When is a gun too old to shoot?

Teppo87

Teppo87

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(Apologies if this has already been discussed in a previous post.)

I know that many collectors consider it downright sacrilegious to shoot old guns, let alone even handle them without wearing 'artifact gloves'. I'm not interested in that perspective. What I want to know is when does a gun get too old to shoot safely? I've heard too many people say "Oh I would never shoot that. It would probably blow up!" even with, say something from WW2 in 85% condition or better (all parts intact, original finish, well cleaned and oiled, etc).
What say all of you?
 
No such thing. The only restriction of course is matching ammo to a firearm. I wouldn't want to use modern ammo in a Damascus shotgun for example. Also that the firearm is in good functioning condition. Heck, my Father-in-law has a sportered 1907 Enfield no1mk3. Shoots those high powered Prvi hunting loads and has a freezer full of meat.
 
They are still a lot of 1890's vintage rifles that still shoot really good. ie Swedish mausers, German Mausers, probably a bunch of mosin's and a good number of long lee enfields.

I've also seem videos of 1873 winchesters (original not repros) shooting like the day they were made. (actually probably better b/c the action has been made butter smooth by thousands of rounds)
 
I have an 1899 Carl Gustaf Swede M38 Mauser that I regularly shoot and it still works very well. Also have several WWII era rifles that shoot fine, including a 1944 Springfield Garand that goes hunting with me every fall.

IMO, condition is far more important than date of manufacture. Guns last many decades if well cared for.


Mark
 
as long as the rifle seems to be in good conditon, its good to go. But if the gun is very old under load your ammo for the first time. If it seems okay move on to stronger ammo.
 
It really helps if one knows how old guns are supposed to work, esp. the lock-up, and what wear indicators to look for.
 
i read somewhere old guns that have not been fired for many years need to be fired (reduced loads) to warm up the metal & left to cool down a couple of times, apparently to recondition the metal as metal gets brittle over the years with no use.
 
I shoot my 1872 Snider Enfield and my old .43 Mauser more than any guns I own. The bores are absolutely like new in both and they are both excellent shooters. I reload using slightly less powder charges than they were originally loaded with and have never had any issues whatsoever. If the firearm is in good shape with little wear, chances are it is perfectly fine to shoot its original duplicated loads anyway. If you don't feel comfortable checking a firearm over and deeming it safe yourself, take it to a competent gunsmith you can trust and get him to look it over. Chances are he'll have lots of advice for you and may put you in touch with other shooters in your area who are shooting firearms similar to yours. That's the way it seems to work in my area anyway.
 
There is an article on the Bonham's auction site from England regarding an upcoming sale. Seems the deceased owner actully fired, on a regular basis, his pair of Felix Werder, Inventor, brass-barreled pistols. Felix Werder made brass barrels which were almost as thin as a matchbook cover, yet would take the same Proofing as an iron-barreled pistol. His secret was lost for nearly 300 years and has only recently been rediscovered.

So it seems that if the critter is in decent shape, there really isn't much of an issue, just so long as due caution is exercised. In the case of the Werders, that would, to me, include avoiding the use of powders designed after about 1750, which is about the time the modern composition was developed.

I do know that my Sniders don't complain, but they ARE pretty modern (1867 and 1871). I have an iron-barreled Enfield which will be back on the range this coming Summer. It was built in 1857. I would like to try out an original Brunswick but they are a bit high for my budget.
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1886 (or so) Gras is one of my favorite shooters with reduced ,cast loads.

On gun shows you can meet guys shooting very old rifles and handguns on pretty regular bases.Talk to whoever is displaying/selling older surplus and you will be amazed.

I don't think there is such thing as "too old to shoot".Too far gone/rusted/neglected-yes,but not too old.
 
It depends on condition rather than age as to whether or not it's "shootable", as opposed to being a rare or unfired piece whose value would diminish if used.
 
5THBATT said:
i read somewhere old guns that have not been fired for many years need to be fired (reduced loads) to warm up the metal & left to cool down a couple of times, apparently to recondition the metal as metal gets brittle over the years with no use.
Click to expand...

metal will corrode and oxidize....but I've never heard of "hardness" changing with age......I'm no metallurgist though.
As mentioned older shotguns with Damascus barrels shot BP and if the gun still functions and is in sound mechanical condition BP should still be used.
 
Most WWII or WWI items should be good to go with the proper ammo and inspection.
Some shooters like myself don't like to shoot all matching rifles as you might break a small matching part. I know this sounds extreme, but this did happen to me once.

I have an engineer friend who doesn't like the idea of shooting mid 1800's firearms or older. Metal can actually crystalize over time and become like glass. If shooting an older firearm from the 1800's use proper or light loads, use BP and have a gunsmith check it.

I know tons of guys shoot Martini's and Sniders and I even shot my IMA Nepalease Enfield multiple times, but I probably wouldn't shoot an older rifle/gun unless you have the metalry knowledge to prove my engineer friend wrong (he is also an avid BP shooter and only shoots his reproduction rifles for this very reason).
 
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