a wiggle?
 

a friend of mine is looking at a 12gauge VH for sale on the internet. the seller says that the lever is just left of center, and when locked up there is just the slightest amount of movement, a "feel it more than see it" situation. the seller also says there are no gaps opening up on the receiver when this "wiggle" or shift occurs.
there is also the slightest amount of side to side play when the barrels are in the open position.

the seller agreed to an inspection period as long as shipping was paid both ways.

what do you think? run or proceed? the price is very reasonable IMO if the gun is on face and there were no other major issues besides cosmetics.

If the price is very reasonable, it may be a good deal. There are several methods of getting rid of the wiggle at home. However, the wiggle indicates high mileage, but that may not bother you.

Unless it's a steal, I would pass. There are a ton of non ejector VH's to choose from. When your done fixing it, you'll probably find you spent more than the cost of the same gun. It's hard not to get sucked into a project, but they're expensive!

My first parker was a lowly VH, with a little wiggle. I have thought about parting with it several times, but I shoot it so well. If the price is right , I wouldn't be scared of it. That high milage gun might be a great shooter.

I think the guy only wants $400.00 for it.

For $400.00

Jump on it !!!

I would consider that the right price!

Even if it is off face you can part it out for more...

Stick a thin piece (.003) of brass shim stock on the roll pin. Should fix the problem for a few cents.

Yeah... If that is the only issue there is, Buy that Gun!

But... if it is an internet seller and the gun is not seen first hand, the ammount of wiggle can be up for interpretation.

A lever left of center would indicate a worn out bolt or bolt bite. As the locking bolt and bite wear out, the lever will move over bit by bit. Until the wear is so much that the bolt starts contacting the lug on it's face instead of the tapered bottom as intended. This is when up and down movement starts to be felt.
If the VH is an earlier one (pre 1910 or so). It would not have the hardened and replaceable wear plate on the bolt bite. So it is more common to find these types of guns worn out and loose.

If the wiggle is side to side, then it is hinge pin wear.

If the gun is decient aside from the wiggle I would buy it and have it put back on face. It will still be a bargain.

Welllllll got the gun to today. it does have the slightest bit of up and down play, not enough room to slide a piece of paper in, but its there.

other than that, one major problem I have spotted so far: it opens and closes just fine when empty, but when its loaded (but not fired with snap caps) it will only open a quarter of the way with the lever all the way to the right . when a good deal more pressure is applied it kind of pops open all the way like there are two edges catching on each other inside and they suddenly loose their grip.
is this from it being off face or something else entirely? kinda makes me think of a cocking or sear issue, but it does this even if the triggers haven't been pulled

*** EDIT: after soaking in some CLP for a few hours it opens and closes perfectly... big sigh of relief.