Winslow you're one of a kind from the sounds of it 
Perhaps, but he asked a fair question, and let's give him credit for that. Winslow probably now gets it: In summary, sellers of rifles (with mounted scopes) will show the package photograph (and not remove the scope), but list the "gun only, does not include scope" because of the difficulty/effort required to re-center the scope if the gun doesn't sell." It really is as simple as that. This is not a case of Bait-and-Switch, as the seller is not trying to pump up the sale by showing the scope--we know this because the seller clearly states "scope not included."
There is one more thing to consider. Sellers could just as easily show a stock photograph (from an online source, such as Gun Broker or the maker's website), to show what the gun would look like if brand new. I, for one, would never want this. I much prefer to see the gun as it is, scratches, modified, re-painted or whatever. Thus, the actual gun with the mounted scope is the best option.
Let's let this thread rest, OK?
