If what bass pro told you is true then they are selling the same "second hand" guns since they are a large chain store that buys in volume. Sort of cutting thier own throat on that one. This is usually something you hear from small guns shop trying to defend thier higher prices.

I used to own a pump remington in 30-06. It was the carbine model. Pretty gun and shot well. However is was the hardest recoiling rifle I have every shot in my life. I had a savage 110e in the same caliber that handled recoil much better.

Paul