Posted by Mark Reichert on August 21, 2018, 11:19 am
I know L.C.Smith only by reputation. I saw one in my local pawn shop, in rough shape cosmetically. The finish is gone, only light pitting. It feels solid like it might be a good shooter if nothing else. The price seems too good to be true for a Smith. It doesn't look to me like it was a fancy model to begin with but I'd have thought even the most basic model in shootable condition would be more expensive. I'm not asking about value as I guess that is against the rules. But is there some models that are to be avoided, and if so, how can I identify them. Thanks, M Reichert. mreich7@att.net
Re: Models to avoid???
Posted by Drew Hause on August 21, 2018, 1:30 pm, in reply to "Models to avoid???"
Mark: a better question might be "What should I consider before buying a vintage L.C. Smith shotgun?" Please check "General Information" in the FAQs on the Home Page.
The short version is that the gunsmithing cost of returning an abused lower grade Smith to safe and usable condition is very likely going to cost more than the (final) worth of the gun. If the outside looks bad, the innards are probably worse
Re: Models to avoid???
Posted by Bill Schodlatz on August 21, 2018, 7:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Models to avoid???"
Field grade 12 gauge Parkers, Smiths and Fox shotguns have not held their value. bill
Re: Models to avoid???
Posted by Mark Reichert on August 21, 2018, 8:30 pm, in reply to "Models to avoid???"
Thanks for the input. I'm really just thinking of this as something cool to own, and maybe shoot occasionally. For less than $300 I don't expect much. It feels ok, nothing feels loose, it cocks and dry fires ok as well. It just looks like it was neglected, maybe left in a garage or something. I read something about "Marlin L.C. Smith" being made in Italy but no indication of their quality. On cursory inspection, I could barely make out Smith on the side of the receiver. I think I'll go back tomorrow and get the serial no.
Re: Models to avoid???
Posted by Dan Wildhaber on August 21, 2018, 10:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Models to avoid???"
Mark It's all about the barrels. If the ribs are tight and the wall thickness hasn't been excessively compromised it'll be a shootable gun. Make sure it's cocked by opening the gun all the way and then closing . Remove the forend and then the barrel. Hang the barrels from the knuckle of your left index finger by the hook and tap along the length of them with your right index finger. Think mallet and tubular bells. If they ring like church bells they're good; ribs are tight. If they make a discordant clank they're bad, loose ribs. Make sure it isn't the extractor rattling. (YouTube can probably show you how to perform this test)
Check the barrels to make sure they have good tight chokes. If the chokes are unmolested it's a better than average chance the walls are good too. Look up the tubes from both directions. Breech to muzzle, muzzle to breech. There will be pits. Decide if it's anything you want to shoot. If they're sewer pipes, leave it alone. If they show signs of honing, be very sceptical of wall thickness. If it looks promising, take a chance on it, but measure the bores before you shoot it. A couple hours of cleaning can make a neglected old gun look like a completely different gun at no cost, just a little labor. These can be nice old guns if you find the sound, solid ones. It's a buyers market. Supply exceeds demand; more-so all the time. These guys were prolific gunmakers they turned out a massive number of lower grade guns year in and year out but it'll be a lot classier than whatever kind of a Mossberg can you get for 300 bucks. Have fun.
Re: Models to avoid???
Posted by Mark Reichert on August 22, 2018, 5:33 am, in reply to "Re: Models to avoid???"
Thank you. I really appreciate the advice. I'll let you know what I find.