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A Cabela’s just opened in Albuquerque this week and I intend to check out their Gun Library this weekend. Only one of the local guns shops handles antique Winchesters anymore and the little they do have sucks. Over the years I’ve seen numerous internet ads for old Winchesters at various Cabela’s locations but have never pursued any as their descriptions always leave out details (especially bore condition) and their prices seem to be exaggerated.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015
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I have purchased several antique Winchesters and a number of other guns from my local (Ft Worth) Cabela’s Gun Library. The folks working there are very pleasant and entertaining to deal with. With all the changes going on now I doubt there will be much to interest you at your new store but it’s worth a try. Also keep in mind that any Library firearm on their site that interests you can be shipped to your store for a small fee. All libraries tend to operate differently, hopefully the folks at your store will be as good to deal with as the guys at mine. Like any gun store, it’s important to develop a relationship in order to get the best treatment.
Mike
I deal with the one in Sidney Ne and have for years. You can have a gun shipped in for $25 so you can have hands on. The price is negotiable after you’ve looked at it if there are problems. If selling they will give you the we pay 70% of retail song and dance but you need to know what your gun is worth before going in. I’ve seen some great guns bought for very little because someone walked in and said I want X amount.
I have done well at several of their locations. The only drawback I can find is you must pay state tax. I have a C&R so I pay no other fees but shipping.
That can be expensive when you buy a $6,000 carbine like I did. I didn’t cry when I bought a rare M56 in 22 short in a good 95%+ condition for under $1,000.
I have also seen some great deals go before I got to them. Sometimes they are high, and sometimes they don’t have a clue and you can get a gun for less that 1/2 of its worth. I think with all their stores, they are short on expert evaluators. They are easy to deal with and may drop the price if you ask politely.
Big Larry
As has been stated, sometimes their asking price is quite high.
Here is a secret that I’ve not divulged to anyone. . . EVER! So, please don’t spread it around. (When you spy a Winchester you would like to bring home but the price is obviously high, bookmark it on your computer and check back once in a while. Yes, someone else might buy it, though most folks recognize and shy away from such prices. Cabela’s does lower their asking price occasionally–sometimes enough to make the deal plenty attractive. It may take several months for the price to be lowered, so don’t give up.)
The $25 cost to have a Winchester shipped from elsewhere to the local store is worth it. Usually a listing has too few photographs and a sparse description. It is always a plus to be able to inspect a gun prior to purchasing it.
And, I agree, they do error and under-price firearms.
BUT, sometimes, you snooze you lose. Yes, money is a concern for me, but if I see something I need for my collection, I certainly try to get the price down, but that does not always work. So, I bite the bullet and buy the gun anyway. Sometimes over priced, but the values of these old gun keeps going up and eventually your new treasure will be worth much more than you paid for it. I rarely sell any of my guns so I do not realize a profit, but I do keep track of current values and they have been rising considerably. I am very proud of the guns I have amassed in the past few years. Bought some high and bought some low, and can tell you, they all are worth much more than I paid for them, high and low. Big Larry
I’ve never purchased a gun from them but like to browse their inventory from time to time.
They have some nice rifles, definitely worth a look.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
November 7, 2015
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Was at my local orphanage yesterday, manager there very concerned about the Bass Pro takeover as their attitude toward collector firearms is quite different from the one Cabela’s has held for years. This particular store has sold almost all of it’s high end inventory and it has not been replaced. Three cases were full of black guns and “long range tactical” rifles and that seems very odd to me. They haven’t bought a large estate collection in quite some time, mostly singles or small collections and few of them. I think the situation will be very interesting in coming months and it’s quite possible some very good deals will be available, time will tell. Quite honestly I hope the Bass Pro deal falls thru and Cabela’s is forced to divest itself from the Outpost store program and return to it’s former position as a destination store with lots of eye candy and collector quality firearms.
I’ve had a feeling the Gun Library would soon be a thing of the past ever since I first heard of the takeover.
I hope that’s not the case.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Well, so far I’ve called the one in Sidney (home office) 5 times, no answer but voice mail, left 3 messages, sent email through my Cabela’s account and through their Guns International listing and still nothing. The new store in Albuquerque opens on 9/21 so that should indicate if they intend to continue in the gun business.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Wincacher said
Well, so far I’ve called the one in Sidney (home office) 5 times, no answer but voice mail, left 3 messages, sent email through my Cabela’s account and through their Guns International listing and still nothing. The new store in Albuquerque opens on 9/21 so that should indicate if they intend to continue in the gun business.
Yep, will be interesting to see if they have a Library, let us know!
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Turns out that te only way to get hold of the guy in the GL was to call the store’s direct number and ask for the manager. Got someone right away. The bottom line was that even though I was talking to someone in store #1 at the home office I was told that the employees are being kept in the dark regarding the continuance of the GL’s in Cabelas. Based on the terrible service I think they suspect the Libraries won’t remain.
Will report when the local store opens in 3 weeks.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015
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Kevin Jones said
I’ve had a feeling the Gun Library would soon be a thing of the past ever since I first heard of the takeover.I hope that’s not the case.
GL employees share your concern. I know there will be some changes. No one at the store level really knows.
November 7, 2015
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As some of you know the “Outpost” (smaller) stores generally don’t have gun libraries, Waco, for example has no GL and very few used guns. The store in Allen has a small GL. It’s been a good ride with the Ft Worth GL but it may be over.
TXGunNut said
GL employees share your concern. I know there will be some changes. No one at the store level really knows.
Follow up: finally made it into the new Cabela’s in Albuquerque. They do not have a Gun Library but they do sell lots of new guns, mostly the “black gun” variety. Spoke to an employee who said he didn’t know anything about the Bass Pro takeover policies but did tell me that this store is a smaller one with “only” 75,000 square feet and that might be the reason for the lack of a Gun Library.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015
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My local orphanage has had to put black guns and “tactical” rifles in their display cases. As I understand it (and I probably don’t or can’t) these are the upper crust of the type and some command premium prices. At one time I was somewhat knowledgeable about these types of rifles but I haven’t kept up and certainly don’t understand the appeal to other than a narrow segment of the gun market.
Do they have any used guns at all, Wayne? Would be hard to imagine even an Outpost store with no used guns but I guess it could happen.
Do they have any used guns at all, Wayne? Would be hard to imagine even an Outpost store with no used guns but I guess it could happen.
I was only interested in Winchester rifles and of those they only had 2: an old 1886 in 33 WCF and an 1892 in 38-40 that was pretty rough.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015
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Well, that’s encouraging. Stores with GL’s actively attempt to purchase used guns and collections but your store may not be able to do so or may not have qualified purchasing personnel. Hopefully your store has a buyer otherwise they’ll be limited to whatever the corporate buyers send their way.
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