Remington ain't what it used to be thanks to being so closely tied to Wal-Mart. And yes they are second rate from them! Marlin was doing this too! Thats a dirty little secret they don't want the public to know! Wal Marts so-called buying power is they DEMAND a lower price!!! So the manufacturer's bring in their best and quickest workers and run a bunch through. They just do a final proof and function test before the gun leaves the plant!!!! But, thier special orders can come from an outside source if they are not a ware-house item. You guys can live in a dream world all you want but it's true!!! This comes from a couple of sources, one used to work for Marlin the other from inside Wal Mart. Plus a local smith gets alot of wal-mart bought guns, for repair of course, that show poor workmanship!!!!