Tweet
Went over to a local gun store today, and was surprised to find a very nice RI 1903 in stock. As I was inspecting it, I pulled out my cell phone to check the serial number range. The rifle was in the 260,000 range, and I knew that would be close to the rifles with questionable heat treatment. The salesman saw my actions and deduced their intent. He then said that the serial number was in the safe range, and mentioned the number for the SA rifles as well, >800,000. I knew he was accurate with the 800,000 number (easier to remember than the RI number of 286,506 285,507.) Reassured, I put away my phone without spending the time to check. I bought it for what I thought was an very fair price, (especially for finding one locally) and was on my way excited. After leaving the store, I looked up the number, compared it to my receipt and realized I had just bought a rifle that while statistically may be safe, there was nonetheless a possibility of increased risk that it was unsafe.
After loading up on reloading supplies at another store (just getting started with that, yay!) I headed back over to the gun store, spoke with another salesman who immediately asked me how I wanted to resolve this, and if I wanted a refund. I was relieved at this, as I was unsure of how easy it would be to reverse the DROS I had just filled out. I offered to pay the cancellation/filing fee of 25$, because despite being misled by the salesman, I had indeed purchased and filed to transfer the rifle.
I am not posting this to condemn anyone for misinformation, I do believe it was an honest mistake. I have always been very satisfied with this store and it's staff, and they handled this without hesitation or question. (The seriousness of the heat treat problem is debatable anyway, so I do not feel responsible for anyone else that may purchase this in the store. -It sounds like there haven't been any failures since 1917 in the military anyway, despite an incomplete recall of the firearms.) They may be more vigilant in the future due to my return anyway.
Anyway, I guess I'm just posting this to say, despite how knowledgeable and trustworthy anyone sounds, take that extra 5 minutes to check! I bought a Walther P-38 instead. (Again, yay!)
After loading up on reloading supplies at another store (just getting started with that, yay!) I headed back over to the gun store, spoke with another salesman who immediately asked me how I wanted to resolve this, and if I wanted a refund. I was relieved at this, as I was unsure of how easy it would be to reverse the DROS I had just filled out. I offered to pay the cancellation/filing fee of 25$, because despite being misled by the salesman, I had indeed purchased and filed to transfer the rifle.
I am not posting this to condemn anyone for misinformation, I do believe it was an honest mistake. I have always been very satisfied with this store and it's staff, and they handled this without hesitation or question. (The seriousness of the heat treat problem is debatable anyway, so I do not feel responsible for anyone else that may purchase this in the store. -It sounds like there haven't been any failures since 1917 in the military anyway, despite an incomplete recall of the firearms.) They may be more vigilant in the future due to my return anyway.
Anyway, I guess I'm just posting this to say, despite how knowledgeable and trustworthy anyone sounds, take that extra 5 minutes to check! I bought a Walther P-38 instead. (Again, yay!)
Comment