375 H&H

[ActionBob]

Depending upon what they have in inventory, and probably what the Gun Library employee in charge has for opinions... Yes some real crap gets put behind glass at times. And at other times it is amazing what can be found out on the racks...

What you can do at Cabelas is to respectfully and carefully open the glass case, remove the gun of interest and look it over, try the action and try the fit As in anytime handing a gun, be careful not to point it at people, I usually point them up at a mount on the wall....

I have never owned a Belgium Browning, but yea they can be some great pieces. If that is what you want, go for it! And ask the guys on here who know about them for more info and you will find a lot of knowledge and help

If your worried about it being sold before you get back, call them and ask them to hold it for you. They will usually hold a gun for 5 days or so but talk to them if you need more time. Like all companies, some employees are much more helpful than others.

And yea they can be negotiated with.

 

[brandondd24]

Check for salt wood, certain Browgnings had a serious issue with salt wood....value goes South if it falls into that category.

Never heard of salt wood? Can you explain to me?

 

[Ray B]

Several years back, I'd have to look it up, Browning was trying to quick-dry some wood for their stocks. the result was that some of the salt was absorbed into the wood- which results in attracting water, which rusts the metal of the gun bedded in it. Since it been several years- any damage that was going to be done, has been done, and the results can be easily seen by just removing the stock and looking at the action/barrel.

 

[brandondd24]

Several years back, I'd have to look it up, Browning was trying to quick-dry some wood for their stocks. the result was that some of the salt was absorbed into the wood- which results in attracting water, which rusts the metal of the gun bedded in it. Since it been several years- any damage that was going to be done, has been done, and the results can be easily seen by just removing the stock and looking at the action/barrel.

Thanks for that information

 

[brandondd24]

Now I need to look at all my browning guns!

 

[Areaonereal]

Many of the Browning safaris were made on the FN action, CRF in the 60's and 70's.
Google Browningnsalt wood, tons of information. Some stocks were replace, but many were not, lots of "oh sh..t" moments when the metal was rusted that had been in contact with the wood. Those no salt Brownings are normally advertised as such..If the Cabellas salesman does not know the salt wood issue that exists with some rifles from that era, he needs to be in the fishing section. Salt wood is synonymous with Browning Safari grade rifles. Also, some had accuracy issues from that period. Albeit, I always admired them and would love to have a good one from that period if it was non salt and accurate.

 

[mdwest]

I have seen the not so special items behind glass as well.

I bought a mid 70's ithaca 37 thats in pretty "average" condition from behind the glass in the library this weekend for a very meager price...

nothing special at all...

(I just wanted a new pump gun.. and this one is almost identical to the one I had when I was a teen that I regretfully traded off when I was in my 20's.. I couldnt resist the nostalgia and snatched it up as soon as I saw it..)..

 

[sierraone]

Check for salt wood, certain Browgnings had a serious issue with salt wood....value goes South if it falls into that category.

Agree with you. Salt wood flags NO BUY.

 

[Rob404]

Saw a Salt Wood Superposed with the wood replaced but You can see the pitting the salt did to the metal, but with the price superposed bring these days I wonder if a 700.00 browning would be a good buy as a field gun

 

[Areaonereal]

Would depend on the how severe and depth of pitting as to,if,it would affect the integrity of the metal. If light pitting then no problem and yes, it would be a nice classic field gun. I have a 20 ga from the mid 50's , what a joy to hunt quail and shoot dove with.

 

[curtism1234]

One thing to note is Cabelas expects you to haggle in the gun library.

Never pay full price

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Some Cabela's stores will hold a firearm for five days, some will only hold one until COB same day.

If you buy a gun from the Library and you find there is an issue, Cabela's will send it to a gunsmith of their choosing and have it fixed on their dime, if you return the firearm to them within a reasonable amount of time. At least that was the policy at the store where I worked.