There's only one problem with that theory. Neither myself, any of my friends, or anyone I personally know has ever actually seen any physical or functional difference in a Wal-Mart purchased gun and the same model from a sporting goods store. All we have ever heard is internet rumours of such quality differences. I also have a Tikka T-3 25-06 purchased from Wal-Mart. My friend who loved mine so much bought one from a sporting goods store over in Butler, Al. They function identically. In fact his gun ordered from the sporting goods store actually had a small defect in the wood stock while mine from Wal-Mart was in perfect condition.

Other guns my friends and aquaintences have purchased from multiple sources that include Wal-mart are Rem 870 pump shotguns, Rem model 1100 shotguns, Savage 110 rifles, Rem model 700 ADL rifles, Marlin 336 30-30 rifles, Weatherby Vanguard rifles, and Ruger 10/22 rifles. Can't see or find any differences in them.

In fact the tightest grouping Remington model 1100 shotgun I have ever seen came from a Wal-Mart store.

I think this rumour is also aided by the fact that in general Wal-Mart is going to only have in it's rack the more economical (i.e. cheaper) models that a company produces. Why? Because those are the ones that will sell the fastest. You won't walk in any Wal-Marts and find a Weatherby Mark V or a Sako 75 Deluxe in the rack (Although they can and will oder you either) but the models they do stock are the same as any found anywhere else. Hell, the same truck probably delivered them to both places.