Posted on 10/05/2013 6:55:29 AM PDT by Kip Russell
Saegar and evans. LOL!
At a Highland festival in the good old days, a man brought out one of the first real firearms ever made. It consisted of a log cut lengthwise, with a barrel tube carved out in the middle. The two halves of the log were held together with two or three iron straps.
To fire it, a large iron stake needed to be pounded into the ground, on which the gun was mounted. Then a substantial amount of power was put in the barrel, along with a very large lead ball and a bit of wad.
The target was a haystack. The powder was touched off with a smoldering rope. The hazard area around the gun was impressive, in case it exploded. It didn’t.
While tearing off a big chunk of hay, it still knocked the shooter down. He then mounted a search to find the ball, while warning people to stay away from the gun for a minute in case there was unexploded powder slowly burning.
Bottom line: a gun will likely last as long as it is well maintained.
The gun is no worry whatsoever. I have a pistol that is 110 years old and well used that shoots like a new one. Recently, I had a squib load (using cheap ammo-shame on me) which I didn’t catch. Bulged the barrel, but did not crack it...saved the rest of the gun and my hand, so all I need to do is find a new barrel to restore it to shooting condition.
Ammo will store a LONG time if kept away from the heat and humidity. Keep it in something that seals and throw a dessicant pack in with it.
Here are stories of some ammo that hasn’t been kept nearly so carefully, that mostly still works: http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/old-ammo-will-it-still-work
In a 50 cal. new ammo can 5.56 in a dark dry cool place will last longer than us.My grandsons will be having fun with the 5.45X39 and 7.62X54R in spam cans I’ve heard are hidden in my general area. As for the life of a good rifle my Sharps with black powder and paper patch bullet rings the metal plate at 1000 yards if I do my part.
Field stripped and cleaned every 5 years, you’d probaly start to see signs of wear in about a thousand years.
How long?
Until Obama takes it, that’s how long.
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