So, on Tuesday, I received the Enfield #4 MK1 that I ordered from Classic Arms. On Wednesday I called them to ask how to return it for an exchange. They readily said they would send me a return shipping label. The lady who helped me only asked 3 questions. The first was why I wanted to return it. I told her that the gun was not in the shape I thought it should have been given the add said they were NRA Good to borderline Very Good condition and this one seemed at best maybe just reaching borderline good condition. There was a good deal of rust and some pitting but the bore looked okay and there was some repair work on the stock. The so called sling that came with it was an old crappy belt that lloked as if it had been put on the rifle by a moron but granted they only said it would come with "some type" of a sling and I suppose you could stretch it to call a belt a sling if you stretched it really far. Now, I could have lived with it all even though in the claimed condition it should probably not have had any pitting or repairs.
So why want to return it? As I explained to the lady, there was also a very small bit of damage to the outside ring of the muzzle where white metal was exposed. It looked as if someone dinged or gouged the end of it, maybe someone dropped it. She then asked question 2, did it look to have been damaged in shipping. I had to say it did not appear so because the rifle had been packed very well, in fact the bubble wrap placed on it had been done better than I had ever seen before with some extra at the receiver and muzzle end. The only other question she asked was my mailing info so she could send me a shipping to return it. I am hopeful they will have another by the time this one gets back to them.
Now I have to admit, the damage while obviously new was minimal. The thing is though it was damage to the area that probably gets exposed the the second highest amounts of pressure in a rifle and I did not want to take the chance of that damage having weakened the muzzle at all. So back it goes once I get that label. While I am waiting to get the label, I am pretty sure I am going to order another gun from them. They also offer YUGO M24/47 8MM BOLT ACTION RIFLE in excellent condition and they claim, and this is a quote from their website, that:
"BLUE WILL BE AT LEAST 98 % BUT MOST ARE 100% WITH A MID GLOSS FINISH AND A BEAUTIFUL YUGO CREST. STOCKS AND HANDGUARDS WILL MATCH NICELY. BORES HAVE ALL BEEN BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL WITH DEEP SHARP LANDS AND GROOVES AND REALLY NICE CROWNS"
That is a darned nice sounding rifle for only $209.95 plus shipping. If I add $10 then they guarantee:
"AND SELECT WILL GUARENTEE 100 % BLUE AND A REALLY NICE TOP END STOCK AS WELL AS A PRISTINE BORE AND CROWN. "
I think I will order one today. I sold some ammo recently and have a bit of cash on hand to make the purchase so why not! After all - I have been wanting a new rifle for quite awhile now. The only sticking point is they also offer Swiss Schmidt-Rubin K-31 Carbines and Schmidt-Rubin K Model 1911 Carbines too. Decisions - decisions!
All the best,
Glenn B
