CrackerJim
Member
I've just recently gotten interested enough in older milsurp type rifles to actually put a couple in the "collection" Good excuse to get more guns.
I like bolt actions and thought I would start off with a shooter that happened to have some history with it. One of the local stores has a couple of racks of various bolt action and semi auto older military rifles. I looked at the M44s but didn't want a bayonet and liked the look of the 91/30. Had been doing some reading (this and other forums) that indicated that with iron sights, the 91/30 generally was a good shooter (I reload so looking forward to working loads up).
This gun has a Tula receiver, with Izzy misc parts. The barrel, receiver, sight group has been "painted" and the stock appeared to be refinished with some type of lacquer that was chipping off. Muzzle, bore, chamber area, bolt all looks good. Trigger felt fine. Took the plunge.
Got home a decided to take the forend stock off and do a light oil rubdown of all the metal assuming the black finish would take it. Halfway down the barrel is an area of heavy pitting. I'm no gunsmith but when I see pitting that in some places looks to be 25% of barrel thickness or more, I don't want to shoot it.
No signage in any of the racks had any mention of collector only etc (this gun was obviously not a collector anyway with the refinishing). All the rest of the guns look to be shootable. Much newer guns in the racks as well.
Did I screw up? Should I have taken the forstock off before purchasing? How much take down is appropriate at a gun store when inspecting a firearm?
I've got a K-31 ordered on the web and now I'm wondering if it's safe to purchase sight unseen.
Appreciate your comments.
Jim
I like bolt actions and thought I would start off with a shooter that happened to have some history with it. One of the local stores has a couple of racks of various bolt action and semi auto older military rifles. I looked at the M44s but didn't want a bayonet and liked the look of the 91/30. Had been doing some reading (this and other forums) that indicated that with iron sights, the 91/30 generally was a good shooter (I reload so looking forward to working loads up).
This gun has a Tula receiver, with Izzy misc parts. The barrel, receiver, sight group has been "painted" and the stock appeared to be refinished with some type of lacquer that was chipping off. Muzzle, bore, chamber area, bolt all looks good. Trigger felt fine. Took the plunge.
Got home a decided to take the forend stock off and do a light oil rubdown of all the metal assuming the black finish would take it. Halfway down the barrel is an area of heavy pitting. I'm no gunsmith but when I see pitting that in some places looks to be 25% of barrel thickness or more, I don't want to shoot it.
No signage in any of the racks had any mention of collector only etc (this gun was obviously not a collector anyway with the refinishing). All the rest of the guns look to be shootable. Much newer guns in the racks as well.
Did I screw up? Should I have taken the forstock off before purchasing? How much take down is appropriate at a gun store when inspecting a firearm?
I've got a K-31 ordered on the web and now I'm wondering if it's safe to purchase sight unseen.
Appreciate your comments.
Jim