i heard a while ago that a gun store that owned pistols not on the "safe list" could be classified and sold as "used" after one year of being in the shop?
any truth to this?

so a norinco 1911 that was in a gun shop in year 2000 could be sold, come 2001 it could not be sold unless it was tested, but since norinco didnt send any for testing they are not sold to public and listed as a LEO ONLY sale gun (as were many guns not placed on the safe list). now that its 2002 the gun has sat in the gun shop inventory for over 1 year could it now be sold as a used gun?

I have not heard of that provision. Doesnt make sense and why would the state do something so nice?

Pony Express has non-tested guns, with signs stating "LEO Only".  The sign indicates they need to get department permission to purchase these guns.  The Norinco whould have to be sold to make it used, but the law prevents this.