[milprileb]

All to often at a gun show, the weapon is safety tagged and you are
in a position of buying in the blind. Decent sellers will cut the tag and
let you inspect the bore but the norm is they don't have a gun patch
nor a cleaning rod.

My solution is to carry a Otis cable and a few GI cleaning patches (Brownells
sells them) and I hand this to the dealer to pull through the bore for
my inspection. Most always they are good to go with this approach. The
Otis (I think there are other makers with clones) cable rolls up in my
pocket and is no bother to have handy at a gun show.

While I don't quite understand any seller at a show not having his rifles
clean and ready for inspection, my pull through cable and patch solves this
situation and lets me make an informed decision about the rifle.

The Otis company will sell you the cable for about 8 bucks direct from them,
there is no reason to buy a $30 Otis cleaning kit , which most of the expense
is their nifty black tactical zippered pouch.

The cable when not in my pocket at a gun show , does duty in my range tool
kit and used during the week.

Highly recommend having such a cable when you are going to a show or have
in your range tool kit.

 

[Mauserhooked]

Good tip! Thanks.

 

[wgallc]

A dealer selling surplus firearms at a small % markup doesn't put any extra work into a firearm.

A dealer selling surplus firearms at a greater markup, or 'hand selected' firearms should put the extra effort into their product, for the sake of the customer.

If I have time, 2-3 days before a show, I totally disassemble my Mosins & wash in kerosene to degrease. I do add something for my time, but the rifles sell as fast I get them. Plus, I get to inspect them for every nuance & detail. Customers like to know what they are buying. I like to know what I am selling.

Also, I tie the bolt body at the striker, so it can be removed for inspection.

No pigs in a poke, that way.

 

[gremlin1945]

Would a vendor let you stand there and run a cable though his rifles?I've seen some who throw dagger eyes at you for just picking the merchandise up,no less fiddling with it.One guy told me not to pick a rifke up unless I was going to buy it.Now these are milsurps,not custom made high dollar pieces.

 

[milprileb]

gremlin1945,

I live in Virginia and I have yet to see a dealer say no to my or his running the Otis cable w/patch down a bore. Of course, I don't
kick the tire on any weapon I am not serious on buying. I won't buy a weapon I cannot inspect condition of the bore. If that is a problem
with the seller, its easy to walk away with my money.