Internet Romance

[Kinsman]

Hi all,
Need some input here.

So I've been looking to buy a M1a/M14 for, oh, about ten years now. After gaining approval from the CFO and deciding it would be a good idea to take the plunge, I developed a serious crush on what seems to be a real nice rifle. Guy has a website and he builds M1a's -all GI parts, nice barrels and stocks, good price.....but I've never met the guy. I don't know if he has a regular 'shop' or not. In fact, all I know is that he has pictures of a nice product on a website.

Question:
How does a guy protect himself? How do you know you're not just sending money off to a guy who will drink it up in Cabo?

Thanks

 

[4v50 Gary]

Paypal, or ask members here or elsewhere for feedback as to whether the guy is up & up.

 

[Ebbtide]

Tell us the website and perhaps some of the members here know this fellow you speak of. There is nothing wrong with posting his info in this furom. Heck, he would might be happy about it and you might get some real good info on this guy.

ehenz

 

[Kinsman]

Clayton Smith / West Texas Ordnance.
His website is M14garand.com
For the record, he seems like a real nice fellow....and his product looks nice, which is why I'm ready to buy one of his rifles. He offers a great price, but it's still a lot of money to us poor folks. I am internet-gun-transfer challenged.

 

[Outlander]

I've heard using a postal money order is safest 'cause if you get ripped off it's a federal offense. I dont know if its true or not but its worth looking into.
A lot of people have been having problems with PayPal lately.

 

[ajacobs]

Paypal no longer allows its use for firearms, hicaps etc. I suppose they wouldn't know if you used it but if you have a problem you will get no assistance. So there is no longer any benifit of protection as you would have been violating their terms of service.

 

[xsquid]

An M14 Garand? Anyway, I'd ask for several references before I took the plunge. Pretty pictures don't mean very much. Also he uses Armscorp receivers, I've heard good and bad about them. As an alternative, his prices are in-line with pre-ban Springfield M1As, and most pre-bans were built with all USGI parts unlike current production rifles.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I hope you've spoken with the fellow by telephone.

 

[Kinsman]

Thanks for the input.
I was looking not at the M14 Garand (interesting idea though) but straight M1a's. Any ideas for a good source for preban M1a's?

 

[Redlg155]

If he is in the business of building or selling weapons then he will have an FFL. Just ask for parts (first 3 digits and last 5 ) of his FFL number and check it here. That is the website for the ATF online EZ FFL check. The information should match up. I've used it a couple of times with good results.

Then ask for the written terms of his warranty and any inspection period granted. The best way to hedge against getting burned is to check some forums. In his website he provided a couple of links. Post a question at one concerning the business and quality of rifles produced. I'm sure you'll get some input.

Good Shooting
Red