I have about weened myself from buying on line as well. Fortunately I shoot with a group that includes three or four dealers who specialize in quality SXS's and rifles. There is nothing quite like picking up and taking down a gun for oneself.
A recent bad experience was a Lindner in "outstanding" condition with "absolutely nothing wrong with this gun." Upon receipt it had a badly rebuilt head and had been converted from pistol grip, probably during reconstruction, to English configuration. Was able to get my money back, but not the shipping.
There are some good guys out there. I will give an endorsement for Thad Scott to anyone. He has always taken the time to walk me through any gun thoroughly over the phone, and the one I did have to return to him didn't take place until three months after purchase. It was a 7x57r drilling, that looked fabulous, but upon finally getting to the range, I discovered it had been drilled out to 7mm Von Hoff by some idiot (chamber walls were paper thin). Thad took it back immediately with sincere appologies for not catching the conversion. I highly recommend his operation.
