Never in all my gunny days have I encountered a GSC or Retail Counter Rambo story that tops this.
So there I was, out running to the bank after work, not even bothering to go home to take off my militree uniform. So I decide to hit up a few local gun shops. First, I check the pawn shop where I have bought a number of guns. Pawn shop has been in business sinces Moses was a private. The old owner likes guns, doesn't know current laws worth diddly. Nice guy to talk to. The daughter sells jewelery, has no clue where the keys to the gun case are. The son runs the shop, holds the FFL and generally sells the guns unless the old man wants to. The son prices all guns at 98% NRA value, and most all are "near mint" as per the latest gun show field guide. Prices are very negotiable and I feel no shame in telling them how it is on prices.
So, I eyeball a Krag that some bubba had ground half of the "Armory" part of Springfield Armory off of the reciever. Further Bubba had re-laquered the wood, getting a fair amount of the metal he had steel wool cleaned laquered as well. Finished off the presentation piece with some cheaparse Japanese 1907 copy sling. I spotted his deft restoration hand on a SA Garand too by the distinctive sling and laquer. :banghead: Then I eyeballed a GC but 20% looked original Krag. If I could get it for 300 less than they were selling it, maybe.
On to the handguns. I look at a well worn but original and apparently tight 1917 S&W. May price it and go back. Then on to the BHP. It is sitting in the case right side up so I see that it is a FN. By the looks of the safety I'm guessing it is a commercial model a little older than my two MKIIs. For the record, I aquired those MKIIs at the same shop for 400 and 390. This one is priced at 495, figure I can leave for 380 tops.
So I ask to see it to verify that it is the 245- prefix commercial gun I think it is. Hmm, finish ok, yep it's Herstal, safety on one side only 70's production? Yep original mag, HMMMM! that's odd, where is the barrel's serial number? Aftermarket? I forgot about the slide S/N below the port so I look to the center of the front strap. Hey, lookee here! NO FREAKIN SERIAL NUMBER! Big old grinder marks. Look back at the barrel, yep its ground too. As I explain to the old man that it is illegal to sell the gun and he needs to get the police I am wiping my prints off on my uniform shirt. I offer to buy the mag and then leave.
Wow, now that I think about it that is asking to get your store closed. That gun could not come in as a sale or pawn unless it went in the bound book. How do ya do that with no freakin numbers? How do you miss big ol grinder marks when you are inspecting it prior to buying it into the shop? Just sitting in the case it could close the shop on an ATF audit. FWIW the old man stuck it back in the case, kinda like the PT-145 I showed him was broken one time. I think I'll print out applicable state and fed law and go back to talk to the prick kid if the gun is still there. I have an interest because:
1. I don't want a place to buy guns closed.
2. A few of my 4473's will go to the ATF when they knock over this taco stand.
If they ignore me, screw it I'll just call the ATF. Not my favorite .gov but I really don't think gun owners need the bad press of a shop selling un traceable guns. Knowing these guys they would probably read the 9m/m on the barrel and put that down for S/N.
So there I was, out running to the bank after work, not even bothering to go home to take off my militree uniform. So I decide to hit up a few local gun shops. First, I check the pawn shop where I have bought a number of guns. Pawn shop has been in business sinces Moses was a private. The old owner likes guns, doesn't know current laws worth diddly. Nice guy to talk to. The daughter sells jewelery, has no clue where the keys to the gun case are. The son runs the shop, holds the FFL and generally sells the guns unless the old man wants to. The son prices all guns at 98% NRA value, and most all are "near mint" as per the latest gun show field guide. Prices are very negotiable and I feel no shame in telling them how it is on prices.
So, I eyeball a Krag that some bubba had ground half of the "Armory" part of Springfield Armory off of the reciever. Further Bubba had re-laquered the wood, getting a fair amount of the metal he had steel wool cleaned laquered as well. Finished off the presentation piece with some cheaparse Japanese 1907 copy sling. I spotted his deft restoration hand on a SA Garand too by the distinctive sling and laquer. :banghead: Then I eyeballed a GC but 20% looked original Krag. If I could get it for 300 less than they were selling it, maybe.
On to the handguns. I look at a well worn but original and apparently tight 1917 S&W. May price it and go back. Then on to the BHP. It is sitting in the case right side up so I see that it is a FN. By the looks of the safety I'm guessing it is a commercial model a little older than my two MKIIs. For the record, I aquired those MKIIs at the same shop for 400 and 390. This one is priced at 495, figure I can leave for 380 tops.
So I ask to see it to verify that it is the 245- prefix commercial gun I think it is. Hmm, finish ok, yep it's Herstal, safety on one side only 70's production? Yep original mag, HMMMM! that's odd, where is the barrel's serial number? Aftermarket? I forgot about the slide S/N below the port so I look to the center of the front strap. Hey, lookee here! NO FREAKIN SERIAL NUMBER! Big old grinder marks. Look back at the barrel, yep its ground too. As I explain to the old man that it is illegal to sell the gun and he needs to get the police I am wiping my prints off on my uniform shirt. I offer to buy the mag and then leave.
Wow, now that I think about it that is asking to get your store closed. That gun could not come in as a sale or pawn unless it went in the bound book. How do ya do that with no freakin numbers? How do you miss big ol grinder marks when you are inspecting it prior to buying it into the shop? Just sitting in the case it could close the shop on an ATF audit. FWIW the old man stuck it back in the case, kinda like the PT-145 I showed him was broken one time. I think I'll print out applicable state and fed law and go back to talk to the prick kid if the gun is still there. I have an interest because:
1. I don't want a place to buy guns closed.
2. A few of my 4473's will go to the ATF when they knock over this taco stand.
If they ignore me, screw it I'll just call the ATF. Not my favorite .gov but I really don't think gun owners need the bad press of a shop selling un traceable guns. Knowing these guys they would probably read the 9m/m on the barrel and put that down for S/N.