test firing in the white

[BillF/TRF]

I just finished putting together a York County .45 cal rifle from a Chambers Kit.  I am anxious to test fire it although I do not have any finish on the wood.  I am wondering if firing and cleaning it will cause any problems (from powder marks, barrel cleaning, etc.) later when I go to put on a stain and finish on the wood?  It will be  quite awhile before  I can stain it since i want to do some decorative carving and install a brass patch box.

[smallpatch]

Some do, but I don't recommend it.  Now is NOT the time to get in a hurry.
Carving and a patchbox will pretty much take as long to complete as what you've done so far.
What's your hurry? Finish it first.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

You can go ahead and fire it if you have to.  But you WILL get fouling on the wood which will have to be scraped/sanded off prior to finishing.  That is not a difficult job.
I'd finish the rifle first though.

[rich pierce]

If you can’t wait put masking tape on the areas where you will sweat or stain it with fouling.

[Turtle]

 I fired a couple of in the white rifles I built myself and had customers do the same. This was when there was a question on fit particularly the Hight of the comb hurting your cheek. I had to reshape a few-hard to do after they are done.
                                                                                        Turtle

[T*O*F]

Wrap it with Saran Wrap.