BAD gun buying experience

[OldSchool]

Snip

Yes, I stand by what I said. Unfortunately, I disagree with essentially everything you've said here. Please don't believe everything/most things you read on the Internet.

Please, let's let this thread go back to the OP.

[Keith B]

Get back on topic

[GreezyG]

I've bought 4 guns from Academy. 3 post CHL, I was in and out in less than half an hour, 1 pre CHL. It still didn't take too long.

Technically Academy is a local business, they are just big now. The first location was at 38 1/2 and I35 in Austin.

[joe817]

I got to thinking about seniorshooteress's bad experience. Academy is a Texas born and bred store:

"Academy Sports + Outdoors traces its beginning to 1938 when founder Max Gochman opened the Academy Tire Shop in San Antonio, Texas. After a few years, Max began selling military surplus in his shop. In 1956, he moved his business, then called Academy Super Surplus, to Austin, Texas and expanded the operation to four stores. In 1973, Max's son, Arthur Gochman, began developing similar stores in Houston, Texas. Arthur opened six Academy Super Surplus stores, and the business continued to grow. In the early 1980's, Academy added sports and outdoors items to its assortment of products and evolved into a full line sporting goods store. By 1990, Academy Sports & Outdoors grew to include 28 stores across Texas and became a leader in the sporting goods industry."

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=c ... SRC=footer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's corporate hq is in Harris county near Katy. I'm surprised that a very successful store like Academy has implemented gun sales procedure that would be more commonly found in say.......california? Or up east somewhere? But in Texas?

Come on Academy! You're not selling a bazooka! It's only a gun for crying out loud.

[pbwalker]

I got to thinking about seniorshooteress's bad experience. Academy is a Texas born and bred store:

"Academy Sports + Outdoors traces its beginning to 1938 when founder Max Gochman opened the Academy Tire Shop in San Antonio, Texas. After a few years, Max began selling military surplus in his shop. In 1956, he moved his business, then called Academy Super Surplus, to Austin, Texas and expanded the operation to four stores. In 1973, Max's son, Arthur Gochman, began developing similar stores in Houston, Texas. Arthur opened six Academy Super Surplus stores, and the business continued to grow. In the early 1980's, Academy added sports and outdoors items to its assortment of products and evolved into a full line sporting goods store. By 1990, Academy Sports & Outdoors grew to include 28 stores across Texas and became a leader in the sporting goods industry."

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=c ... SRC=footer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's corporate hq is in Harris county near Katy. I'm surprised that a very successful store like Academy has implemented gun sales procedure that would be more commonly found in say.......california? Or up east somewhere? But in Texas?

Come on Academy! You're not selling a bazooka! It's only a gun for crying out loud.

I'm curious what the ratio is of those who have had an experience like this and those who have not.

There is nothing out of the ordinary with what they do, outside of the no return policy. You fill out a 4473 and sign a piece of paper saying you understand the return policy. I am failing to see how this is such a hassle...but maybe I know no better.

We all fill out a 4473 when we pick up a firearm from the local FFL. We don't return the firearm to the FFL (to fix) when it breaks. We ship it out. Academy basically has us do the same thing.

I can understand wanting to be able to return the gun to the location that you purchased it, so if that's the big pain point, then go with a local shop.

But I think Academy is getting a bad rap here...and to compare it to California is a stretch...

[Pete92FS]

I have purchased two pistols from Academy - 1 pre-CHL with approx. 30-45 minute wait and one post CHL with approx 20 minute wait. This was at two different locations in Houston. I would purchase another firearm from them without hesitation. I wish they would carry a larger variety of brand names such as Kimber or STI. There seem to have some of the better prices around IMO.

[Mike1951]

Funny that I don't remember anything called Academy Super Surplus. What I do remember is the small chain of Southern Sales surplus stores that Academy bought out. Since the legitimate surplus supply had dried up, the remaining surplus items occupied an ever shrinking corner of the stores.

Apparently, their version of history focuses mainly on San Antonio.

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company- ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1970s: Early History and Directions

Academy Sports & Outdoors came into existence in 1970, when Arthur Gochman and his business partner purchased Southern Sales, a Houston-based army-navy surplus chain comprised of six stores that were by that year no longer making any profit.

Gochman bought out his partner in 1973 and changed the company's business name from Southern Sales to Academy Corp.

The Academy name was borrowed from his father's stores. It came from a now-defunct San Antonio Catholic school named St. Henry's Academy. Max Gochman had opened his first store across the street from the school in the 1930s, selling pre-World War II surplus goods. Later, when he moved to Austin, he used the name for his four army-navy surplus stores. Because many University of Texas students and graduates lived in the Houston area and were familiar with the Austin stores, Max Gochman permitted his son to use the name, knowing that it would help his son's business.

[WildBill]

It's corporate hq is in Harris county near Katy. I'm surprised that a very successful store like Academy has implemented gun sales procedure that would be more commonly found in say.......california? Or up east somewhere? But in Texas?

A few of the chain sporting goods stores in California still sell rifles and shotguns, but they stopped selling handguns over 20 years ago. The same with handgun ammunition.

[Oldgringo]

It's corporate hq is in Harris county near Katy. I'm surprised that a very successful store like Academy has implemented gun sales procedure that would be more commonly found in say.......california? Or up east somewhere? But in Texas?

A few of the chain sporting goods stores in California still sell rifles and shotguns, but they stopped selling handguns over 20 years ago. The same with handgun ammunition.

I remember, albeit vaguely, when Wal-Mart used to sell handguns. Thank goodness, the ones we frequent still sell handgun ammo...when they have it.

[chuckybrown]

My experience:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=35725" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dad24GreatKids]

I'm curious what the ratio is of those who have had an experience like this and those who have not.

I've purchased two handguns from Academy (both at the same time). I provided my DL & CHL. Yes, several forms to complete & sign. Yes, walked to the front of the store. But beyond that nothing that I thought was out of the ordinary. The clerk was very friendly. He took care of the transaction quickly. The other guns I've purchased have been at local gun stores or gun shows. At the local gun store you see the front door from the counter. There isn't a need to walk someone out.

[Mike1951]

If it hasn't been mentioned, WalMart is another store that requires a manager to carry your already paid for firearm until outside the store.

[OldSchool]

If it hasn't been mentioned, WalMart is another store that requires a manager to carry your already paid for firearm until outside the store.

And Pearland Bass Pro; only bought one rifle there last year, none since.

[striker55]

I was looking for a 1911 at the local Academy store, they did not have one in stock. I called another store and the salesman said he would check, he found one and put my name on it. The store was on 290 and I liked the help I received getting my gun.

[bootsdeal]

I recently bought a gun at Cabella's in Ft Worth and had the exact same expeience. I'll never go back. They're about as bad as our federal government. All other guns have been purchased from Ray's Sporting Goods in Dallas. They have great products and selections. Some of their salesmen are a little smart alec, but I like their prices and selections. However, you would think that they would recognize you as a repeat customer just once in a while. Oh well, guess it's Bush's fault.