thanks for the response Airborne... just spoke to the guy who sold it to me, he's surprised I'm having problems and is willing to refund if a smith can't rectify... claims he had rifle for twenty years, had it head spaced when he first got it, claims he chambered "dummy" rounds (what ever that means)... as I might have mentioned, barrel is new USMC 42 Sedgley, muzzle gauges at 0, chamber is clear.... if it is unfinished barrel, guess I'll return it... shame, beautiful rifle otherwise... I'll have a better idea tomorrow... how could a re-arsenal have an unfinished barrel? wouldn't they proofed it? maybe it wasn't USGI overhauled? Thanks, by the way; what unit Parashooter?