Which Chain Store Do You Prefer for Gun Purchases?

[aarondhgraham]

It's not so much a preference,,,

It's not so much a preference,,,
As it is proximity for me.

I bought from Wal Mart,,,
I buy most of my ammo there,,,
And I've purchased three rimfire rifles there.

It's where I do all of my grocery shopping,,,
And the prices aren't bad at all.

Aarond

.

 

[TennJed]

hands down sportsman's warehouse. very competitive prices and a good selection

 

[patriot53]

Wow there is not enough options.

9. none of these above.

I prefer to use my money in my local stores, they stay in business and I do not have to drive 20 miles to stand in sportsmart.

+1
Grab-a-Gun & Hinterland

 

[burk]

I voted Gander because they have more stores around me and I work there part time.

Having said that I tried to be a bit unbiased, but I've never been overly impressed by the Cabelas around me. It's just too hard of a store to get in and out of. And their help doesn't seem to be anything special. But I realize Gander Mountain is not without it's issues. I don't think any of them do as good a job on accessories as they should. And as far as selection Jays Sporting Goods in Claire MI is far better than any of them and an independently owned two store chain.

 

[ljnowell]

In my little town we have a Rural King store. They have stores in FL, IL, IN, KY, TN, OH, and PA. There may be others but I'm not sure.

They don't have a huge inventory, probably 30 different models if handguns, 20 different rifles, and some shotguns. They will order about anything. Their prices are almost identical to buds.

The only downside? No trade-ins, no used guns, no haggling. Prices are so low that there isn't much point in haggling anyway.

 

[CajunBass]

I've probably brought more guns from Gander Mountain, but that's only because they sell handguns which is what I'm really interested in. I've bought a few from Wal-Mart and never saw any reason not to.

I think of Bass Pro as a fishing tackle store. I used to buy a lot of tackle from them out of the catalog, but by the time they opened a store near here, I'd pretty much lost interest in fishing. I've never even looked at guns there really.

Shoot, there was a time when I didn't know there was any other "gun store" but Sears-Roebuck. I started buying guns from them back when I had to get Mama to call the order in on the phone, and wait a couple of days for the Sears truck to bring it to the house.

 

[GEM]

Academy is the only store around here that is mildly price competitive with the gun shows or on line. Maybe 20 bucks more on average.

Cabelas and Bass Pro are too expensive. Only time I bought a gun at Cabelas is when they had a sale and I had a good deal of points from other purchases.

That made it worthwhile.

 

[Elkins45]

I have purchased exactly one gun from Bass Pro, one from Gander Mountain, two (both 10/22's) from Wal-Mart and two from Sportsman's Warehouse. So I guess I can't vote because I'm tied.

In general I don't buy guns from chain stores. These were all either exceptional deals or purchases of necessity--the 10/22'a were gifts.

 

[JTHunter]

As none of those stores are near me (except W-M), my options are limited. To further aggravate the situation, neither of the two WalMarts nearest here sell firearms! They haven't sold guns in over 15 years! Their supplies are similarly "limited"

 

[NMPOPS]

Actually have never bought from any of those listed, but I do shop at Cabela's. I buy my guns at a local gun store or at J&G Sales.

 

[Thunder496]

I like Academy their everyday prices are much better than most of the other big box stores. Unfortunately I now live over 100 away from the closest one. The one time I have been to a Cabelas the prices where resonable and would shop there more often if there was one closer. I have found deals at Gander but in general their prices seem high. Bass Pro seems to be only good for their sales.

 

[wally]

Academy is the only store around here that is mildly price competitive with the gun shows or on line.

+1 but the selection varies a lot with different locations.

I voted for Sportsman's Guide because I get much of the ammo in calibers I don't reload from them as with their easy to find $10 off coupons their price+S&H is usually the best I can find when I need more. But I thought they were on-line only.

 

[Kynoch]

Academy is the only store around here that is mildly price competitive with the gun shows or on line. Maybe 20 bucks more on average.

Cabelas and Bass Pro are too expensive. Only time I bought a gun at Cabelas is when they had a sale and I had a good deal of points from other purchases.

That made it worthwhile.

You have no Wal*Mart locally?

 

[Kynoch]

Cabela's and Bass Pro sorta seem to be the Nordstrom of sporting goods stores. Amazed at the voting difference. Very, very interesting.

 

[Steve CT]

I have purchased two guns at the local Cabela's, one was a good deal, one was a great deal, and I still visit this store every couple of weeks, sometimes buying ammo or reloading supplies.

I'd like to see Bass Pro Shops, my son tells me that most of the time he visits one of their stores, reloading components seem to be readily available.

 

[MICHAEL T]

#9 Local mom and pop only No over priced chain stores.

 

[Kynoch]

I sure wish we had a Cabela's or Sportmen's Warehouse here locally. Does anyone here have a feel for which of these stores are typically the largest in terms of square footage, or are they all about the same?

 

[wally]

You have no Wal*Mart locally?

The Wal*Mart closest to me doesn't carry guns. They've not had any ammo in a caliber I want for about two years now.

Academy has had 9mm, 5.56 & 7.62x39 ammo at as good or better prices as I can find on line. They've also usually had .22lr ammo, but the two box limit and poor selection makes it not worth driving there for it.

 

[Midwest]

The only gun I ever bought from a chain store was a .22 lr rifle from K Mart a long, long, long time ago.

.

 

[GBExpat]

I cannot recall the last time that I bought either a gun or gun-related supplied in the Chain Store.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I will throw in a vote for the more regional Scheel's, which appears to be a Midwestern thing. We are getting one in my home town, and I am super pumped, I hope they put our Gander out of business.

They have a huge selection of all kinds of sporting goods and fair prices on guns (Still elevated, guns in general seem to carry higher prices in Minnesota compared to many other states, but very fair for Minnesota).

 

[Legionnaire]

I voted Cabela's due to selection. But most of my purchases are on-line these days.

 

[On An Island]

Chain store? Academy. Selection is hit-or-miss, but their prices are reasonable, and the three guys at the gun counter in my local one are all enthusiasts and have a clue.

For most things I'm interested in though, my LGS or Bud's.

 

[BigBL87]

I'll chime with another none of the above. I haven't bought any of mine from chain stores, by if/when I do, it'll be from Rural King. Very fair prices and great selection for not being a specialty store.

 

[GBExpat]

Before this Thread, I did not realize that Sportsman's Guide also operates a bunch of Brick'n'Mortars.