Serial number question...

[mcop511]

Just got in my new Stealth. The two tone R9 I purchased a month ago was serial # R25xx. This new one, just in from the factory is serial # R18xx. There are some new ones currently on Gunsamerica that are in the R25xx range. What gives with that? Could this be a refurbished frame sold as new.

To top it off, the trigger pull is CONSIDERABLY lighter than my other one. Didn't get a chance to test fire it as we were having one of our Louisiana every-other-day rainstorms.

Should I be concerned over the serial number thing?

[riffraff]

mcop511,

There are a couple possibilities.  Personally I am going to say that it is a possibility that the frame could be a 'refurbished' one but it doesn't matter.  Send in the warranty card.  You are covered no matter what happens.  It is also very possible that your new gun has been sitting on the shelf because the asking price was not offered.  Test it.  If it works, life is good.

Mike

[mcop511]

Thanks for the reply Riffraff.
The gun was ordered for me by a dealer and had just arrived from the factory on 02/29/08.
The warranty card shows that it was filed on 02/28/08 and signed by ECR (Eric Rohrbaugh?).

I had read here that sometimes out of sequence serial numbers are sent out but one that old seems a little far fetched.

I had also noticed that Jack Bauer's new Stealth had a serial number in line with my other one so I was just kinda curious.

[mcop511]

Talked to my dealer today. The order my gun came with consisted of 6 R9's, all in the same serial number sequence as mine. Evidently there really is no rhyme or reason as to the serial numbers coming out if the factory. I'm relieved as that eliminated the thought that mine was a refurbished one that had somehow gotten back into service as new.

Only had time to shoot a couple magazines through her but she ran fine.  

[DDGator]

ECR is Eric Rohrbaugh.

There is no real correlation between serial numbers and the order guns go out of the factory.  The serial numbers are produced sequentially when the frames are made, however--there are no guarantees after that.  Frames out at at different times for annodizing, etc. and are assembled at different times.  Sometimes whole runs of frames are refinished for one reason or another, which can be a significant delay for that batch.

I don't believe Rohrbaugh would sell you a "reconditioned" frame without telling you.  I am not even sure that they do such a thing, or that it would be legal.

[mcop511]

Thanks Duane. I didn't think that they would knowingly do that, but was more afraid of something accidentally happening. One day when things are really dull I'll tell you guys some of my horror stories with the Colt and Smith and Wesson factories.
Mu luck tends to run on the "snake bit" side a lot of the time...