Walmart Inc. is the world's largest retailer, founded in 1962 by Sam Walton in Rogers, Arkansas. Approximately 2,500 of Walmart's ~4,700 U.S. stores carry firearms, primarily hunting rifles and shotguns. Walmart's firearms policies have changed significantly since 2019.

:::callout
Walmart is simultaneously America's largest firearms retailer by volume and one of the most restricted. They stopped selling handguns in 1993 (except Alaska), stopped selling AR-15s in 2015, and stopped selling handgun ammunition in 2019. What's left is hunting rifles and shotguns — Savage Axis combos, Mossberg 500s, Remington 870s — at Walmart prices, which means $20-$50 below what a gun store charges. For a first hunting rifle or a basic shotgun, Walmart works. For anything else, you're in the wrong store.
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Key milestones:

• 1962 — Sam Walton opens first Walmart in Rogers, Arkansas
• 1990s — Begins selling firearms as part of sporting goods expansion
• 1993 — Stops selling handguns (except Alaska)
• 2015 — Discontinues AR-15s and high-capacity magazines
• 2019 — Stops selling handgun ammunition and short-barrel rifle ammunition
• 2019 — Requests customers not openly carry in stores
• Present — ~2,500 stores with firearms; hunting rifles and shotguns only

Shopping Guide

What Walmart does well:

• Competitive pricing on basic hunting rifles and shotguns
• Widespread availability — 2,500 locations in rural/suburban America
• No transfer fee (they're the FFL dealer)
• Package deals (rifle + scope combos) at entry-level prices
• Ammunition pricing is competitive when in stock
• Convenient — buy a rifle while getting groceries

What Walmart doesn't do well:

• Zero selection beyond hunting rifles and shotguns
• Staff expertise varies wildly — may know nothing about firearms
• Firearms counter is often unstaffed or has long waits
• Cannot browse inventory online before visiting
• No FFL transfers from online purchases at most locations
• No gunsmithing, cleaning, or technical services

Firearms Department

:::callout
The Savage Axis XP combo from Walmart is the cheapest way to start deer hunting. A scoped bolt-action rifle in .308 or .30-06 for under $400 — that's less than most gun stores charge for the rifle alone. The scope is basic, the stock is plastic, and the trigger is heavy. But it'll shoot a deer-sized group at 100 yards, and you can upgrade the trigger ($100) and scope ($200) later as budget allows. For a teenager's first deer rifle or an adult getting into hunting on a budget, it's hard to argue against Walmart's price.
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Walmart vs. other retailers for firearms:

Store Locations

:::callout
Bottom line: Walmart is a legitimate place to buy a basic hunting rifle or shotgun at the lowest possible price. The Savage Axis, Mossberg 500, and Remington 870 are real firearms from real manufacturers, and Walmart's pricing is consistently the lowest in retail. But that's where the value proposition ends. No handguns, no AR-15s, no handgun ammo, no expert advice, no FFL transfers, no gunsmithing. Walmart is where you buy your first deer rifle because the price is right. It's not where you build a firearms hobby. When you're ready for more, visit a gun store.
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References

• Walmart corporate firearms policy statements (2019)
• Business Insider: Walmart gun buying experience
• Walmart store locator and sporting goods department information
• Sniper's Hide forum: Walmart rifle discussions
• Reddit communities: Walmart firearms purchase experiences

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team

Join the Discussion

Have you bought ammo or firearms from your local Walmart, and if so, how does their selection and checkout process compare to dedicated gun shops in the area?