[Drjones]

I handled a Seecamp once a couple years ago and bought one online recently.

I hadn't handled a Desert Eagle for years but didn't hesitate to order one from my local shop.

I handled a Colt 1991 ONCE a little over a year ago and now have one on the way.

Fondled a Kimber for a minute at the range a month ago and bought one of those too.

I had never shot a Seecamp (nor anything similar to it) nor the Colt nor Kimber before I bought them.

Even stranger to me than the fact that I buy guns that I've barely even touched before is that I have never been disappointed with a purchase so far. :)

:confused: :scrutiny:

Anyone else?? Or am I THAT wierd? :D

[ACP230]

I bought a Smith M28 out of an ad in Shotgun News. It turned out as advertised for condition and very accurate.

My Smith M657 with the eight and three eighths inch barrel was bought from a web ad. I saw a pic online, and the gun looked the same when it showed up.

I have bought a few others the same way. Two looked rougher than I expected, but cleaned up well.

[hillbilly]

I have purchased, online, with only digital photos to go by, the following.

Single action .357 revolver by Armi San Marco.
SKS that takes AK mags.
Browning Hi-power.
CZ-52.
Ishapore 2A Enfield.

The FAL and the AR I have both started life as part kits sans receivers that I purchased via the net, sight unseen.

I have yet to be disappointed.

hillbilly

[DevilDog]

Yep.... :(

Bought a 1917 Enfield that was supposed to be in NRA very good condition, but it was junk. I bought it through a C&R dealer that I knew - after a number of phone calls, letters and email, I got my $$ refunded.

I have bought a couple AR uppers unseen, but buying new unseen is little less stressful and risky than buying used unseen.

[Preacherman]

Yes, I've bought guns sight unseen, but only from folks whose reputation is outstanding, and whom I trust through others' references. I've never been disappointed yet. Case in point - WildAlaska. I've bought two guns from him now, and will buy again anytime.

[critter]

Bought an HK P7 M8 sight unseen and had never even handled one. It is even more than I expected.

Bought a CMP 1903 A3 sight unseen still in the cosmoline. Really nice Greek lend-lease return. Very pleased with it too.

There are some great guys on this forum who deal very honestly with each other (and me) to help perpetuate our hobby.

[Smoke]

Lots of times. Bought several guns online. Had local dealer order in several, some long, some handguns.

Most recently, Wildalaska's group buy that I haven't even taken delivery of.

Smoke

[Drjones]

I'm not sure I made myself clear:

What I meant is that, I had only handled a Seecamp ONCE in my entire life, and only for a few minutes.

That was about two years ago.

I recently bought one from a forumite sight unseen, and didn't even make a trip to a local shop to handle one.

Similar to the other guns I mentioned.

Get it?

:)

[wrench]

Yep, I get it.
I bought my beretta 92 type M without having handled one, there were none around to handle. Love it.
Then I bought a Makarov, because everyone loves them so, (so it seems),and I must be the only person that doesn't like them. oh well.
I don't have friends who are into guns, so anything I can't fondle at a gun shop or show......I take a leap of faith.

[crucible]

I bought a Garand from a NJ 'dealer' on an online auction several years ago. It was graded as NRA 'fine', had many pic's, was reparkerized and a new stock had been fitted, making it look nice for the auction.

In speaking with the seller after I won, I should have gotten a hint: he spoke of this rifle as a shooter, not a collector piece, and that should have been a giveaway to me. In my exhuberance of winning the auction (at a great price too-another hint I should have gotten), I said I was looking for a shooter and not a safe queen anyway, so no problem.

When I received it, the parkerizing was shoddy at best, and there was a fair amount of pitting on the receiver bottom-under the stock. Sigh. The dealer threw in a couple of clips wrapped in cloth-and had the nerve to write a note asking me to send the cloth back if I could.

It shoots to be sure, and it is a Garand (1943 vintage), and it was a good deal, so I'm not (totally) complaining. But the pitting still really bothers me though; does anyone know what can be done to fill in pitting in prepraration to a re-finish? (I'll plan on having this rifle forever.)

Buyer beware indeed folks.

Cruc

[gbran]

Sometimes, you do a lot of research and find a gun you on paper, but can't find one to fondle. You either buy sight unseen or travel great distance to find one, or............you just order it. I've done this several times and so far have only bought one I wish I hadn't.

Every thread where some soul is asking advise, everybody says go rent one first. I don't have any dealers who have a diverse rental fleet either. I suspect I'm not alone.

[J Miller]

Nope.
No touchie feelie, no spendie money.



Joe

[Rebeldon]

Only once. I bought a VEPR II directly from Robinson Arms.

No regrets! :D

[Edmond]

Yep, bought a Romanian Kalashnikov sight unseen and never handled. For $275 with 2 30 round mags and 75 rounds of ammo; I couldn't afford to pass the deal up.

[ny32182]

I've bought only two guns straight off a dealer's shelf.

All the others, I had them order or bought online, without ever having handled or even seen one in person.

Yet to be dissatisfied.

[gbelleh]

I've bought several without ever handling one first.

Where I used to live, the local gunshops weren't too good about stocking a wide variety of guns. So, if I wanted something a little unusual, I'd have to order it without ever handling one. Most of the time it worked out fine.

[Tman]

Bought 3 things sight unseen:
1. S&W 627 3" V-comp
2. Valtro
3. CZ 452 Ultralux SuperExclusive

Happy with all of them (but also feel lucky) :D

[Min]

Have no problem buying guns unseen online from a member of these gunboards with a high post count.

Gunbroker and Gunsamerica is okay too.

[Spieler]

My first revolver was a sight unseen Smith M10 and it was a beautiful gun at a great price. I was very happy with it.

[Roadkill]

I just paid $1150 for a DSA STG58A I'd only seen one picture of on the internet. Its not something I want to make a habit of though.

rk

[The Plainsman]

it's hard to NOT buy unseen/untouched guns on the Internet. ;) :scrutiny:

[Standing Wolf]

I've bought guns I've never even seen pictures of. I can't tell you how glad I am that Liar Gore invented the internet!

[bad_dad_brad]

Drjones,

I always preview guns before I buy them.

My hands are really little. Women's hands. This by the way has it's advantages which I can't get into on a family web site.

And so, for instance, a CZ-75 is out of the question for me, and I know that, because I handled a used one once. And so I know that the latest CZ-75 RAMI won't work for me.

The thickest pistol I can handle is the G19 and just barely. I long for a single stack Glock 9mm.

It is just me but I have to fondle a gun, revolver, pistol, or rifle, before I buy her.

[iamkris]

Yep, let's see

2 Vaqueros
1 Rossi 92
1 M1 from the CMP
1 Swiss K31
1 MN 91/30
1 Enfield No 4 Mk 1 (one that I've been dissapointed in but am keeping)
1 Witness Tac II
1 Witness P (another that I've been dissapointed in but didn't keep)
1 Para 14.45 LDA
1 MN M44
1 Sharps 1874
1 DSA STG58A
1 Lanber 2097 (had to return one that was damaged but got a replacement)
1 Mossberg 500
1 Makarov
1 Auto Ord 1911
1 Yugo SKS



So yeah, just a couple ;)...dang C&R bug

[SteelyDan]

Affirmative.

Bought an AK-variant through Shotgun News without having ever handled one.

Bought an SKS from a website without having ever handled one

Bought a Makarov pistol from website without having handled one.

The two rifles have been excellent. I haven't shot the Makarov enough to form an opinion.

[Atticus]

Sure....but very rarely. I had never fired, touched, or even seen an H&K PSP before I bought one off of WA. I still don't know why I bought it....but I do know why I'll probably never sell it.

[TrapperReady]

Ordered a CZ-452 Lux from a local dealer, based on internet opinion alone. I consider it to be one of the best purchases I've made. After shooting it for a while, I easily consider it to be worth much more than the price paid.

[4v50 Gary]

Plenty of times.

[Schuey2002]

My last three HK's were purchased sight unseen. Would I do it again? You bet!

(Now if I can only get WA to do another HK group buy.. hmmmmm) :uhoh:

[FullClip]

Nope, have never done it. I am a classic impulse buyer and when I see something new and shiny at the local gun stores or at a gun show, I check it out and then break out the wallet.
Have thought about making new unit purchases though on-line dealers, but would be very very skeptical on anything used.

[ViperEH]

I bought a SVD Tigr through a mod on ar15.com, and I've never even seen that type of gun in person before, let alone handled. Its being upgraded with russian mil stocks and bipod, then off to the range. I've very happy I did it. Alot of cash. :)

[Majic]

The internet has opened the doors to thousands of stores and personal safes full of firearms that I would otherwise probably never have a chance of owning, so yes I have bought firearms untouched by me.

[SapperLeader]

I always research guns first, but I hardly get the chance to handle them first: My list of guns that I purchased before seeing:
Springfield 1911 9mm
Mosin m44
yugo sks
enfield mk 4
vz24
swiss k31
Browning hi power practical(though I had handled hipower clones before and one regular browning)

Im sure theres more Ive forgotten, plus a bunch where I researched, knew stuff about them, and bought one the first time I ever held it(remington 87, spanish fr8...).
If Ive heard good things about the gun, know a little bit about it, I consider myself golden on the purchase. I just resist impulse buys on guns I dont know anything about(atleast since the remington 597 incident).

[shep854]

I'm in the process of buying a CZ75 via the 'net (thanks again, Mossyrock!:D ), but I at least want to handle a new gun type before I spring for it.

Reading the gunzine reviews will get me interested, but the only way to tell if a gun is right for me is to get my hands on it. I have been disappointed often enough buying other items unseen that I try to be cautious.

[Kharn]

I'm a Cruffler, of course I have bought stuff unseen and unhandled.

Kharn

[JohnBT]

Only two sight unseen: A Nylon 76 for my uncle and a Cooper Custom Classic M-57 for my dad.

JT

[Tamara]

Anyone else buy guns they've never seen in person?

That's how I wound up with my Mateba and my Beretta AR70.

What I meant is that, I had only handled a Seecamp ONCE in my entire life, and only for a few minutes.

Before I bought the above two, not only had I only seen them in pictures, but I'd never even talked to anybody who owned one. :uhoh: I, uh, basically bought them to see what they look like. :o

[4v50 Gary]

Tamara - you bought a gun to see what it looks like? Now that's as fine as a criteria as any. :p

[tarrigoni]

If I can't find a 39-2 around here anywhere, I'm about to buy one based on looks and reviews.

Hope it fits my hands

[PigPen]

Ya mean there is another way to do it?

PigPen

[Digex2]

Purchased my Sig P220ST online.

[Matt G]

Yup. I bought a winner sight unseen from one of our very own Staff Members:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81611&highlight=Winchester

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=997857

[sm]

What Guns?

How else was I supposed to find out what a High Standard Duramatic looked like?

Estate Sale - I asked the guy what was in the locked wooden cabinet, no key to open it. - He said "guns and stuff" I asked how much for the cabinet and contents. I reminded him I would have to get a locksmith...as I tossed some cash on the table.
Power Drill worked...Oh MY ! [shuts cabinet] What guns?

This here cabinet is just what is appears to be Jelly Cabinet or Pantry . 5' tall and 24" wide and deep....kinda heavy and rattled tho".... ;)

There is this Priest I know - but never met in person....he sent me real "heavy duty" towel once....

[earthworm]

Bought a model 32 Glock from a person who posts here.Gun looked as tho it had never been fired,came with .40 barrel & 6 mags.Good price & good deal.

[Justin]

That's how I wound up with my Mateba and my Beretta AR70. Funny, that's how I came by my Mateba, too. ;)

[JoeWang]

Yup. Sig P220ST here.

Also various uppers and bbls from Bushy and RRA never having used them before.

[GLOCKT]

The first is my 1933 Swiss K-31 through Southern Ohio Gun for $125
The next is my 1954 Harrington-Richardson M1 Garand through the CMP for $545.
Also theres the 24" V-match barrel from Bushmaster,to your door for $650.

[mcmoyer]

Bought a Glock 30 without ever touching one first.

:D

[cracked butt]

An M1 from CMP
Several Mausers from reputable C&R dealers.

Never been burned.:cool:

I would never buy a used sporting rifle or handgun off an auction site myself though.

[Ric]

Yes, but only once. I ordered a S&W 627 from the performance center sight unseen. Sent it back 6 months later for laser engraving. Really like it and won't part with it. Best buy yet:D

[Sactown]

Yup

STI Trojan
IZH 35M
Enfield No4 Mk2
Enfield No4 Mk2
CZ75B SA
Sig Trailside Target Comp


All have been winners.

[Dorian]

I bought an HK USP 9mm two tone full size from HKPro.com, when they still allowed firearm sales, and it was better than advertised.

That's it SO FAR. Once I get back home to the states, most of my gun purchases will be online through sigforum or hkboards.

[scottsw1]

8 C&R rifles have been purchased sight unseen.

[S_O_Laban]

Yes. About 50% of the guns I have bought were bought sight unseen. As someone ealier stated every C&R I buy is sight unseen.

[V-fib]

Yes!

Sp101 3"
S&W 642
Taurus 94 snub

Usually check them out online at Gallery of guns, Then I call my dealer and he orders them up. :cool:

[MyRoad]

I ordered an STI Trojan 5 /9mm with an ambi-safety, and had never handled any gun made by STI before placing that order -- but I did read up on them quite a bit. I also ordered a S&W 625 5" .45acp revolver, but that was a no-brainer -- I knew that one would not disappoint. I think I may have ordered my P220ST without having handled that model, but owned several other SIGs, so I wasn't worried. I've never gone out on a limb and ordered something I had never seen something similar too, or something from a make I wasn't familiar with. Never even been tempted.

[jojosdad]

Yeah - Bought a FEG PA-63 from CDNN, and am waiting for my Kimber Compact CDP to arrive. Never saw or handled one of either before buying.

[Nathanael_Greene]

I bought a Marlin 1894C sight unseen; I ordered it through a dealer because I couldn't find one locally, and God knows I tried. Great decision.

[sturmruger]

I have bought two guns of the net.

HS2000
XD40]

Both times they were better then described. The HS I could hardly tell it had been used.

[chas_martel]

Yep,

I bought an M-16 sight unseen!

Kinda unnerved me at first........................................


But I got over it.............................................................................

[R.H. Lee]

I've got an SKS coming from WildAlaska (if my FFL ever sends him the dang paperwork!)

[Wildalaska]

And he still hasnt sent it or at least I aint got it..

Get him to move, your rifle is crying for his new daddy:)

WildadoptionagencyAlaska

[0007]

Buy'em off the Board all the time and may not see them for six months to a year WildIhopehestillhasmyRugersinhissafeinAlaska(Thanks guy) can verify as to the truthfulness of this statement...:D :D

[CrazyIrishman]

In May of '04 I bought a parkerized Sistema 1911 that got returned as it wasn't quite as described nor did the pictures show the problem areas. I got a refund quickly w/o a hassle.

Bought another Sistema in June '04 that was much better than described condition. Great price too! I recently took it to the range and I was pleasantly surprised!! I shot a little less than 100 rounds w/o ANY malfunctions! Considering its a 47 year old surplus pistol with terrible sights the accuracy wasn't bad either! If I buy another Sistema it WILL get better sights!

Last fall I bought a '43 Remington 03-A3 that the seller didn't go into great detail describing but the price was hard to pass up. When I opened the box I was SHOCKED! Except for it having the wrong stock (type "C" instead of scant stock)it looks nearly new. The stock is in real nice condition even if its wrong,plus I prefer the look and feel.

Also around the same time I bought a rifle back that I sold about two years ago. Before I bought it I DID NOT get any pictures of it since I already knew (or so I thought)what the condition was. Its a late 50's sporter built on a '34 Oberndorf Mauser M98 action w/ a Douglas barrel,cal 22-250. I made a mistake selling it in the first place! Not including shipping I paid about 170.00 more than what I got for it. The scope that came on it went elsewhere which I found too(mid 50's era Leupold). I never bought back a firearm I've sold. If it wasn't for having acquired sentimental value I don't know if I would have bought it back. The condition that I got it back in left a bit to be desired but now I can sleep at night.


Except for the Mauser everything else was bought off of auction sites. Most likely I would buy again from auction or a set price (GunsAmerica).

[pahrumpcaveman]

I have bought from Gunbroker.com several times.

[Plainsman]

New from a dealer:
.22lr Lorcin
.22lr High Standard
.22lr Ruger 10/22
.22WMR Marlin Model 25
.308 L1A1
.45 ACP Springfield 1911-A1

Used from a private sale:
.22lr Ruger 22/45

Now I had handled a copy of each except for the .308 L1A1 and knew what to expect anyhow.

Used guns sight unseen are a little trickier, but what can a guy really do to a .22 lr bore!?! I'd be more leary of bore burners light some of the magnums, etc.

[borderguy]

All the time. Most recent was a Greek SAR-8 and before that an SA-85m.