Gander Mountain

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I only go to Gander Mountain-Cabelas if I want to handle a gun and see what it feels like. After I decide what I want, I buy the gun off Budsguns.com and ship it to a local gun store. I may buy a gun from a big store if there is a great deal or I find a nice used gun. I got my MilPro used, though it was essentially brand new, from Cabelas. I dont really even like buy actual guns from gun shops. It seems there are always no shortage of people telling me what I want and why, and its usually Glock, which I think are ugly. I just tell them straight up I am not buying anything today, and they tone it down.

 

[akodo]

gander mountain does bait and switch

they will run an add for guns that they don't have in the stores, and offer lesser value models for sale instead

 

[vito]

I live in Rockford, IL and we don't have a lot of choice in purchasing handguns. I have never bought at GM because they are even higher priced than the MC Sports here in town, but GM always has a large number of customers. I have gone there to buy ammo since occasionally I have nto been able to find what I want anywhere else in town, and I have had to wait 15 minutes just to get a salesperson to get the ammo for me. So I guess it is good business for them; charge high prices but have no shortage of customers.

 

[toivo]

they will run an add for guns that they don't have in the stores

And ammo. I saw an ad for Federal 510 (.22LR), which I knew they hadn't had on the shelves for at least a month. I went in, and they still didn't have it and didn't know when they would get it. I asked for a raincheck and was told "No rainchecks on ammo." In other words, the advertised price was completely meaningless.

 

[nelson133]

The local gander Mountain used to have decent prices on used and some new guns, but that has all changed. I was passing today and checked out their used section and they had a P90 Ruger for almost $500 and it was used.

 

[Paulus]

My local Gander Mt. has 3 Sig P225s in stock for $349.

The holster wear is on the guns but the internals look quite good.

Is this a good price for the single stack Sigs?

Paulus

 

[mc223]

My last trip to GM was about 6mos ago for 6mm bullets. I had purchased a box of 500 107 SMKs for $107.00 2 months prior. The last visit was $179.00.

 

[stevekl]

The funny (or tragic) thing is that I go in there pretty often, and they have the same stuff they always have. I mean they literally aren't moving any products at all. The same rifles are always there.

And you're right. Gun prices seem to be $100 higher than elsewhere.

 

[kasTX]

Timely thread. I just stopped by the local GM this afternoon to see if there was anything interesting. Found the following:

Old Marlin 22 lever that did not appear to have any rifling at the muzzle with a tag that said "Was $2,700, now $1,200, you save $1,500!". It has been there for ages for $1,100.

50 round box of Federal Champion 22LR listed at $1.59, but rang up at $1.99 (didn't buy it)

1 lb can of Win 231 marked at $19.95 that rang at $29.95 (didn't buy it)

4 lb can of powder with a tag showing $69.95, but with the $69.95 poorly crossed out and re-marked $79.95.

Box of 40 cal 180gr Sierra JHP bullets with no price, so I had them check it - $34.00. MidwayUSA has them at $19.79.

I did find a Win 70 in 30-06 there (used) a while back for $220 that has turned out to be a tack-driver and a steal at the price. Haven't seen any similar deals since.

I can't imagine they will be around for long with business practices like that.

 

[toivo]

50 round box of Federal Champion 22LR listed at $1.59, but rang up at $1.99 (didn't buy it)

It was $1.39 a few months ago. It's $1.07 at Wal-Mart. I don't know what GM thinks they're doing. Empty shelves and ridiculous prices--it doesn't bode well for their future.

 

[59Bassman]

My local GM has a few thousand rounds of Q3131 on the shelf. It's been there for a couple months now. No price on it. I had them scan a box and IIRC it was $13.99. He asked how much I wanted. I said "none at that price". Their BH .223 55gr FMJ is $29.99. I bought a bunch at Sportsman's Warehouse (granted, a couple hours away) at $20.99.

Most of their gun prices are reasonable here. Not great, but reasonable. But their ammo is absolutely insane. Reloading components are no better.

 

[CajunBass]

They are a funny place to buy. I bought a S&W 39-2 in near mint shape for $250.00. The others I'd seen in other stores were around $400.00. Yet not long after they had a used NRA Endownment Ruger MK II, marked at $599.00. I had bought one exactly like it from that same store not two months before NIB for $219.00. Those things must have appreciated FAST.

I still go in an look around though. Just don't spend a lot. Their problem. Not mine.

 

[jeepmor]

They're like Cabelas. They train people to think they have the best deals because they're a big store, and people go in, get a cart, and load it up. It's easier than thinking.

Warehouse size, warehouse prices.

 

[TRP1]

Stopped by to check on some Hornady XTP in 500 Smith. $81.00 I told the saleman I'll come back when they are having the going out of bussiness sale!

 

[phantomak47]

Gander Mountain threads are coming up more and more here on the highroad and other gun forums. Just about every two weeks I have seen a thread of this type which is fine as a way of gunowners to vent their frustrations.

I think if we want Gander Mountain to change and become more price friendly to the mainstream gun community ,we should let them know by writing them . Let them know what they need to change to get your business and that they are losing a lot of business because of their silly prices.

Corporate Office
180 East Fifth Street, Suite 1300
St. Paul, MN 55101
Toll Free: 1-888-5GANDER
Phone: (651) 325-4300

 

[ACORN]

Gander is a place to visit often, but buy when the deals are right. I bought a LNIB SP101 for $259, a LNIB S&W 60 for $275, and a few others when the price was right. On the other hand I've seen a well used S&W 22 for $269 when a new one was $199, and a beat Marlin 39 for $550.
Sometimes they do mess up pricing their used guns. I stopped in and saw, a nice XD9SC for $299, but I didn't have any cash on hand, and didn't want to put it on a card. After I left, I remembered one guy there held a pistol overnight for me with no money down. When I went back in around 30 minutes later the same XD9SC was now $369! It seems somebody priced it for what they bought it for.
If I've got the time, I'll stop in any shop I pass. You never know what you'll see.

 

[hartdl]

Stopped by my local GM yesterday - looking for a 9mm. salesperson told me they had a "sale" going on with their Sigmas -- $399 plus a great $50 rebate. Looked around a bit then headed across the road -literally - to Academy. Same gun - $299 plus the rebate --

 

[subierex]

Used guns seem to be the reason to buy from places like this. I use my local gunshops for that and things like powder/primers. Otherwise, it is often hard to beat internet prices on new guns, at least from my comparison shopping here locally.

Just bought a new KP95 from a "large internet wholesaler" this week for $300 including the gun, shipping, and local xfer fee. Another local shop had a VG used P95 (blue) for $300, and then I'd have to pay sales tax on top.

The only thing I've ever bought from GM is powder. I'd rather support my local small gunshop. But for new guns, they can't get even in the same ballpark as the wholesalers. YMMV.

 

[Mortonspoint]

GM is not interested in selling to the informed consumer. Just look where they build their stores, mostly in malls. Who shops in malls? Your wife. They sell to the uninformed and the compulsive buyer. Again, every now and then they will have a good deal but as everyone here knows almost everything else can be bought elsewhere cheaper.

 

[skipjack_1st]

I've been told that they will price match. Haven't actually called them on it as of yet. My personal feeling is buy from from the lowest guy locally. Why give them the business if they won't price fairly in the first place.

Most ammo is waaaaaaaay over priced!

 

[joab]

When the local GM opened here I went in with a couple of friends
The deals were jumping off the shelves at us
I bought the 4006 I was looking for for $320 with a one year warranty and a Lipsey Systema for $229
My friend bought a Smith 5906 for about $300 and a 457 for $225 ( he said the manager was visibly upset when he went back to pick it up)

I saw 10/22 for $120 and ARs for $100 to $150 lower than I had seen elsewhere

I went back last weekend for their in store gunshow and things had changed drastically , as I had predicted

If they had maintained their initial prices it would be a place worth driving a hour to get to, as it is I might stop by if I'm in the area and have nothing else to do

 

[TRP1]

Thats how the local GM was when it first opened. prices were not too bad. Now it is crazy there. I feel sorry for the folks just getting into our sport and going there and getting "bent over.

 

[weisse52]

We have two in the Columbus area. Funny thing, before Ohio stepped in and mandated uniform guns laws for the entire state GM had some very decent prices. They had to compete with stores that did not sit in Columbus city limits. Before if you purchase a gun in the city you had to go downtown, appy for a permit and wait three days. So, to compete they had to "offer" something to get people to buy from them. Since the law was changed the prices have gone WAY over the top. I agree that some of the used prices can be pretty good. But having to deal with the staff behind the counter and having to haggle, I have just stopped shopping there.

 

[akodo]

My local Gander Mt. has 3 Sig P225s in stock for $349.

In the add they had a few months ago they offered them for $299...but didn't have any in stock....

 

[ir3e971]

I have bought two guns from Gander Mountain and both were a good price.

However, their prices are mostly high, but there are a few gems in there once in a while.

The new guns are extremely high, except for their advertised specials. The specials are never in stock though. I tried to buy a Ruger advertised, and it didn't ever show up on shelves through the length of the sale.