Cabelas/ Bass Pro?

My local bass pro had "everything" in stock today except percussion caps (they did have 209s, as well as both small pistol and small rifle primers). Local wally had the same, but they did have percussion caps (but no 209 or SRP/SPP)

Snooterpup is talking about firearms, not accessories.

Snooterpup said:

I know black powder arms have been hard to get in the last year, but things appear to be loosening up a but. I cannot find anything traditional at any Cabelas stores. I have called their customer service and they do not know when or if they will ever be back in stock. Any opinions out there on if Cabelas is headed the same way Dick’s sporting goods has gone? Insight on wether their management has decided nit to restock things like the 1851?

Click to expand...

I doubt a company like Cabelas would ever eliminate the sales of all firearms like Dick's did but may decide not to carry anymore import black powder pistols. Anything other than a statement from Cabelas corporate offices would just be speculation.

Snooterpup said:

I know black powder arms have been hard to get in the last year, but things appear to be loosening up a but. I cannot find anything traditional at any Cabelas stores. I have called their customer service and they do not know when or if they will ever be back in stock. Any opinions out there on if Cabelas is headed the same way Dick’s sporting goods has gone? Insight on wether their management has decided nit to restock things like the 1851?

Click to expand...

Someone posted something here not long ago saying that Cabela's was abandoning our type stuff, but I don't know if that's true.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to buy black powder guns from Cabela's/BP.

About 3 years ago or so they got sued because they sold a black powder revolver to a convicted felon, who then used it to murder someone. They got sued for not doing a background check on them, which of course is not required by federal law for black powder firearms.

So you can no longer order them mail-order to-your-doorstep. You have to pick them up in-store, where they make you fill out a fake 4473. It's like a 4473, but of course can't be run through NICS. It's just a CYA thing they do. Nothing you couldn't do online during an online purchase, but they won't do that.

If you check their web site, you will find BP guns but they say "in store only". The trick is finding a store that has them. My local Cabela's has no BP guns in stock. If you happen to find a store that has one, the next trick is trying to get it sent to your store. The gun counter manager at my store said any store should be able to do this, but many are too lazy to do it.

I went through this a couple of years ago trying to buy a Pedersoli Pennsylvania, and a year ago with a Pedersoli Brown Bess. If you plug in various states on the web site, you can find the stores that have one. But upon calling, I had them tell me that either they really didn't have one, they wouldn't ship it as it was their "display piece", or that they would sell it to me but I had to use gift cards (?!).

I finally found a nice fellow at a store who would ship it to my store.

I had to do a lot of leg work and multiple trips to my local store to make the deals work. The only reason I bothered was with the Pennsylvania I had enough Cabela's bucks that the gun was basically free, and with the Brown Bess they were on sale for $999 and that was too good a deal to pass up.

Of course finding Italian import BP guns is a challenge right now anyway. Even Pietta's USA distributor - EMF Company - is mostly out-of-stock. I don't know what is going on in the world today with all these strange shortages.

springfield art said:

Someone posted something here not long ago saying that Cabela's was abandoning our type stuff, but I don't know if that's true.

Click to expand...

Bass Pro Shops/Cabela's is a business. As such they will stock only what will sell and make a profit. No different than any other store. If the demand is small it costs money to let an item sit on the shelf for a year without selling. BTW, the BPS home store in Springfield, MO has an outlet store full of just such merchandise, and they sell at deeply discounted prices. But, I'm puzzled , why the fuss over what a giant company does? There are numerous small vendors that cater to the ml crowd. Shop them and help save the avocation.

Rifleman1776 said:

But, I'm puzzled , why the fuss over what a giant company does?

Click to expand...

Before they got bought out by Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's used to be a pretty good place to buy black powder guns from. Easy to buy online, and really good sales once or twice a year. And even not on sale they generally beat Taylors & Co., Dixie Gun Works, etc., on price. I'm pretty sure they used to allow returns but I may be confusing them with someone else.

For example, Cabela's has the Pietta 1860 Army offered for $299:
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/pietta-model-1860-army-44-caliber-black-powder-revolver
Dixie Gun Works offers the same gun for $355:
https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...321/product_name/RH0705+Pietta+Colt+1860+Army
Taylor's and Company offers it for $384:
https://taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/blackpowder-revolvers/1860-army-steel-rev.html
MidwayUSA has a great sale going on right now at $279:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002264782?pid=584405
Now, I've had some sneaking suspicions as to why the big price difference between the giant companies and the little guys. For a long time I just assumed it was bulk buying power. Now I am suspicious that some companies may be paying for lower or higher levels of quality from the manufacturer and this is reflected in the cost. I have no proof for this but have noticed that many of the guns I have obtained from Midway or Cabela's had problems. I also notice that when people chime in online the responses are very varied. My revolver from EMF-Company is my best shooter and I use it in competition. So, I'm getting a little suspicious of how the big stores are offering things so cheaply.

But if a big player pulls out of the market it's generally not going to be good for consumers and it's not a very good sign for the hobby/industry as a whole.

Went to Bass Pro's Headquarters store in Springfield, Mo . last week (and "resturn" store next door as well). Plenty of substitute powder, no caps. Return store was just clothes, returned footwear, and junk.

Main store - a few in-lines, no BP pistols. Used guns (all modern) were very few and stupid high priced. Like an earlier poster, I have a good "nest egg" of points built up but nothing I want. Also went to St. Louis Cabelas and Bass Pro the week before. Same thing.

Inventory on all long guns at all 3 places was very low but all three overflowing with modern pistols of the "CCW" type. Oh Well.

All three claimed to be short on help.

I’m not really sure about top quality at MIDWAYUSA. Bought a 1851 navy Pietta, it had a corroded rifling, sent it back and tried a Uberti 1851, it came all scratched up. Not too impressive.

The local Cabelas used to have a decent selection of modern guns in their "Gun Library". The same space now has nothing but camo gear & backpacks - not a single gun of any type. Now I am reduced to looking for deals at the grocery store across the street from Cabelas.

Snooterpup said:

I’m not really sure about top quality at MIDWAYUSA. Bought a 1851 navy Pietta, it had a corroded rifling, sent it back and tried a Uberti 1851, it came all scratched up. Not too impressive.

Click to expand...

That is interesting corroboration.

In 2016 I bought a Pietta Spiller and Burr from Midway USA. The barrel was over-rotated in the frame so that the octagonal barrel was not square and true to the frame. As a result the front sight was cocked to the right. I was able to back the barrel off a few degrees to true it up.

I can't talk to corporate policy on what firearms get shipped where, but I can speak of what I see as far as help at the gun counter. I took a "hobby" job at the local Cabelas part time after I retired, and I can tell you we are short of qualified help. When someone complains about lack of prompt service, I helpfully note that we are hiring.  Also, when you go to the store makes a huge difference. You'll usually get better service on Tuesday at 10 in the morning than you will get Saturday at any time.

I just received my 1851 Uberti London Navy from MidwaUSA and it was perfect, Wrapped in plastic, covered in oil and in Uberti's little cardboard box. Sorry others had issues but I'd buy from them again. Their prices are great.

They are probably the price leader now, at least often. I'm pretty sure I bought my first revolver, a Pietta 1860 Army, from them, though I can't find a record of my purchase. Anyway it is a great gun and I won National gold medals with it.

I stopped by my local Cabelas last month to pick up an undisclosed amount of #10 caps...first, I had to order them online and wait about two weeks for them to reach the store for pick up as the store itself no longer stocks them.
Three years ago when I first moved here I walked in and bought the last 5 tons on their shelf.
Second, we took a walk around the store and WOW they have changed so much since we last went:
Restaurant is now CLOSED permanently.
A big chunk of the ammo area now sells bicycles and sunglasses.
EVERYTHING we browsed in the Home Deco, Fishing, and Camping departments had tags/labels saying "Made In China"?? - I mean Everything, I found Nothing made in America, not even in Mexico or Tiwan. Their fishing poles they seem real proud of as walking down both isles the labels were all turned to be clearly visible "Made in China".
Personally my favorite poles are Japan made (Shimano) and American (Eagle) - could not find a one. Even all the fishing lures I picked up "Made in China", same with tents, sleeping bags, kid's toys...

Makes me wonder if Bas Pros have been purchased by China??

And the Jerky room now has No Jerky?? Only hot sauces. Even the fresh made fudge and candies are gone?? Only home deco signs (Made in China) now kine the counter.

Well, they don't even offer the fresh and hot Cinnamon Roasted Cashews anymore, only cold and going stale pre-packaged cones....I don't see me making the drive out there again.

Probably the same overpaid hot-shot management gurus that have screwed up every decent business they touch. If I wanted Walmart, I would go there. (Just kidding)
If I want to go to the new improved Kabelas perhaps I’ll go to Scheels or a real gun store. Since Bass Pro bought Cabelas they have really gone down hill IMHO.

By the way, their customer service did tell me that black powder firearms are, and have been on order with no delivery date posted from the manufacturer/distributer. They stated they do intend to stock and sell these items. We’ll have to wait and see. As my mother always said, “ Time will tell.”

I was able to score a Pedersoli Brown Bess at a closeout price of $899.00 several months ago at the local Bass Pro. It had a few rusty fingerprints on the barrel and a little shop wear/character from the gun rack. Wish I had bought two!

Our Cabellas store in Hartford CT has gone down hill over the past few years. I just heard the other day they are closing down that store. They had a better selection in the candy department. Not high enough demand now I guess