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11-17-2012, 12:12 AM
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A visit to my local gun shop today...
I stopped by my LGS today just to browse, and to see if they had anything new and interesting in stock.
When I walked in the door, the first thing I noticed was the many vacant spaces in the rifle racks lining the walls, and at first I thought they were getting ready for a weekend gun show. The owner explained that no, there is no gunshow, and that what's happened is that ever since November 6, she has been steadily selling guns. She told me that in the last ten days, she has sold 40 AR-15s and their various clones, and a variety of other rifles as well. And while I was there, she fielded three calls from folks asking about her inventory of ARs! She also told me that she has almost sold out of 5.56 and 7.62 ammunition. I don't whether to be encouraged or discouraged by this, to tell you the truth.
The second thing I noticed was a used Colt Gold Cup in stainless steel for sale. It was in its case, with the papers and extra mag, and sitting in the display case several feet away, it looked like new. I've had a hankering for a Gold Cup for some time, and asked to see it. Unfortunately, when it was handed to me, I saw a very noticeable and rather deep "idiot scratch" extending down the frame, and into the finger cutout behind the trigger guard! Arrrrgh! Who in the world would be enough of an enthusiast to own a Gold Cup, but enough of a klutz not to be able to reassemble it properly??? I wanted to scream...
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11-18-2012, 12:12 AM
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Not unusual. My local shop has had multiple runs on ARs the last few months as well as hi-cap pistols.
As for the Gold Cup, not everybody considers it a work of art, it's just a tool. But in most cases the previous owner just didn't care! Dale
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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"
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11-18-2012, 12:28 AM
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If the price is right on the GC, buy it, that scratch won't change how it shoots. I've got a GCNM that was worked over by Clark's back in '92. It looks like it's been around the block a few times, definitely seen it's share of use. It was a good deal so I bought it in spite of it's appearance and I'm glad I did, it's laser beam accurate and feeds everything, plus I don't have to baby it. If I'd passed on it because of it's looks I'd have missed out on a helluva gun.
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11-18-2012, 12:38 AM
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I, personally, find the term "idiot mark" to be right up there with "Fudd". A really stupid term that too many gun-guys use.
I have several 1911s. None of them have that scratch. The reason NONE of mine have that scratch is simple. My first 1911 was stolen. It had the scratch. The first time I field-stripped and reassembled a 1911, I was doing it by following the instructions in the little Colt owner's manual. "Now push THAT part into THAT hole, applying sideways pressure". GOUGE. Hmmm. But you don't do it like that.
In all the times I've torn 'em down, since that first time in 1980, I have never scratched another one. I never scratched that first one a second time. But that scratch was there. Big as hell for anyone to see.
An idiot didn't put it there. An inexperienced guy put it there. There's a difference.
And, just so you know, that first 1911 was a Gold Cup.
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11-18-2012, 02:10 PM
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I don't mind my "user" guns having a few character marks on them at all. I have a SIG 220 that looks like a truck hit it, but it is one-hole accurate at social distance. My carry Glocks actually look better with some dings.
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I hope I copied that right
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11-18-2012, 03:16 PM
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A few years ago I picked up a really nice satin nickel Combat Commander complete with "idiot scratch", other than that the finish looked new. First thing my buddy said when he seen it was,nice idiot scratch, I told him it was like that when I bought it and he said sure it was! Yeah things have picked up at the shops around here too.
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11-18-2012, 07:08 PM
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How does it shoot? That is much more of a concern for me especially as I will ask for a discount because of the scratch.
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Front sight and squeeze
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11-18-2012, 07:22 PM
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The local shops I frequent have all been as busy as bee hives since Nov. 6th, and they all say they are moving all sorts of "black rifles" and "high capacity" handguns (anything that comes stock with more than a 10 round magazine.) 1911s and other guns (revolvers and 10-round or less semis) aren't moving as much, if at all, right now...at least in these shops.
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11-19-2012, 09:29 AM
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Absent Comrade
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Aloha,
All things considering, that "scratch" could mean a good discount on the gun.
Doesn't hurt to ask.
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