My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

OldLeatherneck

OldLeatherneck

Jarhead 4th class
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 4, 2007
124
0
76
Springfield, Illinois
#1
I have bought 3 rifles here on the hide and everyone of them came to me dirty as Hell. Does'nt anyone clean their rifles anymore? I would'nt sell a rifle to anyone without cleaning it first. That is the right way to handle the sale of a rifle. So you guys that are planning on selling you guns here on the hide CLEAN THEM. A couple of the rifles i got could'nt have shot as good as they said because the grooves were so fouled with powder,lead and copper they could'nt hold a good group. Well sorry to all you guys who actually do CLEAN your stuff but this is a big sore spot for me. well thats my rant. LOL
 
#4
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

Thats good to know i will make a mental note not to buy anything from you.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alaskaman 11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I only clean mine when they start shooting like crap, or I have been by the saltwater. </div></div>
 
#5
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

I went into a gun store to buy a particular rifle that they had "on sale"
The barrel was still packed with cosmoline. When I asked for the barrel to be cleaned for inspection, you would have thought that I had defecated in his cheerios.
Needless to say, I left, and will not go back to deal with that A-hole.
I had a gun shop many years ago, and I would always clean the bore for inspection. Who would buy a rifle otherwise?
I know that this is not the same as posted here, but I would not ship a gun with a dirty bore.
 
#6
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kinsman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I went into a gun store to buy a particular rifle that they had "on sale"
The barrel was still packed with cosmoline. When I asked for the barrel to be cleaned for inspection, you would have thought that I had defecated in his cheerios.
Needless to say, I left, and will not go back to deal with that A-hole.
I had a gun shop many years ago, and I would always clean the bore for inspection. Who would buy a rifle otherwise?
I know that this is not the same as posted here, but I would not ship a gun with a dirty bore. </div></div>


My point exactly. I would not sell a gun and ship it dirty.
 
#8
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldLeatherneck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A couple of the rifles i got could'nt have shot as good as they said because the grooves were so fouled with powder,lead and copper they could'nt hold a good group.</div></div>

How do you know they wouldn't did you shoot them to see?

Not saying getting a rifle clean or not is right or wrong but just because it's clean or not doesn’t say much about the rifle and its capabilities. Myself I'm more scared of a guy who is so anal that they clean the rifle all the time and thinks the rifle must be clean to perform the best. More damage is done by over cleaning or cleaning the weapon wrong then shooting it and leaving it alone.

If you want the rifle clean before you get it, it might be a good idea to articulate that to the seller, you want to receive the weapon clean.
 
#9
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HateCA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want the rifle clean before you get it, it might be a good idea to articulate that to the seller, you want to receive the weapon clean.</div></div>Randy, that brings up a related point in my mind: I wouldn't want anyone else to clean my rifle, especially if it wasn't to be his rifle any more. What I get suspicious about when purchasing used is damage that I can't see for myself without a borescope, like damage done by improper cleaning. So, when I decide to purchase a rifle I don't want the other guy, knowing that it's already sold, doing anything to it but boxing it up and shipping it to an FFL. If it was mine I would have to ask the seller: don't clean it, just send it. When it arrives I will thoroughly clean it myself and inspect it anyway.

But I also know where the OP is coming from: it's good manners to send a rifle that appears to have been well cared-for.
 
#10
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HateCA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want the rifle clean before you get it, it might be a good idea to articulate that to the seller, you want to receive the weapon clean.</div></div>Randy, that brings up a related point in my mind: I wouldn't want anyone else to clean my rifle, especially if it wasn't to be his rifle any more. What I get suspicious about when purchasing used is damage that I can't see for myself without a borescope, like damage done by improper cleaning. So, when I decide to purchase a rifle I don't want the other guy, knowing that it's already sold, doing anything to it but boxing it up and shipping it to an FFL. If it was mine I would have to ask the seller: don't clean it, just send it. When it arrives I will thoroughly clean it myself and inspect it anyway.

But I also know where the OP is coming from: it's good manners to send a rifle that appears to have been well cared-for. </div></div>

Graham-- But if you clean the gun and then call him and tell him you cleaned it and found some damage he could accuse you of the damage. So its best to get a clean gun, Period.


 
#11
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HateCA</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldLeatherneck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A couple of the rifles i got could'nt have shot as good as they said because the grooves were so fouled with powder,lead and copper they could'nt hold a good group.</div></div>

How do you know they wouldn't did you shoot them to see?

Not saying getting a rifle clean or not is right or wrong but just because it's clean or not doesn’t say much about the rifle and its capabilities. Myself I'm more scared of a guy who is so anal that they clean the rifle all the time and thinks the rifle must be clean to perform the best. More damage is done by over cleaning or cleaning the weapon wrong then shooting it and leaving it alone.

If you want the rifle clean before you get it, it might be a good idea to articulate that to the seller, you want to receive the weapon clean.
</div></div>

HateCA--So your saying you would rather recieve a dirty rifle that has not been taken care of? Your assuming that most people are'nt capable of cleaning their guns properly.
 
#13
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

Being uncleaned can have its advantages:

I like my method of cleaning and I like my personal choice of solvents. I think dirty is better then corroded from some high ammonia rich solvent that sat too long or was not properly removed.

It would be nice to know what the orginal owner used to clean and how many times he did it though.


Now there is a difference in dirty and neglected. If there are rust spots in the finish from where it was not properly cared for then I would be pissed if it was not noted in the terms of the sale.



 
#14
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldLeatherneck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

HateCA--So your saying you would rather recieve a dirty rifle that has not been taken care of? Your assuming that most people are'nt capable of cleaning their guns properly.
</div></div>

A "dirty" rifle and a rifle that has not been taken care of or abused are two different things.

I don't assuming anything, but I have seen lots of rifles that have more damage from over cleaning and improper cleaning then I would care to.

Assuming the rifle won't shoot just because the barrel is "dirty", is well, assuming too much.

If one wants a rifle that is new, unfired, and or clean one needs to stick with buying new rifles or articulate exactly what one expects from the seller.
 
#15
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alaskaman 11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I only clean mine when they start shooting like crap, or I have been by the saltwater. </div></div>

Actually I'm the same way, and while hte military made us clean our M16's - our match pistols did not have to be as exactly clean - my rifle shoots better with a dirty barrel - but everything else gets cleaned after each shooting - bolt face, chamber...etc.

However, that said, if I did sell a rifle I would clean it. It would be a courtesty - HOWEVER - some rifles don't shoot as well clean so I've seen people buy rifles and complain they don't shoot well (Until they get a box of rds through them).
 
#16
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alaskaman 11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I only clean mine when they start shooting like crap, or I have been by the saltwater. </div></div>

Actually I'm the same way, and while hte military made us clean our M16's - our match pistols did not have to be as exactly clean - my rifle shoots better with a dirty barrel - but everything else gets cleaned after each shooting - bolt face, chamber...etc.

However, that said, if I did sell a rifle I would clean it. It would be a courtesty - HOWEVER - some rifles don't shoot as well clean so I've seen people buy rifles and complain they don't shoot well (Until they get a box of rds through them).

</div></div>

Thanks Arctic, thats my point, I have a 700 police, it shoots like crap till I get 100 rounds down the tube. If I clean the barral it goes to crap again. If I sold the rifle, I would tell the guy that. The rest of the action, you can operate on it.
 
#17
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

When I get a nice clean used car with just changed oil I suspect someone may be hiding something. If it comes in with used oil I can tell how it was driven and I am always right. I would like to see the dirty rifle.
 
#18
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

At the gun stores I look at the used guns and just set the "cleaned" ones back. I prefer a "dirty" barrel that I can see the exhaust pattern on the muzzle and how it appears to pickup copper and such.
+1 with the mechanic. You can tell a fair amount from what it leaves behind.
 
#19
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

Easy way to solve this, just get a rifle built by one of the reputable smiths here on the hide. I clean my rifle after 400 rounds or so, thats when accuracy starts to go out the shitter.
 
#20
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: thumper49802</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Easy way to solve this, just get a rifle built by one of the reputable smiths here on the hide. I clean my rifle after 400 rounds or so, thats when accuracy starts to go out the shitter. </div></div>

Really, how would this solve it?
 
#21
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldLeatherneck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have bought 3 rifles here on the hide and everyone of them came to me dirty as Hell. Does'nt anyone clean their rifles anymore? I would'nt sell a rifle to anyone without cleaning it first. That is the right way to handle the sale of a rifle. So you guys that are planning on selling you guns here on the hide CLEAN THEM. A couple of the rifles i got could'nt have shot as good as they said because the grooves were so fouled with powder,lead and copper they could'nt hold a good group. Well sorry to all you guys who actually do CLEAN your stuff but this is a big sore spot for me. well thats my rant. LOL</div></div>

next time buy a new rifle if it's that big of a deal. Just saying
 
#22
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

I don't care about dirty quite so much as I care about pitted.

Simply put, <span style="font-style: italic">every</span> firearm I have ever acquired, including NIB, was in significant need of a rigorous cleaning. The new ones maybe the most, because the factory trash crap and grit inside them could be significantly damaging if the firearm were to be fired without said cleaning. I can't speak for the gun makers' factories, but the factories I've worked in only got cleaned about once a year.

IMHO, they are proof fired and then put in the box as is.

I expect a newly acquired firearm to be in need of cleaning and conditioning. I don't have any expectations about condition until I do.

I also don't acquire firearms except at arms' length. I like to look into the providers' eyes when I deal with them.

Greg
 
#23
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldLeatherneck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have bought 3 rifles here on the hide and everyone of them came to me dirty as Hell. Does'nt anyone clean their rifles anymore? </div></div>

Last night I spent half an hour cleaning a rifle that I plan to sell. I figure it's common courtesy, kind of like vacuuming an apartment after you move out.

When you trade in your old car on a new one, do you get it detailed first? I do. That tends to maximize the trade-in value. Besides, it is yucky for the car dealership people to have to deal with my kids' spilled ice cream and Apple Jacks.
 
#24
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CWCruiser</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: thumper49802</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Easy way to solve this, just get a rifle built by one of the reputable smiths here on the hide. I clean my rifle after 400 rounds or so, thats when accuracy starts to go out the shitter. </div></div>

Really, how would this solve it? </div></div>

Does this really need explaining? Oh also the latter half of that original post is just my 2 cents on when I clean my weapon.
 
#25
Re: My Rant on buying a uncleaned rifle

Heh heh heh, my guess is it makes you think of that first rifle you were issued in Boot. Nasty, Dirty thing that made you wonder how you got it that way after you turned it in spastically clean. I always wondered about that. Get issued a dirty rifle, but you KNOW they are always turned clean. They got a special MOS for 'Dirt Gremlins' that no one knows about in the Corps? I swear I never turned in anything not thouroughly cleaned to the nth degree, but always received a issue stick that was retarded dirty. Go figure.
 
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