Need Opinions - Online Gun Sale Issue

I'll preface this with the fact that no one from this site, besides myself, is involved in the following issue. Looking for input with the understanding that I believe that the issue described is my own, and I'll have to eat the cost of fixing it - if you think other wise, or agree that it's on me, please say so.

I purchased a gently used shotgun - Beretta 686 12ga Sporting Model, original owner purchased new in March and said no more than 250 shells through it - from another individual from another state. Pictures indicated everything was in excellent condition, and the payment, shipping and transfer went without a hitch. Looked everything over when it arrived and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary - it seemed as described. Eager to try it out, I took it to a local 5-stand course on Saturday morning with some Winchester AA factory loads. After 100 shells, I looked down the barrel and noticed there was some "crap" - looked to me like melted plastic - on the inside of the choke on the bottom barrel. Tried to remove the choke, but it wouldn't budge. I also noticed a small bulge in the side of the barrel on the side of the choke. Took the gun over to Bowers, where Rob pronounced it "fucked." Apparently the choke cracked and is expanded into the bulge in the barrel.

I sent a message to the seller to asking if they were aware of any issues, and they said no. Beretta Customer Service is closed until tomorrow, but reading their site I don't think they're going to be much help since I'm not the original purchaser. The seller included the blank warranty card, but I haven't filled it out. It seems wrong to me to claim to be the original owner. I'll call them tomorrow to see if there's anything they can do to help, but I don't expect much. I'll also reach out to Winchester - Rob said the best he could think of was that we had a partial squib where a hull got stuck in the choke and another load was shot behind it - I don't recall seeing anything, but I suppose it's possible. I don't recall any odd recoil or reports while shooting, and I've shot tens of thousands of shotgun shells in my life. I'm not expecting them to do anything either, and the seller has not offered additional assistance. A new barrel set according to Beretta's website is just shy of $1300 - just a few hundred shy of what I have into the whole gun.

I presume I'll make calls to the respective companies, only to then be directed to the local sand pit with compacting instructions - anyone have an idea I haven't considered? Am I hosed here?

Thanks for the help!

Not sure it's possible but can you cut the barrels down just passed the bulge and rethread for chokes?

Midwest Gunworks has barrels for $500

The seller is off the hook since you fired the gun. Who knows with winchester, or Beretta. IMO it's what your gunsmith found, or believed to be that might make a difference. Who, if anyone covers the issue.

I don?t think you can expect anything from the original owner than what has already been extended... an answer of No and the original warranty card. I think it could have been a different story if you saw some bulge in the barrel upon receipt of it, before leaving the FFL and long before shooting it, but sadly that didn?t occur.

I?d look into:
1. What the manufacturer can offer
2. What aftermarket barrel options exist
3. Who can cut it down and thread it for new chokes
4. Cut it down into a shorty (legal min length) home defense shotgun.

Who knows what you can come up with, but the price will be yours alone I?m afraid.

Sounds like previous owner shot some steel T shot or larger through it. Big no no and can cause a bulge as you describe.

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Originally Posted by colorider

Sounds like previous owner shot some steel T shot or larger through it. Big no no and can cause a bulge as you describe.

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You know there is always a reason somebody is selling something.
Sometimes a good reason, sometimes not.
As has been stated you have no evidence the seller did not act in good faith and seeing how you have fired it you can’t go back to the seller.
Hopefully Beretta can repair it or you can find replacement barrels.

Wish you the best on it and keep us updated.

Replying with pictures. I thought about having it chopped/rethreaded, will need to try and find a competent smith to do so - taking suggestions if anyone knows anyone. Would probably look to go to a 26-28" field gun configuration. It may be cheaper to buy a new one if neither of the manufacturers will help.

Here are pics of the choke (I didn't realize it at Bowers, was too pissed at the time I guess, but it actually blew metal from the choke out.) I tried to point to the bulge, it's a little hard to see when not in person.

Attachment 82936Attachment 82937Attachment 82938Attachment 82939

Yeah, who knows, the original owner may have done this and not even realized it, did it and knew what he was selling, or it may have been fine and something happened while you were shooting it. Without having had a thorough inspection when you received it I don't think you can imply either way, most if not all states handle the sale of used items to explicitly be "as is" sales so that the court system isn't flooded with lawsuits over this kind of stuff which brings forth the old adage of "buyer beware"

The lesson I take from this is to have a smith look over a gun that I'm buying that has an unknown history before I shoot it.

Sorry you're having to deal with this.

Shot some slugs with a full choke in ? You or the previous owner ?

Or one of those demolition ranch custom loads ?

Is the choke you have removed have "SP" stamped on it? Beretta says steel shot needs a special "steel proof" choke.
I hope this all works out for you and Beretta has some goodwill towards you.


https://berettausa.custhelp.com/app/...d/56/related/1

Not necessarily related but I'll reiterate that dealing with Beretta is your best bet. Whether the gun was damaged or not, I don't see the seller as being in any way on the hook for this.

FWIW just a couple of months ago I discovered (from another member here with whom I was trying to do a trade) that my CZ rifle had a cracked stock. I was the original purchaser but the warranty CLEARLY stated that wood parts were only covered for 1 year. I bought the gun just under 5 years ago.

Despite the fact that the wood stock was almost 4 years OOW on the stock, CZ replaced the stock at no cost to me (to include covering ALL shipping costs, to and from CZ.)

IMO always worth it to try to deal with the manufactuer for two reasons: 1. The cost to them is negligible in the great scheme of things and 2. Cultivating "good will" is a part of most manufacturers who want to protect their reputation. So even if you technically aren't covered by warranty, often times the manufacturer will "make it right" for you.

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Originally Posted by Martinjmpr

Not necessarily related but I'll reiterate that dealing with Beretta is your best bet. Whether the gun was damaged or not, I don't see the seller as being in any way on the hook for this.

FWIW just a couple of months ago I discovered (from another member here with whom I was trying to do a trade) that my CZ rifle had a cracked stock. I was the original purchaser but the warranty CLEARLY stated that wood parts were only covered for 1 year. I bought the gun just under 5 years ago.

Despite the fact that the wood stock was almost 4 years OOW on the stock, CZ replaced the stock at no cost to me (to include covering ALL shipping costs, to and from CZ.)

IMO always worth it to try to deal with the manufactuer for two reasons: 1. The cost to them is negligible in the great scheme of things and 2. Cultivating "good will" is a part of most manufacturers who want to protect their reputation. So even if you technically aren't covered by warranty, often times the manufacturer will "make it right" for you.

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Thanks for posting this - after working with the seller (told them more of what we found and asked if he'd be willing to reach out to Beretta if needed - he said yes!), I'll be sending the gun back to them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Martinjmpr

...IMO always worth it to try to deal with the manufactuer for two reasons: 1. The cost to them is negligible in the great scheme of things and 2. Cultivating "good will" is a part of most manufacturers who want to protect their reputation. So even if you technically aren't covered by warranty, often times the manufacturer will "make it right" for you.

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I'll second this. Those are pretty guns and it has their name on it. A positive review of Berretta's customer service is much less expensive for them than trying to get someone new to shotguns to plunk down $3,000.00 on a new gun.

How old were those Winchester AA shells you shot in it? Quite a few years ago there was talk of the base wads separating, getting stuck in the choke and causing something like what you have. It's been several years since I have heard of that so those shells would have to be pretty old for that to be a factor. If Beretta doesn't want to help I would contact Briley Mfg. They are masters at fixing things like this.

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Originally Posted by laportecharlie

How old were those Winchester AA shells you shot in it? Quite a few years ago there was talk of the base wads separating, getting stuck in the choke and causing something like what you have. It's been several years since I have heard of that so those shells would have to be pretty old for that to be a factor. If Beretta doesn't want to help I would contact Briley Mfg. They are masters at fixing things like this.

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The shells were purchased in the last couple of weeks - one of the few things still in stock!