Gander Mountain's Used Guns

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MikePGS

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I'm considering buying a used pistol from Gander Mountain and I was just curious as to whether or not anyone has any experience with them in regards to used guns. I noticed they have a little sign that says they've been looked at by a gunsmith... but after talking to the guy there he made it sound like the gunsmith pretty much just makes sure the things fire. Does anyone have any good or bad experience with them? Also, i'm relatively new to the whole pistol thing and was wondering if anyone could give me tips as to what to look for in general when looking for used guns, particularly if you can't fire them in advance. Thanks in advance
 
Ganders gun seem to be in pretty good condition. A gunsmith looks at them but does not fire them or detail strip them. They field strip them a look for major issues. If they don't see anything into the case they go.

What type of pistol are you looking at? Revolver or semi auto?

Here is a pretty good write up that should help you. Good luck

http://www.chuckhawks.com/used_handgun.htm
 
I bought a used beretta from gander mtn last year, first trip to the range, it broke. GM sent it back to beretta for me. Two weeks later, second trip to the range, it broke.
GM cheerfully refunded 100% of my money, their service was just fine.
 
I have bought several used handguns at Gander Mt. and am very pleased with them. They don't stock any junk at my local store. I have found their prices to vary quite a bit, I have bought what I believe are 'steals' over the last few years. One was about $75 to $100 under Gunbroker average prices.

The gunsmith is on-site and he is experienced and involved with local shooting groups.

He's done work on a gun for me and it was completed in a timely, quality and fairly priced way.

Gander Mt. has a service contract that you can buy with the used gun. It cost $19.95. It is good for any repairs up to one year after the manufacture warranty runs out, IIRC.

If you have a lifetime warranty, that means that they will fix it forever. Plus you get a free gun cleaning anytime during the first year. Here's a link:

http://www.gandermountain.com/gunsmithing/protect.asp


I always buy this thing. $20 is cheap insurance and hey, they charge $50 for a cleaning normally, so it's deal on both ends IMO.

And no, I don't work for Gander Mt. ;)
 
I picked up an older 70-series Colt 1911 at one of the local GM's a few years back. It was used but looked pristine. Went from the store to the range. Failed to extract every single time. Found there was no tension on the extractor at all. Back to the store and the gunsmith was super nice and had it up and running in probably 15 minutes at no charge. Sales service at my local GM's has been spotty at times, but the smith service has been excellent especially on their used firearms.
 
I've bought a couple of used guns at Gander Mountain, and have traded in several others. Funny thing is I have never seen any of the ones I've traded in (and they were all good pieces) back in the cabinet. I've wondered if they ship them around to other stores for some reason or other, or maybe the ones I traded, just sold fast.

Their prices do seem to vary a lot. For example I paid $250.00 for a VERY good Smith & Wesson 39-2. I thought that was a steal, because the ones I'd seen in other stores were around $400.00. On the other hand, they had a Ruger MK II, NRA commerative 22 in the case (used) for $599.00. :what:
I had just purchased one just like it at the same store a few months before, NIB for $219.00.
 
I've had good luck with Gander Mountain used guns. If you buy a good brand of firearm it doesn't matter at what store you purchase it.

Go ahead and buy the Bersa.
 
I've had nothing but good experiences at GM. I've bought a used CZ 40-P, a LNIB Walther P99, and a brand new Beretta 9000s.

I was told at my local store that the gunsmith field strips, cleans, and fires (not necessarily in that order...) each used/traded firearm to check serviceability.

To date, I've not had a single problem with any of the firearms I've bought from them...but I've sold 2/3 of the above!

Their prices do indeed vary quite a bit...For the most part they are about $50 higher than they 'should' be. BUT, you can find decent deals if you look often enough. The main reason for the variability of prices is that the valuation is determined by whoever it is who's working the counter at that time. If an eyeball jumps a line in their Shooters Bible and they pay someone too much, they'll keep that resulting price with the firearm.
 
The used prices are too high in every Gander Mountain I have been in. The used guns are usually in good shape but they sell for only slightly lower than their new gun prices.
 
It has got to be hit or miss with used guns. My son got a great deal on a GP100 at GM. My son-in-law does better, but he works at one. I've never seen anything that excited me.
 
Gander adds in an extended warranty. It's not optional but if there's a problem it covers you.

I bought a P-1 from them and even with all that it was comparable to what I saw online. Add in the S&H and FFL fee and I broke even *and* I got to look at the pistols and pick the best they had. Oddly enough Gander is the only dealer in my area that had P-1's.
 
I definately think the used guns at the local GM in my area are rather inflated. Plus it seems like all they ever have are a bunch of Glocks all in chambered .40 S&W, which leads me to believe they were once police guns and potentially used pretty hard.

If I were you I'd check out a gun show first before buying used from GM. It has been my experience that gun shows sometimes have NEW guns for similar or the same price as what Gander Mountain wants for a used model.
 
I frequent the local GM because it's a mile from my office. I like to see what they put out in the used sections and have purchased at least 3 used guns from them.

I've developed good relationships with the guys that work in the department and have found that 90% of the used guns come from pawn shops and are purchased in bulk quantities by GM corporate. GM marks them up a set percentage from the price they paid.

Unfortunately, a lot of guns slip through the cracks and they over pay for them, so that means a high price at the counter. My GM has a S&W airweight .38 Bodyguard right now, used, behind the counter for $499! I pointed out to them that new ones regularly sell in the $350 range and when they pulled it up on the computer they found that they had been charged $375 for the gun by the pawn shop.

Also, don't be afraid to ask for a better price, they can come down on them.

I've purchased some great used guns from them at great prices and seen plenty of dogs. Not much different than buying used guns anywhere just need to know what you're looking at.

Recent used scores at GM:

Mid 1930's Colt Police Positive Target .22 in nice condition - $215
Mid 1960's S&W Model 19 in pristine 98%+ condition - $249
 
My closest Gander is waaaay too high for "previously owned shootin' irons".

But the real "kicker" for me was when the guy behind the counter insisted that a Century "M1 Garand" for $750 {Tagged as a Springfield WWII era rifle}was a good deal "...Because Century is a division of Springfield Armory." Also tried to tell me that International Harvester & H&R never made M1's. I pulled the op-rod to open the action, and it came loose from the bolt. Then guy starts loudly demanding that I buy that [ahem] "rifle" because I broke it.
 
I have not had good experience with the sales staff @ any Gander Mountain I have been in. The staff are generaly under paid college kids with the Idea that working for GM made them Experts with firearms.
From a price stand point you would think that everything in the firearms Department is "Collector Grade" and "One of a Kind". Ruger Mini 14's beat to heck and ragged selling for about $50.00 less than new. FM-95 HP's priced like real Browning Hi-Powers the list goes on and on.
There are deals to be had but the thing to do is cruise them persistently and when you do see a good deal grab it.
 
I'm one of the underpaid college kids who works in the gun department at Gander Mountain. While I don't consider myself an expert, I do consider myself quite knowledgeable about firearms and ammunition. I'm new to THR and I think it's ammusing to see all the discussion about the pricing and service at the chain stores like GM, Cabella's, etc. I'm not trying to advertise for GM. I don't care if they make more money. I don't see an extra dime from increased profits. I just think it's important to point out that each store is different and run by different managers and associates. They may not all be as passionate about the shooting sports as I am. Be careful when buying any used gun and do research before making a purchase. Check the Blue Book value. See what it's going for on gunbroker.com and gunsamerica.com. Ask if they can negotiate on the price. Have the gunsmith look at it again while you're there and ask him any questions you may have. Used guns come with a warranty so if you do buy one, take it out and shoot it right away to make sure it functions properly. The warrenty does not cover poor aim. :neener: If a new gun is only $50 more than the used one, buy the new one. Used gun prices are determined by cost (what the store paid for the gun) and if you find a great deal, it means someone probably got slightly screwed when they sold it. Good luck, Mike.
 
I don't know if they still do, but ours actually did fire the guns once. They may not do it anymore.

They won't give you much for a used gun so I know they're making a significant profit. I don't know if you'll have any luck, but see if you can negotiate with them on the price of the gun you want. They have a lot of room, IME. YMMV
 
I've bought two guns at the local GM. One new Marlin .22LR, and it was the best price in town. And the other one I bought used; Benelli Nova for $200. I've since put about 500 rounds through the Nova without a problem :)
 
GM marks them up a set percentage from the price they paid.
Click to expand...

My GM has a S&W airweight .38 Bodyguard right now, used, behind the counter for $499! I pointed out to them that new ones regularly sell in the $350 range and when they pulled it up on the computer they found that they had been charged $375 for the gun by the pawn shop.
Click to expand...

A $125 markup on a gun they purchased for $375 is a little out of line, if you ask me. If that is their standard percentage markup(33%), I can understand all of the complaints of outrageous pricing on used items.
 
before I bought my M&P I went to Gander and found a pristine used Glock 19, not a scratch on it

I wasn't willing to pay new price for it, but it was marked at $449 and I figured it had a little room. It had the 10 round mags but another next to it also had the new hi capacity mags, so I asked if they would switch them for a customer... possibly was the answer. I asked the sales guy (young guy (my age), very nice kid though) what they could sell it for, and he said that they really didn't negotiate any on them. When I commented that a new one could be had for $475 pretty easily, he said he knew that, but they would sell it for $449 used to someone eventually. :p

At the same time, they had a few CPO Sigs for very reasonable prices, looking brand new. I'm sure it is just a big crap shoot. :cool:
 
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