The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I swung through there today, after having sworn to myself I'd never set foot inside again, and Lo and behold they actually had a few guns on sale. Literally cheaper than anywhere else by a good $10-15.

So, I was looking at a H&R Pardner for a closet/HD gun for $170 price tag. Short barrel with a bead on it.

Or an 870 Express for $229.

Two 870s with slug barrels already on them for a little more than what I paid for my Remington brand slug barrel alone.

They had one of those Catamount Fury Chinese built mag fed 12g in the $400 range-used. A pile of .22lr rifles, and a bunch of assorted calibers that aren't normally shot around here.

The heck with it. I'll be over there early tomorrow anyway running errands for birthday party supplies, and if they're open that early both the 870 and the H&R are mine.

I go there and Cabelas every chance I get just to look around. I buy a few thousand reloading primers now and then but hardly anything else... Just like to look and handle what they have in stock.

It's been a long while since I've been in a Gander Mtn... Might have to change that.

870 is a good gun, solid, no surprises.

I hate...loathe the place. The atmosphere, the salesmen's attitudes, their lack or care and/or knowledge astounds me every trip. But when there's tables lined up in the aisle with guns all over it and I have free reign to fondle them, things become better. I want to buy them all so that I know they won't rust from the masses of greasy hands, but I can't. But I'm headed out in a few minutes to rescue two of them.

If you have suffered abuse at the hands of the sales staff you should write the CEO of the company and explain the problem. Might get a result.

I don't care if the staff knows less than I do, (all modesty aside) I expect that. When I do go there, (not often) I know exactly what I want, and can find it myself. As for various attitudes, after a lifetime of going to various gun shops, clubs, ranges, etc., I've seen & heard them all. I can be civil and supress the urge to strangle an attitude (and it's espouser) long enough to get done what I need to do. I just mentally project their image on the target next time I'm out shooting.....

I went and the 870 I wanted was gone already. But the H&R was there and I got it. There was an older gent that helped me. This was the best experience I've ever had there. He brought a second Pardner pump from the back that was used. I bought both and one warranty that he left blank so I could put down whichever one broke, all under $400.

I think you did well. Probably had to do with the "older" gent helping you.

I couldn't finger it all day and it finally came to me. The guy reminded me of old Tom Oar from Mountain Men. The one where he and his wife sell skins for a living in Wyoming. He has that voice, aged look, and shuffle. Made me feel good getting walked to the door with him in point holding one shotgun and me bringing up the rear with another...although mine was in its box still.

I stopped by today. Pretty much the usual overpriced stuff. Saw a XDs used for $600. I did buy a magpul single point sling and sling plate. They were priced normal. Ammo was stupid high.

Last time I went to Gander Mountain I was looking at handguns. The prices were 20-30 percent higher than online prices - even when you factored in for sales tax, shipping and FFL fees. Looks like they're getting back to reality.