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We had a new Cabela’s open where I live the other day and I was surprised to see they have a half dozen or so old Winchesters in the store’s “Gun Library”.
It was nice handling the few models they had. I’ve read quite a bit and seen literately thousands of Winchester photos over the last few months, so it was nice to be able to relate some of what I’ve learned to actual guns. I didn’t see any pieces that I was interested in purchasing but I really did enjoy handling them and the experience raised my excitement in starting a collection to a whole new level.
Any of you ever purchased old or antique Winchesters from Cabela’s? Their prices seemed a little high compared to similar pieces I’ve seen offered on line.
Anyway, their “Gun Library” was a nice setup and was another learning experience for me.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
January 26, 2011
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Kevin
I’ve never been very impressed with the Cabela’s selection. As you mentioned, they always seem overpriced and a large percentage of them seem to have issues. I see several concerns with the ones shown in your pictures. As high as they are priced, I have often wondered if they have an extremely high margin, or do they overpay when they acquire them.
On the contrary, I think there are some folks on this forum that have had good luck and found some good deals at Cabelas. Maybe its just my local stores.
~Gary~
Should you find a rifle you are interested in, do make them an offer or ask if they will lower their price a bit. I’ve purchased firearms twice from them; both times they dropped the price. (And I’m not good at dickering or asking.)
I agree, their prices are a bit high. Sometimes I don’t mind paying a bit high for the chance to hold the rifle prior to buying it. And sometimes I don’t mind paying a bit more just to buy it outright, instead of the wading through the uncertainties inherent in many online auctions.
I watch Cabela’s Winchesters off and on. I have fits of drooling over photos of pretty rifles, interspersed with shouts of “You gotta be kiddin’ me!” brought on by the high prices. Good fun.
Glad for you that you felt some of the wonder in handling them. They do seem to be charmed or (?).
Did you know that if you see a Winchester on-line in one of their other stores, you can request to have it shipped to your local store for your inspection?
pdog72 said
Kevin
I’ve never been very impressed with the Cabela’s selection. As you mentioned, they always seem overpriced and a large percentage of them seem to have issues. I see several concerns with the ones shown in your pictures. As high as they are priced, I have often wondered if they have an extremely high margin, or do they overpay when they acquire them.
On the contrary, I think there are some folks on this forum that have had good luck and found some good deals at Cabelas. Maybe its just my local stores.
I will probably stop by from time to time to see what they have. If there’s something that interest me I will take photos and pass them on for advise.
I’m slowly starting to learn what to look for.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
FromTheWoods said
Should you find a rifle you are interested in, do make them an offer or ask if they will lower their price a bit. I’ve purchased firearms twice from them; both times they dropped the price. (And I’m not good at dickering or asking.)
I agree, their prices are a bit high. Sometimes I don’t mind paying a bit high for the chance to hold the rifle prior to buying it. And sometimes I don’t mind paying a bit more just to buy it outright, instead of the wading through the uncertainties inherent in many online auctions.
I watch Cabela’s Winchesters off and on. I have fits of drooling over photos of pretty rifles, interspersed with shouts of “You gotta be kiddin’ me!” brought on by the high prices. Good fun.
Glad for you that you felt some of the wonder in handling them. They do seem to be charmed or (?).
Did you know that if you see a Winchester on-line in one of their other stores, you can request to have it shipped to your local store for your inspection?
Good point, I don’t mind paying a little too much for a quality piece. I’ve heard several times that “you never pay too much for a Winchester, you may just buy one a little too soon” or something of like that. I just don’t want to purchase a piece that I will be sorry I purchased latter. I’m trying to be very patient in selecting my first pieces.
I’ve received good advice here.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Cabela’s is full retail, and then some! I detest retail; I am a wholesale kind of guy. Plus you take a number to look at a gun, just like at the supermarket deli. Plus crowded as could be! Been there, done that. No plans to return, even though the last time I didn’t get ripped off (I was smart enough to keep my wallet shut!).
Glad I don’t frequent your Cabela’s, mrcvs. A tad too crowded it sounds like. But I would like to know which supermarket you shop at; none of them around here have Winchesters for sale in the deli section!
Seriously now–would you mind recommending some of the wholesale sources of Winchesters?
FromTheWoods said
Seriously now–would you mind recommending some of the wholesale sources of Winchesters?
Yes, of course! First, I should say I don’t NEED any particular Winchester these days. Surely, there are ones I would like to own, but none I need. I have several to admire, and not shoot, and others to take to the range.
So, my purchases these days are few and far between.
Where to find a lower or wholesale prices: Generally, an older collector who is selling a lifetime collection or, sometimes, a local auction. Granted, you may find Winchesters that are below full retail, or close to wholesale, such as a 1908 production Winchester 1894 in .32 Special that looks like it walked out of the factory yesterday. This came from an individual in his eighties that sold most of his collection up at James Julia’s. Was this firearm one that I wanted to have based on configuration? No. But condition and price, I couldn’t pass this up.
Now, my method takes more patience than most others have. This is why I still don’t have a .50 cal Winchester 1886 or a Winchester 1892 .44-40 carbine. Maybe someday if I decide I want these badly enough I will have to pay full retail, but, so far, I have resisted the temptation!
Another method that works maybe 1 out of 10 times, but can sometimes work. You see the same overpriced gun at the local antique firearms show repeatedly, and you want this gun. Make a lowball offer! Maybe you won’t get it at that show, or the next one, but, sometimes, the seller finally wishes to sell this gun and accepts your offer or offers this gun to you at a price not much higher than your original offer.
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