How to tell if a gun has been fired
- Thread starter Incursion
- Start date
Well, I am not entirely sure that you always can. First off, virtually all guns ARE fired before they go into that New Box. Frequently thay are not cleaned either. So just a little powder marks could be from the factory.
Secondly, I suppose that if you could see signs of fouling in the barrel or wire brush marks inside the slide that would be pretty much a dead giveaway. I personally like to look at he back of the breach (where the slide restes against the butt of the casing) and look for signs of wear there. Otherwise... I am not sure.
My .02 and cheap at twice the price!
as usual, YMMV, FWIW, IMHO, etc...
J.T.
Secondly, I suppose that if you could see signs of fouling in the barrel or wire brush marks inside the slide that would be pretty much a dead giveaway. I personally like to look at he back of the breach (where the slide restes against the butt of the casing) and look for signs of wear there. Otherwise... I am not sure.
My .02 and cheap at twice the price!
as usual, YMMV, FWIW, IMHO, etc...
J.T.
If a gun has only been fired 50 or so rounds it can be hard tell if its NIB- because the gun will look new, and won't show any real noticeable brass marks (rings) to the rear of the ejection port (around the firing pin hole)- if you dump enough rounds through the gun, a ring usually starts to form (brass marks, or it may just start taking off some of the finish). But since guns are test fired at the factory (most)- the guns are shipped a little dirty. So with that said, you'll know if someone put 200-300 rounds through the gun.
Also, take the gun apart, and remove the barrel and spring and just look at the underside of the slide- if there is a "descent" amount of finish removed (especially in different places)- the gun was most likely fired additionally to the factory test (some "minor" finish removal is normal for NIB guns). Just look for overall scrapes and rub marks (on the barrel, slide, frame, even on the magazines). hope this helps.
[This message has been edited by JG (edited April 10, 2000).]
Also, take the gun apart, and remove the barrel and spring and just look at the underside of the slide- if there is a "descent" amount of finish removed (especially in different places)- the gun was most likely fired additionally to the factory test (some "minor" finish removal is normal for NIB guns). Just look for overall scrapes and rub marks (on the barrel, slide, frame, even on the magazines). hope this helps.
[This message has been edited by JG (edited April 10, 2000).]
JT King is right, very hard to tell because firearms are test fired at the factory. On a pistol, a sure sign of lots of firing is wear to the barrel's exterior from contact with the slide. When in doubt pass it up, better than being sorry later.
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So many pistols, so little money.
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So many pistols, so little money.
Will Beararms
New member
All Beretta USA are test-fired and then sent back through a final QC check for fit and finnish. If you get a Beretta, that looks to have been fired and does not have a fair amount of oil on it, go to another gun shop. This is an excellent post. Selling used for new is frequent and it is much easier to do with SS weapons.
I have seen a store owner take a used SS revolver and buff it out to make it look new. I saw this same person buff the bolt out on a rifle. This shop is no longer in business. I have never bought a new Pistol that wasb't clean around the chamber and on the frame. If most new guns are dirty in the bore, I have been getting cheated by every gun dealer I have ever dealt with.
Good subject
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"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."
[This message has been edited by Will Beararms (edited April 10, 2000).]
I have seen a store owner take a used SS revolver and buff it out to make it look new. I saw this same person buff the bolt out on a rifle. This shop is no longer in business. I have never bought a new Pistol that wasb't clean around the chamber and on the frame. If most new guns are dirty in the bore, I have been getting cheated by every gun dealer I have ever dealt with.
Good subject
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"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."
[This message has been edited by Will Beararms (edited April 10, 2000).]
Eric of IN
New member
I run a white cleaning patch down the barrel. If it comes out clean, then the gun has been cleaned, which is very rare in a new gun. Most manufacturers fire the test rounds, put the gun in the box and ship it. The patch isn't a guarantee, but is a real quick check.
Eric
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Formerly Puddle Pirate.
Teach a kid to shoot.
It annoys the antis.
Eric
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Formerly Puddle Pirate.
Teach a kid to shoot.
It annoys the antis.
The tip off is usually brass marks on the breech face. Yes, factories do clean the guns after test/proof firing, so a clean patch does not mean it was fired later and cleaned.
Note there is a contradiction here. Some "experts" will advise a buyer to insist on test firing before buying. But if the buyer does test fire, then he or the next person will refuse to buy the gun because it is used. Why should a dealer allow test firing if he then must sell the gun as used at a big markdown?
Another question is whatinhell difference does it make? If the gun has had a few shots fired through it, at least you know it works. Claiming it is used is like refusing to buy a new car because it was driven from the car trailer to the show room.
I do not condone a dealer taking in a used gun on trade and trying to pass it off as new. That is unethical and illegal, and a different proposition entirely.
Jim
Note there is a contradiction here. Some "experts" will advise a buyer to insist on test firing before buying. But if the buyer does test fire, then he or the next person will refuse to buy the gun because it is used. Why should a dealer allow test firing if he then must sell the gun as used at a big markdown?
Another question is whatinhell difference does it make? If the gun has had a few shots fired through it, at least you know it works. Claiming it is used is like refusing to buy a new car because it was driven from the car trailer to the show room.
I do not condone a dealer taking in a used gun on trade and trying to pass it off as new. That is unethical and illegal, and a different proposition entirely.
Jim
On Glock pistols it is very easy to tell if they are NIB or not. The ejection port allows you to see the outside of the chamber. This should be totally black. If it has been fired more than a few times, it will have some if the black finish worn off at the front. I believe some Sig pistols are the same?
On North America Arms minirevolvers it is easy. They are fired ONCE at the factory. One of the chambers will be dirty.
On North America Arms minirevolvers it is easy. They are fired ONCE at the factory. One of the chambers will be dirty.
Here's a pic of the breech face in my 1911.
Sorry if the images are fuzzy. I have a crappy Sony Mavica.
Here's a picture of my Kimber Ultra Elite with the slide locked back to show you the ejection port.
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Svt
1911 Addiction
"Rangers Lead the Way!"
Sorry if the images are fuzzy. I have a crappy Sony Mavica.
Here's a picture of my Kimber Ultra Elite with the slide locked back to show you the ejection port.
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Svt
1911 Addiction
"Rangers Lead the Way!"
Others that are more technically savy with their usage of the vocabulary may explain this better. I will give it my best. The following is for the 1911. That's one area that I'm most comfortable with. I'm sure other semi-autos function in a similiar manner.
The breech face holds the casing in place until you pull the trigger. At which time, the firing pin strikes the primer. Which ignites the powder and sends the bullet through the barrel.
The breech begins to open up. The slide then continues to travel rearward, pulling the spent casing (brass) with it. Which ejects from the gun (your ejector port), when it hits the ejector. The slide then recocks the hammer, preparing the gun for firing again. Then as the slide is moving forward, it strips a new round from your mag and pushes it forward to the opening of the chamber.
I hope this helps!
[This message has been edited by Svt (edited April 10, 2000).]
The breech face holds the casing in place until you pull the trigger. At which time, the firing pin strikes the primer. Which ignites the powder and sends the bullet through the barrel.
The breech begins to open up. The slide then continues to travel rearward, pulling the spent casing (brass) with it. Which ejects from the gun (your ejector port), when it hits the ejector. The slide then recocks the hammer, preparing the gun for firing again. Then as the slide is moving forward, it strips a new round from your mag and pushes it forward to the opening of the chamber.
I hope this helps!
[This message has been edited by Svt (edited April 10, 2000).]
Jim Keenan, There are valid reasons to be concerned that a few rounds have went through a "new" gun. I get concerned when guns are shipped with a little lube in the barrel and a dealer may put a round through it to try it out. This can cause seroius damage.
Another concern I have is about hot handloads or other inappropriate ammo being put through the gun that may stress it.
I only worry about things like this cause I knew a couple of "good ol boy" dealers, also friends of mine. They would say things like "a gun comes prefired from the factory so it doesn't take the newness off if I put a few rounds through it to test it out." They also used rational like "New is relative... Once I sell a gun it becomes used whether it has been fired or not, so I'm not really hurting the customer...".
I liked these fellas and would even buy guns from em but they would press the limits of integrity with some of their less knowledgeable customers. I don't assume all dealers to be like this but I know for a fact they are out there. good luck and happy huntin -ddt
Another concern I have is about hot handloads or other inappropriate ammo being put through the gun that may stress it.
I only worry about things like this cause I knew a couple of "good ol boy" dealers, also friends of mine. They would say things like "a gun comes prefired from the factory so it doesn't take the newness off if I put a few rounds through it to test it out." They also used rational like "New is relative... Once I sell a gun it becomes used whether it has been fired or not, so I'm not really hurting the customer...".
I liked these fellas and would even buy guns from em but they would press the limits of integrity with some of their less knowledgeable customers. I don't assume all dealers to be like this but I know for a fact they are out there. good luck and happy huntin -ddt
bad_dad_brad
New member
As mentioned, all respectable gun manufacturers test fire guns at least once.
As to whether they clean the gun afterwards, here has been my experience:
Kahr Auto - Absolutely clean - jewel like.
Ruger Revolvers & Rifles - Clean, although you could tell which cylinders were used for the test rounds (2) on my SP101.
Glock Auto - Pretty clean.
Berreta Auto - Not filthy but not clean either.
Winchester Shotgun - Fairly clean.
As to whether they clean the gun afterwards, here has been my experience:
Kahr Auto - Absolutely clean - jewel like.
Ruger Revolvers & Rifles - Clean, although you could tell which cylinders were used for the test rounds (2) on my SP101.
Glock Auto - Pretty clean.
Berreta Auto - Not filthy but not clean either.
Winchester Shotgun - Fairly clean.
If it is still smoking is a good sign!
(chuckle). I'm sorry, I couldn't resist!
Seriously, the easiest way to tell on a
pistol is to check for scratches on the
mag follower. Even one round will mar the
factory paint. Revolvers are a different
proposition. Check the front of the cylinder
for burn marks. You can also check the area
around the forcing cone for fouling. Some
shooters fail to clean this due to the fact
it requires a small brush.
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Never do an enemy a minor injury. Machiavelli
"Stay alive with a 45"
(chuckle). I'm sorry, I couldn't resist!
Seriously, the easiest way to tell on a
pistol is to check for scratches on the
mag follower. Even one round will mar the
factory paint. Revolvers are a different
proposition. Check the front of the cylinder
for burn marks. You can also check the area
around the forcing cone for fouling. Some
shooters fail to clean this due to the fact
it requires a small brush.
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Never do an enemy a minor injury. Machiavelli
"Stay alive with a 45"
Hey Svt! What's wrong with the Sony Mavicas? I was just going to order one. Do you have a recommendation for a better one?
RE topic: New Desert eagles will not fire unless cleaned thoroughly. And this if from experience of cleaning twice then three times.
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"Keep shootin till they quit floppin"
The Wife 2/2000
RE topic: New Desert eagles will not fire unless cleaned thoroughly. And this if from experience of cleaning twice then three times.
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"Keep shootin till they quit floppin"
The Wife 2/2000