Gander Mountain in Richmond/Ashland, VA

[rbaker772]

New GM here in Lubbock, Texas. I went in looking for a 710 7mm. I found what I wanted and waiting for almost 45min and never had a clerk come by. I went to the front of the store and ask for help and was asked to go back and they sent someone. I waited again for about 20min. Nothing, no one! I left and went to Academy (for something else) saw the same rifle there for $120 less. Sorry GM, I don't think I will be back. And also at Acadmey I saw other there that I had just seen at GM!

 

[cracked butt]

There's a GM about 8 miles from my house. A Cabela's and a Sportsman's Warehouse have both gone up within 5 miles of my house in the last year. Guess which store I haven't dropped a dime in, in the last year?

The only good thing is that since Sportsman's warehouse moved into the neighborhood, GM has started carrying AR-15 rifles, but nothing in the way of accessories.

 

[stevekl]

Some of the prices are awful, some are just okay, and I really didn't see any good deals. Here's a breakdown:

Guns- At least $100 more than the other stores around here, Green Top and DeGoff's. This guarantees that I will never buy a gun from Gander.

Ammo- Slight markup. 250 round shotshell packs for $50, whereas Green Top has them for $40-$45. I didn't do a real detailed check, though.

Bullets (for reloading)- Actually the worst in terms of markup. $19-24 for 100 bullets that I can get for $11-14 at Green Top.

Reloading components- Not bad, actually. Shotshell wads are only an extra $1 or so. Powder is about the same as Green Top ($19/lb). Didn't check primers. The more esoteric reloading stuff (MEC charge bars) are marked up like 30%, though. Lead shot is the same as it is everwhere ($45/25 lbs).

Skeet- The only good deal in the entire store. $9/135 as compared to $11/135 elsewhere.

So it's a pretty bad store in terms of prices. But, I am still glad they opened. Why? Well, two reasons. First, they let you handle everything. Guns, scopes, everything. The only thing that was behind glass were hand guns and special display rifles/shotguns. I appreciate this, because this means I can go to Gander and handle a rifle...and then get it from DeGoff's for $150 less .

Secondly, they have stuff that, previously, I could only find online. I am the kind of person that would rather pay more to have it right now than to wait for midwayusa.com to ship.

So, as long as they don't drive out the less expensive stores, I don't see how it hurts to have Gander Mountain around.

 

[Dorryn]

A manager at Gander Mountain told me specifically that I am expected to draw my concealed pistol as I enter the store, and then visibly clear it (in front of other customers, mind you) as (loaded) concealed carry is forbidden in all their stores as per corporate policy. My local gun stores dont have such a draconian anti-2a prohibition, so I will continue to spurn Gander Mountain as I would spurn a rabid dog.