The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Hide > The Art of the Rifle: Semi-automatics

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old December 4, 2012, 10:29 PM   #1
stephen426
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 11, 2005
Posts: 3,840
Should not have gone to Gander Mountain

I live in Miami and had to go up to West Palm Beach to drop off some stuff. I am going to go duck hunting with someone and have been gathering my gear. Since I had to go up to West Palm Beach, I figured I'd pop in to the Gander Mountain since we don't have any further down south. Their gun selection is ABSOLUTELY CRAZY. I walked by the used gun section and a pristine S&W M&P AR-15 Sport practically jumped into my cart. It has a heavy barrel with flash suppressor and a collapsable stock. It is the model with no dust cover or forward assist. It has a pop up rear sight so a scope can be mounted on it. I picked it up for $599. I know the MSRP is $739, but ARs have been creeping up and this one is pristine! How did I do?
__________________
The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!
stephen426 is offline  
Old December 4, 2012, 10:37 PM   #2
TwentyToo
Member
 
Join Date: November 15, 2012
Posts: 41
More than one gun has also practically jumped in my cart at the Gander Mountain used racks as well. For me, one was a $329 pristine, possibly unfired Winchester 1894 in 30-30. Gotta love it.
TwentyToo is offline  
Old December 4, 2012, 10:43 PM   #3
stephen426
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 11, 2005
Posts: 3,840
They had a new Les Baer AR-15 in the clearance rack for $1500, but it was pretty beat up. I love Les Baer guns, but I sure as heck was NOT spending $1500 on one. I already have a Colt AR-15 HBAR. I figure the collapsible stock is more convenient against zombies! ;-)
__________________
The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!
stephen426 is offline  
Old December 4, 2012, 10:46 PM   #4
mitranoc
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 24, 2011
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 337
How beat up is the Les Baer? It was new?
mitranoc is offline  
Old December 4, 2012, 11:30 PM   #5
stephen426
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 11, 2005
Posts: 3,840
I had a few noticable scratches on it. It was definitely handled roughly. I know an AR-15 is a tool and it will get marks on it. You could also say a Mercedes is just a car and it will get dings in it. If I spend that much money on a gun, I want it in pristine condition.
__________________
The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!
stephen426 is offline  
Old December 5, 2012, 02:34 PM   #6
bedlamite
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 10, 2000
Location: WI
Posts: 1,395
I've found Gander Mountain to be inconsistent with pricing. Usually I'm tempted to ask the clerk what they are smoking, but every once in a while a screaming deal shows up.
__________________
A plan is just a list of things that doesn't happen.
bedlamite is offline  
Old December 5, 2012, 02:51 PM   #7
allaroundhunter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 6, 2012
Location: Southeast Texas
Posts: 1,670
At my local Gander Mountain they had a Sig P229 CPO (9mm).... For $399.....

They had it labeled as a DAK which really makes me wondering who does the labeling because it was most definitely not their DAK model.

If I was 21....that gun would have jumped in my cart...
allaroundhunter is offline  
Old December 5, 2012, 11:33 PM   #8
pjp74
Member
 
Join Date: November 12, 2011
Location: Anna, TX
Posts: 75
I'm with bedlamite Gander Mountain's prices are usually ridiculous. But I guess every once in a while you get lucky.
pjp74 is offline  
Old December 5, 2012, 11:43 PM   #9
RamItOne
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 24, 2011
Posts: 990
Yeah I've never considered them to be a place for a deal on anything. Ammo noticeably higher, gun prices are laughable. M&P pistols for over 600

Just went on their website, M&P ar 22lr for mid 500s.
__________________
M&P- the other dark meat

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pet...rtant/DJyvnHz0
RamItOne is offline  
Old December 6, 2012, 06:37 AM   #10
Marquezj16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 3, 2011
Posts: 2,088
Stephen - you did great. Gander Mountain is known for ridiculous pricing. A Sport for $599 is a great price for an awesome rifle. Safe shooting.
Marquezj16 is offline  
Old December 6, 2012, 06:47 AM   #11
TwentyToo
Member
 
Join Date: November 15, 2012
Posts: 41
Quote:
Originally Posted by pjp74 View Post
I'm with bedlamite Gander Mountain's prices are usually ridiculous. But I guess every once in a while you get lucky.
Yes, they're ridiculously high on everything here too! My experience has been: two used guns in great shape and price; three new guns at fair market value (and no FFLs, shipping, etc), several Nikon scopes $10 cheaper than anywhere (weird) and one Buckmasters scope that was accidentally under-priced by about $80.

Otherwise, I'd never buy anything there - way too expensive. Maybe some solvent or other cleaning supplies but that's about it.
TwentyToo is offline  
Old December 6, 2012, 07:08 AM   #12
BillyJack3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2, 2012
Posts: 423
Agreed. Every once in a while, you come across a deal.

stephen426, you did good on the Sport. If it's in the condition you described, you can't go wrong. Nice find!
BillyJack3 is offline  
Old December 6, 2012, 03:45 PM   #13
AKsRul.e
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2010
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 234
My GM never has a Bargain

Maybe I should move.
AKsRul.e is offline  
Old December 6, 2012, 05:20 PM   #14
TwentyToo
Member
 
Join Date: November 15, 2012
Posts: 41
I've found my half dozen or so bargains after going every couple weeks over a couple of years. The bargains are few and far in between, but patience and perseverance will eventually pay off. Of course, my wasted gas and time for the dozens of uneventful trips probably levels things out...
TwentyToo is offline  
Old December 6, 2012, 05:24 PM   #15
smokiniron
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 10, 2012
Location: Utah
Posts: 232
Bought my M&P AR15 Sport at Cal Ranch, $599 NIB...
__________________
"Figure Out What You Believe and STAND YOUR GROUND!"
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Lots of Cast Iron to Cook With...
and a few defensive firearms, too!
smokiniron is offline  
Old December 6, 2012, 08:05 PM   #16
Justice06RR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 21, 2010
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,360
I didn't even know Gander sells used firearms. I don't think the one in my area does, last time I checked.

a M&P15 Sport for less than $600 is an excellent price. Congrats!
Justice06RR is offline  
Old December 6, 2012, 09:20 PM   #17
johnwilliamson062
Junior member
 
Join Date: May 16, 2008
Posts: 9,995
Last time I was in one prices were much better and they had doubled the length of the gun counter.
johnwilliamson062 is offline  
Old December 6, 2012, 11:54 PM   #18
chris in va
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
My Sport was $640 a couple years ago. $599 now would be reasonable for a great rifle.
chris in va is offline  
Old December 7, 2012, 12:15 AM   #19
tahunua001
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 21, 2011
Location: Idaho
Posts: 7,839
you did about average. actual retail prices are rarely as high as MSRP. congrats on the buy, hope it brings you a lifetime of smiles.
__________________
ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar.
I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein
You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin
tahunua001 is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:58 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.08995 seconds with 10 queries