Finally was able to stop in and visit "new" Cabelas store near Tacoma, WA today.

Very interesting to say the least. They of course had a huge inventory of Shooting, camping, hunting equipment, clothing and supplies and all of it there on display in the store.

Got there about 6:00pm and 15 minutes later (or so it seemed) it was closing time of 9:00 pm. The salesmen in the gun and ammo department were on a pull a number and wait for it to be called system. They had about 10 guys in this department alone. Talked to some of the customers and they seemed to be mostly neophytes. One guy I talked to seemed to know a lot of ex-military sniper types, which was very interesting to say the least. I claimed to be very impressed as he regaled me with tall tales. I happened to be in the shooting bench display at the time.

Also they had a "Gun Library" where they had on display and for sale many used specimens of interesting rifles and shot guns that they had taken in on trade. One of these items was a slightly used Springfield O3-A3 which was marked with a resale price of $999. Various Pre-64 standard and deluxe Model 70 specimens also commanded healthy prices.

Camping department was loaded with innovative devices and equipments. Out fitter tents with multiple rooms and central heating stoves, colapsable furniture and cooking stoves, and DC powered refrigeration. I mean talk about throughly modern millie!

It was a thoroughly entertaining 3 hours, and far too short.

Recommended!


Wasn't sure where to put this but they claim to be an "outfitter" of sorts.

I live near that Cabela's (it's actually in Lacey, WA near Olympia) and was there for the mad house opening day. I've been there many times since and have spent way too much money there. This is where the wife picked out her first rifle and scope (Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .30-06 and a Nikon scope).

We're lucky to have three warehouse type sporting goods stores in close proximity to the South Puget Sound area: Cabela's, Wholesale Sports (formerly Sportsman's Warehouse) also in Lacey and less than a mile from Cabela's, and Sportco north of Tacoma in Fife, WA.

Yes, I've been there a number of times as well on my steelhead flyfishing trips or when visiting with one of my sons while he was in law school at Seattle University. Very nice store in Lacey. I've also enjoyed the Wholesale Sports store in Federal Way (was 5 mins from my son's apartment) and have bought a lot of stuff there too. I did buy my Searcy 450-400 from the Cabela's Lacey fine gun room. Now when I was in law school up there, all we had at that time was B&I's in Tacoma. (Remember the gorilla?)

I remember the Gorilla! I was a boy when he was there.

I played with that 450-400! It didn't fit me right but it sure was nice.

I remember Ivan the gorilla at B & I. I was pleased when they found a better home for him. Wasn't it the Atlanta Zoo?

Boy that brings back memories. I too remember the gorilla at B&I. It would bang against the glass, and that would get your attention! I bought a new Browning 2000 12 ga. from them. That was in 1981 when I was stationed at Fort Lewis