Proof testing

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Pistolosaur

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Please imagine you had the opportunity to get a hand on an antique revolver, circa 1900.
It just looks good, no obvious defect, although the seller told you the previous owner told him it has been in some way refurbished. Which way it has been is a mystery.

So you had this beauty in your safe for a few years, and heard its sad little voice each time you opened it*: «*is it today you take me to the range*? Am I ugly? Why do you hide me from your friends*?*»

This indeed is a sad story.
I know I could just load and shoot it, then check my hand and eyes but for some reason, I'd rather talk about it first.

Is there a smart and safe step by step process to determine whether a gun you don't know much about is safe or not to bring to the range ?
 
Thx RC, this pdf is anyway worth reading.

I was talking about a Webley Mk VI I never dared to bring to the range for I don't want to ruin either myself or it.
But maybe there's a standard procedure everybody could benefit knowing about ?
 
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If it is tight in the hinge joint and top latch, and the cylinder locks properly in line with the bore?

It is very likely safe to shoot with .455 Webley ammo.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...ey-mark-2-262-grain-lead-round-nose-box-of-50

All .455 Webley ammo is loaded to very low pressure in keeping with the age of the guns chambered for it.
And it never was a hot load to start with.

The other thing you need to determine is whether or not the gun has been converted to use .45 ACP ammo in moon clips.
A lot of them were when they were imported into the country years ago.

This was done by cutting the back of the cylinder to make enough headspace for moon clips.
If it's been converted, you can no longer shoot .455 Webley ammo in it.
And full power .45 ACP ammo is not at all recommended.

You could shoot .45 ACP mid-range match ammo in it, as it is also pretty low pressure.

If you could post a good side-view photo of the gun and another of the back of the cylinder somebody can make a better assessment of it.

rc
 
I wouldn't have bought it if it had been butchered.
.45ACP in a webley is definitely a no-go.

I have some genuine amo for it, but I wonder for example if the chambers are properly in line with the barrel, or if this century-old steel won't fail, or whatever ???

Truly, it's about the whatever.

Would I have to test it on my own, I'd use a a vice and some rope, load a chamber at a time and fire it.
Then start to freak out at the slightliest dispersion.
 
Assuming it hasn't rusted, been damaged by impact or over-pressure, or fire, etc, just the age alone of the steel won't affect its strength. Got any old bridges in your town? :D (okay with the crumbling infrastructure in the US, maybe bridges are a bad example, but they are subject to constant fatigue (cyclic) loading, enviro effects, etc)

But seriously, if you're really concerned, have a good gunsmith go over it and check for any defects.

What about using a black-powder or BP substitute for the loads for this gun? (I don't know diddly about BP, I'm just throwing it out there). BP should be gentler in terms of pressure than modern smokeless loads.
 
I have fired a Mk VI pretty extensively and never had any qualms about doing so with WWII GI ammo or modern Fiocchi or CIL (the latter is no longer made).

Jim
 
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