I rarely write reviews, but my experience purchasing my first firearm at Sportsman's Warehouse left…read moreme compelled to share what happened.
After about a year of researching and shopping around, I purchased a Ruger 9mm handgun. As a first-time firearm buyer, I expected the employees handling the sale to be knowledgeable, attentive, and careful, especially when recommending ammunition. Unfortunately, I learned more from other customers in the store, particularly one helpful gentleman, than I did from the staff.
The most concerning part of the experience became apparent after I brought my purchase home. Along with the firearm, I bought ammunition recommended by the salesperson. Trusting that recommendation, I loaded the magazine. Although something seemed unusual about the fit, it never occurred to me that I had been sold the wrong ammunition for the handgun I had just purchased.
A few days later, while showing the firearm to a friend, he noticed the discrepancy: the ammunition was .380, even though my handgun was a 9mm. I had planned to go shooting the following day and was also arranging professional training. Thankfully, my friend caught the mistake before I attempted to fire it.
My concern was that, had I proceeded to fire the weapon with incompatible ammunition, I or someone nearby could have been seriously injured. That possibility made the store's dismissive response especially troubling.
I called the store the next day and went in person to speak with the manager. What disappointed me almost as much as the original mistake was how casually my concern was handled. I was offered a $10 gift certificate, and the response left me feeling that the seriousness of selling incompatible ammunition had been dismissed.
I emphasized that this was a safety concern, particularly for someone purchasing their first firearm. I expected a meaningful acknowledgment of the mistake and an explanation of how the store would prevent it from happening again. Instead, I left feeling brushed aside. I subsequently emailed the manager more than once and received no response.
I understand that employees work hard and mistakes can happen. However, verifying that the ammunition being recommended and sold matches the firearm being purchased is a basic responsibility. Both items were part of the same transaction and appeared on the receipt.
Since then, I have visited other firearm retailers and found employees who were more courteous, knowledgeable, and attentive, with comparable products and prices.
My one-star rating reflects both the ammunition error and the inadequate response that followed. A $10 gift certificate felt dismissive given the nature of the issue. Based on this experience, I will not purchase another firearm from Sportsman's Warehouse, and I would encourage other buyers, especially first-time buyers, to consider shopping elsewhere.
