I can easily understand the frustration with the time it takes to answer questions for the many unlikely buyers.
Daryl is dead on correct that many questions people ask are the result of poor descriptions and incomplete photos. It amazes me how often even top end sellers fail to give the details of a gun on the most basic level (i.e. weight, chamber length, choke dimensions, min wall thickness) While I understand it takes time to have all the details laid out it would reduce questions.
Further on photos, simple depiction of barrel and receiver flats as well as other details would make life much easier for all involved.
At minimum the following should be available in a high end gun description.
Maker
Serial Number (you can blank the last two digits, but it is very useful to know on some makes)
Chamber length (current and original and if lengthened whether reproofed)
Triggers (Single<selective or not><type of single if known> , Double, Front Articulated)
Ejectors/Extractor (if ejector if type of ejector is known i.e. southgate, baker etc)
Safety (automatic or not)
Barrel Length (and if original-photo of muzzles ends most questions)
Current Bore Diameter
Current Choke Dimensions (note if different from stamped markings)
Minimum Wall Thickness Right and Left
Barrel Weight (for Belgian guns so marked original versus current tells a lot)
Balance point in Relation to Hinge pin
Type of Grip (amazingly photos often are so bad you can't tell)
Type of forend and forend release
Actual stock dimension to include cast and pitch
LOP to wood on guns with pads
Actual Weight of gun (I have discovered the average gun I have brought weighs 1 or 2 ounces above advertised and that is on a calibrated postal scale)
Date of Manufacture if known
Engraver name if known (signed)
Original finish if actually known (I never cease to be amazed how many guns are stated original that obviously are not)
Complete terms of the sale and return policy as well as terms of payment or possible layaway
I realize this is a big list but it will cure most questions and leave few additional questions.
One more thought on window shopping vs. buying guns, I do feel guilty when asking questions on a gun I know it is unlikely I will buy. That said unlikely is not impossible and on at least two occasions I came back after not buying either gun, buying them a year or more later when they got listed again (Christophe Double Rifle, Christophe 20ga SxS)
Window shopping guns is another form of hunting, I drive by a lot of country before I get out of my truck.
Last edited by old colonel; 08/11/15 11:44 AM.
