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February 22, 2017
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I agreed to purchase a 744V on another forum. It's pretty basic with a 4" barrel assembly, but looked to be in excellent condition and, in fact, described as excellent condition. I had the seller send additional pics and they looked great. I researched the seller's activity on the Forum and it appeared he had sold several guns with good results and happy customers, so I agreed to buy the gun. When it arrived, it had noticeable pitting on the top, right of the receiver, and along the right vent rib. I went back & looked at the pics and none showed those areas well and it now appears obvious that the seller purposely avoided those areas in the pics and he certainly didn't mention it in the listing or any correspondence. I hate to draw that conclusion, but I sent him a message about it and he hasn't responded. Overall, the gun is a pretty nice example all things considered but I probably would have knocked another $50-$75 off the price had I seen the pitting in advance. I paid $800, which is a reasonable price, w/o the pitting, and maybe it is with the pitting too, but it's a big problem for me that he didn't disclose these flaws. Pics of the 744 & the pitting are below. I'd be interested in feedback on the price & general thoughts on the transaction. I've purchased numerous guns off of well-trafficked forums and never had anything but good experiences before this purchase.
Jerry
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October 18, 2017
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It's a little difficult to tell from a photograph how bad the pitting is. It doesn't appear to be very deep, but it will take some time and effort that you were not counting on to correct depending on how perfect you want it to turn out. I agree the seller should have taken more care in his photos to show the damage, but at $800.00 I still think you did OK. Ultimately, this is a chance we all take when we purchase something online. Hopefully the seller will eventually respond to your message with an offer to either cancel the transaction, or offer a partial refund. If not, you still are the owner of one of the best .44 Magnums ever made.
February 22, 2017
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It's not deep and most of the pitting on the top of the frame should be able to be polished out. The pitting on the vent rib, while not deep either, is probably there for good. I definitely would have offered less, but I may have still purchased the revolver either way, but it's an integrity issue and just about being fully informed on the actual condition of the revolver. Of course, that's why there is the cliche: "buyer beware".
Jerry
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February 22, 2009
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That's not horrible but definitely should have been disclosed. Most days the 744s end up selling, at auction, right around $900-1K. Some time with some steel wool, oil, and then a scotch brite pad should take care of much of that, if it's not too deep. Otherwise you may have to get some emory cloth and oil... I always tell folks, "stainless steel, isn't".
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
February 22, 2017
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rwsem said
That's not horrible but definitely should have been disclosed. Most days the 744s end up selling, at auction, right around $900-1K. Some time with some steel wool, oil, and then a scotch brite pad should take care of much of that, if it's not too deep. Otherwise you may have to get some emory cloth and oil... I always tell folks, "stainless steel, isn't".
I'm a bit hesitant to do anything with it as I don't want to ruin the matt finish. I have no experience attempting to work pits out of stainless steel, especially with a matt or bead-blasted appearance. I don't want to make it worse than it is by creating a polished area, but I'll probably try a very tiny section.
Jerry
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March 25, 2013
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I would try Flitz and a brass brush first. Use your finger and then the brush. If the pits are superficial it may work. It will not affect the matte finish. Might as well Flitz the whole gun. Then use carnuba wax to keep it from further oxidation. Stainless won't rust but it does get that black corrosion. Never use steel wool on stainless. It can introduce the black corrosion when microscopic particles get in the surface. Again, it won't make the pits disappear but it may remove the corrosion. It is a lot easier than restoring the matte finish.
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February 22, 2009
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The matt finish on the rib/ top strap can be matched with #80 glass bead.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
February 29, 2012
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I watched that gun on the forum and pondered buying it for a long time. I wouldn’t have expected the pitting based on the sellers description and pics that I read and saw. Still wasn’t a bad price but I would’ve been a little disappointed after receiving it when that’s an obvious flaw that should’ve been mentioned/photographed. Hope he gets back to you
February 22, 2017
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broncosfan said
I watched that gun on the forum and pondered buying it for a long time. I wouldn’t have expected the pitting based on the sellers description and pics that I read and saw. Still wasn’t a bad price but I would’ve been a little disappointed after receiving it when that’s an obvious flaw that should’ve been mentioned/photographed. Hope he gets back to you
Yep, it was quite a disappointment. Overall, the gun is quite good and the most important thing is that the lockup is like a new gun and zero end shake.
I don't have Flitz on hand, but I do have Mothers, and I've had similar results using both products, so I worked on it with Mothers and a brass brush as Ole Dog suggested and it helped a little, but not much, I think because the pits were a little deeper than they first appeared. I then switched to a cotton cleaning patch and that seemed to have much better results, and the pits are almost gone. You can only see them, but only in the right light now. They do show up noticeably in any photograph, much more so than with the naked eye. It did brighten up the matt finish but it actually looks quite good and it isn't too bright. I'll continue to work on it and post an updated pic once I'm satisfied. I'll probably just leave it as is once I'm finished with the Flitz and not attempt to duplicate the matt finish on the top of the frame.
Jerry
6 Dans and counting...
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