Shoot Before or After Finishing

[northmn]

Acer mentioned that he does not like to install a vent liner until last to avoid shooting the gun until it is finished.    I used to do that but lately tend to shoot one before finishing in case I have to "tweak" a stock or something.  Left my 25 squirrel rifle pretty rough last fall and hunted with it unfinished. Acer builds prettier rifles than I do.  Interesting thoughts on this? 

DP

[Daryl]

I don't know if this is intersting or not, but I like to shoot a gun prior to it's being finished, just due to excitement or lack of patience.  I know that finishing is going to take another week, when the gun is ready to be shot NOW!

[bob in the woods]

I like to shoot a fowler before finish so that I can tweek the fit. No sights, so the fit is everything.

[Dphariss]

Depends.
If its for me it may never get completely finished
But generally I only shoot finished guns.
I did test fire one the other day to make sure the barrel would shoot to the sights before bluing it.

Dan

[Dave K]

I am guilty, I am like Dan. I just finished a British style fowler and I have not shot it yet. Kind of waiting to make sure the finish is good and hard. I was afraid, once I started to shoot it, I wouldn't stop to finish it. Now it is done. May not shoot well, but at least it looks like a finished gun.

[smylee grouch]

I have shot a couple smooth bores befor finnishing, just to check sights in case I would want to move my soldered on front sights. Dont know if this is a valid reason or not but it worked out that I did have to move the sight on one of them . The stock was already done though so I wasnt concernd about that.    Gary

[KNeilson]

but I like to shoot a gun prior to it's being finished, just due to excitement or lack of patience.

This makes me smile, I wanted to sooooooooo bad but I resisted cause I was worried I`d get problems with the finish. Not the next time I think.. Kerry

[Stophel]

I shoot it before it is finished to make sure that everything is going to be kopacetic.  Particularly the cheekpiece.

[northmn]

I am finishing the 25 this winter, mainly because I left it very rough so as to be able to take out any dings, etc.  did notice some darkening around the lock from flash and maybe oil.

DP

[b bogart]

Before and after Thank you.
Bruce

[James Rogers]

With a gun for shooting flying, I think it's best to shoot it before finishing. If someone else makes it, I think it good to order in my dimensions with some extra height in the comb so I can take it down as needed.

[bob in the woods]

I had to take some off the comb on both 10 bores I've built.  One .50 cal rifle needed the cheek adjusted.
It is easier before finishing!

[B.Habermehl]

Maybe I'm silly, I have never shot any of my guns beforethey were finished. The only reason I could see to shoot a unfinished gun is in the case of a smooth bore with a soldered front sight. Then perhaps one could move the front sight  as needed before finishing the outside of the barrel. Or bend the barrel to get her shooting center and not having to worry about any marks. I still would not shoot a gun with out finish on the stock. Just my way of thought.....BJH

[Dphariss]

Maybe I'm silly, I have never shot any of my guns beforethey were finished. The only reason I could see to shoot a unfinished gun is in the case of a smooth bore with a soldered front sight. Then perhaps one could move the front sight  as needed before finishing the outside of the barrel. Or bend the barrel to get her shooting center and not having to worry about any marks. I still would not shoot a gun with out finish on the stock. Just my way of thought.....BJH

I always have the stock stained and a couple of coats of oil on. But the rest may be white for awhile on personal guns.
This one is going down the home stretch now but I hunted with it last year.



Dan

[Birddog6]

I shoot them all soon as I have where it will go off, usually about halfway done. Had 2 bad barrels in a row one time & not going to let that happen again. Best to shoot it & KNOW the barrel is OK & then go on.........   

[Dphariss]

I shoot them all soon as I have where it will go off, usually about halfway done. Had 2 bad barrels in a row one time & not going to let that happen again. Best to shoot it & KNOW the barrel is OK & then go on.........   

I always shoot the barrels before finishing them. Once shootable the barrel is set in the stock anyway and there is little to change so I don't shoot them with the stock in the white.
A lead slug cast in the bore and/or a bore scope can save grief too.

Dan