Am I missing something??

[exxonv]

I do ask for pics and serial number, and I do call the man for a "born on date" from time to time.



And how do you go about this?
Regarding breaking down, in a public place. I would send you pics of gun disassembled if that does not work, on to buyer #2. I had a "buyer' ask if he could break down a pistol, $%^& had no clue how to do it, thanks enjoy the day.
Sometimes you just have to trust the person you're dealing with.

What I do if I'm looking to spend quite a bit on a weapon - I ask the seller for the serial number so I can check the date - if they say no, then I'm on my way to another buyer.

When I meet F2F, it's public (parking lot). It's easy to field strip a weapon in the parking lot (in your car) in a few seconds. If someone doesn't know how and asks me (when buying from me), I do it for them. If I don't know how, I research it before I show up. You can find quite a bit out about what to look for with a little research. With Glocks (for instance), I really only check the barrel for bulging, most everything else is easy to fix (cheap) anyway. If someone was willing to send pics of the weapon field stripped, even better!

Again, this is only if I have concerns (i.e. what this thread started about - a $250 G19).

I generally trust that people are telling me the truth, and you can pretty much tell if someone is trying to be deceptive.

[Great-Kazoo]

What I do if I'm looking to spend quite a bit on a weapon - I ask the seller for the serial number so I can check the date - if they say no, then I'm on my way to another buyer.

When I meet F2F, it's public (parking lot). It's easy to field strip a weapon in the parking lot (in your car) in a few seconds. If someone doesn't know how and asks me (when buying from me), I do it for them. If I don't know how, I research it before I show up. You can find quite a bit out about what to look for with a little research. With Glocks (for instance), I really only check the barrel for bulging, most everything else is easy to fix (cheap) anyway. If someone was willing to send pics of the weapon field stripped, even better!

Again, this is only if I have concerns (i.e. what this thread started about - a $250 G19).

I generally trust that people are telling me the truth, and you can pretty much tell if someone is trying to be deceptive.

I never give out serial numbers to anyone. I'm surprised sellers give you that info. A phone call and or e-m from an interested party is not enough for me to volunteer serial numbers. Now selling a pre-ban item to a ban stater i give the first few numbers to confirm date of mfg.

You still have not answered who you check the "Date" with. Who do you do this through, mfg of gun, police. atf, who??

[exxonv]

I never give out serial numbers to anyone. I'm surprised sellers give you that info. A phone call and or e-m from an interested party is not enough for me to volunteer serial numbers. Now selling a pre-ban item to a ban stater i give the first few numbers to confirm date of mfg.

You still have not answered who you check the "Date" with. Who do you do this through, mfg of gun, police. atf, who??

Sorry, I call the mfg directly. I've had great luck with everyone of them I've called in the past. I just ask if I can get information on a serial number - they transfer me to someone who looks up the information on when the gun was made, etc.