Now that Bass Pro has bought out Cabela's, wonder what will happen with the ill-run Gun Libraries and the thousands of over-priced guns in inventory? Bet they won't lower prices or liquidate.
JR

maybe turn them in to local buy-back program....

No clue what they will ultimately do, but I've always thought that part of the business should be vendored out.

Can you imagine the potential if somebody like Jaqua's took over running those operations from a central location?

Right when brick and mortar stores were failing by the dozens Cabela's celebrates opening its first brick and mortar store.

Who was in charge of that operation.

I got what I thought was a very good deal on a matched pair of William Powell #3, 20 bores a couple years ago. I'm not sure the gun library knew for sure what they had since the manager didn't seem to know they were #3's?? I was surprised they had those guns! But, and bottom line, I don't think Cabela's gun library is always overpriced.

Wes Dillon was the first "Head Fred" in their fledgling Gun Library program, back in Sidney- last word I had was, Wes is with James D. Julia out in Maine--Bass Pro Shop is a major league supporter of DU-- I have my eye on a 20 gauge L.C. Smith Ideal at the MI Cabela's gun library- over priced at $2450, as the barrels were cut to 28" from 30" and both barrels are straight cylinder bore. Guess their "Gun Library expert" missed using a choke gauge and also looking for the half-moon shaped milled out notches on top and bottom ribs- factory std. on all pre-1913 Smiths Grade 2 and up, and on all post 1913 Grades from Ideal and up-- Gun shows wear, but no cracks in the stock at the locks or tangs- is worth about half what they have it tagged at- so, we shall see.

"also looking for the half-moon shaped milled out notches on top and bottom ribs- factory std. on all pre-1913 Smiths Grade 2 and up, and on all post 1913 Grades from Ideal and up-"

Runs, that is not true. I own a few Quality/Grade 2's and a 3 that do not have the so-called notch at the ends. Also don't go by barrels touching as a definite either.

My 20 ga 2E and 3E had the half moons. Bobby

Bobby, I was referring to Runs in his statement saying all pre-13's had the "V" shaped notches, when in fact, all did not.

No one can know everything about long guns and pistols and those in Gun Librarie's fall victom to this. When you have special knowledge you will always recognize true value and a bargain when you see one. The people buying and running the Gun Rooms might have general knowledge or ever great knowledge in some areas but not all. There are just too many different guns, too many different options or variations to be able to accurately price most guns.

We laugh at the $500 gun priced at $4000 and grab the $4000 guns priced at $1000. But if they listed the 4k gun at 1K you have to know they bought it for less than that. Only items in their inventory for years get marked down to bargain prices unless they are bought cheap, not recognized for their true value and priced to sell based on thought to be value or as a simple markup of the purchase price.

I love walking into the Gun Libraries because I often get one of two things. A good laugh or a chance to buy something at a bargain price. I'm good either way. I just bought a Remington Model 12 B in .22 short, also know as a Galley Special for $200.00, "because it did not shoot long rifles .22". Never mind that it is somewhat rare in high condition it was odd and hence not worth much to them. So I bought a 80-90%% gun for about 20% of its real value. Sent it to a buddy who collects them and he was thrilled to get it at what even to him was a bargain. Laughing all the way to the bank on that one.

KY Jon,

You're right about the ebb and flow of alternatively laughing and grabbing. Most of the time I just chuckle at the prices they want, but then again two years ago I scooped the single rarest sxs I own from a Gun Library.

I paid about 15 cents on the dollar for it. They just had no idea.

Truthfully, I'm sad to see this announcement, as I think much, MUCH more of Cabelas than I do Bass Pro...certainly in terms of pricing. But frankly, my hat is off to the Cabelas guys having sold the absolute top of the market. The economy is imploding under the weight of a deflating bubble 5 decades in the making. Gun prices -- even AMMO prices -- are coming down now.

People are stocked up and out of money. Just waiting for the next shoe to drop. Guns and ammo have been strong in recent years driven by well-placed paranoia, but even here, I think the game is now up.

- NDG

No future. Going to Cabela's to buy fine boutique grade firearm is like going to Walmart to buy piece of meat from range-raised animal like going to Office Max to buy fine Gold Cartier fountain pen or buying Harry Winston diamond at Mall Jewelry store.

Or buying the white Steinway baby Grand dropped in the Farmer's Insurance TV commercial, while Little Richard is present- as a "fixer-upper" for your next Carnegie Hall gig--

All my 4 12 gauge L.C. Smiths (2E, Ideal LONGRANGE ejector, Specialty ejector, and Eagle ejector (all with DT except the Specialty, which has the HOT) have the half moon clips on the barrel ribs, my 2 12 gauge OO and OOE grade Smiths do NOT- also, I loaned my Houchins book to a friend who is getting started in Smiths, so I can't be sure, but I thought he detailed that. However, the factory was run by people, and they make mistakes. I also let my friend "borrow" Another 12 Smith- and 1945 era Ideal 12 with the $5.00 extra raised solid single sighting plane rib (FWE with DT) and that does NOT have the half moon witness notches, as does my 1928 era Ideal LONGRANGE-- This is the Only 12 gauge Smith I own that is on the FW series frame and with 26" barrels- great grouse gun--I also have two pre-1900 graded Smiths with Damascus barrels, DT and rotary joint camming extractor design, and neither of those "oldies and goodies" have the half moon notches- so, quien sabes, ey compadre, quien sabes?? El Zorro..

Really Jagermeister? What should we make of your opinions when you are a guy who doesn't even own one double shotgun... only owns a short barreled Ithaca Model 37 pump... and rents most of his firearms including a Chinese .22 rifle?

What kind of gold fountain pens, diamonds, and gourmet steaks do you find at your local Rent-A-Center?

Trust Keithtard to turn this into a personal attack..

You're so right Last Dollar. I should try to be more like you:



Last Dollars post #455568 from 9/7/16

And #455569

Actually, sometimes I think I should have invented a fraudulent internet persona when I began posting here. Ignorant and immature people like you would be highly impressed Last Dollar. But people who actually have a brain would probably think I was a pathetic loser when they found out that I was as fake as a $25.00 Rolex.

Does this mean your invite to go pheasant hunting is off the table?

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...5784#Post445784

It appears you may be bi-polar and emotionally unstable. Hopefully you will get out of the donut hole on your ObamaCare Prescription Drug Plan, and get back on your meds soon.

Meanwhile, I am very concerned about rumors of the impending merger between Von Lengerke & Detmold and Schoverling, Daly & Gales.

Love those old quotes.....

I'm not saying that one can't walk into very nice classic shotgun at the Gun Library. Such things can happen. For example, in late 90s when Reed's was at Boulevard Mall I walked in there to get Valentines Day gift. I was shocked to see two brand new Patek Philippe dress watches with 18k gold cases and alligator straps. They cost about $8,500 a piece back then. I had to pinch my nose real hard and I felt the pain. I would say in general one does not go to Cabela's to buy investment grade Holland, Boss or Purdey.

Good guns are where you find them, period.

It does not matter one iota if you get one at Griffin & Howe or a pawn shop.

I bought a Grant side lever with Boss barrels. All confirmed with Atkins and Boss records. One owner who had the Boss Barrels put on . Wall thickness was in high 20's. Came with a Rhino hide oak and leather case. A Woodward that had new Birmingham barrels , , not sleeved . A Purdey SBT , one of the 59 made. .... all at Cabelas for prices that were atleast 1/2 or less than I would from one of the other sellers . It was easy to negotiate the prices . I always check to see what is in the Library.

I agree, Condor. Cabela's are ok to deal with. I had one bummer deal there once not too long ago. I made a call on a new in box Browning 425 32" at a very good price and told the manager I was interested in the gun. The library manager told me yes they have the gun, but he's busy with a customer and will call me back when he's free.......No return call. I called back a few hours later and he told me the gun was sold. Well, I was a bit miffed at that!! Other than that, I've had good dealings with them and yes, Cabela's has some VERY nice guns from time to time.

I think , as may already have been mentioned , the gun room guys sometimmes do not know what they have. They sell for the markup of what they paid for it. The Grant was a deal I probably will not make again. I asked why the Grant was so cheap. He says that it was not really Boss Barrels since a gold engraving with " Boss& Co" , was not typical of Boss Barrels . He thinks the gun is sleeved. So for the price , I liked the Grant side lever and barrel thickness was good , so it was a shooter. So, the gun arrives at the FFL with what I am certain is a $2000 oak and leather case restored which they never told me. Then I look at the barrels underneath and see two small " Boss" stamps on each barrel . With serial numbers. I send pics to Ron Lyn , and he also says Boss does not Gold engrave the rib on their guns but he sees the bottoms and checks the serial numbers and confirms they are Boss Barrels put on by the Grant owner 10 years later in 1907. ( who for whatever reason had the ribs gold engrave by someone other than Boss)
So I get a tier 2 gun , plus case, with Tier 1 barrels. All unknown to the Cabelas gun room guys for the price, which I thought low anyway, for a sleeved Grant. So it cuts both ways .

I think you got lucky. Does a blind squirrel find a nut every now and again? Haha. Seriously though, I don't think the Cabela's guys spend much time researching their guns, for whatever reason. Because of that, good deals can be had from them especially on the plethora of variety that English guns afford.

Lol! Yes Buzz ... I was lucky . But they sold me the Woodward saying those were sleeved when in fact they were new barrels . No originals of course , that price would have been way out of my league. I agree they simply do not have the time to do the research . They care about what they paid for it and what markup they can tolerate . But I always check it out because I am always looking for one to fall between the cracks. Love the Gun library! ( wink)

You can find a lot of bargains at Cabela's gun room if you look hard enough. In the last few years I have acquired a Remington 32 two barrel set with hard case for $1k because the "safety didn't work"- it was pinned and took about 10 minutes to remove stock and remove pin. More recently a Lefever DS 20 ga. for $600. Sometimes they don't know what they have or don't care as long as they make a profit. In addition all of my dealings with them have been smooth, they ship quickly and package the gun well.

I saw a Win. M21 16 ga. DT at Cabelas in Rapid City SD a couple weeks ago. Of course, they had $8500 on it.

But I have a friend who found a high condition Winchester 94 marked and priced as a 30-30 this summer. But it was stamped on the barrel 7-30 Waters. Got it for half-price!

You might call the analysts who follow Cabelas - I don't know if Bass Pro is public - and ask them the question about the Gun Library. If they don't know about it, they might want to ask. I'd be interested if it called out as a line item on their P&L statement, or other financial discussion in their Filings, if not, why not? The analysts are probably mentioned on the investment section of their web site or a financial statement.

Guns are such a koool topic for Streeters these days.

That 21 has had the chokes opened to Mod/IC and the barrels are scored from steel shot.
It can now be had for $6,000.

It is unlikely that the Gun library would be a line item in any P&L or Balance sheet . There maybe mention of gun sales and some details in their Annual report to Shareholders , which includes the Financial statements . Such line items are governed by the SEC's financial reporting requirements and according to Generally accepted Accounting practices... all of which would not highlight a business sector in the reporting .