Malone LaVeigh
Member
This weekend I was at a gun show after making some money in a cash deal earlier in the day and walked out with a few impulse purchases. I have always wanted a nice SXS for upland game birds and for, well, just having a nice SXS. I stopped by one table and, after picking up a few and feeling the weight and balance, found myself drawn to the LC Smiths. I told the men there I was interested in something that would be a nice shooter, not really interested in collecting, and they pointed me toward one that had obviously been re-finished. It's a post-Hunter Arms 12 ga, so apparently no collecter's value, so the refinish job was not a concern. I liked the weight and balance, the bore looks good, and it seemed very mechanically tight. He was asking $650 and I managed to talk him down to $625 out the door.
Unfortunately, once I got it outside in good light, it is apparent that the blue job was not a very good one. There are a few blotches and some pitting still visible. There is also some rust coming through in a couple of places. Part of the inscription on top of the barrels is rubbed real thin, as if it had to be heavily sanded. I had noticed a small crack in the stock, but I knew those stocks are delicate, and cracks are common. But now I can see that the fit of the stock to the receiver is not perfect.
I have also noticed that I often have to engage the break lever to close it.
Well, I still think it's going to be a fun field gun, but did I get reamed for the price?
Unfortunately, once I got it outside in good light, it is apparent that the blue job was not a very good one. There are a few blotches and some pitting still visible. There is also some rust coming through in a couple of places. Part of the inscription on top of the barrels is rubbed real thin, as if it had to be heavily sanded. I had noticed a small crack in the stock, but I knew those stocks are delicate, and cracks are common. But now I can see that the fit of the stock to the receiver is not perfect.
I have also noticed that I often have to engage the break lever to close it.
Well, I still think it's going to be a fun field gun, but did I get reamed for the price?