Mod-19 4" nic....

[gmborkovic]

... just a Plain Jane, but nice shape. No options, just Magnas and no goodies. I asked the vendor to take off the grips. He refused nicely. I walked away nicely. Did I violate any etiquette here?
I like to look under the hood. Just some thoughts. Im a nice guy.

 

[GtownGeorge]

If he was on the high side of the price range and wouldn't take the grips off he must have something to hide. Did he say why he wouldn't remove them? Were you a serious buyer? I don't think you were asking for anything I wouldn't have done as a seller.

 

[gmborkovic]

He had it for $650USD , I did not get to wiggle conversation. Had 2K in my pocket and yes, serious at my price. He gave no reason for the refusal.
I know the guy and just left it alone. I did not think I was out of bounds on my request. He was polite and I returned it.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

If it was an original 19 no dash factory Nickel $650 was half price.

 

[markeb]

I would have done the same thing, nicely. I don't understand why there would be a problem with looking under the grips for that kind of money, for a plain Jane.

 

[gmborkovic]

Alex, I agree with you about the price. That was not the point. I wanted to see what was on the grips and flat just like any of us. Was it a $1300 mod -19? Im still thinking on that one. That is a lot of cake for a 19 Plain Jane. It was not perfect. So yes, I agree with you, do you see my point?

 

[raylan007]

Wow , How hard and time consuming could removing the stocks be? Either the seller was just being a **** *** or he has already had them off and has something to hide. Either way I agree with your response to take a walk. If there was rust under the stocks that would impact the price and if you wanted to buy from photos you could do so on GB. I have no qualms about asking a seller on GB to send a photo of the stocks removed to get the big picture. If they decline I just keep walking. Rust never sleeps.

 

[g8rb8]

To ask to see the back of the grips and the grip frame hidden by the grips seems reasonable. Matching # grips, refinish marks, Bubba'd mainspring, and rust would affect your level of interest and your calculus for arriving at a price you would pay.

On the other hand maybe the seller removed the grips enough times for tire kickers he got tired of doing so?

Another approach to this situation, if it was something you were seriously interested in, would have been to make a firm offer pending no problems under the grips and serial # matching grips or whatever would have soured the deal for you.

 

[Engine49guy]

A 4" Model 19 would have come with diamond targets or smooth presentation targets.

The Magnas hide less than the targets but sweat can accumulate under the grips causing rust and nickel flaking so best to peak.

If it had any flaking peeling deep gouges or nickel worn through to steel $650 is about right for a shooter grade 19 with incorrect grips IMO.

Condition is everything in a collectable gun, if it just needed a good cleaning and the nickel was intact that was a good price for an original nickel 19 with blued FS ramp. If its refinished I would pass.

 

[rjm6120]

Add one more response for you did absolutely nothing wrong asking, and absolutely did right by leaving your hard-earned $$ in your pocket after his refusal.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I would have said:"Here is $650 cash,Hold onto it.I will remove the Stocks in front of You and if everything looks good You keep the Money and I take the Gun" This would put You into the "serious buyer" category,If he refused he was hiding something.

EDIT:I have also found explaining WHY You want to take the Stocks off can be helpful.

 

[Engine49guy]

Or better yet say......"I will give you $50 Bucks for this piece of JUNK and Im doing YOU A FAVOR BUDDY ! " LOL....

 

[gmborkovic]

Alex, I know the guy. He really pissed me off. The wad was on the table.
Im old and $650 is a lot of cake for a Plain Jane.