New gun with slight scratches. Take it back or live with it?

[SteelyNirvana]

I got a new gun today, a Stoeger cougar 8040. I noticed today after I got her home that there is a slight scratch (almost like a small gouge) in the slide, the blueing is gone, a gray color is showing through. Its maybe about 1/4" x 1/16 and another small one a few inches away from it. I was wondering what you would you do in this situation. Would you take it back or would you live with it? It kinda bothers me that I bought a scratched new gun but then again I know a gun is going to get some wear and tear on it. For all I know it could have left the factory this way as it's a brand new never fired gun.

 

[kyo]

I kept my gun even though it had scratches. And I knew it was less than a month old from the factory, and came into the store 3 days earlier. I don't really care though, cause its my carry gun. It ain't there to look pretty.

 

[joesolo]

It did at one time bug me. I bought a very expensive (to me) Kolar shotgun with what i thought was a barrel imperfection. I looked at it for days. In the end I let it go and to this day enjoy the gun and pride of ownership. Don't sweat it. Buy more guns.

 

[.cheese.]

I've let it go in the past. It bugged me once with a S&W snubby, but I'm pretty sure it was an accidental mark from the factory.

 

[PT1911]

I wouldnt sweat it..

 

[.cheese.]

I used to be anal about scratches on my keyboards (I'm also a musician). I even went so far one time as to order replacement end pieces for a keyboard because of a scratch ($140 for the set of end-pieces and the keyboard was worth $2,500).

I also am ANAL beyond ANAL about scratches on my car. I've learned to live with them though.

I finally came to the conclusion that if I kept it up, I'd die of being anal.

 

[PT1911]

I finally came to the conclusion that if I kept it up, I'd die of being anal.

I will leave it alone...

I just think to much... I am more the type of I wonder how that got there... did the others have that... will it hurt the gun.. will it rust? should I blu it? ETC.....

 

[.cheese.]

I totally know what's going through your head having been there.

My first thought was, "Did they really sell me a used gun?"

then it was, "Was this a factory return refurbished and sold as new?"

then it was, "Is this because a million potential buyers were dry firing it or messing with it?"

etc. etc.

Plenty of us do it. Most of us just resign to the fact that it's not worth spending too much time thinking about unless it's a major deal.

 

[mnrivrat]

I'm a little surprised so far as I have heard people on this forum say things like "if it has a finger print on it, I won't buy it as new !"

Fact is, the factory handles these guns also, and you are going to find minor blemishes on new guns . If you buy them to shoot and use it shouldn't be much of an issue.

 

[Jim Watson]

I would probably put up with it on a utility gun like that.

I had a gun come in with rust flecks in the matte stainless. I kept it and cleaned it up.
Good thing, the model was discontinued and replaced with a much more expensive version shortly thereafter.

 

[2nd 41]

If it bothers you call Customer Service and ask if they will refinish it. Explain how it was received.

 

[Jmurman]

I had to look up a photo of the Cougar, nice pistol.

I would make some photos of the problem and then call cutomer service. See what they say and go from there.

Let us know what they say.

 

[JWF III]

A tool is a tool. I worry about scratches on a gun about as much as scratches on my hammer.

But then again, I only have one truely valuable, mint cond., gun. I buy 95% used, and shoot all but the one. Marks that come from use, just add character and beauty.

Wyman

 

[Ed Ames]

I have never bought a gun from a store that didn't allow/encourage pre-purchase inspection. The way I look at it, If I miss something during that inspection it's my problem.

I have been known to be very picky about things I buy... but OTOH I have purchased guns with big-ol' scratches because I didn't really care for that gun.

 

[Robert]

I would not worry too much about it. If it really bugs you then take it back. If not shoot it and add more to the one you have through years of loving use.

Try scratching $3000 worth of bagpipes for the first time... now that made me angry...

 

[WC145]

I recently bought a S&W 637 BECAUSE it had a couple of tiny scratches. The gun shop I frequent was robbed a year or so ago (they were caught in short order) and they just got the guns back a few weeks ago. This 637 got a couple of tiny nicks/scratches sometime during it's ordeal and I ended up getting it for the low, low price of $270 + tax. I wasn't really looking for another one but couldn't say no to a brand new j-frame at that price!

 

[Prion]

You'll forget about it before long and in a year you'll laugh at yourself for being so anal. You might not even remember where it is!

Just try not to obsess over it, no big deal really. It's already scratched so you're free from the disappointment of scratching it yourself for the first time.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

Add more scratches and take it out and shoot it and have fun!

 

[shaggy430]

I might be the only one to say this so far, but I would take it back. If there are scratches on my gun, I want to be the one to put them there.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think you should have looked it over in the store and discussed it there. But in general, if I'm going to be shooting the gun and it not a $2000 piece, I would blow it off. That's just me though.

Bought a new Model 57 Mountain Gun with a heavy drag line on the cylinder. New gun. It bugged me, but I was planning on shooting it, so I didn't worry about it.

 

[deadin]

If you're going to use it, I wouldn't fuss about it.
Look on it as a blessing, 'cause now you don't have to worry about the "first" blemish. It's already there.

(I've been tempted to take a hammer and whack a new car (when I get one) just to get past the first dent.)

 

[SteelyNirvana]

I think you should have looked it over in the store and discussed it there.

I did look it over in the store and I didn't notice it then. It did sit in layaway for 3 months but I doubt anyone was clowning around with it. The gun-shop where I bought it from has an outstanding reputation in my area. It might have been that I didn't notice it under the florescent lighting in the store but I get it home under 300 watts of incandescent lighting and looking over every inch of it I notice it.

After reading everyone's responses, I think I'm just gonna let it ride. I think it would be too much of a hassle and god knows how much of a wait to send it back to Stoeger for one little nick. I figure if it really gets to bugging me I may get some blue touch-up and go that route.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[CSA 357]

If i buy at a new price, i want a new gun, now if i can get a cut price then ill take a used gun, but realy all that matters is the gun works, looks dont get the job done

 

[MarineOne]

Most of the guns I buy show signs of being test fired, and I'd rather buy a gun that I know someone at the factory has tested and might show some signs of handling.

I'd be leary of a weapon that shows zero signs of handling or test firing. A weapon that's too clean makes me lean towards the idea that there might be something to hide.




Kris

 

[shooter429]

Who cares as long as she shoots well

I have seen and purchased inexpensive guns with slight surface imperfections. In fact, I have seen some expensive 1911s with slight imperfections. If the gun works well, shoots well etc., I would just keep it. Not worth the trouble IMHO. On the other hand, if I had ordered, say, a custom 1911 and spent several grand on it, I might be more concerned, but even then, I am gunna throw it in a holster and shoot it and it will wear, anyway. I once bought a car with a slight scratch and dimple in one of the front panel's I could have bothered to go to the body shop, but I did not because I loved the car and needed it for transportation.

I have no safe queens.

Shooter429