"New in Box" Ruger SP101

[Tallball]

I bought this from Gunbroker recently. The title said "NIB". It was also described as "New Old Stock". The description said that it was NIB with some scratches on the frame and barrel. The pictures were taken at odd angles (warning sign). I won it for a bid of $405, plus $25 S&H. My FFL doesn't usually charge me, but he is trying to be more "business-like" in 2019 and charged me a $35 fee. So I am into this gun for $465. For a brand-new SP101 that isn't bad, so I was feeling okay about it... until I examined it.

As you can see, it definitely has "some scratches" on the frame.
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Here is another picture of frame scratches. The other side is just as scratched, but I avoided showing the serial number. The cylinder is scratched up on every side.
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Here is the front of the cylinder. It looks to me like it was cleaned poorly, and I believe I can see faint carbon rings.
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Again I seem to see faint carbon rings, and some dirty oil or cleaning product that apparently wasn't wiped up after an incomplete cleaning job.
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The cylinder has noticeable turn lines all around it. Here is a not very good picture of one.
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The recoil shield has a very noticeable scratch from repeated use. I got a good picture of it.
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I am not sure how to get a picture of the inside of the barrel, but whoever cleaned it left some powder grains.

Unsurprisingly, the seller has neglected to answer my respectful messages concerning the condition of the supposed "NIB" revolver.

I could apply to Gunbroker for a refund due to what I consider to be a fraudulent description. However, I'm not sure that I would be refunded the $25 S&H, $35 FFL fee, and $40 to ship it back. That adds up to $100 I would be out.

Since the trigger is pretty good for an SP101 and it locks up pretty tight, I will probably just keep it. According to the serial number it seems to have been made in 2016.

Any comments on the apparent condition of the revolver would be welcome. I can easily supply more pictures.

I would also like to ask the moderators if it is appropriate for me to include the name of the Gunbroker seller. I have tried to keep my comments factual and non-inflammatory.

As far as I can tell, I have made 55 Gunbroker purchases over the years. This is the first one where I feel that the seller was less than forthcoming.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Keep it and be glad for the relatively cheap lesson learned. Even after a number of GB purchases myself there is always the odd discrepancy here and there. It depends on the infinite variability of the buyers and sellers perspectives too.

I dont generally buy off GB unless it is a killer deal. That way I have some insurance built in if things don’t turn out quite like I expect.

True, it is not my money and I understand the principle behind purchasing a gun you were led to believe was in a certain condition and turned out was in another condition, but it could be worse.

Personally, that gun would had to have banged around a shop for a little while to get that kind wear on it. Potentially lots of opening and closing of the cylinder and maybe dry firing.

Guns can be shot at the factory so I would keep an open mind about what truly defines “NIB” or “unfired”.

Mothers Wheel and Mag polish will take some of those scratches out and you will feel a lot better about it after you polish it.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Yes, probably fired, certainly tossed about- but if the timing is good and the cylinders bored halfway true (which I gather is an issue on newish Rugers ), then a little polishing and don't worry about it.

 

[bannockburn]

Tallball

If it's mechanically sound and possesses decent enough accuracy I would keep it and chalk it up to lesson learned.

Give it the Mother's Mag Polish treatment and shine that Ruger up!

 

[MidRoad]

That sucks, I bought my first guess. Off GB around thanks giving. Seller said the hammer/loading gate was a little stiff from old oil. NOT , it had an issue and I had to send it to Ruger. But Ruger took care of it at least. I sent the seller a message and never got a response...left a bad taste in my mouth. On the otherhand my dad has bought about 10 guns in the last year of GB, most of which he got for a steal (he's a friggin vulture) and he's had nothing but good luck.

Maybe you can polish the scratches out. May not be worth he headache to try and get your money back and loose it on shipping. Not sure your intended use,but if ccw I would polish it myself and not worry about the scratches. If ya wanted to make her pretty send it to out and have her customized by gemeni or somehing .

 

[Jack B.]

For this very reason I don't buy anything unless I can get my hands on it and inspect it. That's just me I guess. I rather pay a little more and be certain about what I'm paying for.

 

[MidRoad]

For this very reason I don't buy anything unless I can get my hands on it and inspect it. That's just me I guess. I rather pay a little more and be certain about what I'm paying for.

Which is a good way to go about things. Only downside is if you're looking for something that isn't very common and you can't find it locally. In my area nice used revolvers are becoming harder to find, everyone's got plastic autos in the used piles (nothing wrong with them,just saying ). There is one store that usually has a decent selection of used revolvers with fair prices but it's about an hour out.

 

[gotboostvr]

Mothers Wheel and Mag polish will take some of those scratches out and you will feel a lot better about it after you polish it.

I'd just use a green Scotchbrite pad on it. The Mother's Mag polish will put a real bright shine on it and might take awhile to evenly polish. The scotchbrite will give a brushed matte look and only take a few minutes.

I love SS for how easy it is to refurb.

I'd definitely leave some critical feedback on their page.

 

[edwardware]

Looks like a nice gun. Yes, you were defrauded. I would:
1) Write an honest GN review.
2) Contact GB with the same facts.
3) Post the seller's GB name, and real name here. This will allow others to be forewarned with a simple Google search.

If the seller objects to being called a crook, he shouldn't be a crook.

 

[Drail]

Yeah boy - online auction sites using terms like "NIB". Bwahahaha.........

 

[drk1]

First, thanks for your post. Second, sorry for your experience. And third, yes, you're correct in believeing that you were deceived. Now that doesn't necessarily mean that the seller did it on purpose, but as you point out the odd viewpoints of the photos should have been a hint. The seller was either unfamiliar with what "NIB" from Ruger really looks like or he was trying to make you believe that it was "NIB" while relieving himself of any culpability by including a few photos from odd perspectives. However, as other folks have pointed out, your situation isn't a comlete disaster. Just today, I saw a SP101 in a shop that had more wear and a higher price tag. In addition, again as others have pointed out, it is always a gamble to buy something you haven't had in your hands, especially from GB. After being ripped off my countless sellers, many of whom had in excess of 200+ positive feedbacks, I decided not to bid on anything unless I was prepared to receive nothing in return for my money... because it has happened to me more than once! If we set aside all the guns that I bought on GB that turned out to be stolen, turned over and never receieved a dime from the sellers, the biggest loss that I've personally suffered was a Winchester '73 that was supposed to be "70 - 80 %" In reality, it had a replaced barrel, replaced front sight, and did not function. They guy even admitted that the pictures he posted were "stock photos" and not photos of the Winchester he sent to me! That one set me back a little more than $2200 and he's still posting without a single negative feedback.

Just in case you or other folks haven't seen them, there are two other scams on GB that you should be aware of. One scam that is growing in popularity is to offer something for sale and somewhere near the end of a lengthy description put in a note that says "don't sent money until you receive invoice with address" or something like that. Most folks who win auctions want to get the seller his money and the item in hand as quickly as possible, and these folks count on that. A few days will go by and you will still not have received a receipt. Emails you send are ignored and so, not wanting a bad feedback yourself, you send the money to the address listed for the seller. Another week or two goes by and you still haven't received the item, but you're persistent and finally manage to contact the seller who then asks "where did you send the money?" Well, low and behold, he tells you that you didn't follow his directions and you sent the money to the wrong address. Blah, blah, blah... and then he gives you another address and wants the money sent there. Well, needless to say if you're foolish enough to send a second payment, the item never arrives and you're now out of pocket for twice the amount of the original auction.

The second scam is similar in that it involves fine print near the bottom of the description. Typically the post will be for something like a "Mauser k98," or "Winchester 70 Super Grade" or even something as simple as a collector's book. There are lots of great photos and a lengthy description, but down near the bottom of an listing for a "Mauser k98" will be the word "sling," but you don't see that. You think it really is the Mauser k98 depicted in the photos so you bid and soon find your self in a bidding war with one or two other people. You finally prevail and win the auction for $1100 to $1500 which isn't a bad price for a really nice k98 as shown in the pictures, but when the item arrives, its just a reproduction "sling" that you can buy anywhere for less than 30 bucks! They do the same things with books too. If you're a collector, you know there are certain out of print books that you'd really like, but simply cost too much. Well, suddenly one day, you notice an auction for this book you've been looking for. You bid, win, send off your money and receive in the mail.... a photo copy of the cover. Yea, down there near the bottom of that lenghty description is the word "cover." The seller made it perfectly unclear that what you were bidding on was only a cover and not the whole book. The point of all of this is just try to keep in mind that many, many, many of the folks out there, especially among the GB crowd, are devoted to trying to separate you from your money! For them it's just a game which in their minds means that it's a lot more fun than getting a real job or being a decent person. Best of luck!

 

[Tallball]

This was my 55th Gunbroker purchase and was the first time I've had a bad experience, so I still feel like my odds are pretty good. Out of the 54 other purchases, some were sweet deals indeed.

I broke my own rule on this one. Normally I will only purchase from a seller who has over a thousand sales (or at least close). I figure those are real businesses who make good profits from Gunbroker and have no need or desire to misrepresent anything. This seller only had seven previous sales. I should have just ignored the auction. They obviously have nothing invested in a real Gunbroker operation and a poor review (I gave them an "F" with detailed reasons why) means little or nothing to them.

I would like to post the info on the seller, but I'm not sure if that's allowed on this board.

It is scratched up worse than the pictures show. I own many revolvers, including several that are over 100 years old, and this is easily my most scratched-up revolver. Oddly enough, though, I don't care that much about the scratches. I'm just disgusted because it has very obviously been fired quite a bit, but was sold as being "NIB".

 

[mrmike7189]

It looks like a good quality revolver and being stainless steel it should polish up nice.
I would keep it.
shoot it carry it Enjoy it

 

[edwardware]

. . . That one set me back a little more than $2200 and he's still posting without a single negative feedback.

Why doesn't he have your negative feedback, and at least a police report? Did you really give up $2200 that easily?

 

[Walkalong]

Good news is it is SS and you can touch that right up. Surprised the seller didn't do it since he was selling it as NIB Old Stock. Just pisses you off doesn't it.

 

[Waveski]

Tall - I would be strongly inclined to turn up the heat under that seller in any way possible. He was not honest in his description , and you got jobbed. Contact him for a refund. He deserved the "F" feedback you said you posted. Contact Gunbroker. If I were in your shoes I would not be content to get out the Flitz and declare lesson learned.

You stated that the seller had very few prior sales. What was his return policy? My experience has been that a conscientious seller will cooperate to make thing right regardless of policy. At the very least you should have the opportunity to hear this guy explain and "justify" his sales presentation.

I will be interested to hear how this plays out. I would also be interested to know the I.D. of the seller , it THR policy allows. Keep us posted.

 

[mdThanatos]

I frequently bid on Gunbroker myself, seldom do I win because I set a max and don't go above it, but when I do win, I get a great deal. Most if not all of my auctions that I have bid on are Factory New or New Old Stock and usually have a disclaimer in the notes stating that the transfer should not be completed if there are any issues and to contact the seller to try and find a resolution. I don't know if you noticed these issues prior to completing the transfer or after but I agree with the others that an F feedback is warranted and contacting Gunbroker should be done to see if they can assist in anyway. If posting the seller's name isn't allowed maybe some PM's would be allowed for those who may be interested in trying to avoid the seller in the future.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Needs to be black anyway. Have it Cerakoted/Duracoted/Moly Resin finished.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If it functions properly I'd use Mothers Mag Polish to hand polish those scratches out and shine the entire thing up.

However that gun has definitely been shot a bit and maybe rode in the glove box of a car for a few years. I'd take the trigger group out and check it too.

I don't think leaving bad feedback with pictures for that seller on GunBroker would be out of line. But I'd wait to clean it up until the seller responds to the feedback in case it causes him to take corrective action.

If you say nothing, the seller will do it again very likely.

I always do a heavy check in the reviews for any seller before buying on GB. Think I've bought 6 or 7 guns that way.

 

[stonebuster]

Can't blame you for being disgusted about the misrepresentation of the add. I've seen adds on GB advertising guns in excellent condition that judging from the photos were fair at best. The scratches can be pretty easily fixed as mentioned with scotchbrite or fine sand paper and the round count most likely isn't excessive. It would bother me too not receiving the gun in the condition advertised but I hope after you clean it up you get to enjoy it.

 

[340PD]

I have only done a handful of GB buys. What I have learned, never take possession of the gun from the FFL they shipped it to until you are satisfied the gun is as described. Once you have gone through with the form 4473 it is yours and you have lost a lot of your ability to complain to the seller who can refute your comments as he said, she said. "Deals" are not always deals.

 

[Boattale]

Always remember, they can't put it on the internet if it's not true.
Better to have a face to face transaction almost always.