I hate to be negative, but that will probably not be the case. Many meth Boogers in my area hunt a lot while the rest of us work. If the theif can get another fix out of it, that's what it will go for. I'm not trying to give the owner a bleek outlook, but it is what it is. Make sure it stays updated on NCIC and maybe it will turn up in a traffic stop or drug raid. I know how it feels, I have had guns stolen before, and I know they rarely end up back on the market to be found, especially a very unique item like that. I would keep an eye out for the scope in the local papers/ads/pawn and make sure to list the optic serial # on NCIC as well.
HW,
I have read your post a few times and I am confused by what you are trying to say. But....I think I know what you are trying to say. And I can't disagree.
Nothing is certain. From a law enforcement standpoint, I am somewhat familiar with stolen gun issues and the record I have seen was one returned 27 years after being reported. We were all stunned by that. I will assume the initial report was taken by the beat officers. I suggest the OP confirm that the serial number was recorded correctly in the initial report. I can't speak for every department since they vary in size, but the OP would be advised to see if the case was also assigned to a detective: Burglary or perhaps a special firearms kick. Again...depending on the department.
Once contact is made with that officer (chances are he would contact the OP), my suggestion is to keep your contact information up to date with that individual. If it's a large department, I would suggest once every 6 months to call down to the property room of said department and check for the individual serial number by hand.
If the OP resides in a small-town, the same can be said for contacting and developing a relationship with the county agency as well. Over time, as officers get promoted things get dropped or stalled. And not every recovery is necessarily from a criminal case. I have seen some come back just from "interfacing" and land in the reporting PD's property room. They might or might not make an attempt to to contact the owner. If it gets to be too difficult, they won't go to the ends of the earth to find you. Unlike on TV.
Something else to consider is if "the court" is holding on it until a case is adjudicated.
If the OP lives in a multi-state region, consider repeating the above cycles correspondingly.
Again...these issues usually only come into play as cases get cold and initial investigators move on to other assignments.
But you are correct, in that handguns tend to be more of a commodity on the street. As such, they tend to be mobile and that increases chances of LEO contact. Long-guns are more trade-bait that tend to stay inside the crack-houses and trunks. But...they get picked up as well.
What this rifle has going for it is how unusual it looks. Basically it's a BR rifle with a very fancy, uncommon stock. People who see that rifle are more likely to remember it if it starts to move. Be they crack heads, cops or citizens.
Here's the real crappy thing to say, on the street in my local jurisdiction, that rifle wouldn't bring more than $150 MAX. Probably less. The economics of this rifle are important in the statistics of it being found. It won't be treated as a high-dollar rifle in certain circles. If it moves in that direction, it'll turn up eventually. If it moves into a private gun collection by someone who appreciates what it is, it's basically gone. But....that is the person who is also mostly likely to recognize it as stolen (probably based on price) and act on it.
With the NCIC, serial numbers are forever. And more and more stolen firearms are returned these days than in days past. Simply because the computer does the work the officers don't have time to deal with.
IMO, they tend to show up quick --Handguns. In my experience, rifles are bit more tricky. The uniqueness of this one helps it slightly.
I wish the OP luck.
TTR
I hope your rifle is recovered and they catch and hang the SOB that stole it.
