As a rule of thumb, do you have your milsurp rifles inspected before shooting?
- Thread starter commissar_lubi
- Start date
I'm overly anal, but I like to be sure of things with a 40-50,000 PSI pressure bloom a few inches in front of my face.
I check all MILSURPs for headspace as well as giving them an overall visual check and a function check. A "field" headspace gauge doesn't cost that much. For semi-autos, like a Garand, I also make sure that they run a "go" gauge.
Beyond that, I habitually strip a rifle down to the barreled receiver and check to make sure the receiver is sound. An uncracked receiver will produce a ringing sound like a tuning fork when you tap it with a screwdriver handle. A cracked receiver will give a dull thud. To do this hold the barreled action towards the muzzle and give the receiver a whack with a screwdriver handle.
If you think there is a problem you can also immerse the receiver in solvent and let the solvent evaporate. If there is a crack the solvent will be retained in the crack after it evaporates from the surface of the receiver. I've found a couple of cracked receivers this way.
People might find this a little overboard, but if they do buy a rifle from me they will know that its safe to shoot and that it functions properly.
I check all MILSURPs for headspace as well as giving them an overall visual check and a function check. A "field" headspace gauge doesn't cost that much. For semi-autos, like a Garand, I also make sure that they run a "go" gauge.
Beyond that, I habitually strip a rifle down to the barreled receiver and check to make sure the receiver is sound. An uncracked receiver will produce a ringing sound like a tuning fork when you tap it with a screwdriver handle. A cracked receiver will give a dull thud. To do this hold the barreled action towards the muzzle and give the receiver a whack with a screwdriver handle.
If you think there is a problem you can also immerse the receiver in solvent and let the solvent evaporate. If there is a crack the solvent will be retained in the crack after it evaporates from the surface of the receiver. I've found a couple of cracked receivers this way.
People might find this a little overboard, but if they do buy a rifle from me they will know that its safe to shoot and that it functions properly.
The problem there is headspace gages for oddball calibers are usually more than some of the rifles are worth. I looked at buying a german system of headspace gauges years ago but it was obscenely expensive for the use it would have gotten. I have never had gauges for 54R, 8mm Lebel or 8X56R etc. Wish I had, but never did.
