on reloading, but my house is small and space is tight.

Not everyone has property big enough to have a workshop for reloading, especially if they live in an apartment. Doubly so if they have kids