I bought a revolver from a member here about a month ago, Colt pocket repro. It was listed as a rare version and it had some features I liked; long round barrel and square back trigger guard. Because of the listing and the features I liked I paid a premium for it. What I received was a gun built up from 3 or more guns and with some problems too. Besides the cylinder issue the half cock notch on the hammer is located way off and the pivot hole in the trigger is drilled at an angle rendering these parts unacceptable with no replacement parts available for this gun (knew that beforehand). I have no need for parts and I value the item at less than a quarter of what I paid. I sent the seller a PM (conversation) and the content is below. I feel the message was neither disrespectful, threatening or demanding. The seller has not responded in the month since I sent the PM and I don’t believe he will. I’m not naming him but you could probably find the listing I bought from with a little searching. He has sold a number of guns on the forum and currently has a couple listed. I can only hope other members have better results dealing with him than I did.
“The revolver was built up using parts from three (or more) different revolvers. Because of that I would not call it a rare XYZ factory gun, just a collection of parts.
The wedge and backstrap bear the serial # 3660 and the cylinder has the last 3 digits of the same serial # (660).
The trigger guard and frame bear the serial # 3650.
The barrel assembly carries the serial # 3992.
These parts do not function well together. The barrel-cylinder gap is .020” with the wedge driven in firmly. This is the largest gap I have ever seen on a cap & ball revolver and is way over the maximum. At the junction of the back strap and the front strap where they meet at the toe of the grip there is a .051” gap which someone tried to close with the screw which they buggered up badly. The trigger is at an angle in the guard and the half cock notch is positioned so that if your finger is in the guard when it’s pulled to half cock your finger is painfully trapped in the guard and the only way of freeing it is to go to full cock. I did not disassemble the gun to look inside but it does need work as the bolt doesn’t drop until the hammer is pulled way back past full cock. The bore has a small spot of rust at the muzzle and scattered dark spots through its length. I only took a quick look down the barrel while it was off so I don’t know if its rust on not. I understand all these guns need a little tuning but this one seems to need more than that. I could live with the missing wedge screw, front sight made from a screw and the need for a little work but I feel given all the things listed above that this gun is considerably overpriced and not acceptable. I would like very much to return it for a refund.”
So AITA here or am I justified?
“The revolver was built up using parts from three (or more) different revolvers. Because of that I would not call it a rare XYZ factory gun, just a collection of parts.
The wedge and backstrap bear the serial # 3660 and the cylinder has the last 3 digits of the same serial # (660).
The trigger guard and frame bear the serial # 3650.
The barrel assembly carries the serial # 3992.
These parts do not function well together. The barrel-cylinder gap is .020” with the wedge driven in firmly. This is the largest gap I have ever seen on a cap & ball revolver and is way over the maximum. At the junction of the back strap and the front strap where they meet at the toe of the grip there is a .051” gap which someone tried to close with the screw which they buggered up badly. The trigger is at an angle in the guard and the half cock notch is positioned so that if your finger is in the guard when it’s pulled to half cock your finger is painfully trapped in the guard and the only way of freeing it is to go to full cock. I did not disassemble the gun to look inside but it does need work as the bolt doesn’t drop until the hammer is pulled way back past full cock. The bore has a small spot of rust at the muzzle and scattered dark spots through its length. I only took a quick look down the barrel while it was off so I don’t know if its rust on not. I understand all these guns need a little tuning but this one seems to need more than that. I could live with the missing wedge screw, front sight made from a screw and the need for a little work but I feel given all the things listed above that this gun is considerably overpriced and not acceptable. I would like very much to return it for a refund.”
So AITA here or am I justified?
I was hoping the guy was in the hospital or away on a trip but he bumped his listings a few minutes ago so he’s VERY aware.
….
