Whether or not to shoot old guns

[11Charlie]

I have my great grandfathers Winchester 1892 chambered in 25-20 WCF from approximately 1904. It probably hasn't been fired since the 1960's; any recommendations for a trusted gunsmith in the PDX area for checking out an old lever action?

@Velzey and @NWCustomFirearms both supporting vendors I am sure one of them can help you out.

 

[mrblond]

Choot it lizbeth!

unless its a Walker, or some very rare, engraved thing given to a president, shoot it.

 

[Certaindeaf]

It's really not worth it. If you shoot it, it might cause a butterfly to alter its course in Botswana, killing us all.
true story

 

[RVTECH]

The one on the right is an 1899 Klondike Sporting Rifle in 30-30 and is shot routinely. The one on the left (66 Centennial) is 'work in progress'.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

I have my great grandfathers Winchester 1892 chambered in 25-20 WCF from approximately 1904. It probably hasn't been fired since the 1960's; any recommendations for a trusted gunsmith in the PDX area for checking out an old lever action?

I have my moms 1909 M-94 in .25-35 that I shoot fairly often, now that I've accumulated a store of ammo for it. Only thing I've ever had to replace on it was a "chrystallized" firing pin. Don't dry fire M-94s!

 

[tac]

I shoot, and on a regular basis, the following older guns -

1861 58cal short rifle

1897 7mm Mauser carbine

1896 6.5mm rifle

1910 BSA .22

1912 7mm Mauser

1914 K11 7.5

1930 Walther Mod 2 .22

1934 Walther DSM .22

1937 Mauser .22

and it never bothers me a jot.

tac

 

[Medic!]

Some of my guns have done some awful things.

But to shoot them?

 

[tac]

I'm waiting to get to shoot two lovely old Canadian Sniders - both lock-plate dated 1862, and certainly one at least predates 1867 as it is devoid of DC stamps. They signify Dominion Confederation, BTW.

Both have bores like a nickel etc.....and with one of Martyn's fine moulds making a .600" Minié bullet I'm sure they'll both perform well. The short rifle, assigned to the Québec Garrison Artillery, I shot before it was given to me, so I know that that baby shoots!

See -

tac

 

[11Charlie]

I'm waiting to get to shoot two lovely old Canadian Sniders - both lock-plate dated 1862, and certainly one at least predates 1867 as it is devoid of DC stamps. They signify Dominion Confederation, BTW.

Both have bores like a nickel etc.....and with one of Martyn's fine moulds making a .600" Minié bullet I'm sure they'll both perform well. The short rifle, assigned to the Québec Garrison Artillery, I shot before it was given to me, so I know that that baby shoots!

See -

tac

That is cool!! I am certain that @AndyinEverson will jealous.

 

[tac]

Hardly think so. He has dozens to choose from, and I have three.

tac

 

[Seared Saba]

As long as you have resources around you for proper maintenance or repairs; why not, I would totally shoot and enjoy the gun!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Hardly think so. He has dozens to choose from, and I have three.

tac

Yes but three cool ones ... Neat rifles tac!
Andy

 

[RVTECH]

Another one that is shot routinely - an early 1942 S & W 'Victory' .38 Special.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

I'm waiting to get to shoot two lovely old Canadian Sniders - both lock-plate dated 1862, and certainly one at least predates 1867 as it is devoid of DC stamps. They signify Dominion Confederation, BTW.

Both have bores like a nickel etc.....and with one of Martyn's fine moulds making a .600" Minié bullet I'm sure they'll both perform well. The short rifle, assigned to the Québec Garrison Artillery, I shot before it was given to me, so I know that that baby shoots!

See -

tac

Cool! That was fun, tac!
Boy, an impact from that big, baby would really spoil your day......and your shorts!

 

[Velzey]

To the OP, it's a .22 LR. Shoot standard velocity ammo thru it and enjoy. Don't dry fire the rifle, that's bad for those older one. You can put 50,000 rounds thru and and not hurt it one bit. Keep it clean and lubed and enjoy.

 

[Seared Saba]

My old 1911 that I shoot routinely. This old horse still handles 230gr / 820fps easily.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

My '43 dated 03A3 ... Still shoots like a house afire!
It really likes off the shelf Winchester 165 grain Power Points and 165 grain Remington Core- Lokts.
Andy

 

[Andy54Hawken]

'Course if we are talking old guns ...
Then my oldest which I still shoot from time to time.
A 1760's Joseph Barber pocket pistol.
.40 caliber ... 15 grains of 2F with a . 10 patch and a .375 round ball*.
*yes everything in the load is undersize to keep pressure low.
Andy

 

[thorborg]

Sticking to any possible length restrictions (short, long, long rifle) and barring bent or plugged barrel, it is pretty hard to blow up a 22 center fire rifle no matter what it's age. Broken, or breaking irreplaceable parts would be your only drawback even then, unless it is rare or has some unique proven provenance, I say shoot it with a "Here's one for you Grandpa"

 

[jordanka16]

I'm waiting to get to shoot two lovely old Canadian Sniders - both lock-plate dated 1862, and certainly one at least predates 1867 as it is devoid of DC stamps. They signify Dominion Confederation, BTW.

Both have bores like a nickel etc.....and with one of Martyn's fine moulds making a .600" Minié bullet I'm sure they'll both perform well. The short rifle, assigned to the Québec Garrison Artillery, I shot before it was given to me, so I know that that baby shoots!

See -

tac

Very nice, I have been trying to find a decent Snider for a while now, all I seem to find are the non British made ones.