Original rifle worth it?

[Shoots Last]

Hey there I was lookin into getting an origional rifle and have found a Kentucky long rifle in .40 caliber. The guy is asking $800 for it so I was wondering if this is a good deal and if this would be good for both small game and close range deer hunting. Any thoughts?

 

[nwtradegun]

no original rifle should be shot. to many variables as to safety or condition. also its impossible to state if a gun is worth without full info and pics of it.

 

[S.Kenton]

I have a good friend who shoots his original 41 cal. It shoots very accurately and is balanced quite well. I don't know why one shouldn't buy an original to shoot as long as it's properly inspected and in good order...

 

[Shoots Last]

Well I haven't seen it yet... He is sending pictures tomarrow but assuming it is in good working order and not a wall hanger, is $800 reasonable? And I've heard very little about .40 cal front stuffers and wonder if it is a good caliber or is it too much for squirrels and not enough for deer :hmm:

 

[azmntman]

Good for both (limit deer to 50 yds). If you don't buy send me PM with info, I been looking for a .40 myself!

 

[Shoots Last]

Roger that. I will post pics wen I get them, So y'all can tell me more. My reason for wanting this is because I have a pedersoli 12 gauge double and I love the versatility of it (living in northern michigan) however, I feel waaaaay more comfortable with a rifle in my hands. Idk I guess I'm a little strange :youcrazy:

 

[stinkyfeet]

Roger that. I will post pics wen I get them, So y'all can tell me more. My reason for wanting this is because I have a pedersoli 12 gauge double and I love the versatility of it (living in northern michigan) however, I feel waaaaay more comfortable with a rifle in my hands. Idk I guess I'm a little strange :youcrazy:

You cannot hunt deer in Michigan with a 40 caliber smokepole unless the law just changed since last year.

 

[galamb]

Is $800 a good price - yes, no, maybe.

In the past six months I have seen an original Leman sell for 175 bucks and an original Armstrong go for $125,000.

Since 800 is somewhere in the middle it might be a good deal.

Not trying to be silly here, just trying to illustrate that that's a pretty generic question that can have very diverse answers.

Is the rifle by a known maker? are you sure it's original? can it be shot? has it been checked out? etc etc.

If it really is original and it's "sound", shootable and serviceable and I had 800 bucks doing nothing and liked the rifle, I would buy it and shoot it.

I'm in the camp where "rifles are meant to be used", I can hang pictures and posters on the wall.

If it's safe to shoot, then shoot it. If it's value is "only" 800 bucks it's a "rifle", not a piece of collector art.

 

[awebbersr]

Agree with all the above, although if the barrel is Damascus :v don't shoot it. They have been known to unravel.

 

[varsity07840]

Have it checked out by a gunsmith familiar with antique guns. If it's sound, shoot it. I have around 10, muzzleloaders and BPCR that I shoot.
The rifle pictured above is circa 1835, damascus barrel, .64 cal. One thing about old long rifles. They tend to be fragile at the wrist which can be pretty slender on small caliber rifles.

Duane

 

[Captjoel]

I too like to shoot a good OLD rifle gun!

 

[Shoots Last]

It was my understanding that during regular rifle season there were no caliber restrictions meaning I could use it for the November season. Unless the .44 and up isn't just for the muzzleloader season but as a general rule. I very well could be wrong.

 

[fleener]

agreed, not enough info to provide good answers.

old guns can be shot, if they are in good shape. I have several old guns that that I shoot. Damascus not safe to shoot? if that is the case send them all to me and I will love to use them. I have several original shotguns that certainly are safe to shot.

Fleener

 

[Dave K]

Fleener, I agree with shooting them. I do all the time, after I have carefully examined them. I love the looks of Damascus, twist or laminated barrels. Again, inspect them and if you feel comfortable shooting them, shoot them. If not, I can get the dangerous things away from your grasp. Just because I do it,doesn't mean you should.

 

[Shoots Last]

here are the pics I promised. he believes the gun is from 1840-80.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd...855_695705040487749_9214083941295785048_n.jpg https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.ne...490_695704923821094_7070296883225444124_o.jpg https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.ne...562_695704933821093_7325904579233083011_n.jpg https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.ne...366_695704937154426_5119141389484243820_o.jpg https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.ne...086_695705027154417_5265760591889116414_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd...611_695705023821084_9018723532786245012_n.jpg https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.ne...855_695705033821083_6034954015078020777_n.jpg

 

[mooman76]

The lock and bore is a pretty important piece. Could you get a picture of that? Other than that I'd say pass for $800 but I'm not the best judge of antique MLs.

 

[Shoots Last]

I do not have a good pic of the bore. the one I have it has a bunch of lint in it from "siting in a wool case" here is one of the lock: https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.ne...490_695704923821094_7070296883225444124_o.jpg https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.ne...517_695705030487750_5754834891359191037_n.jpg

 

[jamesthomas]

I wouldn't pay $800.00 for it, as a matter of fact he would have to pay ME $800.00 to take it off his hands. Those big brass tacks are horrible, somebody needs to go back in time and give whoever put those on a couple of :slap: up side the head. Plus I've never been a fan of those "Mule Ear" locks :td: . This rifle is just not in good enough shape for $800.00. If you are wanting to buy an original I would look for a better looking rifle.

 

[smoothshooter]

You left out the most important view of all! A closeup of the lock!

 

[Rifleman1776]

$125.00 to $150.00. Tops. Hang on wall.
Original what? Looks like an 'original' parts gun to me.