M1 / Old Rifle Question -- Prepping an old M1 to shoot

[Edmund]

My father purchased an old M1 at a gun show years ago. He never fired it. I'm guessing it was manufactured in the 1950's or so.

I inherited it. I never fired it. (I have next to no experience with the M1 platform.)

My son wanted it, and I gave it to him. He is now cleaning it and preparing it to shoot. I know it has not been fired for at least 15 years, possibly many more.

He wants to know if there is a protocol for test firing an old firearm at a range. This may be overkill (and I'd be interested in people's thoughts on that), but he is wondering if he needs to rig it up, and pull the trigger with a string, just to make sure the gun doesn't blow up in his face. But, he wants to make sure he doesn't violate any range rules. I suggested he just talk to the individual running the range. But, does anyone have any thoughts? Is this something he should even worry about?...or is it something he should not be worried about as long as he cleans the rifle well?

He said that there is a $30 tool that is recommended for a full take down, but he is thinking of just cleaning and prepping the rifle short of doing the full take down. Again, thoughts?

 

[jaybird75]

Oil it. Make sure nothing in the bore, dry fire a couple of times then shoot it.

 

[Bobcat]

Best to have it checked out by a competent gunsmith, many rifles were assembled from surplus parts and are possibly worn beyond safe use. You don’t say whether it’s an M1 Garand or an M1 Carbine, there’s a big difference, some guns were even re-welded from torch cut demilled receivers.

 

[Jabal]

My father purchased an old M1 at a gun show years ago. He never fired it. I'm guessing it was manufactured in the 1950's or so.

I inherited it. I never fired it. (I have next to no experience with the M1 platform.)

My son wanted it, and I gave it to him. He is now cleaning it and preparing it to shoot. I know it has not been fired for at least 15 years, possibly many more.

He wants to know if there is a protocol for test firing an old firearm at a range. This may be overkill (and I'd be interested in people's thoughts on that), but he is wondering if he needs to rig it up, and pull the trigger with a string, just to make sure the gun doesn't blow up in his face. But, he wants to make sure he doesn't violate any range rules. I suggested he just talk to the individual running the range. But, does anyone have any thoughts? Is this something he should even worry about?...or is it something he should not be worried about as long as he cleans the rifle well?

He said that there is a $30 tool that is recommended for a full take down, but he is thinking of just cleaning and prepping the rifle short of doing the full take down. Again, thoughts?

I agree with @Bobcat . If you unsure have a gunsmith check it before first live fire..

 

[MichaelCfffg]

I concur with Bobcat and Jabal. Better safe than sorry. I'd even ask the gunsmith to do the test fire for your son.

 

[Buckz]

 Doing a string test is a pretty old-school cautious move and most ranges usually understand why you're doing it. I figure it’s always better to seem a little paranoid than to skip it and learn a tough lesson later. A full takedown can definitely wait...I'd rather check the bore and do a quick function test first.

 

[Alan]

My father purchased an old M1 at a gun show years ago. He never fired it. I'm guessing it was manufactured in the 1950's or so.

I inherited it. I never fired it. (I have next to no experience with the M1 platform.)

My son wanted it, and I gave it to him. He is now cleaning it and preparing it to shoot. I know it has not been fired for at least 15 years, possibly many more.

He wants to know if there is a protocol for test firing an old firearm at a range. This may be overkill (and I'd be interested in people's thoughts on that), but he is wondering if he needs to rig it up, and pull the trigger with a string, just to make sure the gun doesn't blow up in his face. But, he wants to make sure he doesn't violate any range rules. I suggested he just talk to the individual running the range. But, does anyone have any thoughts? Is this something he should even worry about?...or is it something he should not be worried about as long as he cleans the rifle well?

He said that there is a $30 tool that is recommended for a full take down, but he is thinking of just cleaning and prepping the rifle short of doing the full take down. Again, thoughts?

Yeah I’d skip the string test, just inspect it well and have a gunsmith sanity-check it before the first shot.