How can you tell if an older 410 shotgun is safe to shoot?

Question

I am taking \my young son shooting and he can handle a 410. We have an old one in the family I remember shooting 25 years ago. I doubt it has even been shot since then. Is there a way to tell if it is safe or not to shoot? In a worse case scenario, what is likely to happen if I shoot it and something goes wrong, backfire, explode or what?

Answer 1

Have a gunsmith look it over.

Answer 2

Clean well and lubricate. Be sure the bore is clear. Check to see if the action works OK.

Most gunsmiths will do a quick inspection for you, if you don't feel you are a good judge of the safety and operation. If he does it for free, as many will, buy some overpriced ammo and maybe a cleaning kit from the nice man and thank him.

Really the only unsafe firearms out there are a few foreign military pistols (the Jap Nambu comes to mind) and shotguns from the late 1800 and early 1900s with fancy "Damascus" barrels. These were ususally expensive gentelmen's shotguns that used a steel process that was later found to be unsafe. You can tell as the Damascus steel had a texture or tiny lines running through it. It is doubtful that you have one, as they all fell apart sometime last century.

I shoot rifles well over 100 years old regularly. You should be good with a .410.

Answer 3

Old 410 Shotgun

Answer 4

A .410 shotgun is barely designed to fireside shot shells and slugs. There are firearms designed to deal with the two .410 shells besides as .40 5 LC cartridges, such because of the fact the choose. Why threat injury to the gun or injury to a man or woman? i prefer to advise that he shoot the 20 gauge with field lots. The .410 shotgun is approximately one pound lighter and has a butt plate particularly than a draw back pad that a 20 gauge has.

Answer 5

As a Gunsmith, I would agree with most if you have real concerns have a local Gunsmith take a look at it. I have one that was given me when I was 11,a Mossberg Bolt Action Single Shot Shotgun in 410 gauge. It still works just as well 44 years later. I would clean it well before you do anything. Then make your decision then. You didn't mention make or model in your question, and that would help greatly to determine if there is any risk..I can assure you that It will not backfire, nor will it explode when you fire it. Worse case scenario is it won't fire at all..but unless it's in lousy shape and hasn't been maintained for many years, I don't even think that would happen......

Answer 6

Best bet is to take it to a gunsmith.

I recieved my Dad's Springfield Armory 1918 30.06 when he passed in 2001, and I know it hadn't been shot in 10+ years... so I toted it on over to the gunsmith and had them give it a look over: it was fine, and I now take it to the range twice a year.

Worst-case scenario IS an explosion.

GOOD LUCK and SHOOT SAFE !!

Answer 7

Ahh...just set it on a gun rest, tie a string to the trigger, load a round and let it rip. If everyone is OK afterwords, the have at it. Really, look down the barrell, if there are any signs of rust, have a gunsmith look at it. Don't risk your child's safety on it. But him a new .410, they don't cost that much (comparatively).

Answer 8

Might help if you were to give some sort of info beyond "25 years ago", sir.

What type of weapon is it? Break open single shot or side by side? Pump? Bolt action?

Manufacturer? Model?

Anything?

Answer 9

Get a tire, use rope or tape or bungee cords to harness the gun to the tire. Tie a string tot he trigger and hide behind your car as you fire from a safe distance. Do this a few times. If it doesn't blow up and cover your vehicle with shrapnel you should be OK.

If it does blow up, run away before the cops come to arrest you for making a pipe bomb.

.....I am serious, they test surplus rifles like this.

Answer 10

Yep, I think taking the firearm to a gunsmith should be best to answer question of safety or not.

Answer 11

check 4 rust and make sure it is empty it should still work.....we have a 50 year old 22 and it works like a charm