A week ago I received a S&W 25-2 that was advertised on an on-line auction as 95-98%. The metal was 98% to me, the grips much less. There is a faint cylinder ring but not even wear at the muzzle, the first place to go. Screws looked untouched. The gun was depicted with really great and numerous photos that showed lots of detail shots. It looked really fine in the photos and sounded great in the listing description. This gun is not C&R eligible so I had a local gun shop I had used many times before take delivery of the gun.

There is a scratch that starts at the ejector rod (minimally hit) goes across the ejector rod housing (under-barrel lug), then hits the yoke at its pivot and finally goes across the lower forward corner of the frame. The seller’s photos clearly show this area in several shots and the scratch is not there. I contacted the seller and believe him that the gun was unscratched when sent. It really looks like the mark of a knife used to open the bubble-wrapped gun. I am sick because there is no other blemish on the metal surfaces and think it happened when opened at my dealer’s shop.

This made me look at some other guns sent to the same receiving FFL shop. Another S&W shipped this summer with a much less nice finish also shows what could be a fresh scratch that is much shorter and more easily over-looked because of the 70-80% finish. That gun’s auction listing did NOT show good photos. I did not suspect that it was scratched when it was opened when received but now think it MAY have been.

I’ve used two other dealers here in town and another in a different state where I used to live. I’ve never worried about someone carelessly opening a package but I do now. Now I’m wondering how am I going to pick a receiving dealer for my next mail-order gun purchase? I don’t really know that the dealer in question was careless…….he seems very gun knowledgeable to me. I don’t know that it was he that actually opened the package. Evidence is not provable; the gun LOOKS cut by opening.

Any helpful suggestions about choosing a dealer for receiving guns? I know NOTHING can be done to undo the misshap. Nothing can be done to restore the original finish. I probably just need to get this off my chest.

Dan T.

I'm pretty sure I would have gone crazy once I saw the gun and the scratch.
Did you confront your FFL?

A couple ideas. Next time, have the gun sent C/O you to your dealer and tell the dealer to only open the package in your presence once you arrive to pick up the gun. Additionally, insist that sellers package the gun for shipment in a cheap generic hard case or gun rug at the least. I wouldn't purchase any gun the seller tells me he's just going to wrap with bubblewrap and throw in an envelope.

-db- ,

I think your suggestion about having the gun sent to c/o my name is a good idea. A friend asked if I could have the gun opened in my presence and I thought probably not. Your suggestion just might enable that to work.

No, I have not confronted the dealer yet. It may not have been clear that it could have been another person in his shop that actually opened it......his wife. I need to do this . I think my only hestitation has been.......it cannot be corrected.

Thanks again -db- .

Dan T.

I am not sure why your FFL would open the package before you arrived to pick it up? It seems it would open him up to all kinds of questions if something was missing, broken, etc. which you could not point to the shipping company, and therefore the insurance.
The FFL in our neighborhood knows who is shipping what to which buyer and leaves the sipping box alone, and unopened, until the buyer comes in to claim it. There is also the issue, at least here in VA, that only the individual listed as the FFL can do the transfer, so only he can log it in.
Good luck.

My dealer will not open a gun sent to him for transfer until the buyer is present - and then the buyer opens the package himself. A gun in a sealed unopened box is not considered "in inventory" and there is little chance of any issue. The plastic box is a good idea and I have even sent a box with my check and ffl for that specific purpose.

Same w/my LGS.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I would try some brass or copper wool saturated with a lot of oil and rub the scratch gently. You will never remove it but you may be able to make it less gut wrenching.

I would calmly and cooly approach the FFL and explain to him the facts about the scratch. It IS possible that the Seller did it before shipment or that he covered it up somehow for the photos. No one will ever know. But explain to the FFL that to prevent anything like this from ever happening in the future, that you would like to be present when the package is opened.

If you open it together, and there is a scratch or any other damage, then you have recourse with the Seller as you have a witness. The FFL should not be offended if you approach it in this manner as it protects him as well.

As you say, nothing can be done about this incident, but you can prepare for the next time.

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James Redfield
LM #497

My FFL will not open the package as he makes me do which I do gladly. Sorry to hear about the situation. If it's a light scratch on a blued gun some 4 OOOO steel wool with gun oil will remove a light scratch. Then wax the gun using Johnsons floor wax or Renaissance wax and it will look as good as it's going to look.

Same with my Dealer

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De Oppresso Liber Μολὼν λαβέ

I have never had a recieving dealer open the package in my presence since I started ordering "mail order" used and collectible guns in 1974. Back then it was guns from Shotgun News then later Gun List. Those purchases were made without benefit of photos.

I will be sure to request opening in my presence from now on........or search for a dealer who will do so.

Thanks to everyone for the responses. The scratch, or more accurately, the cut, will not go away and will forever haunt me. I still do not believe it was done by the seller. His photos were just too clear.

Dan T.

I feel for you,had a similiar instance with a 2000.00 luger sent to a local ffl. While gun was not damaged,he showed it to everyone who came in the store that day before I arrived. Really PMO to know I provided the morning entertainment that day. Had package addressed to my attention,did not seem to matter. The guy does the transfer for the price of the backround check and has given me some really good deals,but I would rather pay and not risk it. All depends on the person I guess.

I've used two separate FFL folks to receive firearms for me in the last few years.

Both of them open the packages/boxes before I arrive.

I think I'll suggest they stop doing this. They'll probably be offended.

Opening/logging in depends on the circumstances.
Some dealers can't sleep if they go home without "the book" in perfect order for each day.

ATF regs allow a dealer till "close of business" the following day to record any "acquisition".
I'm afraid the "unopened box" won't fly with ATF. Delivered and signed for and on the premises has been "acquired". Close of business next day, or the dealer is not "in compliance". I think we can assume he needs to open the box to log it in.
I am also sure that employees can be assigned the task of logging guns in. Nothing in the Regs say that an employee cannot.

I think it is reasonable to expect some care in opening. It is also reasonable to expect some care and logic in packaging. One layer of bubblewrap sealed with a heavy layer of duct tape ain't gonna be pretty.......

So, your best bet is to ask the seller to pack carefully.
Then, alert your dealer it is coming, ask if he can notify you, get tracking data, and get there promptly for the opening.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I think it is a question of you asking the seller to securely package any shipped firearms before they are sent.My FFL says in order to record any and all acquisitions in his log book the package must be opened before the close of buisness on the day it is received.He is fastidious about his record keeping and opens all shipments immeadiately to verify the contents and book them into his records; giving him time to notify the sending FFL if there is any problem with the item.You should also point out the scratch to your FFL,tell him it didn't exist @ time of shipment,remind him to carefully open his packages,and see if he will make things right.Good luck and God Bless.....Mike

I just spoke with my recieving dealer today. He did not remember seeing the scratch/cut mark. He did agree on subsequent shipments for me to be opened in my presence since, as he admitted, I've always been right there the same day as delivered to pick it up. So, as long as I am prompt, maybe future problems like this will not occur.

He did say that he has always wanted to have the gun logged in before being picked up but did not resist when I said logging in while I waited is what I prefer.

Thanks to all who responded.

Dan T.