Buying military surplus firearms can not only present you with exceptional deals that offer you access to firearm platforms for pennies on the dollar – surplus can also be an avenue for you to get access to guns that you can’t get any other way, especially those that are rare or out of production.
With that said, there’s always a bit of a risk whenever you’re buying anything used instead of new. So here’s a quick guide on how to inspect a surplus rifle (or other gun) so that you can be confident in the purpose.
The Overall Visual Inspection
First, give the gun a once-over to check its exterior and take account of its overall condition. Is the stock in good shape? Is there rust all over the barrel? Is any hardware, or are any parts, like sights, barrel bands, wedges, roll or takedown pins, missing?
If it passes the initial “sniff” test, you can go in a layer deeper.
Work the Action
The next thing you’ll want to do is work the action; doesn’t matter if it’s a break, a lever, a slide, a pump or a bolt, rack it a few times and make sure the whole thing is working smoothly.
Then, inspect the interior; is the chamber smooth? Are the extractor and ejector (if present) in place and in good shape? Is there rust inside the action, or other signs of wear or damage?
If the action is in good shape, proceed.
Check the Controls
How many external controls a gun will have will vary on make and model, but some guns have fire control units, safety selectors, action locks, mag releases, and other external controls. Manipulate all of these to make sure they do what they’re supposed to.
Check the Barrel
Do not buy any military surplus firearm if the barrel appears to be in poor condition. The exterior should be free of excess wear, rust, corrosion, and pitting. It should also not have any dents or bulges as these can create a very dangerous situation on firing.
Ask the seller to let you inspect the bore with a light, too, in which case, the same conditions apply. It should be clean, clear, and free of rust, pitting and other marks of wear. There should also be no odd shadows in the bore, as these can indicate a dent or bulge that might not have been apparent from the outside.
Check the Stock
Inspect the stock of the firearm as well. It should be in good condition; some wear is acceptable for an old wood stock, as is light chipping, but the stock should not be cracked or in terrible shape. Both wet and dry rot are concerns here; inspect for these as well, especially along the area where the action is inletted and the barrel is bedded.
Check the Mag
Lastly, if it is a magazine-fed firearm, drop and inspect the mag to ensure that it seats, catches, and releases properly. You might also ask the seller to give you some snap caps so you could see if the mag feeds as intended. The lack of a magazine is no reason not to get a gun that is in otherwise excellent condition, but you’d still want to be aware of the shape of the mag before you buy.
Your Source for Military Surplus Firearms
Interested in learning more about popular military surplus firearms, or even getting a deal? Check out SARCO, Inc. online via the previous link.
They sell a massive assortment of gun parts, kits, and even military surplus rifles and handguns. Visit their website and if you’re looking for something you don’t see listed, get in touch with them directly at 610-250-3960.
