Knowing that grading is somewhat subjective, I've always been lenient on the cosmetic and barrel condition of a surplus/used gun as long as it functioned correctly.
I've also learned, that when a seller lists the condition across two grades, to expect that I'll receive something on the lower end of the scale. If I'm OK with that, I'll place an order. For example, if the gun is listed as Good to Very Good, and I get Good, I'm OK. If I get better than Good, I'm very pleased.
Up until now, this attitude has served me well when dealing with Classic Firearms. They have consistently sent me items on the low end of their advertised grade scale (they use the NRA scale). I would always take this into consideration when ordering and if I still wanted the item, I knew what to expect.
I say up until now, because I just got through dealing with them over returning a gun that was unsafe to fire. I bought a surplus police revolver listed in Good-Very Good condition. The cosmetic condition of the gun I received was definitely on the low end of Good. That part was OK, because like I said, I knew what to expect from them.
The problem is that the barrel and cylinder were out of alignment. You could tell that something was wrong because of the play in the cylinder and also by looking at the alignment of the flutes in the cylinder when looking down at the top strap. I took it to a gunsmith and he said that misalignment was so bad that he wouldn't fire the gun and he advised me not to.
To make along story short, after a multi-email exchange, Classic Firearms said I could return the gun. So far so good, but after they received it they said it was in "working/operable" condition and would not give me a full refund. I never expected them to pay for the FFL transfer fee, but I'm also out shipping both ways and a restock fee. So, I've had enough, that's it for me and Classic Firearms.
I hope they don't turn around and sell it to someone else.
Edit: My post is in reference to Classic Firearms located in Indian Trail, NC.
I've also learned, that when a seller lists the condition across two grades, to expect that I'll receive something on the lower end of the scale. If I'm OK with that, I'll place an order. For example, if the gun is listed as Good to Very Good, and I get Good, I'm OK. If I get better than Good, I'm very pleased.
Up until now, this attitude has served me well when dealing with Classic Firearms. They have consistently sent me items on the low end of their advertised grade scale (they use the NRA scale). I would always take this into consideration when ordering and if I still wanted the item, I knew what to expect.
I say up until now, because I just got through dealing with them over returning a gun that was unsafe to fire. I bought a surplus police revolver listed in Good-Very Good condition. The cosmetic condition of the gun I received was definitely on the low end of Good. That part was OK, because like I said, I knew what to expect from them.
The problem is that the barrel and cylinder were out of alignment. You could tell that something was wrong because of the play in the cylinder and also by looking at the alignment of the flutes in the cylinder when looking down at the top strap. I took it to a gunsmith and he said that misalignment was so bad that he wouldn't fire the gun and he advised me not to.
To make along story short, after a multi-email exchange, Classic Firearms said I could return the gun. So far so good, but after they received it they said it was in "working/operable" condition and would not give me a full refund. I never expected them to pay for the FFL transfer fee, but I'm also out shipping both ways and a restock fee. So, I've had enough, that's it for me and Classic Firearms.
I hope they don't turn around and sell it to someone else.
Edit: My post is in reference to Classic Firearms located in Indian Trail, NC.
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