Tell me why I should not shoot my unfired No.4 Mk 2!!!

[mkmadron]

All-
I just bought a UF 55 A, which appears to be unfired. I only discovered this fact when I got it home. Now the idea of soiling my pristine rifle has me conflicted! It seems somehow wrong to be the one that marks up this beauty. On the other hand, I would know everything about this rifle from its very first shot.
I want a shooter, but should I just go and buy a used milsurp??? HELP!

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[Baal]

It was made to be shot.

[bearhunter]

I agree with Baal. If you want to shoot it go ahead. The first round will only cost around $150 to shoot. The next couple of hundred a lot less until you have a $450-$500 rifle.

If it wasn't still in its wrapping, how do you know it is unfired? If it were mine, I would probably shoot it. I have two that you can't tell have been fired. I don't use the originanl bolts or magazines. Not to hide anything but to keep them looking pristine. They shoot very well with ammunition they like and thankfully neither of them are foulers. Unless you know your stuff, it would be tough for anyone to tell either of them were fired. That's why I am always skeptical when I see a rifle that is claimed to be unfired. Unless they are wrapped, there just aren't any guarantees. Shoot it and have fun with it. If it were a commercial sporter, you wouldn't have a qualm about shooting it. Mind you with a commercial sporter, you lose a $100 off the sticker price and tax anyway, as soon as you purchase it.

The reason I use a different bolt in the rifles is that the cocking piece has been modified to reduce creep and the firing pin spring has a spiral cut off to reduce trigger pull. Not something I would suggest for a field rifel but it is safe enough for my purposes and I don't use them in milsurp shoot competitions. Makes for a very smooth and crisp let off.

[Mohawk]

Just shoot it. Not shooting would be like having a Corvette and never driving it. You bought it to shoot it, so go ahead. I do not believe in safe Queens and even shoot my 1887 made 1886 Winchester. Thats what they were made for....SO SHOOT IT ALREADY....Have a nice Day......

[Peter Laidler]

If it's WRAPPED and unfired, then you KNOW it's unfired. The thing to remember about the still-in-wrap rifles is that there are 2 million FIRED rifles out there, but only a few thousand genuinely UNfired rifles.

If I had a new, wrapped unfired rifle or even a new unregistered Chevvy Corvette in my garage, that's the way they'd stay. If I wanted to fire the rifle or drive the car, I''d go and get an old clunker to shoot and an old driveable dog to drive

[Bindi2]

If you dont fire it the next guy who gets it probably will because the fired ones are just that little bit more worn out and the stories on how good they were will be coming into question. If unwrapped how do you know it is unfired. They were proofed fired before wrapping. If you dont want to fire it sell it and buy a shooter. I would shoot it because i could knowing i could never wear it out in service shoots.

[Rumpelhardt]

It's a rifle. it was ment to be shot. As for the Corvette. It's only a Chevrolet who cares

[Bearclaw]

I have one shortly on the way from the US, again supposed to be unfired, but I trust the source and his knowledge (thanks Brian) I had the offer of a wrapped one, but it would have to been unwrapped on arrival downunder and it is better to go to a collector.
I with Baal, shoot the girl.

Myles

[tlvaughn]

I must be in the minority on this one, if it is truly unfired, I would leave it that way. I have one in the wrap and two unwrapped by the previous owners, but never fired. It comes down to this, if you are a shooter, shoot it and if you are a collector, leave it alone and go buy a shooter.

On second thought, I agree with the majority, you need to take her out and shoot her as soon as you can. That will mean one less unfired rifle in the world!

[Pablo]

I reckon don't shoot it.
Buy another no 4 in pretty good nick and get your jollies with that one.
Safe the unfired one for looking at. I know it was made to be shot etc etc etc But you'll feel guilty afterwards. It become just another No 4 once you've shot it.