Inspecting Lever Action Bore

ethan95 · December 19, 2010, 01:17 AM

This may (and probably will) come off as a stupid question to most, but here it goes. How does one go about inspecting the bore of a lever action rifle? Granted there's really only one way: Clear firearm, check firearm, double check firearm, and then, look down the barrel. What would most folk at my local guns store think about this?

Mods: accidentally placed this in the wrong section, please feel free to move it.

Ideal Tool · December 19, 2010, 01:28 AM

Hello.ethan95..Unless you have access to a bore-scope, there is no other way, unless it's a Marlin & you pull the bolt..probably not in gunshop though. I can't see it being any different than with an auto loader or pump..If anything, owner should at least lend you a bore light, if he wants a sale.

Radar · December 19, 2010, 08:53 AM

The way my father taught me...
Be sure the rifle is unloaded. Open the action, and place a piece of white paper behind the breach and angled out of the action. Turn it toward a light source and look down the barrel-simple as that.

Hawg · December 19, 2010, 09:12 AM

You can get a small cheap led key chain flashlight at most convenience stores that works well or you could buy a real bore light.

Que · December 19, 2010, 10:19 AM

There are a number of flashlights that have the light part on a flexible cable. The best one that I have found is made by Coast. Lowes sold them for $15 and some of the local gun shops were selling them for $30. Merely open the bolt and put the light in through the ejection port up into the chamber. If the light is too strong angle it away diverting some of the beam. I always carry a bore light in my glovebox. A piece of white paper will also work, but may be more difficult with a longer barrel. Even a fingernail can help if you can fit it.

overland · December 19, 2010, 10:59 AM

Take the lever off and pull out the bolt and ejector then you can see down the barrel from the chamber. It takes less than a minute to do. Any decent gun shop owner should let you do it.

December 19, 2010, 01:17 AM	#1
ethan95 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 169	Inspecting Lever Action Bore This may (and probably will) come off as a stupid question to most, but here it goes. How does one go about inspecting the bore of a lever action rifle? Granted there's really only one way: Clear firearm, check firearm, double check firearm, and then, look down the barrel. What would most folk at my local guns store think about this? Mods: accidentally placed this in the wrong section, please feel free to move it. Last edited by ethan95; December 19, 2010 at 01:28 AM.

December 19, 2010, 10:59 AM	#6
overland Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2009 Location: Outback of Michigan Posts: 244	Take the lever off and pull out the bolt and ejector then you can see down the barrel from the chamber. It takes less than a minute to do. Any decent gun shop owner should let you do it. Last edited by overland; December 19, 2010 at 11:11 AM.

December 19, 2010, 01:28 AM	#2
Ideal Tool Junior member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,080	Hello.ethan95..Unless you have access to a bore-scope, there is no other way, unless it's a Marlin & you pull the bolt..probably not in gunshop though. I can't see it being any different than with an auto loader or pump..If anything, owner should at least lend you a bore light, if he wants a sale.

December 19, 2010, 08:53 AM	#3
Radar Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2009 Posts: 117	The way my father taught me... Be sure the rifle is unloaded. Open the action, and place a piece of white paper behind the breach and angled out of the action. Turn it toward a light source and look down the barrel-simple as that.

December 19, 2010, 09:12 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,380	You can get a small cheap led key chain flashlight at most convenience stores that works well or you could buy a real bore light.

December 19, 2010, 10:19 AM	#5
Que Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 912	There are a number of flashlights that have the light part on a flexible cable. The best one that I have found is made by Coast. Lowes sold them for $15 and some of the local gun shops were selling them for $30. Merely open the bolt and put the light in through the ejection port up into the chamber. If the light is too strong angle it away diverting some of the beam. I always carry a bore light in my glovebox. A piece of white paper will also work, but may be more difficult with a longer barrel. Even a fingernail can help if you can fit it.