Academy - Black Guns are Back...

[TheDan]

Semi-auto center fire rifles are still missing from their website. They used to have many listed on there before they decided to hide them like a dirty magazine.

 

[Robert_K]

Guess we're suppose to forgive them and act like it never happened. Screw that, their still dead to me.

This.... And before their knee jerk reaction they were only good for a quick pick up ammo. Otherwise there are better options for anything firearm related stores locally and online.

 

[Sam Colt]

They are the Harbor Freight of sporting goods.

 

[Maverick44]

I occasionally bought primers from them, or used them so I could handle a gun I was interested in but that's about it. I found a gunshop about 20 min away that covers those needs. They also have a nice Barrett 50 cal I get to drool over every time I go in there.

 

[35Remington]

Jesus, some of you guys worry about way too much unimportant stuff.

The only thing worse than hand-wringing over a store's decision sell certain items is hand-wringing over other people's decisions to talk about it. Pot, meet kettle.

 

[Maverick44]

 

[Savage20]

Lol

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[texas skeeter]

So if a store decides to display 30.06 & 30.07 signs, you just return to your vehicle, disarm and continue to shop there? Or do you find another store that sells similar items and spend your money at this other establishment?

A store does not have to agree with my opinions or positions on certain matters, but when they do and are public about it, they shouldn't expect my business. If there is enough talk of like minded individuals, businesses have been known to change policies. I've seen dozens of 30.06 signs that went up in the last 12 months come down since open carry went into effect. I'm going to assume this was due to customer backlash and not just a random change of heart as many left the 30.07 signs in place.

Well said!!


Oh and this!! LOL

The only thing worse than hand-wringing over a store's decision sell certain items is hand-wringing over other people's decisions to talk about it. Pot, meet kettle.

 

[Vaquero]

I've never bought a gun at Academy anyway.
I like the "game winner" gear though.

 

[Savage20]

I don't buy guns at Academy because the 4473 is gun registration.

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[A & P]

Kind of surprised at most of the responses regarding Academy. Academy, a southern chain, apparently catered to the whims and political pressure of anti-gun lefties. They were the worst of the worst. Walmart decided to remove ARs altogether. So be it. To remove the most popular selling item at least shows your conviction to the cause (even if we disagree) and it even hurt their sales to do so. But Academy tried to have their cake and eat it too. They took the guns down because they're "bad" and some tree huggers probably protested them. But they'd secretly sell them to you behind closed doors as if it was some contraband.

You (we) gun advocates should vote with our dollars. Don't buy the ARs from them even if they put them back out. They are the worst kind of gun store.

Many people are permanently boycotting CTD because they supposedly did dirty during the ammo shortages. If that's their principles, to protest in that manner, good for them for not giving in when CTD runs a sale.

Now, for my real gripe about Academy and why you guys (most of you) surprise me:

1. The desk jockey's barely know anything in most cases about what they sell. They are clerks. Not all of them, but most of them.
2. Academy walks you out of their store when you buy a gun. You know who else they walk out like that? Shoplifters. So you're being treated like a criminal. I walk in with a loaded pistol on my hip, but they're going to walk me out with a $180 shotgun in a box and hand it to me when I'm out in the parking lot. WTF?
3. Academy doesn't sponsor this forum or this site. You have sponsors that pay for you to have this free forum and everyone is saying "I love shopping at Academy". Try sending your business to the people who support the industry and the forums first if possible. Many sponsors or even just LGS are big supporters of local LEOs, NRA, NSSF, etc. That is your community. Not some liberal appeasing Academy.
4. Price check. I saw my local Academy has Glock Gen 4s for $569. I thought they were the bargain shop! MAP on that gun is $539. Many LGSs (Local Gun Store/Shop) have it for $539. Just one example of getting a better deal and supporting local business. If you ask your LGS, they can likely get guns in and even match prices. If it's a deal that's no risk, why not? Same for buying on GBroker or Sportsmans Guide or Buds. If a LGS can match prices out the door, why not do business with them?
5. Academy is overly draconian. Brady law says if you get a delay, you wait up to 3 days and you can get the gun (if not denied). I heard Academy makes people wait 10 days "just to be safe". Again, WTF?

Yes, I have even bought stuff at Academy before. But, when possible, I like to support my local mom-and-pops. I like local restaurants versus chains. I like LGSs where guys can make good conversations and have a working knowledge of many of the products (as an aside, not every military vet is an expert...in fact, most MOSs are not combat roles, just like most cops are not gun nuts or experts, so I'm not trying to imply every LGS is owned by some Tier 1 operator)

And, finally, I hate when people say 4473s are gun registration (Savage20). They aren't really. When a dealer does the 4473, he keeps the PAPER form on file for 20 years and then can destroy it. The only thing that goes in the NICS is the type of gun (a 22 Browning Buckmark Camper looks just like a Desert Eagle 50AE looks just like a Sig PM400 to the ATF/FBI). And if you have your CHL (which you should), NOBODY even knows you bought the gun! The ATF would have to come in and look through potentially thousands of forms. There is NO registration (unless you live in CA, NY, etc, and that's state BS). Yes, the serial number is on the 4473. In theory, the ATF could go to every dealer and spend years copying 4473s. But, hell, it takes them 6 months just to process a Form 4. Fortunately, they don't require an electronic submission or uploading of 4473 data. And, in fact, if an FFL has a fire and all their 4473s burn up, oh well. They just have to report it to the ATF and recreate what they can (which they really can't). Shhh. Don't tell the dems that guns aren't really registered.

Please shop LGSs over Academy when possible, starting with the industry and this site's sponsors.

 

[Savage20]

Heh

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[Mowingmaniac 24/7]

Super Opinion,

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. You have yours. I have mine.

I buy whatever, eat where ever, I care to.

I sometimes shop at my LGS. (Marburgers) I've bought 3 guns and other stuff from them because they had the best price. If, Academy had the best price I'dve bought from them. At times I eat at local restaurants, (Amelias Mexican restaurant) but I like Whataburger too. I don't feel like I'm doing anything immoral eating at a chain restaurant.

As to Academy gun counter help being clerks, so what? You may know more about guns than they do, but again so what? I'm sure Academy doesn't pay their staff much more than minimum wage. Chances are, unless the gun counter guy is a retired gun smith making a bit of extra moola or ex-instructor for law enforcement/military or a one time special forces operator, do you really expect these counter guys to give you expert gun advice? No, of course not, but they can sell you a gun.

As to walking you out to the parking lot after your purchase. Again, so what? It's a dumb store policy, but there are many different things in life in general that I don't agree with, but I just shrug them off. I try not to sweat the small stuff. Life's too short to let such minutia give me an ulcer.

As to supporting local mom and pops I have mixed feelings. To wit: Why should I often pay substantially more for an item, that I can pay less for the exact same item at a business that buys in volume and can therefore sell for less? Do you really think I'm morally responsible for subsidizing their Mom & Pop business with my money so they can stay in business?

One other thing I like about Academy is their clothing prices when on sale. When a season is near ending they lower their prices sometimes at almost give away prices. One time, I bought a Columbia light jacket that normally sold for $55.00 for $10.00. Yeah, sometimes their sale clothing deals are phenomenal.

Anyway, that's my perspective towards Academy and buying in general.

 

[Younggun]

I support the mom and pop stores not to subsidize them, but because they don't take the things I want and hide them away because MDA moms cry about shit they don't understand.


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[BiggTexx]

I would consider myself a bargain shopper for the most part. I mean, why pay MSRP when you can get it cheaper from a box store? Then again, if we are talking a few dollars, I would rather spend that extra few bucks at a mom and pop shop to support their business. I have purchased from both, but it always came down to price. No matter where you buy it, it is the exact same gun.

As to Academy and their policies, who cares? If they don't offer what I am looking for, I simply go somewhere else. And I also go to Academy for the cheap clothes (you are spot on with those sales Mowingmaniac).

 

[A & P]

I would consider myself a bargain shopper for the most part. I mean, why pay MSRP when you can get it cheaper from a box store? Then again, if we are talking a few dollars, I would rather spend that extra few bucks at a mom and pop shop to support their business. I have purchased from both, but it always came down to price. No matter where you buy it, it is the exact same gun.

As to Academy and their policies, who cares? If they don't offer what I am looking for, I simply go somewhere else. And I also go to Academy for the cheap clothes (you are spot on with those sales Mowingmaniac).

I can understand not paying MSRP, but very few shops charge MSRP. That's why you always see "street price" in magazine articles. Now, some manufacturers have MAP so that tends to set the range. What I find odd is when the *manufacturer* sells below MSRP. "Manufacturer" Suggested Retail Price, and not even they offer it at that. It's a huge slap in the face to the dealers who support their products.

If you know what you're looking for and don't need any service, then by all means, price shop the hell out of it. But if you go to a LGS and pick the guys brain for 30 minutes or get to hold the new HK whatever and he lets you dry fire it to check the trigger smoothness, then you should buy from him even if he's $20-$50 higher. He added value by the "service".

I paid a premium for my Daniel Defense at one LGS (over Buds prices) because of the service. But when I bought my Tavor, I already knew I wanted it so I just price shopped it. A LGS by me wanted $1999 (MSRP) but another LGS just down the street wanted $1799. So not all LGSs are charging MSRP or anywhere near it!

I do kind of resent when a mom and pop says "you should support us" and feel entitled to it, and then have crap attitudes, and then charge MSRP. But there are plenty out there that want (need) your business, bend over backwards to help, listen to your Call of Duty stories for an hour, and still try to have competitive prices. You really should support them. Likewise, when a cop or baseball team or whatever comes knocking for advertisements, donations, or other fund raising, it's often the mom & pops they hit up because they can get to the decision maker. Academy just gives you some corporate number to call and nothing gets done (usually).

Finally, you said who cares about their policies. If they don't have what you want, you go somewhere else. Well, apparently you're not a lesbian shopping for a wedding cake . If you were, you'd sue Academy for not having what you want rather than just shop somewhere else.

 

[A & P]

Super Opinion,

Glad this forum is tactful. It's refreshing to see differing opinions offered without reactionary butthurt personal attacks.

I'm all for getting a deal and shopping where you want. Big box stores do tend to have the advantage of larger inventory and buying power. However, other than a few things, they actually buy a lot from regular distributors at similar prices to LGSs. Maybe they get the occasional 10,000 Remington 870 Express bulk buy and sell them below wholesale, but that's the exception rather than the rule. They are selling Glock 19 Gen 4s right now for $569.99 when MAP is $539! I just verified it on their website. That's Gander Mtn prices!! So they're not always the best. Same on their Sig P238. If you know what you want already, I guess (as I've said elsewhere), it doesn't matter as much. Also, I don't think people should feel obligated to shop at M&Pops JUST because they're small business.

So to all of the people who shame M&Ps for price gouging, realize that Academy is gouging the shit out of you on Glocks!

My big gripes are that 1) people will go to the LGS and WEAR OUT a clerk with questions and stories and "free research" and then go save $10 at Academy...maybe. Many/Most LGSs are competitively priced. There seems to be a stigma that ALL LGSs are price gougers and charging MSRP.

In fact, one great market for LGS is used/consignment guns. Academy doesn't do that.

You sound pretty laid back. You're right. The small stuff shouldn't matter too much. But walking me out like a shoplifter is just stupid. What's next? The waitress doesn't fill my glass all the way up because I might spill it? Should she also cut my food into little bite sized pieces so I don't choke? I even grimace when she puts down my fajita plate and says "be careful, it's hot." No shit. I hear the plate sizzling. In fact, if it wasn't hot, you'd be taking it back to the kitchen. We live in a society that is too PC and bubble wrapped. What's next? Varsity flag football in high school? Crossing guards in front of Academy to walk to your car? Academy's policy is similar to the "gun free zone" concept in school areas. Didn't stop all the mass shootings. Academy's "escort policy" isn't going to do anything that it's intended to do. Hell, the guy just passed a background check!

As for products on deep sale, well, you got me there. Clearance sales are good deals. And you won't find that at the M&Ps. I like the Columbia and Magellan stuff and if it's there for $15 for a shirt, you bet I'm getting it. Hell, my Duluth Trading underwear costs more than my Magellan shirt I'm wearing right now.

Kudos to Academy, or any business, who can make it bigtime. I just wish more shoppers would give the M&P a chance and not just default to big box stores impersonal service and occasionally higher prices.

 

[Younggun]

Lol

MowingManiac is a prick.


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[TX69]

Guess we're suppose to forgive them and act like it never happened. Screw that, their still dead to me.

Academy is in the same ball park as CTD for selling out to the Libtards. Never set foot in their stores again.

 

[TX69]

Kind of surprised at most of the responses regarding Academy. Academy, a southern chain, apparently catered to the whims and political pressure of anti-gun lefties. They were the worst of the worst. Walmart decided to remove ARs altogether. So be it. To remove the most popular selling item at least shows your conviction to the cause (even if we disagree) and it even hurt their sales to do so. But Academy tried to have their cake and eat it too. They took the guns down because they're "bad" and some tree huggers probably protested them. But they'd secretly sell them to you behind closed doors as if it was some contraband.

You (we) gun advocates should vote with our dollars. Don't buy the ARs from them even if they put them back out. They are the worst kind of gun store.


We have a winner!