Agreed, that's what reasonable people do. Scared liberals buy it new and never shoot it. If it was properly holstered, it might not even show any signs of wear.
In 1979, inflation was what...10-11% year over year? The dollar value for a mint firearm may have risen enough to justify this.
My .40 Glock jammed tight on the first box of ammo. A smith in St. Paul removed a small burr and polished the ejection port slightly. Works like a dream now, but I agree. New gun ? Hit the range.