Shooting an unfinished rifle?

[jbrent]

I'm working on a GPR kit. Have the parts all fitted, but none of the wood or metal finishing started. I'm getting impatient - Is there any problem with shooting it "in the white" then finishing it next winter? or will shooting soil the wood & metal so that future finishes will be compromized?......jbrent

 

[Birddog6]

I test shoot every rifle I build & have built, while they are in the white. I have never had a problem finishing one from shooting it. However, I don't get any oil on the wood..... The reason I test shoot them is If there is a barrel or lock problem I want to know it before I get it all done. Recently I had a bad new barrel in a rifle I had just finished & had to replace the barrel. I sure was glad I didn't go to the trouble of browning it & finishing it all up before I found out. So I replaced the barrel & the 2nd new barrel shot fine & I went on with the rifle.

Now I don't shoot them hundreds of times, but I usually shoot one 25 to 50 times..... And I rough sight them all in also so I know it is within an inch or so L or R & low about 1-2" at 25 yards. That gets the customer on the paper & easy adjustment to his liking.......

:results:

 

[Pittsburghunter]

You never finish building a gun in my opinion. I have kit guns that I have finished quite a few times lol!!

I would like to think the first time you shoot it it is all together strong and there is some type of finish on both the stock and barrel. I would hate to see good wood or steel ruined.

 

I went through this when I built my flintlock pistol... you can shoot it in the white, as long as it's all assembled. You might have to do some more finish sanding and stuff before you stain and finish the wood, but the gun will be fine.

I wouldn't go hunting, or shoot it in the rain or anything like that, but a trip to the range on a nice day shouldn't be an issue.

 

[brubincam]

i know a custum builder that shoots them in the white,,,gets the customer to try it also,,then if any adjustment is kneeded it can be done,where if gun was finished you would be stuck with a harder fix,,, :what:

 

[MikeChapin]

I don't shoot them until they are finished past a test firing when they still look like a bunch of parts stuck on a plank. But that's just me. I can see no problem shooting it before it is completly finished.

We have one person in our club that is a very good rifle maker. He is always bringing one that is not finished and shooting it at the monthly shoot. Does rather well. He has a 40 flinter that has been unfinished for the last eight or nine months that he has been shooting rather well. Can't wait to see what it looks like finished, it has a great piece of wood.

 

[walruskid1]

had a hunting buddy that threw together a kit and painted it flat black. i don't think he ever finished it. he sure kills deer with it, but man is it ugly! no pride of ownership or accomplishment there.