What would you do?

[Ken0]

Hey guys and gals,

   This is my first post and need some advice. I have been shooting springers for 5+ years and just bought my first pcp rifle, a hatsan at44s-10 .25 cal. I live in a wooded area where it is possible to hunt and noise is not a huge issue but can be a little bit. Anyhow, when I received this rifle (purchased as 'BRAND NEW, IN BOX" from online retailer Ecop, on ebay for $385) the box had a one big dent on the front face of it, and on one end of the box, the rifle's barrel was protruding out a little bit. I ignored this and just assumed the package went through some rough shipping since it was through the postal service. Near where the magazine sits in the rifle itself, there is a few very small chips/dents on the metal, and a couple scratches down the barrel, and on the air cylinder. There is also a crack on the air gauge meter on the cylinder. The safety mechanism is seems abnormally loose and wobbly. Last thing I noticed was when I unscrewed the muzzle cap on the end of the barrel, there was a weird brown rust like looking substance on the threads.
   
   After looking up the serial number on the rifle I found it was made in December of 2012 (Basically the start of 2013). I was a little concerned that as a rifle that was claimed to be 'brand new' was manufactured 2 and a half years ago? Do you guys think this could possibly be a used item based on the symptoms I described above? WOULD YOU return something that came under these circumstances?

   I have a couple more questions; is there any sure-fire way to tell if a gun has been used before? Like residue anyway I check for. OK so i also read somewhere these rifles can possibly come with a LW barrel how can I tell if this one does? One last question.  Anyone have any opinion of what model years are best for this rifle is there is any difference in features/build quality?

Thanks, dont be scared to let me know if I'm just overreacting.
   

[BenjiHunter]

Welcome to the GTA!
I would return it in a heart beat.

[pllagunos]

Mine is also made in December 2012 and it didn't have any scratches or chips in the metal, the barrel crown also didn't have rust. I bought mine from airgunproshop when Rick Eutsler was in charge one year ago and the shipping was really good, I think that the problem was the seller, if I were you I would return it because it is clearly the seller's fault to not ship it properly, then I would get another one from PyramydAir or Airgundepot, airgun depot had a special offer for the QE versions in $390 but the sale is over.

[Roadworthy]

Hi, Dillon.  Welcome to the GTA.  The short answer to your question would be to return it for refund or exchange.  I don't believe all that is a result of packing and shipping.

The gun itself could be "new old stock" or somebody's overstock - one that never sold and has never been owned, hence "new".  It could also have been a return from somebody who didn't want it for one reason or another - like the problems you saw.

Arrange a return with the vendor.  It may be new to you but it doesn't sound like a new gun.  Unless pieces of lead have flaked off by the bolt it is unlikely you can tell whether it's been shot or not.

Stick with a reputable established vendor in the future not a clearing house if you want quality.

[Ken0]

Thanks for the replies, looks like I'll be returning it then. Definitely going to order from a well know airgun retailer next. Just hope I can find a good price on a similar variant.

[Sfttailrdr46]

  Welcome to the GTA Dillon and a cheap price is not always a bargain try Pyramyd or Airgun Depot

[Nomadic Pirate]

Sometimes to save a couple bucks isn't worth it at all.

[pllagunos]

But sometimes it is, for example about a week ago Airgun Depot (which is known to be an excellent company) had a deal on the At44 qe short and long, and the short version was at $390 almost the same price as what he paid for the non QE version...

[Ken0]

But sometimes it is, for example about a week ago Airgun Depot (which is known to be an excellent company) had a deal on the At44 qe short and long, and the short version was at $390 almost the same price as what he paid for the non QE version...

True true, its just a real bummer I have to wait another week or two to even get my money back. But on the positive side, I'll have a little bit more money to play around with.

I bought this at44 for $385. and since I have to wait for the item to ship to the retailer to receive my refund I'll have another $200 to spend (I'm 23 years old making 600 - 700 a week with rent and auto insurance to pay for).

So considering I'll have $550-600 to spend I'm thinking about a BSA buccaneer or a BT65. Or I can just stick with another at44 Someone give me opinions!!! 

[pllagunos]

With 600 bucks you will get an even better rifle, for example in .25 the sumatra, marauder, at44w-10 and bt65 are real nice options. In .22 the at44w-10, qb78/79 HPA, snow peak p12, bra scorpion and many others.

Or you can get the at44 again and use the extra money for a tank or a nice scope.

[Ken0]

I'm also just thinking about getting a Discovery .22 and using the rest of the money on a decent air tank.

And if I go with that option, I can order the Discovery right now.... IF I were to do so right now, you guys think I should order it directly from crosman or through pyramidair?

[pllagunos]

These tanks may be in your budget - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drager-4500psi-SCBA-tank-45-minute-carbon-wrapped-Unused-2008-mfg-date-65-5-SCF-/231312000514?hash=item35db450602 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drager-4500psi-SCBA-tank-45-min-carbon-wrapped-2009-Draeger-/261822572465?hash=item3cf5d767b1

They will need a hydro but have 8 and 9 years left which is okey for the price, the filling adapter will cost you another $100 but you need to make it yourself, I would buy most parts here http://www.northshorecompressor.com/categories/SCBA-Accessories-%28Fire-Fighting%29/ except the hose and manometer, they are overpriced in that page. If you want info on how to make the filling adapter PM me and I would gladly help you.

If you decide to get the disco I would buy it from pyramydair along with some pellets, however the AT44 is a much better gun IMO

[Nomadic Pirate]

If going for a Disco look no further than Norm at DiscoRus, I get everything at Pyramyd but for a Disco I would go with Norm

[Ken0]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I actually made a decision to go with the .22 discovery. Ordered one from Airgundepot, and did not get the pump package because I plan to get a tank for it. I believe there is a paintball shop within 25 minutes of me that fills HPA.

Anymore recommendations for a tank under $300?

[Case Stuffer]

Here

http://www.topgun-airguns.com/SCBA-tank-with-adapter_p_94.html

plus $60 shipping and $14 for a QD hose will likely be the least expensive way to go for someone with limited experience.  CF tank may only have one or two years left on its' 15 yr. life span but in the next year you will learn much if you stay active with PCP and if not you did not spend $700 on a top of the line fill setup.

Good luck with .25 Mrod ,hope you get a good one barrel wise as I have read of issues even with very recently produced ones.


A thread where another was seeking advise on a less expensive tank setup

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=96395.msg903341#msg903341

Hint , hint just the fill seup without a tank can cost $200 or more.
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=96395.msg903341#msg903341

[rkr]

599$ will get you BSA Scorpion SE from pyramyd, much better trigger than the Buccaneer and those barrels can do sub 1" groups at 100 yards in .25.

[Sfttailrdr46]

Here

http://www.topgun-airguns.com/SCBA-tank-with-adapter_p_94.html

plus $60 shipping and $14 for a QD hose will likely be the least expensive way to go for someone with limited experience.  CF tank may only have one or two years left on its' 15 yr. life span but in the next year you will learn much if you stay active with PCP and if not you did not spend $700 on a top of the line fill setup.

Good luck with .25 Mrod ,hope you get a good one barrel wise as I have read of issues even with very recently produced ones.


A thread where another was seeking advise on a less expensive tank setup

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=96395.msg903341#msg903341

Hint , hint just the fill seup without a tank can cost $200 or more.
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=96395.msg903341#msg903341

The .25 Marauder has the barrel made by Green Mountain and they are excellent barrels with the ability of ~1/2" to ~3/4" groups at 50 yards with sufficient power to take small to medium game and pests to the same 50 yards iif the shooter has the requisite skills

[LDP]

Here

http://www.topgun-airguns.com/SCBA-tank-with-adapter_p_94.html

plus $60 shipping and $14 for a QD hose will likely be the least expensive way to go for someone with limited experience.  CF tank may only have one or two years left on its' 15 yr. life span but in the next year you will learn much if you stay active with PCP and if not you did not spend $700 on a top of the line fill setup.

Good luck with .25 Mrod ,hope you get a good one barrel wise as I have read of issues even with very recently produced ones.


A thread where another was seeking advise on a less expensive tank setup

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=96395.msg903341#msg903341

Hint , hint just the fill seup without a tank can cost $200 or more.
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=96395.msg903341#msg903341

The .25 Marauder has the barrel made by Green Mountain and they are excellent barrels with the ability of ~1/2" to ~3/4" groups at 50 yards with sufficient power to take small to medium game and pests to the same 50 yards iif the shooter has the requisite skills

Plus he didnt buy an Mrod anyway. I often wonder if most people even read the replies.

[Sfttailrdr46]

  Been reading from the beginning and was only responding to the last post about the .25 Marauder barrel's and accuracy of the .25 only

[rkr]

Plus he didnt buy an Mrod anyway. I often wonder if most people even read the replies.

I think they read selectively. People have often more or less decided what they want and are seeking for reassurance.