LGS Refused to Remove Stocks (grips)?

[C3Ranger]

Looking for some fellow member opinions on the following…

During a recent visit to a shop not often frequented, I overheard a customer ask if the rubber grips on an older (1980s?) S&W M15 could be removed for inspection. I was surprised that the shop refused.

It was apparent that there was some surface wear and light pitting as could be expected on a well-used revolver of that age, and the customer was not asking to be the one removing the grips, just that the shop remove them.

UPDATE: I don't recall any explanation by the shop for not removing the rubber grips for inspection.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who would be discouraged from doing business with that shop, especially on a used item.

To clarify, this was not a consignment gun. They were also clearly not original S&W stocks.

Do you think the customer's request was unreasonable?

Would the shop's refusal influence whether you would deal with them?

 

[UncleEd]

Yes.

And yes.

 

[murphydog]

My opinion would be - their shop, their rules. But I would not be inclined to buy any used gun from them. And depending on their overall attitude, probably not a new gun either.

 

[paplinker]

Well they would have to take the grips off to read the proper serial number for the paperwork.

Yes I would be very cautious with that shop. Did they say why they would not?

 

[sigp220.45]

Probably just a blanket rule after either a customer or employee buggered up a gun. Wouldn't bother me.

 

[RSinOR]

The customer's request is not unreasonable, and if the shop refused, I would politely hand the gun back to the clerk, thank them for their time
and leave.

Sometimes LGS's are reluctant to do such things for anyone other than regular customers they know. Other times, some will not do it under any circumstances. In cases of the latter I would not buy anything from that shop. Don't burn any bridges...just take your business elsewhere.

 

[tlawler]

I wouldn't deal with them. Rubber grips are notorious for contributing to corrosion when not removed and cleaned periodically. Say you buy the gun and remove the grips to find severe pitting and rust; what recourse would you have at that point? I seriously doubt they would refund your money and take the gun back.

 

[stansdds]

Their shop, their rules, and that's fine. If you feel that a more thorough inspection of the revolver was in order before purchasing, and I think you were within your rights, and they refuse, walk away.

 

[Old cop]

I asked a local shop if I could remove the rubber grips on a used Model 10 a few years ago, they said sure. Sure enough some pitting under the grips so I negotiated the price. Had the shop refused I would have walked away.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I had some rust under the grips on one of my model 19's because of years with Pach grips on it. I store all of my guns in a safe in a room with heat and a Goldenrod in the safe. Not a lot of rust but it was there.

Sometimes it's difficult to remove grips and screws get buggered. In the case of some really old 1911's sometime the screw bushings have to be replaced because they will be damaged removing the grips. I broke a pair of original plastic grips trying to remove them from a 1990 Colt. Replaced two bushings. Should have left it alone.

I don't know of any shop that will let you mess with screws and the counter guy is just a clerk that knows everything but knows nothing. I wouldn't want that dude wrenching on my guns.

 

[ken158]

I would want to see under the grips but would not want to remove them myself should they claim a scratch or issue of some kind.

 

[rct269]

As has been so correctly noted, "their shop and their rules", just as we have our money and our walking shoes.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[dmar]

If it's important to the customer, the owner should try to accommodate the request. It's a used gun, if he's a serious buyer, it's reasonable to request to the inspect the gun. I work hard for my money, and they're not giving the things away!

If refused the option, I'd politely let the man know that I don't agree with his business practices, and I'd leave. He may stay in business doing things that way, but it wouldn't be thanks to my money…

 

[jay73]

Makes me feel good my local shop doesn't have this issue. Last revolver I purchased, I asked to check the S/N on the grips. He already had the screwdriver in his hand.

 

[Major 2]

I agree, I'd walk

 

[kwill1911]

Their shop, their rules. My money, my rules.

 

[luvsmiths]

How much for the Chevy?

4500.

Looks nice. Seats feel good.

open the hood?

No.

The trunk?

No.

Ok, I'll take it.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I recently had an out of town Gun store owner Lady diss me.
Only time I will ever go there.
It's a combo store - range.
I walked in and the owner gent welcomed me.
I circled over and looked into the glassed in indoor range.
One guy in there, shooting some kind of competition , Biathalon, Olympic rifle.
I circle the center square where the woman is using the computer.
Get over to a clerk who is BSing with a customer.
I ask him, what kind of rifle is that guy shooting?
The woman yells at me, it's a very expensive rifle!
And he's a regular!
She apparently already surmised that I'm irregular and don't own any expensive guns. Probably no guns at all.
It'll be a cold day in hell before I go in there again!

 

[handejector]

How much for the Chevy?

4500.

Looks nice. Seats feel good.

open the hood?

No.

The trunk?

No.

Ok, I'll take it.

In Atlanta, you definitely want to check the trunk! Might see somebody you know.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I can field strip a 1911 in less than a minute. Should a shop owner let me do that? Probably not because every Tom, Dick and Harry would want to do that and the unwashed masses will damage your merchandise.

How many people carry a bore light when they look at used guns? To me the condition of the bore is more important than some rust under the grips. But I guess cosmetics is everything to some buyers. I never did get that.

Safe to say I'm not a collector.