Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Overall Rating: [2.75 / 5.0]
Selection is huge and pricing can be good, yet long waits, strict compliance steps, and mixed customer service hold the chain back.
Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Summary
Founded in 1972 by Johnny Morris in Springfield, Missouri. He started by selling fishing tackle out of the back of his father’s liquor store, Brown Derby, because he was frustrated by the lack of good gear available locally.
Bass Pro Shops purchased Cabela’s in 2017, creating the largest brick and mortar gun retailer in North America. The combined company stocks thousands of new firearms, runs the well known Gun Library (Cabela’s only) for used pieces, and offers Ship to Store pickup nationwide. Handguns must ship to a store in the buyer’s home state; long guns may ship to any Bass Pro or Cabela’s location.
Evaluation Criteria
Quality & Reliability
Bass Pro / Cabela’s carries leading brands plus exclusive packages that bundle optics or extra mags. Inventory turns fast, which limits shelf wear. Used guns in the Gun Library are inspected and logged by dedicated appraisers.
Reports of cosmetic dings from tape seals and one misfiring revolver show that big chain handling is not flawless.
Customer Experience
Large gun counters mean short lines on slow days and plenty of demo models to handle. Some associates bring hunting expertise that first time buyers appreciate.
The flip side is process bloat. Customers describe one hour pick ups and multiple manager signatures before a firearm leaves the counter. Knowledge varies; several reviews say staff “know little or nothing about guns.”
Value for Money
Frequent sales, price matching, and CLUB points can beat local shop tags. One Redditor found shelf prices “competitive to lower than other gun shops.”
Regular prices trend 5-10 percent higher than online specialists. Used gun deals vary by store; some are bargains, others sit well above market.
User Feedback
Yelp averages 2.9/5 across 6,200+ reviews. Trustpilot shows split sentiment: Bass Pro earns scattered five star praise and one star rants; Cabela’s holds a 3.5/5 TrustScore.
BBB lists recurring complaints about delivery delays and warranty disputes, though most cases receive company responses.
Shipping
Ship to Store is free on firearms and most accessories. They advertise 3-6 pickup on ship to store but reality is often vastly different. When you call about a missing order they will tell you the actual policy is 10-15 days AFTER the item ships, which may be days or even weeks after the order.
Direct to FFL shipping is limited and expensive, 45 percent of the merchandise total or $40 minimum. Delays increase around holidays.
Returns
Accessories may be returned within 60 days with a receipt. Firearms are final sale; any defect must go to the manufacturer. This rigid policy frustrates buyers who discover issues after transfer.
User Feedback Highlights
- “I’ve bought a couple guns from them, prices were always very competitive to lower than other gun shops.” – Reddit
- “Bass Pro has good prices but the process is excruciating. Took me over an hour to pick up.” – Reddit
- “Guys in the gun department know little or nothing about guns.” – Sitejabber
We actively gather feedback from the broader firearms community to ensure our reviews reflect a range of real-world experiences.
Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Final Verdict
Bass Pro / Cabela’s is a convenient one-stop gun source with fair sale pricing and nation-wide inventory. Expect extra compliance hoops and plan for longer waits if you choose convenience over boutique service. Customer service and shipping leave a lot to be desired.
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