I really like my M44. Mine is SS with a 6.5 inch barrel. It's a terrific shooter. I hope when you get your's back you'll find this to be the case for you as well. I'll post a picture of mine with the Houge wood grips below. If this had happened to me, I'd be publishing the name of the gun shop that sold me that piece without disclosing it's defects. Not only is that unethical, but it could get someone seriously hurt. They should have fixed the gun before selling it or sold it as "as is" being very specific as to what was wrong with it. Instead they just passed along a problem to someone else for fully price. Yeah, I'd be going out of my way to make sure everybody on every gun forum new about this shop and how it does business. I would, however, give the gun shop a chance to correct their mistake before laying them open to the world. Anyway, I hope it all turns out well for you.