How long do guns last?

dekker59

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Hey all,

Somewhat new to this forum, I've been around just never posted before. Anyhow, I have been looking at purchasing a used firearm as new ones are just out of my price range at the moment, and was just curious as to how long do you expect your guns to really last? I've heard of many guys whose guns last them their life times, but what after that? Whats a respectable age to expect out of your gun? While still using it, and regular cleanings, ect.

ps. Forgot to add that I would be using it for hunting if that makes a difference
 
Cleaning and rust prevention are the most essential. As far as rounds thru the gun go - it's like comparing to car mileage but with guns, 10K rounds is like 100K km on a car; many modern guns can go well over 100K rounds with proper maintenance.
 
Hey all,

Somewhat new to this forum, I've been around just never posted before. Anyhow, I have been looking at purchasing a used firearm as new ones are just out of my price range at the moment, and was just curious as to how long do you expect your guns to really last? I've heard of many guys whose guns last them their life times, but what after that? Whats a respectable age to expect out of your gun? While still using it, and regular cleanings, ect.

ps. Forgot to add that I would be using it for hunting if that makes a difference

Dekker,

For the most part, guns will last a very long time if given proper care (some cleaning, dry storage and/or proper treatment of parts to prevent corrosion). The life of a gun could be lessened by someone reloading excessively hot ammunition and using it in their gun, though many reloaders put their guns through less strain using reduced loads with both cast or jacketed bullets.

Some older, usually military firearms could develop a condition called excessive headspace, which happens when the dimensions in the chamber get excessive, perhaps on account of wear in the boltface after repeated firings. Though catastrophic failures are rare, it could create excessive pressures that make it difficult to extract cases, or cause the brass case to split upon firing, at which point they may require some effort to remove from the chamber. Others here could describe the issue better than I, but that's the gist of it.

For some older rifles, fixing excessive headspace can mean as little as changing a part (i.e. bolt heads on Lee Enfields), while on others it requires cutting back and reinstalling the barrel, which at plus $100 would not be cost effective on many rifles. Any decent gunsmith can measure headspace if there's any doubt about a particular rifle.

Another issue with some military firearms is that they fired ammunition that left a corrosive residue in the barrel, that could really wreak havoc if it wasn't carefully cleaned after each firing. Though some signs of damage due to corrosive ammo usually doesn't substantially effect accuracy (I have a very rough looking WW1 Enfield barrel that much to my surprise was performing well this summer out to 200 yards), some familiarity with the issue could help when trying to select an older used firearm.

There's lots of good military surplus firearms out there that are great for hunting, even if they've been shot with corrosive ammo. If the headspace is fine, you'll have to be awfully lucky if you could afford to shoot enough ammo to make it an issue again!

For most used commercial guns, you should look at the condition of the bore, check moving parts and examine the finish of the wood and metal to see if there is any signs of the gun having been abused. A gun can be heavily used but not abused (worn bluing, lots of little nicks in the wood etc) and still be a very accurate, functionable firearm.

Though a few firearms types might be known to have problems, most of them are fine. If still in doubt about whether a particular gun or type of gun is good or not, people on this board should be able to answer most of your questions.

Best of Luck,

Frank
 
With proper care, you can expect your son to hand a commercial hunting rifle down to his son. Firearms are the only mass made product you can expect to do that with. It's pretty much the same with a milsurp, but parts will get more and more difficult to find. Mind you, as mentioned, 100 year old plus milsurps are still being used regularly.
A lot of milsurps and commercial hunting rifles have already been inherited at least once too.
 
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I'd say pretty much any firearm will last at LEAST 70-80 years, but there are plenty of rifles and pistols well over 100 years old still going strong.
 
If you can find yourself a good used 700 in the caliber that you are looking for it should last your lifetime. They are well built and I am sure that wont be the last gun that you buy. Good luck!
 
Some of the rifles I most commonly use are my 1918 manufacture U.S Rifle Model 1917 (P17) and my Model 1896 Swedish Mauser, manufactured in 1909. They are both reliable, accurate and I use full powered handloads in them with no ill effects. Expect a good firearm to last probably three generations of firearms owners, if well kept.
 
Welcome to the forums dekker59. If you try to sell any guns on the EE many will PM you and tell you that the 2000 rounds put through them have greatly decreased the value and your firearm is worn out. They're full of crap and just looking to beat your price down. As stated above many times, TLC, proper cleaning and moisture free storage will keep your guns in top shape for probably longer than you'll live.
 
I have a Ross rifle that is around 100 years old. Sadly it was refinished, but it looks like new and it shoots very well.
 
+1 on the condition matters department.

I have an Imperial Russian Mosin-Nagant carbine with a 1905 date stamp on the top of the barrel. Occasional use and regular cleaning keeps it looking a sweet as ever. Barrel still looks ok to me.

Have not yet introduced it to the fiancee on the range yet. Just the longer Finnish 1943 cousin.
 
There are matchlock firearms around in the museums of Europe from the 1400s, and wheellocks as well after they were introduced in 1509.
 
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