Burnt gun ??
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,672
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From: Nixa
Burnt gun ??
I inherited my dad's guns when he died. One of them is a revolver that had been in a house fire. I can't tell you anything more about it, because it is ib storage at the moment. I think it might me a 32 or 38 with a 4 or 6" barrel. I'm thinking from recollection that it has a 4" barrel. From outwards appearance the barrel looked straight.
Anyways, I'm just wondering do you guys think it would be safe to fire?
I just had an idea. Put a small light behind the barrel and see if the light shows where I aim the gun. What's your thoughts on this?
Anything else I should be worried about?
Anyways, I'm just wondering do you guys think it would be safe to fire?
I just had an idea. Put a small light behind the barrel and see if the light shows where I aim the gun. What's your thoughts on this?
Anything else I should be worried about?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,672
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From: Nixa
Well I'd have to dig through a 12 by 40 storage unit to find it.
Yes it was burnt to just the frame, no grips.
I'm thinking the gun is from sometime in the sixties. i know the house burnt down before I was born.
Yes it was burnt to just the frame, no grips.
I'm thinking the gun is from sometime in the sixties. i know the house burnt down before I was born.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 727
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From: north shore, minnesota
My uncles house burnt down. He had a fireproof safe with about 20 guns in it. The guns survived but had extensive heat damage and the insurance company at first refused to cover the guns since they were in the safe. He told the adjuster "OK, but you fire each gun first to make sure they're safe." Suddenly he had all new guns, and a new safe.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
First and foremost, I'm sorry to hear that your Dad passed away.
Second, DO NOT shoot that handgun until a QUALIFIED gunsmith says it's safe to do so!
In fact, I'd send it back to the manufacturer (if they still exist) and have them look it over.
You can send the firearm directly to them (you don't have to go through an FFL holder), but, I'd send it by UPS Overnight. (Horror stories abound about people sending firearms through FedEx! Don't use them!!)
The manufacturer can send the arm directly back to you, when they return it.
I've seen one instance, where a .38 Special S&W revolver was in a house fire, then shot.
Now, the flames didn't destroy the revolver, but, the revolver 'got hot' for a while.
The revolver (literally) came apart (violently) when fired.
You never know how much damage a firearm has endured in a fire.
If the stocks of your revolver were burned badly or completely, I'll wager that the steel has suffered some damage.
I would NOT shoot that handgun until someone QUALIFIED said it was safe to do so.
Second, DO NOT shoot that handgun until a QUALIFIED gunsmith says it's safe to do so!
In fact, I'd send it back to the manufacturer (if they still exist) and have them look it over.
You can send the firearm directly to them (you don't have to go through an FFL holder), but, I'd send it by UPS Overnight. (Horror stories abound about people sending firearms through FedEx! Don't use them!!)
The manufacturer can send the arm directly back to you, when they return it.
I've seen one instance, where a .38 Special S&W revolver was in a house fire, then shot.
Now, the flames didn't destroy the revolver, but, the revolver 'got hot' for a while.
The revolver (literally) came apart (violently) when fired.
You never know how much damage a firearm has endured in a fire.
If the stocks of your revolver were burned badly or completely, I'll wager that the steel has suffered some damage.
I would NOT shoot that handgun until someone QUALIFIED said it was safe to do so.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
No way I'd shoot a gun that's been through a fire. I don't care what a gunsmith said, I wouldn't do it.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,394
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From: Des Plaines, Illinois
I'm with Keith. Have it checked out, no matter what.
There's no telling what kind of damage may have been done by the fire with the naked eye. Heat can have very nasty effects on the properties of metals.
There's no telling what kind of damage may have been done by the fire with the naked eye. Heat can have very nasty effects on the properties of metals.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
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From: Whittier, CA
Whether it would be safe from a catastrophic failure is one question, and would depend on the metallurgy of the frame, cylinder, and barrel. But it really is pointless, because the gun is useless and possibly would not fire anyway. The springs will have lost their temper, hard components like the sear and bolt will have become soft, even the firing pin is likely to deform after only a few shots. Best to just keep it for it's sentimental value, and figure out a way to permanently disable it so that future owners don't try something stupid.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,653
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From: in the adirondack mts
Very sorry for the loss of your Dad...and the fire.
I'm of the opinion that a gunsmith can give you guidance. Fires can cause metal fatigue, warping, stress...
I'd be of the mindset, as Keith suggested, cooked grips, really concern me.
Many GS's can bench test remotely..don't have to hold it to fire it.
Get a reputable GS to test it. It's worth the $100 test if it's salvageable, or worth $1,000,000 if not, and is a potential exploder maiming or killing you and/or those near you.
I'm of the opinion that a gunsmith can give you guidance. Fires can cause metal fatigue, warping, stress...
I'd be of the mindset, as Keith suggested, cooked grips, really concern me.
Many GS's can bench test remotely..don't have to hold it to fire it.
Get a reputable GS to test it. It's worth the $100 test if it's salvageable, or worth $1,000,000 if not, and is a potential exploder maiming or killing you and/or those near you.
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