I have found a pre-64 M70 featherweight in 270 in a local pawn shop. The barrel has a ring-shaped bulge completely around the barrel, about 4 inches from the muzzle. Shop owner and sales staff "really don't know" the history of the gun, but of course, claim it's perfectly safe. !!!!

The action appears to be in excellent shape. What's the action alone worth? What would you guys offer?

Offer $200 and see what he says.

It probably is "safe to shoot" but wouldn't be too accurate. The action alone is worth $800 or so at today's prices and desires. The stock, if all original is worth another $125.

I've seen stocks on ebay that are original and in good shape go for three to four hundred, beyond my why but......... I'd pay five hundred if the stock is decent, sell it and use the action as a donor.

Offer $200. Tell him thats more than its worth needing a new barrel

He probably paid $40 bucks for it

quote:

Originally posted by GSP7:
Offer $200. Tell him thats more than its worth needing a new barrel

He probably paid $40 bucks for it

quote:

Originally posted by GSP7:
Offer $200. Tell him thats more than its worth needing a new barrel

He probably paid $40 bucks for it

You might want to button up that top button so your heart don't fall out.

quote:

Originally posted by Westpac:


You might want to button up that top button so your heart don't fall out.

You dont want to know how little I payd for 2 pre 64 m70 ,,,, Hee Hee!

They are just "some old rifle they inherited" to you ever pawned them

Hey TWL, Kind of makes me wonder just how well the original Owner treated the rifle before he shot it with the Barrel plugged?

Also wonder how much Pressure it took to Ring the Barrel?

I can see where everyone would "think" it is a great opportunity to buy a low cost action, but I'm not a fan of buying any rifle that either isn't new or that I don't know the guy that originally owned it.

I rarely see anyone mention getting a Magna-Flux job on a Used Action and of course the cost would make a Used Action much less attractive.

Best of luck to you.

Yes , that bulge could also have caused damage to the bolt and receiver lugs !!

on the other hand i can remember an old springfield i had years ago that had a ringed barrel damn thing shot perfectly well

HotCore/Mete:
I'm with you guys. It makes me wonder what else is wrong with the rifle. But since the stock is original and in good shape, I offered $400. (They are asking $800) No sell. And in the long run, that's okay with me.
Thanks for the input.
Tom

$800..??

HeyTWL, I really wasn't trying to kill the Sale. I know a whole lot of folks on this Board buy lots of Used Firearms and they get along just fine with them. They just aren't for me though. I have given it a bit of thought in the past, and this is what I recommend to people concerning Used Firearms.

Here are a few questions you might want to consider asking before buying a "used" rifle:

1. Do you know the previous owner(s) and how he cared for the firearm? Not the obvious external rust and termites, but rather how is the Throat or Lead?
2. Speaking of rust and termites, have you looked for rust with the stock removed?
3. Have you had the Bolt apart to see what condition it is in?
4. Did a previous owner shoot it as fast as he could while the barrel was too hot to hold?
5. Did a previous owner "Lap the Bore" to remove/hide pits?
6. Was a previous owner a reloader that believed it was OK to use Over-Loads?
7. How is the Headspace?
8. Has the barrel been set-back a thread?
8a. Why?
9. Has any portion of the firearm been re-blued?
9a. Why?
10. Has the termite food stock been re-finished?
10a. Why?
11. Is the Recoil Pad in complete alignment all the way around?
12. Does the Front Sling Swivel stud make contact with the Barrel?
13. Is the Rear Sling Swivel in proper alignment?
14. Is the barrel completely Free Floated?
14a. Did it come that way from the factory?
14b. If it is different from the way it was shipped, why?
15. Has the stock been Bedded differently than as it left the factory?
15a. Was it done to repair or hide a split in the termite food?
15b. Does the termite food Warp in changing environmental conditions?
16. Is the Trigger original?
16a. Any rust, built-up trash, or residue within the Trigger recesses?
17. Does the Safety work properly?
And last but most certainly not least,
18. How much "Cumulative Metal Fatigue" does it have from all the previous years of use?
If you DO NOT HAVE good answers for those questions concerning the specific rifle, then they become reasons a person should consider not buying.

Best of luck to you.

Hotcore:
No worries. Your approach to buying used guns is spot on. I buy several a year and don't need any gun that has such a flaw as this one.
Thanks......Tom