My gun grading condition standards

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My
Standards

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My Gun Condition Standards

     The following describes all firearms (both Modern & Antique). These are my own standards but they closely resemble those of the NRA and The Shotgun News. Deviations & special situations from the below-listed conditions must be noted. The bore condition (see Bore Condition Standards below) frequently helps to determine the overall Gun Condition Standards. However, there are exceptions so both standards are usually given together when evaluating a gun.

     New: Never used. Not previously sold at retail (or issued) and in the same condition as current or original factory production. Has not been arsenal reconditioned.

     Perfect: Used caringly or very little. Perfect mechanical condition + perfect surface condition (or arsenal reconditioned to this state) but may exhibit slight handling and/or storage mark.

     Excellent: Used. Excellent mechanical condition + excellent surface condition (or arsenal reconditioned to this state). No extensive marring or wear on wood or metal.

     Very Good: Well used and/or slightly abused. Very good mechanical condition + very good surface condition (or arsenal reconditioned to this state). No serious corrosion, pitting, or wear that will affect safety. No broken or missing parts

     Good: Heavily used and/or abused. Good mechanical condition + good surface condition (or arsenal reconditioned to this state). Often with noticeable corrosion, pitting, and/or wear but in safe working condition. No broken or missing parts that will effect safety.

     Fair: Extensively used, abused, and/or neglected. In fair mechanical condition although surface condition is often poor. Usually well worn. Parts may be broken or missing and/or is often out of adjustment (but must be noted). Probable surface and internal corrosion & pitting. Accuracy may be lacking. However, none of these conditions must render the firearm unsafe or inoperable (it can still be safely fired in its present condition).

     Poor: In unsafe working condition. Mechanically inoperative or dangerous regardless of the firearm's physical appearance. Major & minor parts may need to be replaced and/or adjusted. Often requires extensive restoration in order to be made safe & functional. However, in many cases, the firearm cannot be made safe (in this situation, no attempt should be made to make this firearm operable).

My Bore Condition Standards

     These are my own standards (since no one else is brave enough to do this). Deviations & special situations from the below-listed conditions must be noted. Some military firearms have non-standard groove diameters from the factory (therefore, groove diameter specifications may not apply but must be noted). These standards often stand alone from the Gun Condition Standards (see above) although the bore condition is usually considered when assigning the overall Gun Condition Standards.

     New: New condition bore as if it were made yesterday. Never fired except for proofing.

     Perfect: Appears new to the naked eye. Bore appears bright, shiny, sharp edges, unblemished, and non-eroded.

     Excellent: Bore appears nearly perfect but may show slight darkening and/or erosion especially on the grooves. No serious abuse, erosion, pitting, or corrosion. Lands appear high and reasonably sharp. Groove diameter will not usually be more than .001" larger than original specifications.

     Very Good: Bore shows extended use but no serious abuse. Often shows moderate darkening, erosion, and/or removed pitting, but no existing corrosion. Prominent lands that usually exhibit rounded edges. Grooves are often darkened but relatively smooth. Groove diameter will not usually be more than .002" larger than original specifications.

     Good: Bore is well used and may show signs of moderate abuse such as harsh cleaning, neglect, or extended use of corrosive primers. Often dark grooves and sometimes darkened lands. Visible erosion and past-corrosion, and/or removed pitting with possible slight corrosion still present. No deep craters that would affect safety or accuracy. Lands often noticeably lower and have distinctly-rounded edges that may blend into the grooves. In some cases, the bore may be entirely dark due to the extended use of corrosive primers that have formed a thin layer of corrosion (but must have reasonably sharp edges on the lands in this case). Groove diameter will not usually be more than .003" larger than original specifications.

     Fair: Bore shows extensive use, abuse, darkening, erosion, pitting, and/or corrosion. Possible deep craters and serious scratches (with or without existing corrosion) and serious scratches that do not affect safety. Lands are often nearly invisible or very worn with rounded edges that usually blend into the groove. Groove diameter will not usually be more than .004" larger than original specifications. Accuracy is expected to be unacceptable.

     Poor: Unserviceable & Unsafe! Massive abuse, damage, and/or neglect. Bore may be washed out, exhibit extreme groove diameter, show serious pitting, corrosion, craters, dishing, erosion, scratches, bulges, blackening, bending, warping, dents, careless heat treatment, factory defects, grinding, crown problems, excessive throat or chamber erosion, excessive headspace, barrel not aligned on receiver, non-original tapped holes that interfere with safety, and/or other potentially-dangerous problems. A firearm whose bore exhibits any of these problems is considered unsafe to be fired.