doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cabela's Gun Libraries' future

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.