[eatatjoes]

I've been looking on gunbroker for a little while and seem to see quite a bit about "unfired" firearms. how would one physically inspect a firearm to determine if it was unfired ?

[Thumper]

They're all "proofed" at the factory...I think what you're asking might be impossible.

[Destructo6]

Yeah, I'd hope they were all test fired at the factory.

Breechface marks, wear on the action's finish, etc could be signs it was fired quite a bit more than a simple test fire.

[eatatjoes]

i should have been more specific, i was at a gunshow and was talking to a couple of dealers about an SAR and an SKS that were both "unfired" and was wondering if it was b.s. or if there was a way i could tell.

[bountyhunter]

A wise man once told me that you never want to be the first person to fire ANY gun.

[4v50 Gary]

A metallurgist with the right equipment can tell you if it's been fired after being proofed. How, magic I suppose. I don't have their equipment but that's what I was told at one factory.

The only bores that haven't had a bullet through them are the mint unproofed barrels you get from barrelmakers. Assembled guns are proofed after being fired and the proof stamp bears witness to it.

[telewinz]

With instant blueing, a lightly fired rifle is easy to present as unfired. I do what Destructo6 said, check the breechface. Stainless steel guns are very easy to "clean-up" even revolvers, you just rub with very fine sandpaper and years of wear & tear are removed. Even S&W NEW revolvers have so much play in the cylinder that its no indication of wear. If the firearm comes with a new looking box and warranty papers at least you know you have a "like new" firearm

[Standing Wolf]

Too many people have falsely claimed "new in box" and "like new in box" for me to trust such claims any more.

[Destructo6]

With SKSs or AKs, the tip of the gas piston would be the best indicator. They're easy to get pretty clean, but almost impossible to get spotless. Of course, you'd have to partially disassemble one and few dealers are keen on that.

[Wildalaska]

My rule..if its in the box with all papers and comes from a distributor or factory, its new in box.

Comes from anywhere else..it aint...at best its like new in box..

WildfairgradingisimportantAlaska

[Byron Quick]

Tried to have a guy sell me a rifle "NIB." It was pristine...but no box.

[BigG]

Once a gun has been sold, i.e., a form has been filled out, it is no longer NIB to me. It can be unfired, like new etc, but a private owner cannot sell you a gun NIB - it's like buying a one owner car - are they also NIB? :rolleyes:

[CWL]

With an SKS, why would you care?

If it was a decent dealer who handles volumes of SKS rifles, that SKS will come packed in cosmoline. He/she ain't going to go thru the trouble of cleaning all that stuff off for you.

[eatatjoes]

the SKS was a russian model from TULA production plant and he was asking quite a mint for it. i was curious as to whether i could call him out on it being fired, maybe reducing the ludicrous price he was asking. the two firearms were not NIB or packed in cosmo. just in very nice condition and "unfired"

[Byron Quick]

Depends. If it's been garaged, still got the sticker, 10 miles on the the odometer. Factory wrappings still on...it's in the same condition it would be on the dealer lot.

[telewinz]

You can't even trust NIB with papers! About 20 years ago I had a local dealer sell me a Contender NIB and boy it looked it. Opened the manual and the "previous owner" had filled out the warranty information card(unknown to the dealer) with his name and address. It was the end of a beautiful relationship:barf: