Is Gander Mountain worth the drive?
- Thread starter .cheese.
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I can only speak for the one near me, but I'd have to say that you're not missing much. They have a good selection, but their prices are high (if we're talking about ammo, prices are INSANE). I think it was here that I saw the nickname "Gouger Mountain". It fits. I have one a mile from my house, and I have yet to buy anything there.
If you only had to drive 1/4 mile down the street, maybe.
But an hour away, figuring 60 miles an hour at 30 miles per gallon is 2 gal of gas one way, times 2 for the round trip is 4 gal of gas at $4 per gallon, is $16. Would I pay $16 to go to a store to buy stuff that I could buy cheaper at BassPro, which might only cost me $4 round trip? No.
But an hour away, figuring 60 miles an hour at 30 miles per gallon is 2 gal of gas one way, times 2 for the round trip is 4 gal of gas at $4 per gallon, is $16. Would I pay $16 to go to a store to buy stuff that I could buy cheaper at BassPro, which might only cost me $4 round trip? No.
kevindsingleton
Member
Our local Gander Mountain stores often have used firearms at reasonable prices, and some of their reloading components and common ammunition are in the same ballpark prices as any other brick-and-mortar retailer. They also have the occasional sale, especially on clothing and other outdoor gear, and that's sometimes worth seeing. I wouldn't drive an hour past a Bass Pro Shops (we need one in Western PA!) to get to Gander Mountain, but I stop in on the way home, now and again, and pick something up.
Price isn't always the determining factor, for me; YMMV.
It's better than Walmart, any way!
Price isn't always the determining factor, for me; YMMV.
It's better than Walmart, any way!
22-rimfire
Member
A visit to Gander Mountain is a good thing. I would not go out of my way much since you have Bass Pro nearby.
Stop sometime you are in the vicinity and check it out. I visit Bass Pro and I always spend money. Not the same at Gander Mountain.
Stop sometime you are in the vicinity and check it out. I visit Bass Pro and I always spend money. Not the same at Gander Mountain.
The Tourist
member
They just opened a 'super store' in my area which tripled the square footage on their previous outlet.
My friends report that they can get the same supplies in numerous places, and the store is confusing to get to. Location. Location. Location.
Since they broke ground right before the recession really hit, we wonder amongst ourselves if Gander would have chosen this time to open such a complex if they would have had better information. Additionally, the store manager does not come from a sporting goods background.
My friends report that they can get the same supplies in numerous places, and the store is confusing to get to. Location. Location. Location.
Since they broke ground right before the recession really hit, we wonder amongst ourselves if Gander would have chosen this time to open such a complex if they would have had better information. Additionally, the store manager does not come from a sporting goods background.
inherentical
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My local Gander Mountain is pretty bad. High prices, low selection, rude and unknowledgeable staff. Took me over two hours to complete the first and last transfer I handled there. I wouldn't bother with them. I use a local guy who has his FFL for his internet business, and it takes about 15 minutes. I buy as much of my stuff through him as possible, because he's really a good guy. When I buy stuff online, I save money, and he doesn't gouge me.
I bought a P1 from them a few years ago for $259 (I think), included holster and 2 mags. Have also bought some ammo.
Gun prices at the one near me seem upper end of being competitive. LOTS of guns though. Ammo supply was very low last two times I was there, with many empty spots on ammo shelves. Reloading supplies were limited and somewhat pricey.
Gun prices at the one near me seem upper end of being competitive. LOTS of guns though. Ammo supply was very low last two times I was there, with many empty spots on ammo shelves. Reloading supplies were limited and somewhat pricey.
Why don't you sit home, crack open a beer, shop at any number of online places, save 20% off the retail price at Gander, don't pay tax (that usually covers shipping it the purchase is over $125), don't waste gas (what, about .15/mile at 25 mpg), and have it delivered to your door in three days.
I just bought new dies, bullets, and some other things from Wideners. Cost $107 delivered. Same purchase at Gander or Cabelas would have been $150, plus my time and gas, which can be used driving to the range.
As for guns, well, if you're not buying online from a place like Buds or Able Ammo or Gunbroker, you're paying too much. I'm looking at a new Tikka rifle right now - $581 from Buds w/transfer fee or $620 from the lowest priced gunshop "near" (still 50 miles away) me.
Nope, I'm done with the brick & mortar sporting goods stores and, for the most part, gun shops as well. I'll shop from home and have UPS deliver it to me or my FFL dealer right down the road.
I just bought new dies, bullets, and some other things from Wideners. Cost $107 delivered. Same purchase at Gander or Cabelas would have been $150, plus my time and gas, which can be used driving to the range.
As for guns, well, if you're not buying online from a place like Buds or Able Ammo or Gunbroker, you're paying too much. I'm looking at a new Tikka rifle right now - $581 from Buds w/transfer fee or $620 from the lowest priced gunshop "near" (still 50 miles away) me.
Nope, I'm done with the brick & mortar sporting goods stores and, for the most part, gun shops as well. I'll shop from home and have UPS deliver it to me or my FFL dealer right down the road.
nambu1
Member
My Gander Mountain is 34 miles from me. I went once to buy some bullets for the 450 Marlin reloads I was doing. I had to hunt their entire stock for the 1 box they had. I have almost as much reloading equipment as they had. But, they had some really nice guns and their wildlife displays were fantastic. It was worth at least one visit.
mulletguter
Member
Cheese I live 5min from the new Gander in PB Gardens that I think you asking about. I was happy to see it open because I had drive an hour to Bass Pro to find any kind of hunting or shooting supplies
Grander has a huge selection of firearms and ammo but I think Bass Pro has a bigger and better selection of accessories and clothing. Gander also stocks AR’s and other defensive handguns and rifles. I think Bass Pro only sells hunting weapons. It defiantly worth a stop if you are in the area .
Grander has a huge selection of firearms and ammo but I think Bass Pro has a bigger and better selection of accessories and clothing. Gander also stocks AR’s and other defensive handguns and rifles. I think Bass Pro only sells hunting weapons. It defiantly worth a stop if you are in the area .
lee n. field
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Not unless you're already going to something else that's near there.
GM (at least in my area) now does carry black rifles, which I've never seen in Bass Pros. But, as noted, they will likely be high priced. (I've yet to see if they've come down any in my area since the last time I bought a firearms from them years ago.)
Mannlicher
Member
it can be. Watch their website for specials.
My impression. there is a fairly new Gander Mountain abourt 30 miles from me, another about 75. Two closest Bass Pro's are about 100 and 130. The Bass Pro's are much bigger stores, being in much larger towns.
What I like about Gander is that their long guns are on open racks , accessible to the customer with no interference. :Yes they have trigger locks and are cabled to the racks, but you can pick them up and look them over. Bass Pro puts everything behind counter and has a much smaller firearm selection, even in the larger stores as compared to the smaller Gander Mountain.
Currently with the price of fuel, I can pay a good more at Gander and break even or come out ahead vs traveling to a Bass Pro. Cabellas is totally out of the picture for me due to distance.
When I am at my other home in NE Louisiana there is a good independent along the same lines as these stores in Bastrop, La called Simmons outdoors. Beats anything in the Monroe/West Monroe area 35 miles away and probably 7-8 times the population base. I go from W.Monroe to Bastrop for the Simmons store.
What I like about Gander is that their long guns are on open racks , accessible to the customer with no interference. :Yes they have trigger locks and are cabled to the racks, but you can pick them up and look them over. Bass Pro puts everything behind counter and has a much smaller firearm selection, even in the larger stores as compared to the smaller Gander Mountain.
Currently with the price of fuel, I can pay a good more at Gander and break even or come out ahead vs traveling to a Bass Pro. Cabellas is totally out of the picture for me due to distance.
When I am at my other home in NE Louisiana there is a good independent along the same lines as these stores in Bastrop, La called Simmons outdoors. Beats anything in the Monroe/West Monroe area 35 miles away and probably 7-8 times the population base. I go from W.Monroe to Bastrop for the Simmons store.
BruceRDucer
Member
I dunno about there, but in Denver the one Bass Pro Shop (I was there Friday) has only a dozen handguns.
Gander has several dozen handguns, and lots of used firearms sold on consignment that in number are a little more than Bass Pro Shop I think.
Gander long barrels are on open racks where you can handle them which is nice. Bass Pro Shop stuff must be asked for.
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Gander has several dozen handguns, and lots of used firearms sold on consignment that in number are a little more than Bass Pro Shop I think.
Gander long barrels are on open racks where you can handle them which is nice. Bass Pro Shop stuff must be asked for.
/
The Tourist
member
In the Madison area, we do have a great alternative.
About eight miles outside of the city in the little burg of Sun Prairie--closer than the Gander Mountain store--is a little place called "The Ammo Box."
As I once reported, the place is owned and run by a crusty old curmudgeon named Tryg.
The best thing about The Ammo Box is that it specializes in black rifles and self-defense items. He even dabbles in .50 BMG rifles and the ammo, many times at clearance prices.
So if you need an orange jacket or a doilie with a deer head embroidered into it, go to Gander.
If you need some serious SD items, go see Tryg.
About eight miles outside of the city in the little burg of Sun Prairie--closer than the Gander Mountain store--is a little place called "The Ammo Box."
As I once reported, the place is owned and run by a crusty old curmudgeon named Tryg.
The best thing about The Ammo Box is that it specializes in black rifles and self-defense items. He even dabbles in .50 BMG rifles and the ammo, many times at clearance prices.
So if you need an orange jacket or a doilie with a deer head embroidered into it, go to Gander.
If you need some serious SD items, go see Tryg.
RNB65
Member
GM = gun dealer of LAST resort. I'd rather buy guns at Wal Mart.
Got my semi-auto shotgun from them...
Earlier this year in Illinois. Winchester Super-X2 Sporting, on closeout for $650.
Maybe not the super best price, but they did have a few to choose from.
Shotgun ammo seems a bit overpriced, compared to other local stores.
Earlier this year in Illinois. Winchester Super-X2 Sporting, on closeout for $650.
Maybe not the super best price, but they did have a few to choose from.
Shotgun ammo seems a bit overpriced, compared to other local stores.
That's funny. It's the other way around for me. The Dania Bass Pro is about 10-15 minutes away, and I actually have ridden my bicycle to it many times because it's so close. The new Gander Mountain is the one you are referring to in PBG, and is about an hour drive.
I might be going up there to the PB court house soon, so if that's the case, I'll take advantage of the opportunity and stop over there. How far is it from the court house in downtown PB?
tinygnat219
Member
Depends on if you have other stuff in the area. I'd combine the trip with other errands so it doesn't feel like you are "wasting" a day going up there and driving back.
The nearest Cabelas to me is 3 hours. However, I have gone up there for a couple of reasons: I hadn't been there, and they were having an ammo sale. I loaded up the back of my VW Golf TDI and literally dragged ass on the way home.
Seriously though, go and check it out, if nothing else to see if you want to go back there again.
TJ
The nearest Cabelas to me is 3 hours. However, I have gone up there for a couple of reasons: I hadn't been there, and they were having an ammo sale. I loaded up the back of my VW Golf TDI and literally dragged ass on the way home.
Seriously though, go and check it out, if nothing else to see if you want to go back there again.
TJ
mulletguter
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