Ok.....Lever gun inspection.....Question...

[Bronx]

I'm going to get my mitts on a few specimens tomorrow. I'm not familiar with the particulars of this type of rifle. So....with that being said what should a gomer like me look for and check carefully?

[pharmseller]

Need to know what you will be inspecting.
Brand, year, etc.

P

[Bronx]

Need to know what you will be inspecting.
Brand, year, etc.

P

Brand new stuff. Marlin, Winchester, and possibly the Mossberg. This is just an initial "fitting" for me since they have nothing in the specific caliber I'm looking for and will mostl likely have to order it.

I've been warned to stay away from the Mossberg's. Poor fit & finish.

[PaperPatch]

You will want to ensure that the sights are sitting square on the barrel. Shoulder the rifle and look down the sights....should the front and rear sight appear tilted to one side in relation to the receiver, avoid that particular rifle.

The models on display for customer handling and such...will likely remain on the rack after you've made a selection. Open the box of the rifle provided for your purchase, and ensure the sights are in order before completing the transaction.

The rest is pretty basic...look for good fit and finish of wood to metal. Moving parts should be free of grit and grind, and operate smoothly. The crown at the muzzle end should appear perfectly finished.

Welcome...and good luck.

[Pete44ru]

Inspecting a new gun isn't as detailed/involved as when considering a used specimen.

Besides what paperpatch posted above, all things considered, it's better if the prospective buyer actually likes the rifle in their hands, "hands" being the operative word.
IOW, until more experience is gained, only consider guns you can handle/see/feel/touch/etc.

Make sure the "new" gun you're actually buying (by serial number) is what you're paying for - really NEW - which means IN the factory box numbered to the gun, with zero cosmetic defects on wood or metal parts, and all factory paperwork, like owner's manual, warranty card, whatever.

As long as the sights appear to be square/plumb, and aligned, don't be too concerned as to whether or not you can see them or like the way they look - since the first thing many here do is upgrade issue sights to ones more to their liking. (a "kitchen table" job, for the most part)

OH ! ........ And, you can ask if you can testfire the gun @ the Bronx Zoo !

.

[RIHMFIRE]

Need to know what you will be inspecting.
Brand, year, etc.

P

Brand new stuff. Marlin, Winchester, and possibly the Mossberg. This is just an initial "fitting" for me since they have nothing in the specific caliber I'm looking for and will mostl likely have to order it.
You cant go wrong with Marlin....good strong gun....but thay dont hold their value....
Winchester...the 92, 86, & 95 made now, are jap guns...great fit & finish, accurate..
But they say Made in japan....They can keep'em as far as I am concerned...
I would buy and old winchester first....They will never go down in value

Dont forget about Uberti...Great fit and finish...even Cimarron and Taylors guns

I've been warned to stay away from the Mossberg's. Poor fit & finish.
True....you think they would have heard this by now

and you must check out StevesGuns too!

[dkmlever]

You may be carrying it much more than shooting it, how does it feel in your hands by your side, walking around the store? What is the balance like, does it feel good in your hands? I also like to CLOSE my eyes, lfit the gun up to my shoulder then open up my eyes, to see if it naturally lines up for me.

[Bronx]

You may be carrying it much more than shooting it, how does it feel in your hands by your side, walking around the store? What is the balance like, does it feel good in your hands? I also like to CLOSE my eyes, lfit the gun up to my shoulder then open up my eyes, to see if it naturally lines up for me.

Commone sense stuff! Thanks. I figure the most important thing is does it line up naturally when I shoulder it. I got a good eye for fit and finsih, been staring at guitars for 30 years.....

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

You may be carrying it much more than shooting it, how does it feel in your hands by your side, walking around the store? What is the balance like, does it feel good in your hands? I also like to CLOSE my eyes, lfit the gun up to my shoulder then open up my eyes, to see if it naturally lines up for me.

Commone sense stuff! Thanks. I figure the most important thing is does it line up naturally when I shoulder it. I got a good eye for fit and finsih, been staring at guitars for 30 years.....

I think you said in an earlier post that you planned on a 357mag gun. If that's still the case for function with the broadest variety of ammo the best choices will be the marlin 1894 and the Rossi made Winchester clone of the 92. These were both pistol caliber guns. Both Marlin and Rossi have been making 357m leverguns 3 times longer than the any of the other makers so they both know how to make guns that work like they are supposed to.