ManxTom wrote:golfish wrote:ManxTom wrote:
....their gunsmith reckons it's had less than 1000 rounds through it
Year might mean something for a Colt single action, an old Winchester, or their like. Rossi? Not yet.
Forget the 1000 round story. Think about what wears out first - the bore. If the previous owner shot some really hot handloads, it is possible to have some throat erosion in 1000 rounds. On the other, and much better hand, I don't see that as a likely scenario, given casual shooting of leverguns should be an enjoyable experience. On the third hand, given lever action accuracy, and considering effective distances of the pistol cartridge in a rifle: So what?
What then to inspect on successful inbound sojourn? Are there bumfugger'd screw heads, caused by the use of ill fitting turnscrew tips? Instant giveaway to what we in the US call a bit of "bubba" gunsmithing. Are there dents, especially in the magazine tube? Does the rifle cycle ammunition? (not snap caps, use dummy rounds instead). Does it pass the pencil test? Will it launch a pencil/pen from the barrel, straight into the ceiling on dry fire? Is the muzzle free from burrs, dents, odd shapes? Does the magazine spring have good pressure. Many cut the spring, but if too much.... well, that's easily corrected. Does the trigger feel crisp? Is it overly light? If it is, will it pass muster by staying cocked if the butt is slammed down on a hard surface. Is there rust? You get the idea.
Having served over 10 years doing machine work, fixing and customizing all manner of arms, I can tell you that the saying "Guns usually don't break themselves, they're broken by their owners trying to fix them!" is a 100 percent true expression.
I'm with Archer, and have cycled my R92 at least 1000 times dry cycling, and probably half that amount dry firing into a snap cap. Sure did smooth out that trigger and action1