corkdecoy,
After a bad experience on my first one,I always had any Gun I was buying long distance sent straight to a good Gunsmith (In my case, Abe Chaber)for a good checkout...I found the sellers willing to give me a couple extra days on the inspection time.
But I always got good pics & details..weight , stock dimentions etc...so knew I liked the Gun & it would fit me.
Saves some headaches if you're not able to measure bbl walls, chambers etc
Franc