Hi Phil
The feeling is only towards the manufacturer, certainly not the rifle.
There have been 4 recorded on here with bent barrels I think (at least 4 who know they had a bent one) over some fair span of time.
I'd say that puts it to a manufacturing / assembly fault.
Mach-1, Poison Dwarf (sent his back), Batuista and myself. The 3 that were kept have all been straightened.
Excepting the poor QC, they are a nice rifle. Challenges to get them to run at sub12 are there but basic, with the biggest hurdle being the unequal diameter of the factory guide and the piston bulge.
Not sure I'd hold my breath waiting for a used one to pop up though. I'd say chances are slim.
Mine is finished now and short of a small adjustment I need to make to the 2nd stage, its ready for a visit to the club