I see threads all the time in which someone states that he bought an "unfired twenty-something year old model such and such". It seems bizarre to me that a gun that's a few years old and not a collector's item could really be unfired. Does the term simply mean in sufficiently good condition that it looks as though it was unfired? Or does it literally mean not fired since it left the factory? And if it's the latter, how does one determine if it's truly unfired?
"Unfired"
- Thread starter JayCee
- Start date
My Steyr was bought as unfired, but it took a couple of rounds to finally detect a wear pattern on it (more than a magazine, but less than a box) so while it's theoretically possible that it was fired some, I doubt it was over a half dozen or so. My Norinco 213 was quick to show use... I started to see wear marks from me racking the slide a few times.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
If it sounds too good to be true, it's probably too good to be true.
gearchecker
New member
Yes there are guns that have never been fired - Here's 2
Here is a Colt Mustang .380 (1984) & a S&W Model 19-4(1978). Both are NEVER fired and neither have ever been loaded. The internals are absolutly pristine on both guns, not a scratch or mar on the finishes
I picked the Colt up yesterday in a trade for my S&W Model 19-4 Snub Nosed revolver.
Neither is new in box but neither have ever had a bullet in them.
Here are the pictures.
Colt Mustang.
S&W Model 19-4 Snub Nose
Sometimes good things are never used as intended.
Here is a Colt Mustang .380 (1984) & a S&W Model 19-4(1978). Both are NEVER fired and neither have ever been loaded. The internals are absolutly pristine on both guns, not a scratch or mar on the finishes
I picked the Colt up yesterday in a trade for my S&W Model 19-4 Snub Nosed revolver.
Neither is new in box but neither have ever had a bullet in them.
Here are the pictures.
Colt Mustang.
S&W Model 19-4 Snub Nose
Sometimes good things are never used as intended.
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gearchecker
New member
Unfired guns are like Gold Bullion. The longer you hold onto them the more valuable they get. They grab your attention and those around you too.
They sparkle and shine. They're an enigma, the Holy Grail, and/or just plain something to enjoy.
When somebody owns one they usually only do two things with them.
Safe Queens or bartering chips.
In my case these 2 are a commodity. I'm using them to get what I want in the end.
Out of my entire collection I only have 3 guns that I won't part with. All the rest are just items for trade or sale.
Such is life.
They sparkle and shine. They're an enigma, the Holy Grail, and/or just plain something to enjoy.
When somebody owns one they usually only do two things with them.
Safe Queens or bartering chips.
In my case these 2 are a commodity. I'm using them to get what I want in the end.
Out of my entire collection I only have 3 guns that I won't part with. All the rest are just items for trade or sale.
Such is life.
So "unfired" means, at least in a gun that isn't bought new, that there's no evidence of it having been fired. It doesn't necessarily mean that it's never had a round put through it, since there's no way to know that for sure unless you bought the gun new from a dealer.
Personally, the only interest I have in an "unfired" gun is to see how well it shoots...
Personally, the only interest I have in an "unfired" gun is to see how well it shoots...
I have a brother and his wife both have pistols and neither one has fired them . They have had them for a few years. They have carry permit also unused
After our father died in 1981 he took one of his revolvers and kept in box till 2007 When He decided to give to me . Since he never shot it
He figures owning and having a permit is helping us in our battle with anti gunners.
I have a range in back yard and ammo but when visits always forgets pistols
Their are others
After our father died in 1981 he took one of his revolvers and kept in box till 2007 When He decided to give to me . Since he never shot it
He figures owning and having a permit is helping us in our battle with anti gunners.
I have a range in back yard and ammo but when visits always forgets pistols
Their are othersscorpion_tyr
New member
What about when the manufacturer fires them? Not sure if they all do it, or how long those who do it have been doing it, but I know at least a few test fire each gun they make. Wouldn't all of these guns be "fired"?
Unfired is a relative term
Since guns are test fired/proof tested at the factory. What unfired means is that the owner has never shot them.
The fact is that for most guns, a few rounds will not leave any trace of firing or of the action having been worked. And it is also possible to have a gun with wear from the action being worked without actually ever having fired a round.
With revolvers, (especially SAs) one sometimes sees the phrase "unturned", meaning that the cylinder has never been turned, implying a never fired, never loaded gun.
IF there is no evidence of it being fired, unless you know different, you can't really dispute the claim.
NIB (new in box) implies unfired. ASNIB (as new in box) does not.
Since guns are test fired/proof tested at the factory. What unfired means is that the owner has never shot them.
The fact is that for most guns, a few rounds will not leave any trace of firing or of the action having been worked. And it is also possible to have a gun with wear from the action being worked without actually ever having fired a round.
With revolvers, (especially SAs) one sometimes sees the phrase "unturned", meaning that the cylinder has never been turned, implying a never fired, never loaded gun.
IF there is no evidence of it being fired, unless you know different, you can't really dispute the claim.
NIB (new in box) implies unfired. ASNIB (as new in box) does not.
Elmer Keith actually made reference to such guns. In a visit to the S&W factory, an employee showed him his own personal revolver, which I think was a Model 36. The factory worker was proud that it had never been fired and called it his "pet revolver."
Keith thought that was a little silly and at least thought it needed to be used so you would know if it worked and how it shot. But I've got a couple I've never fired myself but they're not pets. However, it is possible to have a gun a long time, shoot it a lot (a relative term) and still have a gun that looks good and is in excellent condition. True, they tend to pick up a patina like silverware that actually gets used (same thing about your good silver--but it doesn't hold for glassware). And I believe they are less likely to rust.
Keith thought that was a little silly and at least thought it needed to be used so you would know if it worked and how it shot. But I've got a couple I've never fired myself but they're not pets. However, it is possible to have a gun a long time, shoot it a lot (a relative term) and still have a gun that looks good and is in excellent condition. True, they tend to pick up a patina like silverware that actually gets used (same thing about your good silver--but it doesn't hold for glassware). And I believe they are less likely to rust.
Bluehighways
New member
I don't intend to hijack this thread but I couldn't resist posting. A never fired gun is a thing of beauty, just like a classic muscle car with a big block engine and rare interior package that's never been run hard or far. But every time I see some beautiful gun/car/motorcycle that's always been a queen of the garage or safe I can't help but think how nice it would be to take it out and put it through its paces, after all, that's what it was made for.
All of my guns get used, cleaned and maintained often. A few of them get fired a LOT; most were purchased new. Same goes for the motorbikes.
I can sure appreciate a preserved gun, or anything for that matter; as it captures a moment of history and gives us all something to ogle over.
I'm not sure I could give any piece the respect or adoration that some folks do, and just let it be a viewing piece. I think I'd have to take it out and shoot it.
All of my guns get used, cleaned and maintained often. A few of them get fired a LOT; most were purchased new. Same goes for the motorbikes.
I can sure appreciate a preserved gun, or anything for that matter; as it captures a moment of history and gives us all something to ogle over.
I'm not sure I could give any piece the respect or adoration that some folks do, and just let it be a viewing piece. I think I'd have to take it out and shoot it.
Kreyzhorse
New member
I certainly think its possible that guns that claim to be "unfired" exist. I bought my father a snubby nose for Christmas about 3 years ago and its never been fired. To be honest, I'd be surprised if my father ever fires it within the next 20 years.
I have purchased several guns over the years which appear to have been unfired. No wear marks on the barrel or recoil shield, no gunpowder residue, little if any wear from being cycled. Most of these guns were once the "house gun." The owners buy them. Load them. Stuff in a nightstand drawer. They may never have fired them. Oftentimes, when the guy passes on, the widow or the kids find the guns and sell them to the local gun shop or estate auction. It happens all the time.