I had a very similar experience at my local Cabelas. I ordered, and paid for, a rifle to be shipped in from another store and when I went in to pick it up they wouldn't remove the lock to let me inspect the bore or internals. After much fuss the manager unlocked it and allowed me to look down the bore and inspect the action as long as he had control of the rifle. You might try that tact if you're still interested in the rifle. That's not a bad price for a .25-35 as I'm sure you've found out.
