Gander Outdoors is an American outdoor sporting goods retailer that emerged from the bankruptcy acquisition of the former Gander Mountain chain. Now operating under Camping World Holdings (CEO Marcus Lemonis), the brand has undergone a fundamental transformation — exiting the firearms business entirely in 2021 and pivoting to camping, fishing, and RV accessories.

:::callout
The Gander story is a cautionary tale for the firearms retail industry. Gander Mountain was a legitimate firearms destination for decades — large gun departments, indoor ranges, extensive ammo inventory. After bankruptcy in 2017 and acquisition by Camping World, the brand was gradually stripped of its firearms identity until the gun departments were eliminated entirely in 2021.
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Key milestones:

• 1960 — Gander Mountain founded in Wilmot, Wisconsin; catalog-based hunting/outdoor retailer
• 1990s-2000s — Expanded to large-format stores nationwide; major firearms retailer
• 2017 (March) — Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed
• 2017 (May) — Camping World acquires assets for ~$35 million; rebrands to "Gander Outdoors"
• 2018-2019 — Significant store closures; reduced firearms inventory
• 2021 — Exits firearms retail entirely; removes all gun departments
• Present — Operates as camping/fishing/RV retailer under Camping World umbrella

Shopping Guide

Gander Outdoors stores now focus on camping, fishing, and outdoor recreation — not firearms:

Store format:

• 40,000-80,000 sq ft (varies significantly)
• Some locations co-located with Camping World RV dealerships
• Inventory levels and store conditions are inconsistent
• Online ordering available but e-commerce platform has technical limitations

:::callout
For firearms buyers, Gander Outdoors is no longer relevant. The company exited firearms retail entirely in 2021. If you're looking for the experience that Gander Mountain once provided, the closest equivalents are Sportsman's Warehouse, Bass Pro Shops/Cabela's, or Scheels. Some former Gander Mountain locations were acquired directly by Sportsman's Warehouse.
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Customer experience:

• Reviews are mixed (many 1-2 star ratings on Trustpilot)
• Inconsistent inventory — some locations appear understocked
• Service quality varies significantly by location
• Longtime Gander Mountain customers are generally disappointed
• Stronger in camping/fishing than in overall retail experience

Firearms Department

Gander Outdoors no longer sells firearms, ammunition, or firearms accessories.

The company eliminated all gun departments in 2021, citing changing business priorities. This was a complete exit — not a reduction:

Why it matters to the firearms community:

• Gander Mountain was a major firearms retailer for decades
• The bankruptcy and acquisition by a non-firearms company (Camping World) led to gradual decline
• Many firearms customers feel the brand was gutted of its identity
• Online forums show widespread disappointment and refusal to shop at remaining stores

:::callout
The Lake Mary, FL flagship was once Gander Mountain's crown jewel — indoor ranges, 360-degree shooting simulators, comprehensive training programs. Its transformation under Gander Outdoors represents the brand's complete departure from its firearms heritage.
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Store Locations

Gander Outdoors operates significantly fewer locations than the former Gander Mountain chain:

Key changes from Gander Mountain era:

• Dramatically reduced total store count
• Many former locations acquired by Sportsman's Warehouse
• Some locations converted to other retailers entirely
• Remaining stores often co-located with Camping World
• No new store expansion plans announced

Where former Gander Mountain customers should shop instead:

References

• Gander Outdoors official site: ganderoutdoors.com
• Reddit r/Firearms: "Gander Outdoors removed their entire firearms" discussion
• Accurate Shooter forum: industry analysis
• Athlon Outdoors: Gander Outdoors operational updates
• Consumer review sites: Trustpilot, Yelp, PissedConsumer

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team

Join the Discussion

Did anyone here shop at the original Gander Mountain before they shut down, and how do you feel about the rebranded Gander Outdoors dropping firearms altogether?