doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cabela's Gun Library Strikes Again

Hey all, well, here we go again! I was in the market for a light 20ga and found a nice Spanish SLE. In great shape BTW. Called them and asked all the pertinent questions. So, I bought it. Got it today.

Here's a comparison of what they said and the real deal.

LOP 14 1/4" measured at 15" (14 1/4 to the rear trigger)

Weight 6-10 when asked, they weighed it again and said it was 5-12
On my scale 6-12, must have had their thumb on the scale

Chokes IC&Full, mics out at IM and XF. Bbls were marked * and ** BTW

So, the gun was misrepresented IMO. If the specs were accurate li wouldn't have got it.

I will probably keep it and modify it to fit me and the specs I want. I did get a good deal on it and it is in excellent condition

Just wished they would hire people who knew something about guns, specifically SxS's.

Well, as they say caveat emptor I should have known.

Best to all

Greg

The gun I had shipped was (IIRC) a Francotte 12g with a lot of choke in the left barrel. I took my bore and choke gauge with me when I went to look at the gun. My gauge could find almost no choke. Just to make sure that my gauge was not in error, I asked if I could borrow the Gun Library gauge to check. The young salesman returned to report that the GL didn't have a gauge.
All of this ties in with Tom Bryant's sad post above. I recall suggesting to Tom that a wall thickness gauge would be a handy tool to have on hand. Laughter from Tom's end. "Larry, most of the Gun Library employees don't know how to read a bore and choke gauge, let alone wall thickness!

Even years ago when they had better staff in at least some of the Gun Libraries. it was a hit or miss deal. I was making frequent trips north from Iowa, where I lived then on I- 35. I usually was about ready for a break at Owatonna,MN I always called ahead to find out who was scheduled to be working the Library. If it was Bill Taylor, that meant I'd be stopping for sure.. And there were a couple other guys as well. B.C. Kinsey down at the KC store was another good one. Beyond that,hit and miss at many of their other stores.
Question for you, Greg: Are they still offering a pretty significant discount on guns and ammo to veterans and those currently serving in the military. That's been on and off in the past. Not enough to make it worthwhile to make a special trip for a couple boxes of shells. But if you're talking a gun like the one you just bought, sometimes you would have been talking hundreds of dollars. That can make it worthwhile to drive a couple hours if they have a gun that really trips your trigger.

Greg

You show know better than to buy a gun from their gun library.

The guys there should be working at a library

Now if you wanted shoes, jock straps, socks, Coleman fuel then your in the right place

John
Arrieta

I have a Cabela's near me. They are great.

I have bought a couple top shelf guns from Cabelas and felt I got pretty good deals. Although I have never sent one back, and since they usually ship to one of their local stores, it is pretty easy to refuse/send one back if unsatisfied. The thing I don't like is being subjected to state sales tax, even though they originally shipped from another state. Overall, I would buy from them again even knowing some of their employees are ignorant and can give inaccurate descriptions; sometimes they don't know their gun's actual worth.

6 lbs 12 oz is not a light 20. I’d be returning it.

I think he said 6lbs, 12 ozs.

Not even a light 12.

Best,
Ted

You might want to tamp down that paranoia, Jimmy. The world is full of risks, and buying, shipping, and receiving firearms, done properly, is pretty low on the scale. The "horror stories" you refer to are miniscule compared to the vast majority of clean deals. Most reputable gun dealers don't want to bother with guys like you anyway, so you're safely cocooned in your little world.
JR

Ask the right questions. In writing. Get the answers in writing. Have an inspection period upon receipt.

Not that complicated. But for some, their nerves can’t manage it. All the better for the rest of us. A little less competition.

Hey all, interesting comments. The gun is going back.

Talked to Cabela's and I had to email the head honcho and explain the issues with the gun. So, guess we'll see what he says. I'm sure there won't be any problems returning it.

Too bad, because this is really a nice gun. Excellent condition and it is a quality SxS.

Oh well, life is full of risks. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

Thanks again all!

Stay well my friends

Greg