I apologize for the length of my rant but there are a number of issues woven in. I suspect I am not alone in this issue.
This is the second time I have shelled out good money to sellers on this forum for firearms with serious hidden flaws. I have bought other firearms on NWFA that had undisclosed flaws that I was able to identify and repair myself. In all of these cases I would have tried to negotiate a different price. Also, I have had some excellent experiences with other members on other transactions.
I recently purchased a very nice looking SA 9mm 1911 for a fair price. The seller presented the pistol as unfired and NIB. During the transaction I noted the barrel and feed ramp were visibly fouled. Seller contended that he had bought it new and never fired it. At home I disassembled and cleaned it and discovered what I thought was a flaw in the rifling. It looked like the machinery had hiccupped and left a ring of metal unrifled. Springfield furnished a shipping label and off it went. Turns out, that ring of metal was the remains of a bullet that had been too large for the pistol and the barrel was bulged and had to be replaced. The SA tech expressed some skepticism about my stating I had not fired it. Since the heavy stainless match barrels and slides of the Springfield RO 9mm are hand fitted, the slide may have to be replaced as well. The repairs are going to be half what I paid for the pistol.
About two years ago, I agreed to pay a seller a good price for a Kimber Raptor. The day we were supposed to meet, seller changed the location of the meet, and over the course of the evening, Seller called and changed the time later and later. When we met it was dark and raining. Seller was with his wife and kids. They were in a hurry to go into the restaurant and seller was in a hurry to join them. My hand was injured at the time and I had to have the seller lock the slide back so I could look at it. He also denied having fired the pistol since he had picked it up from another forum member. That pistol also had not been cleaned since having been fired. At home, in the light, I discovered the idiot mark was through the bluing, the barrel was hopelessly pitted, the trigger was set so light it was dangerous, and the hammer would release without depressing the grip safety. The Kimber tech said someone had done a back-yard mechanic number on it and modified the trigger and grip safety. So, with new barrel, new grip safety and trigger assembly, and new springs throughout, as well as the cost of shipping and the extra shipping fee by FedEx because it was a firearm, I was out about half of the original price for repairs. I am into that Kimber for more than MSRP!
So what are all these issues?
Sellers, please be honest about the condition of what you are selling. Buyers, feel ok about asking lots of questions like: when did you last shoot it; have you cleaned it since; how long have you had it; how many rounds through it; factory or reloads; how many other owners have there been; have there been problems with the gun; any repair history; why are you selling it. Because once you drive away with it, if it's junk, you own it.
Also, Both Kimber and Springfield do good work, but it's not cheap.
Also, if the seller changes times or location, or is vague about the answers to your questions, these are red flags. There are lots of great deals. Feel free to walk away. A member here recently wrote that he had bed feelings about a seller that changed his mind on the deal. Times used to be that a man's word was his honor. I guess times have changed. A deal isn't done until money changes hands and parties go on their way. So buyers, if it doesn't feel 100%, walk away. Thanks….FortRock
This is the second time I have shelled out good money to sellers on this forum for firearms with serious hidden flaws. I have bought other firearms on NWFA that had undisclosed flaws that I was able to identify and repair myself. In all of these cases I would have tried to negotiate a different price. Also, I have had some excellent experiences with other members on other transactions.
I recently purchased a very nice looking SA 9mm 1911 for a fair price. The seller presented the pistol as unfired and NIB. During the transaction I noted the barrel and feed ramp were visibly fouled. Seller contended that he had bought it new and never fired it. At home I disassembled and cleaned it and discovered what I thought was a flaw in the rifling. It looked like the machinery had hiccupped and left a ring of metal unrifled. Springfield furnished a shipping label and off it went. Turns out, that ring of metal was the remains of a bullet that had been too large for the pistol and the barrel was bulged and had to be replaced. The SA tech expressed some skepticism about my stating I had not fired it. Since the heavy stainless match barrels and slides of the Springfield RO 9mm are hand fitted, the slide may have to be replaced as well. The repairs are going to be half what I paid for the pistol.
About two years ago, I agreed to pay a seller a good price for a Kimber Raptor. The day we were supposed to meet, seller changed the location of the meet, and over the course of the evening, Seller called and changed the time later and later. When we met it was dark and raining. Seller was with his wife and kids. They were in a hurry to go into the restaurant and seller was in a hurry to join them. My hand was injured at the time and I had to have the seller lock the slide back so I could look at it. He also denied having fired the pistol since he had picked it up from another forum member. That pistol also had not been cleaned since having been fired. At home, in the light, I discovered the idiot mark was through the bluing, the barrel was hopelessly pitted, the trigger was set so light it was dangerous, and the hammer would release without depressing the grip safety. The Kimber tech said someone had done a back-yard mechanic number on it and modified the trigger and grip safety. So, with new barrel, new grip safety and trigger assembly, and new springs throughout, as well as the cost of shipping and the extra shipping fee by FedEx because it was a firearm, I was out about half of the original price for repairs. I am into that Kimber for more than MSRP!
So what are all these issues?
Sellers, please be honest about the condition of what you are selling. Buyers, feel ok about asking lots of questions like: when did you last shoot it; have you cleaned it since; how long have you had it; how many rounds through it; factory or reloads; how many other owners have there been; have there been problems with the gun; any repair history; why are you selling it. Because once you drive away with it, if it's junk, you own it.
Also, Both Kimber and Springfield do good work, but it's not cheap.
Also, if the seller changes times or location, or is vague about the answers to your questions, these are red flags. There are lots of great deals. Feel free to walk away. A member here recently wrote that he had bed feelings about a seller that changed his mind on the deal. Times used to be that a man's word was his honor. I guess times have changed. A deal isn't done until money changes hands and parties go on their way. So buyers, if it doesn't feel 100%, walk away. Thanks….FortRock
