Should you disclose a caliber conversion?

[AlexRouse249]

I backed out of this sale because the seller didn't disclose something; the Makarov is very likely a .380 acp re-barrelled to be 9X18.

The 17 in IJ70-17a is the Russian designation for 9x17(also known as .380 Acp). This gun was originally chambered in .380 and is now chambered in 9x18. When I really pressed for more information the seller told me he was surprised the gun shot 9x18 as he bought it expecting it to shoot .380 and was very surprised when it wouldn't function.

He didn't tell me any of this until I started asking why a designation-17 pistol was shooting 9x18 and was going to sell the converted pistol without telling me. An undisclosed conversion of the firearm is serious breach of trust. Do you guys think I did the right thing?

Link to post

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1525950

[sealocan]

I see what you're saying and I agree with you that he probably could have made the caliber conversion issue more clear in his sale posting but he is advertising it correctly.

It is now a 9 by18 Makarov.

Maybe he expected folks to know like if you were buying a Glock 27 (which is 40 caliber from Factory) and it's listed with a 9 mm caliber.
Would you list that as a 40 , no you would correctly list It as a 9 mm and then (hopefully) explain to people who are interested but didn't seem to know the difference. But of course a lot more people know Glocks models than they do Makarov models.

Hopefully you didn't have to travel to meet up to learn this information so you're not out much financially.

And at that price and all those extra mods (whether folks consider them Bubba or not) he will get what he's asking for it... eventually.

I also think that changing out the barrel if you wanted to go between calibers isn't a big deal. Maybe the person did it originally when 9 mm Makarov was being imported somewhat cheaply.

[-hanko]

Should you disclose a caliber conversion?

Hell yes, and if not, why wouldn't you?

I've got a beautiful C&R CZ-72...it's one of 1000 that the BRNO arsenal converted to 9mm. I bought it around 20 years ago from Dennis at Empire Arms...so I know the provenance is perfect.

If I offered it for sale, do you think I should say that it's in 7.62 pistol caliber, or 9mm?

I know it's a dumb question, but I'm just trying to complement a dumb thread.

I ask again, why would you advertise a different caliber than the one you're actually selling.

Having shot my IT-70 a lot, I prefer to stick with 9 x 17 v. .380. Ammo is not hard to find and not too pricey. Changing the barrel is not a 2 minute job...usually the barrel pin is tight as hell. It really helps to make or find a bench block for support.