How to tell if gun was ever fired

[stancel]

I have a old pistol that to my knowledge was never fired. What is the best way to verify this?

Thanks,
Stan

 

[Ske1etor]

Is it a revolver or semi?

 

[swagge1]

Most new guns have already been fired once at the factory which leaves a fired casing that is often included with the gun. I guess what you really want to know is if the gun has been fired more than once.

 

[Richard in LA]

I'm guessing he's talking about his old model single six. I'd take the cylinder that is in the gun,and compare it to the magnum cylinder, and see if there is any discoloration around the muzzle end of the cylinder. My previously unfired cylinder had some darkening around the cylinder gap side after firing it a few times.

Maybe run a nice, stiff brush through the bore (over some white paper)and see if any small particles of lead shavings come out.

 

[whbonney26]

on revolvers its pretty easy to tell. On the cylinder you will almost always see some discoloring on the front of the chambers. You will sometimes see fine scratches on the read of the cylinder where the brass and metal was touching. Another sign to look at is if the outside cylinder had a mark going around where it turns. It could have been dry fired and have that mark but its another thing to look at.

 

[derf]

They're all test fired at the factory so "unfired" is really a myth, anyway.

 

[stancel]

Hey there Richard. Yea, I am referring to the Single Six. I have said I don't think it has ever been fired and would like to make sure I am not making a liar out of myself.

I have looked at the cylinder and if there is any discoloration then I can't find it. There are also no signs of wear through the blue anywhere from the cylinder rotating.

As for all guns being fired at the manufacturer, I am not going to argue the point, but I do find it hard to believe that every gun that left the factory in 1967 had a live round of ammo discharged from it. I could believe that each gun was cocked and dry fired to test the action, but live ammo?? Maybe they would randomly pull a gun from the line and test it with live ammo?

Thanks for all the replies.

I put some more photos on my Flickr if anybody cares to view them.

http://flickr.com/photos/34942149@N05/sets/72157614780542195/

 

[Enal]

I've sold quite a few guns and used the terms "New In Box" & "Unfired"...It seems that people would feel better with a gun that has had some rounds through it properly and then cleaned.

Not sure if there is a real advantage to a gun that has never been fired other than limited exposure.

 

[whbonney26]

Even if a gun has been test fired at the factory most people will say its never fired if only the factory has fired it. With older collectible guns such as old Ruger SA pistols that does mean something. Its more with the over all condition rather than weather it has ever actually had a round down the barrel.

I could care less if a gun was fired or not as long as its in great over all shape. I take care of my guns and I look for other guns that were taken care of.

If you dont know then you cant really advertise it as never fired. You can say it appears to have never been fired. That way you are not lying ........even by accident.



So is this pistol for sale?

 

[Richard in LA]

So is this pistol for sale?

Not according to his other thread "whats it worth", but if it was, I got dibz.

I need a single six and a bearcat

 

[whbonney26]

Not according to his other thread "whats it worth", but if it was, I got dibz.

I need a single six and a bearcat

I just bought my son a Bearcat. Very nice pistol.

 

[Richard in LA]

I just bought my son a Bearcat. Very nice pistol.

I'm looking for an old model, and also a lightwieght "tri-color" single six.

 

[stancel]

Richard definitely has dibs if I decide to sell, but not looking to get rid of it right now. I am not a gun collector, but something about this gun is screaming for me to hang onto it.