Gregg,
Yes your correct that gunshows are good for finding some part. Also they are interesting to see all of the stuff. It's just that I am not interested in much of it.
I go back to when old Charlie Benton's was open in Vernon. We got some really nice guns there back then.
Gunshops are opening and closing all of the time. I keep a list of them in the car for something to do in the winter.
Cabelas is a place that my wife likes. While she is not a shooter she puts up with my hobby. She likes Cabelas as well for their lunch area and other shopping for gifts there. As I have posted before Cabelas is a compliment to the outdoor sports in my view thats open every day with free admission!
I bought a fine custom rifle at Cabelas a few years ago. After half a century of gunshopping its the best one I have ever found. I don't say that Cabelas is the best everytime for all of us. Just that it is indeed good for us!
Don't get me wrong, Cabela's has some BEAUTIFUL rifles in the Gun Library... ones that I wish I could handle, let alone own (let's face it, you feel worse after handling something you can't afford!). The big problem I have with Cabela's, is they have the attitude of "This is the price, that's it, absolutely no dickering". Especially a few of the employees there who have a rather obvious attitude about it.
Mr. "I was a Colt employee" (I forgot his name, but I can place his face to it) really turned me off to Cabela's. If they hire a prick like him, then they must not really have any concern for what goes on.
If you want a very fine rifle, then yes there is one in the Gun Library waiting for you! (provided you have the cash). Otherwise the crap they pass for rifles right outside of the Gun Library on the used racks for those kinds of prices is outrageous. Since when is a beat to shit Winchester post '64, '94 worth $500?
Sometimes you just have to Cowboy Up.