Ive taken to ask that question of sellers on auction sites. Recently I was looking at an older gun (damascus barrels), that the seller went on and on about how tight the action was and how great the barrels were and how they passed the ring test with tight wood, no wobble. and and and.

He responded that the gun was in great shape. I asked again if he would shoot it. He responded that the gun was really nice but 100 years old. I asked again, saying all I was interested, was his assessment since he had the gun and I had only his description and pictures. I told him that I would have it inspected when it arrived but that I didnt want to have to sent it back if it wasnt safe. He became mad and called me an A$$. He actually used the dollar signs which made me laugh.

Honestly I "Knew" after the first email that there was a problem; but I was kinda pissed that a seller wouldnt give a simple answer, even if it was a qualified answer, like "with the right loads". Finally I told him not to contact me any further, which he took to say that I was harassing him.

I think the question is fair of all sellers. Either they are selling shootable guns, that they would shoot themselves OR they are selling unsafe wall hangers. In most cases I get a good affirmative answer or and explanation of the issue. The question is no different than asking if a painting is original. A simple yes or no seems fair....especially so when listing as "no returns"