How safe are antique guns?

Question

Are they safe to fire? My stubborn dad (he's 74 years-old) has an antique Winchester rifle that he shoots about twice a year just for fun.
I'm afraid it's so old it'll explode in his face and kill him!
But I can't convince him that it's dangerous!
Is it dangerous or am I being paranoid?
He takes very good care of it but it's sooooo old!
Does anyone know if it's safe?

Answer 1

I'm going to Hedge and say YES& NO. LIke Booker, many collect and use older weapons with out a problem.

BUT..... That is not a blanket yes. First, Any weapon of that age should have its head space checked. Also the metalurgy of the time is a real issue. Cracks, poor heat treatment, the use of Damascus barrels and the increased pressures of smokeless ammo are all real issues. Many factories power down ammo for these guns. Winchester's in general seem to last a long time. However, I would have it check by a gunsmith. Parts wear, rust or break anyway. So beter to better to be safe than sorry. A good example of this is the 1903 rifle. There are still many Rock Island and early Springfield's that can not be fired due to poor heat treatment.

Answer 2

Antique guns are in fact real however the money for antique guns are a little more in the older range or rarity area. If its an antique it still should be able to fire as soon as you pick it up. Whether it is in condition to fire or not is a different story. I have a rifle from 1901 that I picked up and fired and it was just fine. Guns aren't like cars, they last forever even if they haven't been used in a century. If that gun was a display gun, the firing pin may have been removed or other components nonfunctional. The price listed there is very cheap, so you might want to contact the seller to see what condition the gun is in before you buy it.

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about an old Winchester, Remington rolling block, marlin or any antique bolt action rifle in good condition. especially if one uses the period correct ammo (not smokeless powder). I wouldn't worry about antique revolvers, as long as the cylinder timing and function is correct and the ammo is period correct (again, don't use smokeless ammo) especially colt, Remington, merwin Hulbert, and other high quality pistols. these are made to very high quality standards like the rifles listed above. SHOTGUNS are where you have to show caution. old Damascus shotgun barrels are "hammer welded" and one should consider the period correct ammo very carefully (again, no smokeless shells) as well as the condition of the barrels both inside and out, the thickness and weight of the barrels, the strength of the lock up, etc etc. be wary of cheaply made antique pocket pistols, beat up old military conversion rifles can blow your face off (which they did on occasion when new) and avoid homemade or blacksmith specials. if you bear all this in mind and do your research, shooting an antique gun can be fun, and a rewarding way to experience history from a unique perspective.

Answer 4

You are correct ot be concerned because it is impossible to say whether an antique is safe to shoot without first having it examined by a competent gunsmith. Many old cartride guns were made when black powder was being used to load the cartridges. The old guns MUST NOT be fired using modern smokeless powder cartridges. They are not designed to handle the greater pressures produced by smokeless powder. Winchester made cartridge rifles long before smokeless powder was invented. The .30-30 cartride was originally designed as a black powder .30 caliber cartridge with a 30 grain black powder charge. Hence, the designation .30-30. Even so, most, but not all, early .30-30 Winchester rifles were made to fire smokeless powder cartridges. However, the early smokeless powder cartridges didn't generate the same pressures as today's modern smokeless powder cartridges of the same caliber. If your dad refuses to have his rifle examuined by a competent gunsmith, the best thing you can do for him is to take it yourself to a gunsmith to be examined. If he proclaims it to be safe for modern smokeless powder cartridges you will then be able to relax. If he says sthat it is not safe for modern cartridges, then your next problem will be to convince your dad not to shoot it even though he has been getting away with it for years. When it comes to convincing him of the need to quit shooting it with modern ammo, you are on your own. He sounds too much like me when it comes to having a hard head. Good luck!

Answer 5

I can say with a high degree of certainty that an old winchester is perfectly safe to fire. The Winchester name is built on reliability. They have a problem with selling new ones because their old ones are still out there functioning reliably. I personably have a 60 year old smith and wesson revolver that I shoot on a regular basis.

Answer 6

You're being very paranoid, I have a 110 year old rifle i shoot about once a month, as long as it's been properly taken care of and well maintained, there's no problem, Your dad has been shooting this rifle for a very long time, don't you think he would know more about its proper safe functionality than you? I understand your concern, you love your dad and don't want him injured, but for petes sake, give the man a little credit where credit id due, he knows his firearms.

Answer 7

How old is old. If properly maintained I have a Winchester 3030 thats about 20 years old, and a 1985 8x56R that I still shoot, it is as solid as when first made. If in doubt, have a qualified gunsmith check it.

Answer 8

If there were a problem with the weapon I think he would know. If thats one of the things he enjoys to do at his age why take it from him. If your worried about it take it to a gun smith and have him go over it,if there is any problem he willl find it and be able to fix it.

Answer 9

Your best bet would be to have it checked by a certified gunsmith. preferably one with expirience with older guns.

Answer 10

the answer may blow you away