Old handgun, old ammunition ...

[DavidR]

Planning to spend next Saturday with my elderly Dad. He has a 357 revolver (probably an S&W) at his house for self defense. He bought the gun somewhere around 1980 and my guess is he bought his ammunition at the same time. It's been at least 30 years since he fired it, if he ever fired it. The gun has been kept in an air-conditioned house in Florida the entire time.

I'm going to try to talk him into letting me borrow it so I can clean it and lubricate it and test fire it with new ammunition.

Should I be worried about test-firing a gun that hasn't been fired in 30 years?
How do I safely dispose of his old ammunition?

[RRP]

Should I be worried about test-firing a gun that hasn't been fired in 30 years?


Not at all. Clean it; lube it; shoot it.




How do I safely dispose of his old ammunition?

Point the gun down-range. Pull the trigger. Seriously, if the ammo was stored in a conditioned space, it will work fine. Don't use it if you see heavy corrosion on the cases, but otherwise, you'll be fine.

[Bob T]

Point the gun down-range. Pull the trigger. Seriously, if the ammo was stored in a conditioned space, it will work fine. Don't use it if you see heavy corrosion on the cases, but otherwise, you'll be fine.

Yup, this. The ammo will work just fine. Have fun!:)

[kwh]

What did he pay for the ammo 30 years ago?

[muggsy]

If you have 30 year old S&W NIB un-fired with the original paperwork. You may not want to shoot it. It could be a collectors item.

[Sheepdog689]

If you have 30 year old S&W NIB un-fired with the original paperwork. You may not want to shoot it. It could be a collectors item.

What he said!

[Pointblank]

Just be on the alert for a squib load that might stick in the barrel. A second shot would blow up the barrel.

[Baklash]

My dad was a deputy sheriff & city marshal back in the 40's & 50's. About 10 years ago I inherited his S&W 32 revolver from my older brother. I cleaned it, inspected the ammo and took it to the firing range. Worked great.:)

[DeaconKC]

It's a S&W, unless you know it's unfired, enjoy shooting it!
One drop of oil on the cylinder crane, one drop on the ejector rod and one at the base of the hammer when in the cocked position.

[DavidR]

Spent the day with Dad. It's a Smith and Wesson Model 19-4 with a 4 inch barrel. Serial number 51K9xxx suggests 1978 or 1979 (more likely 79). He acquired it used in the early 80s. It has not been fired since he acquired it. He also has a box of 50 38 special rounds that I haven't looked at yet.

I plan to clean it, lube it and shoot it like I stole it.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/David-R/E31F5EB6-C402-4762-AEF2-915BCCFBE0FD_zpsoqn61ud2.jpg (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/David-R/media/E31F5EB6-C402-4762-AEF2-915BCCFBE0FD_zpsoqn61ud2.jpg.html)

[RRP]

Very nice pre-lock pistol. It's a keeper. Have fun at the range.

[RainingAgain]

Planning to spend next Saturday with my elderly Dad. He has a 357 revolver (probably an S&W) at his house for self defense. He bought the gun somewhere around 1980 and my guess is he bought his ammunition at the same time. It's been at least 30 years since he fired it, if he ever fired it. The gun has been kept in an air-conditioned house in Florida the entire time.

I'm going to try to talk him into letting me borrow it so I can clean it and lubricate it and test fire it with new ammunition.

Should I be worried about test-firing a gun that hasn't been fired in 30 years?
How do I safely dispose of his old ammunition?I acquired a SW 19-5 in about that same condition. Start out shooting some 158 gr 38 SPL loads.

[DavidR]

158 gr 38 - thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DavidR]

Spoke with Dad yesterday. It seems he'd still like to have a handgun at his but the 19, at 39 ounces unloaded is way too heavy.

He indicated some interest in a small semi-auto but I think a smaller revolver would be best for a couple of reasons: at 87 I'm concerned about hand strength and his ability to rack a semi; he is not going to spend time at the range training so I think its best to stay with a revolver as he knows how to operate one.

He's not thrilled with the idea of a snubby as he feels they're too inaccurate but I think that's where we're headed.

Any thoughts from you guys and gals would be appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[muggsy]

He could probably handle a Bersa .380. Aluminum frame, easy to rack and very little recoil. It won't break your bank book.

[100percent]

You are going to be switching from too heavy of a gun. To: too heavy of a recoil. Think more like a 22.

[DavidR]

The recoil issue did cross my mind. I'll never get him to go for a 22 but maybe a 380. Can I tell him that a 380 with a hot load has as much stopping power as the 130 grain 38 special rounds (not plus p) he has for the S&W?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Armybrat]

Consider a Ruger SP101 3". Shoot .38 Specials through it - 27 ounces:

http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/specSheets/5719.html

http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/images/5719.jpg

[berettabone]

Spent the day with Dad. It's a Smith and Wesson Model 19-4 with a 4 inch barrel. Serial number 51K9xxx suggests 1978 or 1979 (more likely 79). He acquired it used in the early 80s. It has not been fired since he acquired it. He also has a box of 50 38 special rounds that I haven't looked at yet.

I plan to clean it, lube it and shoot it like I stole it.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/David-R/E31F5EB6-C402-4762-AEF2-915BCCFBE0FD_zpsoqn61ud2.jpg (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/David-R/media/E31F5EB6-C402-4762-AEF2-915BCCFBE0FD_zpsoqn61ud2.jpg.html)
First firearm I ever owned.....................;)

[DavidR]

Thanks armybrat. I saw last night that Ruger makes an SP101 with a 2.25 inch barrel thats even lighter. Will probably see if I can locate one of those.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Armybrat]

Thanks armybrat. I saw last night that Ruger makes an SP101 with a 2.25 inch barrel thats even lighter. Will probably see if I can locate one of those.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes they do, I have one. Those are pretty stout little revolvers with a heavy double action trigger pull.
A senior citizen might prefer a trigger job on one to "loosen" it up a bit.

http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w349/ScoPro/Armybrat5/Guns098_zpsdd3132e3.jpg

[DavidR]

So I picked up a Ruger SP101 357 Magnum with a 3" barrel for Dad. This is a good compromise given I want him to stay away from semi-automatics and he hates snubbies. Nearly a pound lighter than his Model 19-4 and doesn't have a lot of recoil when shooting 38 Special rounds.

I liked it so much I bought one for me too.:D

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/David-R/A582AE44-C663-48D7-912D-11129DE67EF9_zpszma5oquc.jpg (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/David-R/media/A582AE44-C663-48D7-912D-11129DE67EF9_zpszma5oquc.jpg.html)

[100percent]

Please report your dads shooting experience.

[DavidR]

My dad liked the gun but sadly he did not have an opportunity to shoot it. He passed away yesterday.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bawanna]

Damn! Sure sorry to hear that.

I lost a semi step dad Easter Morning.

Condolences to you and yours.

[kwh]

Hold onto the good memories.