Gander Outdoors

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Heritage & History

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

Era	Identity	Firearms Role
Gander Mountain (1960-2017)	Hunting and outdoor destination	Core business — extensive gun departments
Early Gander Outdoors (2017-2021)	Transitional outdoor retailer	Reduced but present
Current Gander Outdoors (2021+)	Camping/fishing/RV retailer	None — completely exited firearms

Shopping Guide

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

Department	What to Expect	Notes
Camping	Tents, sleeping bags, camp furniture, cooking	Coleman, Kelty, MSR, Big Agnes
Fishing	Rods, reels, tackle, kayaks	Abu Garcia, Penn, Shimano, Ugly Stik
Outdoor apparel	Hiking, camping, casual outdoor	Columbia, North Face, Carhartt
RV accessories	Parts, hitches, electrical, maintenance	Camping World integration
Footwear	Hiking boots, work boots, casual outdoor	Reduced hunting boot selection
Firearms	None	Eliminated in 2021

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:

What Was Removed	Former Offering
Long guns	Hunting rifles, shotguns (Remington, Winchester, Savage, Ruger)
Handguns	Concealed carry, target, revolvers (Glock, S&W, Sig, Ruger)
MSRs	AR-pattern rifles
Ammunition	All calibers
Reloading	Components and equipment
Gun safes	Budget to mid-range
Indoor ranges	Some locations had shooting ranges (e.g., Lake Mary, FL)

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:

Region	Status	Notes
Florida	Select locations	Lake Mary flagship store (transformed)
Wisconsin	Select locations	Original Gander Mountain home territory
Minnesota	Select locations	Some closed; some converted by competitors
Iowa	Select locations	Reduced presence
Pennsylvania	Select locations	Scattered
Other states	Minimal	Many locations closed permanently

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:

Alternative	Firearms	Camping/Fishing	Why Consider
Sportsman's Warehouse	Excellent	Good	Most direct successor; acquired some GM locations
Bass Pro / Cabela's	Excellent	Excellent	Largest selection; destination stores
Scheels	Excellent	Good	Premium experience; 15 states
Academy Sports	Good	Good	Value pricing; expanding nationally
Local gun shops	Varies	Limited	Best expertise; support local business

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?

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