Is this normal on a new mini-14?

[slushee]

I bought a new stainless mini-14 mail ordered. I received it about a week ago and just finally got it out to give it a good cleaning and oiling before i take it out to shoot it for the first time.

I took the action out of the stock, and found there was some carbon inside around the gas block. Who fired it? Ruger? The place I bought it from?

Then after putting it all together and patching the bore with cleaner, dry patches and oil, i put a bore light down it to find there is copper marks all the way down the bore.

Shouldn't my hoppes #9 gotten this all out? I dont know, I just figured that even IF someone (ruger or the gun shop i bought it from) fired it to make sure that it works, they would have at least cleaned it out after.

I guess I'll have to break open the copper remover to clean out the bore better but for now, would the copper marks cause much in the way of inaccuracy?

 

[todbartell]

most if not all rifles are test fired at the factory

 

[762shooter]

This sounds like more than a few test shots, either that or the barrel has an exceptionally rough bore.

The last new rifle I bought was a Stevens 200 in 308, it hardly copper fouls at all after a 20 to 30 shot range session. I was impressed with how smooth the bore seemed to be. So heavy copper fouling after a few test shots doesn't sound right to me.

 

[matty86suk]

after comparing the quility between my new 10/22 and my 10 years old 10/22, I'll never buy another new ruger again