Cabela's gun library?

[Stevie]

Does anybody here have any experience buying firearms from an out of state Cabela's?

I've got an eye on a particular item in a far-off Cabela's...and they are not answering emails or phones this weekend...so no info on shipping...payment options..procedures etc.

I would presume they handle an out of state gun sale like an other place....pay by credit card...ship to appropriate in my state FFL of my choice. But I've never delt with Cabela's on any modern firearms.

 

[ladder13]

They don't update very often, I called on a gun last week, and they told me it was sold 6 months ago.

 

[steveno]

if there is a Cabela's close by go there and tell them to bring the gun into that store for you to look at. at least they use to do that when i worked at Cabela's

 

[Stevie]

No Cabela's in Oklahoma to my knowledge...

 

[mtelkhntr]

I found a rifle that I had to have at a Cabelas in WA state. I called them and we agreed to a price pending personal inspection. I asked that they send it to my nearest cabela's (over 200 mi from home) and they charged me $25.00 for freight. The receiving store called me when it arrived and held it until I got there and did my inspection. Then I paid for it and did the paperwork there. Cleanest way I could see to make it work as the money was steep enough I didn't want to commit to it sight unseen even though they emailed me decent photos.

 

[Alpo]

I bought one from Arizona. Did it by phone, gave them my credit card number, done deal. Then they would not accept an emailed jpeg of my dealer's license. They would not look him up on the ATF look-up site. I had to mail them a hard copy. I did it by phone so they could ship now, and it would not take that extra week. Ahh well. They be jerks. First and last time I bought from Cabelas Gun Library.

 

[steveno]

we were told that there was supposed to be a fee to bring in a gun from another store but I don't ever remember a customer getting charged for it.

 

[ohiobuckeye]

I have made several internet/phone gun purchases from various Cabelas scattered around the US. Sales people have always been courteous, helpful, and willing to deal within reasonable bounds. Found several good deals and never had a single problem. They use the same procedures as required with any other interstate gun sale.

 

[410bore]

I dealt with a Cabelas outwest on a Winchester 42 one time...they came down on price a good bit and I bought the gun. Pretty smooth transaction and good people but every Cabelas is going to be different

 

[glenncal1]

Bought a model 53 from a Cabelas in Wisconsin (I think), dont remember how I sent the FFL but I think I faxed it. They shipped and done deal. Gun is a great shooter. We dickered a little and they picked up shipping. Easy deal.

 

[daurizio]

purchasing from cabelas gun library

just got a s&w model 41 from them sent to my dealer in ny state.they made the transaction to my dealer easy and they seem to be up front with the guns condition .so the bottom line is i would buy again from them

 

[bassetman1974]

I was coming through Chicago last spring and spotted a NIB model 10 made in 1978 for $400. I talked to a nice older guy who KNEW his S&W's and he said he would wrap it up real nice and ship to Richfield WI store (100 miles from where I live) for $30. Got a call 2 days later, drove to Richfield, gun and box looked good, five different people had to touch, handle, and record the serial number which none could find until I pointed it out on the bottom of the frame. This all took up to an hour. I had to wait the stupid WI 48 hour cooling off period to pick it up. I came back 5 days later and this time they were rushing me out of the store. Got in my truck openend the shipping box and noticed my box was all beat up and the right grip corner bashed in like it was dropped. I hate Cabela's now more than ever. The only reason I go there is because they get some neat older guns and don't know how to price them. I only buy the under priced ones. Sorry, that was long winded, but I needed to get it off my chest.

 

[msinc]

I bought a 20 ga Model 12 Super Pigeon from the Hoffman Estates Cabelas a few years back. Ask specific questions and ask if they will e-mail you pictures. This particular shotgun is absolutely perfect in every way. It is exactly what the guy said and I am very pleased. You are correct in that I gave them a credit card number over the phone and the address of the FFL. They will hold a gun for a postal money order too. They also agreed that i could have a three day inspection period. I would be cautious of any seller of an expensive gun that balked at giving a three day inspection. That is pretty much standard in the gun world when it comes to high dollar guns. Good luck.

 

[mr.jbk79]

I was coming through Chicago last spring and spotted a NIB model 10 made in 1978 for $400. I talked to a nice older guy who KNEW his S&W's and he said he would wrap it up real nice and ship to Richfield WI store (100 miles from where I live) for $30. Got a call 2 days later, drove to Richfield, gun and box looked good, five different people had to touch, handle, and record the serial number which none could find until I pointed it out on the bottom of the frame. This all took up to an hour. I had to wait the stupid WI 48 hour cooling off period to pick it up. I came back 5 days later and this time they were rushing me out of the store. Got in my truck openend the shipping box and noticed my box was all beat up and the right grip corner bashed in like it was dropped. I hate Cabela's now more than ever. The only reason I go there is because they get some neat older guns and don't know how to price them. I only buy the under priced ones. Sorry, that was long winded, but I needed to get it off my chest.

Sorry to hear that. I've never purchased one from out of state. I only bought one revolver, in store purchase from the library. I know what you mean having everyone handling the firearm. The way the clerks handle things made me nervous to say the least. I agree once in awhile they'll under-price an item, but most of the time they're pretty proud of their guns in the library.

 

[Stevie]

Well....I have a grade I Browning 1886 carbine coming my way now.

These don't seem to be real rare considering the guns have been out of production for many years. However everyone I know who owns one won't part with it.

I was considering the Winchester marketed 1886 'short rifles'...but what the heck?...If you can buy a clean used Browning version with box(and without added safety/modified hammer) for about the same dollars as the Winchesters(with added safety and rebounding hammer)..may as well get the Browning.

Same goes for the Chiappa 1886...I can get the Browning 1886 same or less dollars.

I really want to use the .45-70 for hunting...and the only rifle I own in the caliber is an 1881 vintage Trapdoor infantry rifle. Cool old gun for sure...but not a platform able to take advantage of the more modern .45-70 loads.

A Sharps carbine was my original choice...but even the Italian versions of these are pricy!!....Maybe a Marlin 1895...ehh...I've shot a couple of the Marlin .45-70 rifles....they are great guns...but I really am not a Marlin guy. I do already own a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .45 Colt and like it...But I'm going to try a Browning 1886 SRC .45-70...I bet I like it.

 

[Stevie]

Well...I supposidly have a Browning 1886 carbine coming my way!!

Cabela's gun library in Rogers Minnesota ain't real smooth to deal with...can't seem to come up with my FFL info despite the fact it's sent

I'm not impressed so far

 

[wheelgun28]

Who came up with the name "Gun Library"?

Sounds like a place to borrow guns but none are for sale.

The one I went to had lots of seats, you had to sit down when they told you the price...

 

[Stevie]

You know?....from the way Cabela's hypes-up it's 'gun library' and it's contents..you would expect impeccable and professional service

Uhhh...it ain't there...I left messages and called all afternoon...but nobody home at Rogers Minnesota Cabela's gun library.

I had tried to call them a couple/three times yesterday to let them know the FFL info was faxed...and no response to a message left and no answering the phone

They answered this morning..and bothered to call back a couple times in regards to not being able to locate the FFL fax...but may as well forget trying to call them in the afternoon...they ain't there.

 

[swampersand]

I have purchased 2 Smiths from Cabela's. One I visibly inspected in their Hammond,IN store the was shipped to my FFL in a very nice K32 box (sort of an unexpected bonus as the revolver was something else, also got a SAT and the gun has service sights!). No problems encountered.

The second one was close to a disaster. They have high prices but I saw that the Cedar Rapids store (I'm 90% certain of the store) had a 4 digit serial number K22 and it appeared to be in nice condition. Their photographs frequently leave a lot to be desired, but I overpaid for the gun and when received saw that it had been dropped on something very hard and one of the cylinder flute edges was heavily dented. The store denied that the gun was damaged, the packaging was intact and the FFL is very careful and experienced. The attitude of the manager at Cabela's was not pleasant.

I swore if I ever bought another I would hop on the forum and see if there was anyone in the area who could take a look at the gun and let me know. Short of that having it shipped to the nearest Cabela's for inspection is about your only shot.

 

[Echo47]

Cabela's Gun Library

A few years ago, I found a S&W M-41 (5-1/2" barrel) in nice condition at a Western-state Cabela's location.
I called and asked that it be sent to my local Cabela's, about 65 miles from home.
A few days later, I was called by the local Cabela's that "my pistol" had arrived for my inspection. There was no charge for shipping the pistol to the local Cabela location.
A quick once-over and I said, "wrap it up".
During the paperwork period, a salesman offered new Cabela's credit cards to my wife and me, with the added feature that by using both of the new cards for the purchase of the M-41 would knock off $150 from the purchase price (more than 10% plus sales taxes!)
Once home, I field stripped the pistol and discovered the upper receiver/barrel assembly was not seating properly.
A visit to a local pistol club member familiar with the SW 41s confirmed there indeed was a problem, and the pistol was shipping to S&W.
Some weeks later and $150 on my credit card, I received the repaired pistol and all was good.
Seems the previous owner had been using HV ammunition in the pistol and the original Cabela's which purchased it had never field-stripped it or identified the original issue.
A call to the local Gun Library manager acknowledged that his location couldn't take responsibility for the damaged pistol, but in good faith, shipped me a quantity of bricks of standard velocity CCI rimfire ammunition for my trouble after receiving a faxed copy of my S&W invoice. I was pleased with his willingness to resolve the issue.
But I WILL go over any used handguns with the proverbial 'fine-toothed comb' I am considering adding to my collection in the future.
Echo47