went into myfirst Gander Mountain today

[SpeedAKL]

They just opened a new Gander Mountain in Roanoke, VA, about a 45-minute drive from my school. It's a huge store and it was very nice inside, it was opening weekend so the whole place (particularly the gun section) was packed.

A few observations: they had a great long gun selection and a decent handgun selection. I liked the fact that they stock some high-end stuff to drool over, for example they had Boss and Purdy double rifles for sale as well as many of Beretta's top-line shotguns. Also liked the fact that most of the long guns were able to be pulled down from the shelf and examined by the customer without having to ask someone, many big-box stores won't do that. Why do they lock up the black rifles tho? They're all behind a locked glass case. ARs and similar guns are a big interest of mine.....are they doing it because they're expensive or because they're trying to seem responsible to the antis

Ammo selection was decent but not great. I bought some Wolf for the AR because we had to go shooting later that afternoon with some people and my buddy picked up some Brown Bear 7.62x54R. Ammo prices were on the whole pretty expensive, definitely more than the Sportsmans Warehouse on the other end of town. Gun prices as well were full retail, although they had a great deal on Savage bolt-actions and they had an outstanding selection.

They had six of the new Remington R-15s in there. Funny at first to see an AR in bright green camo, but the build quality appears very good. Also had the new Remington 700 XCR-TLR, very nice weapon, and a GSG-5.

Overall, a pretty sweet place even though prices were higher than average. I'm glad they came to town.




On an unrelated note, the black-box Wolf I bought there totally freaking sucked turned the Bushy into a jam-o-matic! Never had that problem with Wolf before, but this batch consistently failed to cycle. The AR was running fine otherwise, so I'm assuming the ammo was not loaded to proper pressures causing the next round not to cycle properly.

 

[LegalAlien]

Gander Mountain opened up close to my workplace down here in South FL recently as well and I have been in there ogling their rifle collection as well.
Interesting though, there AR display seems to be different from what you have up in Roanoke - here it is a totally open display. They have all the high end shot under lock and key in glass cabinets in a gun library - impressive.
Have you been to Sportsmans Warehouse in Roanoke yet?
I was up there early Jan this year and they had just opened a new store, accross from Home Depot, near the airport.
Also impressive place and very similar to Gander Mountain.

 

[CBS220]

Their ARs are out in the open here, along with their other black rifles.

They just happen to cost far, far too much, and their service is akin to what I might expect at a self-serve gas station.

 

[geophysicishooter]

My experience with Gander is about the same as yours. A decent selection, higher in price than I'm used to. I'd even go so far as to say overpriced in some cases, particularly in the pistol ammo department. Their ammo prices broder on ridiculous, I never see anyone getting any ammo when I'm in there.

As for the AR's: the one's at the store here are out and on the racks, not behind glass or a counter at all. The "gunny" there is allegedly a marine and has the bolts and charging handles pulled out of all of them. Spoke to him about it, to wit he replied that it was either he did it or the customers...

Gander's a cool store, though I never buy anything there, not from the firearms section anyways..

 

[springmom]

Interestingly, the local GM that opened not far from us (I-45 in Spring) was terrific for about six months, then started to go downhill. At this point, they've cut their rifle inventory in about half; gotten rid of their used shotguns, and have jacked up the prices of their guns such that I don't even consider buying there anymore. I bought a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 there last year for $85. Now they're about $135. While I'm glad I bought when I did, that's a preposterous price increase.

Enjoy them while they've got their introductory prices and inventory. It may not remain such.

Springmom

 

[Dravur]

True true...

The GM i went into recently had prices so high I got a nose bleed. But hey, at least the counter "help" was nonexistant.

Now, here will come all the people that will say that "hey, their prices suck, but they will price match"
.....or..
"I got the best deal there. I only paid double suggested retail"

I think I have been in there twice now. I shant be going back. Oh, and if you want your eyes to bug out, go look at their ammo prices. painful...

I am pretty sure they prey on the uninformed and the lobotomized.

 

[SpeedAKL]

LegalAlien: yup, been to the Sportsmans Warehouse in Roanoke, very good place. Prices are extremely reasonable, better than many of the local shops although the local places do better with service and EBR selection. Ammo at SW is cheaper than Gander Mountain or most local stores but more expensive than web outlets. However, SW often has really good deals on certain brands of ammo, they had a nice deal on Independence, Winchester, and Am. Eagle pistol ammo when I was last in there. Overall, GM has more gun selection, SW is cheaper and has better ammo selection.

Also, GM had a rack full of Mosins, or "Refurbished Russian Rifles" as they were called, for $150 apiece. The sign claimed that they had been rebuilt by a gunsmith.

 

[Sav .250]

Not to make anybody mad but the local central fl GM "looks" like a Wal-Mart want-to-be.
Their stock is meger at best. Prices... seem a bit on the high side to me.
As I mostly check out the fishing section I`m constantly thinking, BPS
has a heck of a lot more stuff but on the flip side they (GM) is only 13 miles away.
As far as rifles go, they`ve had a used Sav 99 in .300 listed for $900
for over a year now and no takers.
It`s a nice,clean rifle but way over priced. GM must be standing on their price as nobody has taken it home.
Just my $.02.

 

[hockeybum]

over in Florida all the guns are out for you to handle, including AR's and Garands and all that. Only guns behind glass are the pistols, and the collectors expensive guns.

 

[ImARugerFan]

They've got a good ammo sale right now, for the first time in a while. CCI mini mags $5.95/100 and wolf 9mm $7.95/50. They have a rack full of M44s for $99 a piece.

 

[Blackbeard]

I go in to GM all the time. I like looking at and handling all the used guns in the display. The prices on most things are at least 25% over where they should be, though I have seen some handguns that are pretty close to MSRP. I've seen used Mossbergs there priced almost the same as a new one somewhere else. The ammo price there is at least double the price at Wal-Mart or Farm & Fleet. Don't even consider buying ammo there.

 

[Gunz]

The gander in Roanoke is so new that things are still nice and shiny and people are helpful. There are no real USed gun deals. The scratching and dinging of the handling of the rifles have already begun. Places like OH and even PA have kept their ARs and M14s behind glass. I saw a 5906 used for $449 in Roanoke. A tad high. Gander is recovinrg HUGE overhead costs for these stores ontheir guns and ammo and rec vehicle side. The clothing side is too low of a marin to collect, so they have to keep that side reasonably affordable.

The Gander in Lake Mary is prety lame. The one in Winchester VA is about the same. In fact, all of them look like they are going to price seasoned buyers out of the market. They cater to the one-time buyer, who goes there to shop like walmart convenience, and get a gun for $50-250 higher than going to a gun shop.

Gander is a huge corporation which bases its value on branding, appearance, and presence. The overhead costs are brutal. there are dividends and share prices to meet analysts' and Board expectations. Thus, the price per gun has to reflect that.

I still wander through the stores to see if there is a good deal. About 4 years ago, Gander was the BEST place for bargain used guns. About one year ago, Gander became the HIGHEST chain store for guns. I have found neat guns traded in, and I may pay a premium, based upon the model. The run of the mill stuff is best purchased at smaller, privately owned gun shops.

I think Cabela's and Dick's fall into the same grouping. Sportman's Warehouse has slightly lower prices.

 

[Lashlarue]

Ive been to the GM on I-45 twice , once to browse and returned with three of my guns I was planning on selling.I had an unfired NIB old model Vaquero SS 44mag 5.5" barrel, they offered me $200,I had a 1894s in like new condition with a $90 scope, carrying case and leather sling, they offered me $250, my Firestar 45 in 98% condition was not an item they wanted but the gunsmith offered me $100 of his money for it.I sold the Vaquero , and Firestar on gunbroker for $440 and $260 net to me, and turned down an offer of $375 for my 1894s. BTW they had a nib Kel-tec P-11, all blue, for $369.95,MSRP for that gun is $333 and most places sell them for $275. Needless to say I have not been back!Academy on I-45 and Rayford has better prices and frequent sales , my stimulus money will most likely get spent there.

 

[clarence222]

Id have to agree on the prices being high and the service lacking. However a co-worker f mine is planning a fishing trip fro needy kids at his home and was looking for sponsors to hlep with door prizes. The locla Gander Mountain mananger donated all kinds of things. If I had to guess I would say a few hundred dollars worth of merchadise. So I will keep that in mind next time I go shopping. I have also heard but havent confirmed that they will match prices on firearms.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

For all the complaining done about GM, I would still like to even see one. Do they have any plans to come out this way?

 

[gmelone]

For all the complaining done about GM, I would still like to even see one. Do they have any plans to come out this way?

When we get Big-5, you can have GM. In Cleveland, GM seems to be one of the best shops around, at least on the west-side. There are a couple nice shops out east, but for my casual drooling, GM is hard to beat around here.

 

[mekender]

Why do they lock up the black rifles tho? They're all behind a locked glass case. ARs and similar guns are a big interest of mine.....are they doing it because they're expensive or because they're trying to seem responsible to the antis

the one here locally does it because there are always kids and adult idiots dropping the guns... cant drop an AR but a few times before they cant sell it as new...

 

[coloradokevin]

I have a Gander, Sportsmans, and Bass Pro within a short drive of me (and a Cabelas was planned, but delayed for an unknown time due to the economy). I will admit that I am lucky, Colorado is an area that attracts any store that has anything to due with outdoor pursuits!

Gander is the last place that I would go... Their selection is fine, and I have no issues with their staff. But, in my experience, their prices seem to run about 20% higher than Sportsmans or Bass Pro on nearly every item that I have looked at.

Example:

Lyman Universal Case Trimmer:

Sportsman's Warehouse: $54.99
Gander Mountain: $79.99

45% more than Sportsman's Warehouse!

(they did do a price match for me, so I will give them that. But, nevertheless, I wouldn't go out of my way to shop there with the higher prices)

 

[ImARugerFan]

Ive been to the GM on I-45 twice , once to browse and returned with three of my guns I was planning on selling.I had an unfired NIB old model Vaquero SS 44mag 5.5" barrel, they offered me $200,I had a 1894s in like new condition with a $90 scope, carrying case and leather sling, they offered me $250, my Firestar 45 in 98% condition was not an item they wanted but the gunsmith offered me $100 of his money for it.I sold the Vaquero , and Firestar on gunbroker for $440 and $260 net to me, and turned down an offer of $375 for my 1894s. BTW they had a nib Kel-tec P-11, all blue, for $369.95,MSRP for that gun is $333 and most places sell them for $275. Needless to say I have not been back!Academy on I-45 and Rayford has better prices and frequent sales , my stimulus money will most likely get spent there.

You can only blame yourself if you went to a retail gun shop expecting to get fair prices when selling a gun to them. Of course you were able to sell them for more privately. Gander is straight forward in their gun appraisals when I've seen them do it. They look up the blue book value, and then offer you 70% of that. If it's something they don't think will sell that easily they'll refuse the gun, or offer you even less for it. You'd be surprised how many people actually sell their stuff at those lowball prices, I've snagged some incredible steals on their used gun rack. The new guns are priced atrociously except when they run specials.

 

[usp9]

I love my Gander Mountain. Great store. I've found some of my best deals in used guns there. Don't forget...they price match, just show up with a verifiable ad or some such.

... and a GSG-5.

Anyone handle or shoot one of these yet? Worth looking for?

 

[Hokkmike]

You can, every once in a while, find a deal at our Gander Mountain that is worth buying. They are often too busy (it is amazing how many guns they sell) but want to help when the can. The atmosphere is inviting there. If they kept a pot of coffee in their meeting room it would be down right hospitable.

On a related note, a friend of mine went to Cabelas and bout a shot gun, 870, and a NEF single shot .243 for UNDER $500.

 

[PTK]

Perhaps it's just the area, but I agree with coloradokevin regarding prices.

For us in Colorado, it seems Gander Mountain is called such because you go in, take a gander, see the prices are higher than the mountains to the west, and leave in all due haste!

 

[rugbyer81]

The Gander Mountain by me had Wolf 7.62x54R for $24.99 a box. At gun shows and online you can get the same ammo for about $6 a box.

Their ammo prices are awful and i've never bought a gun from them. I did have them do an FFL transfer for me once though.

 

[SpeedAKL]

I will say this, though it was crowded they did seem to have pretty knowledgeable people in the firearms section.

 

[cracked butt]

Gander Mountain used to have ok prices, but that has changed over the last few years. I don't buy anything there anymore other than clothing and occasionally, fishing stuff.

Their ARs are out in the open here, along with their other black rifles.

Gander mountain didn't deal in or carry EBRs until a few years ago when Sportsman's Warehouse started moving into their markets. Even still, the black rifle selection is paltry and very overpriced as compared to what Sportsman's Warehouse carries.