here's a question based on the premise of getting a new-to-you firearm.
when one receives their firearm, what are some things they should immediately do to ensure the operation and safety of it?
is there a checklist of items you should examine to ensure it's healthy and safe to use?
This is an excellent question, and I'm surprised did not generate more replies. When aquiring a used rifle the stock, particularly wood stocked rifles, should be checked for cracks. Due to the wood grain these cracks can be very difficult to see, but you might expect to see them at the tang directly behind the action and in the forearm directly ahead of the magazine. The more powerful the rifle, the better the chance that the stock has failed. A cracked stock can be repaired, and if pinned or cross bolted can end up stronger than the original, or it can be replaced, but it is not safe to continue shooting the rifle once the stock has failed. Stock screws need to be tight, and loose stock screws result in a failed stock and damaged bedding.
The crown should be free of dings. A damaged crown can be fixed, but the cost of repairing the crown should be reflected in the purchase price.
The trigger should be checked for safe operation. Moving the safety on and off should not drop the striker. A hunting rifle should be able to be dropped onto the butt from a height of one foot without dropping the striker. Working the action aggressively should not drop the striker. Neither should the trigger exhibit excessive amounts of creep, over travel, or pull weight.
If iron sights are mounted on the rifle they need to be in good condition to provide a good sight picture and be in good repair so that they can be adjusted for windage and elevation in a predictable manner.
Sling swivels need to be secure, and swivels installed in tupperware stocks should be viewed with suspicion.
Consider the outside condition of the used rifle prior to purchase. It will be obvious to see the rifle that has been cared for as opposed to the rifle that has been abused. Even a rifle that has seen heavy use will tell you if it has been looked after or neglected. The outside will often mirror what's on the inside.
Beware of home gunsmithing. A poor fitting recoil pad or badly burred screws could indicate hidden problems. Be on guard if the rifle you are handed is a military surplus gun that had the bolt handle heated with a cutting torch so it could be bent to clear a scope. Beware of scope mounting screw holes that don't line up, or a receiver with multiple holes drilled in it. If you can see brass that has been fired in the rifle it will tell you if the head space is within spec, or if the loads have been excessive. Reloaders who overload tend to be proud of their handloading finesse. "Yessir, this .300 Savage shoots just like a .300 Winchester! Just shake the primers out of the magazine before you reload!" Beware of rifles that are either too small or too weak for rechambered high pressure cartridges. Remember that used custom rifles, even very good ones, are not built to your specifications!
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