Gander Mountain questions

[loki.fish]

Well, first off, I've only been to 1 Gander Mountain ever and I was there long enough to grab up a double rifle case and head out. Didn't have time to browse. Seemed like a decent place.

Anyway, here's the questions:

1. Do they sell handguns or just long guns?
2. Do they have ammo as cheap or cheaper than Wal-Mart?
3. Are they gun friendly? I.E. no sign up saying no firearms allowed and such.


The reason I ask is, we're finally supposed to be getting a real outdoorsman type store and it happens to be Gander Mountain. It's supposed to open in October....yet they haven't started anything yet. So we'll have to see what happens. Just want to know if it'll be a cheaper place to pick up a gun here or there.

 

[Innova]

1. They sell both, but their prices are normally higher than average. However, sometimes they don't know what they have and you can snag a deal.
2. No, their ammo in general isn't as cheap for the same brand, but they do carry a lot more than wally-world, especially rifle and shotgun ammo.
3. The have no anti-gun policy. If you are bringing in a weapon for service or trade, they will lock it out when you enter. CCW is ok.

 

[rxraptor02]

1. yes they sell pistols (at least in Michigan)
2. ammo is ok, watch for sales.
3.don't know

 

[Sisco]

I've only been there once (nearest one is three hours away).
Handguns and long guns, didn't see any real "bargains" but they weren't overpriced either.
Ammo prices were OK, sale items were good.
No gunbuster sign on the front door.
My nephew was with me and wanted to buy a Bushmaster AR. Since he was from out of state the paperwork took a while but the staff person we dealt with was very knowledgeable and helpful. Unlike WallyWorld policy we were not escorted to the door with the weapon when we left.

 

[Thain]

And a big plus, in my experince, is that the gun counter guys actually know guns! Further, they are very freindly to new shooters, women, and other "atypical" shooters. I am willing to pay a bit extra for good service, and Gander Mountain has (to dat) always delivered

Their camping guys are good too.

Granted, I've only been to Gander Mountain in Novi (MI) but I am always happy to go back.

 

[shield20]

Their "Clearances" can sometimes cough up some great deals too - worth checking out occasionally.

 

[Jdoc]

I shop at Gander often.......

I have never bought a gun from them because every time I go to the gun counter I get weird looks and people that are rude and don't seem like they want to help . I do buy my ammo there though a bigger selection than the marts like wal-mart or k-mart and most of the time cheaper in my area.

 

[Ringer]

Short Answer:
1. Do they sell handguns or just long guns?
Yes, both.
2. Do they have ammo as cheap or cheaper than Wal-Mart?
No, but much better selection
3. Are they gun friendly? I.E. no sign up saying no firearms allowed and such.
Yes, I would say they are gun friendly. No sign saying no firearms allowed.

Overall I like the one I go to in Novi, MI. Not only do they have a pretty good variety of long guns on display they are all out on the floor and accessable for customers to handle without any assistance. I have found their pricing to be fairly competitive. They do have a sign saying to check all firearms and bows at the service desk, but it explicitly excludes CPL holders making it clear Concealed Carry is OK with them. They moved up a notch on the "gun friendly" meter last year when they started stocking ARs and M1s.

Here is a tip, don't go on a weekend, because they are swamped and you could get the impression of bad service. Go during the week and no problem, no waiting around.

 

[doubleg]

I have never bought a gun from them because every time I go to the gun counter I get weird looks and people that are rude and don't seem like they want to help .

I have been treated the same way.

 

[Ringer]

Quote:
I have never bought a gun from them because every time I go to the gun counter I get weird looks and people that are rude and don't seem like they want to help .

I have been treated the same way.

Must be a location thing because I have never got that feeling from any of 3 stores in my general area (Waterford, Novi and Taylor, MI).

 

[Starter52]

I have visited four separate Gander Mountain stores in my travels through the Northeast. I was received in a most professional manner at all four stores. I am quite satisfied with Gander Mountain and its employees.

 

[rantingredneck]

I shop at the one in Greensboro, NC pretty regularly. Only bought a couple of guns there, lots of ammo, holsters, knives and accessories though. Always got good service. As to your other questions they've already been answered and my experiences have been consistent with the answers you've received.

 

[bofe954]

They can have decent used gun deals. Their ammo is spendy unless you want hunting/clay pigeon ammo, then it seems like it is about the same as everywhere else. Generally their "regular" price on a firearm isn't that great. If it is something discontinued their price may get good. I have got good deals on shoes and stuff there.

They are fine as far as policies there, just not that great of prices.

 

[Thain]

Well, I swung by the Lansing-area store today before work. Didn't buy anything, and made it clear that I was looking long term... freindly bloke behind the pistol counter still talked my ear off about the .38 I'm looking into. Price was about what I remembered MSRP being on S&W's website.

So, that's Lansing and Novi that I've been to and liked.

 

[Linda]

I Love Gander Mountain/Reynoldsburg

I frequent the Reynoldsburg Gander Mountain often, and give them a lot of my money. Bought two guns there and a ton of ammo. Sent a friend of mine there recently to purchase her Kimber Ultra Carry! Got a great deal on a used Ruger. And they let me post my flyers for the concealed carry classes I instruct.

The great thing about Gander.... If they are priced higher than the other guys, they will ALWAYS match prices. So it is impossible for them to EVER be higher priced than anyone out there. Use your Gander Mountain credit card and get even bigger discounts, plus shortly there after you will receive vouchers in the mail also.

You can also get great deals on clearance stuff.

 

[Trip20]

At the Gander Mountain located in Wausau, WI there is a sign attached to a podium (sp) just a couple yards inside the entrance where you might expect a greeter to stand. It states something along the lines of "all firearms brought into the store for repair, return, or warranty service must be checked at the customer service counter. This does not apply to concealed weapons permit holders."

I've always gotten a kick out of the last portion of that statement. For one, I think it's great that a somewhat major retailer does not have an anti-concealed carry policy, and instead allows it's customers to carry their CCW. And secondly, because concealed carry is illegal in Wisconsin.

 

[rangerruck]

yes, yes, and yes. ..... Sometimes weird on the ammo.

 

[lee n. field]

1. Do they sell handguns or just long guns?
2. Do they have ammo as cheap or cheaper than Wal-Mart?
3. Are they gun friendly? I.E. no sign up saying no firearms allowed and such.

Both.

No.

As in, are they CCW friendly? Dunno, this being Illinois. The one near me did not freak out when I brought in a revolver for the resident gunsmith to look at.

 

[Nickotym]

I bought a Sistema 1927 from them last week. They did the the "walk of shame" but were very helpful. In my state a CCW permit means no NICS check is needed, but the counter guy apologized and said they had to do one anyway as it is GM policy. No big deal as I passed right away, but I felt it was a little invasion of privacy. I didn't buy any ammo but they asked if I wanted to.

 

[izmarkie]

Their new gun prices are a little high to me, but the one in Novi, especially, has a great selection of handguns and everyone I've dealt with there has been more than willing to pull out a ton of guns just to suggest different models.

I got my like new Mossberg 590A1 w/heavy barrel and 6-shot mag for only $229 at the one in Taylor - cheap! But they're also selling Mosin M44s for $120... kind of steep for those.

 

[doubleg]

The one by me has one of those mosin carbines near mint for 99 bucks.

 

[wheelgun43]

I've been to GM a couple of times. A nice interesting store, pleanty of things to see and choose from. Their gun prices are higher than other stores,as is their ammo. yes they are gun friendly. This store even has a gun smith on the premises. I have bought brass there for reloading because since there is no shipping charge, the higher price is ok.

 

[Outlaw Man]

Our Gander Mountain has a sign that says to check in all guns at the front counter, but it goes on to specifically say that CCW is exempt from doing so. One of the friendliest I've seen.

I happened to start talking with one of the salesmen about it and he laughed. He said that just the other day one of the girls from the front desk was following a guy around. He asked her why, and she replied that he was wearing a gun and she was escorting him. He said first he's a sherriff's deputy, second probably half the customers in the gun department are carrying guns, and third you couldn't stop him anyway.

I think most of the guys they hire for the gun department are shooters and have an interest in guns. Not all of them are particularly knowledgeable, though.

 

[GreenFurniture]

The local GM has pistols for $75-$130 more than the closest gun store.

Ammo is mostly shotgun shells and are about the same price as WalMart.

Anti-gun company. Won't allow employees to carry on property.

 

[garrett1955]

We have a gander in town. I like it to find a deal once and a while. I don't buy guns from them to often. They have a pretty big selection of just about everything. They even carry Ar-15 rifles now. I go there when I need something quick.