IMHO, there really is nothing that you can do to a Handi to make it a lower grade gun. Blueing is poor, stocks are generally pallet wood or Choate standard, sights are Williams, there are very few parts, barrels are nothing special. There does seem to be some weak QC. Not sure if Dick's is paying less for rifles that have poor fitting or if the new team just sucks. $110 shotguns look every bit the same quality, or better, than $250 rifles.
Wallyworld actually sells a better quality 10/22 built just for them than the base model. More desirable too.