Things You'll Need
Instructions
Check for rust on the surface of the gun barrel. This may indicate that the bore could have some rust and pitting as well. The first sign of rust is the appearance of faint spots that appear to be under the bluing. Pitting occurs in a later stage when the spots start eating away at the metal beneath the bluing.
Remove the barrel's surface rust with a light coating of gun oil and�0 steel wool. With early rust spots this treatment will eliminate the spots but leave the bluing intact. More advanced rust or pitting cannot be removed without removing the bluing. Advanced surface pitting may be a sign of pitting in the bore. It is a good idea to check inside just to be sure.
Use a bore light to examine the bore of a new gun. This apparatus looks like a flashlight with a curved rod that lets you examine the bore by looking up the muzzle. The bore should be bright and shiny, and the grooves or rifling within the gun should appear sharp. Compare what you have observed with the bore of a gun that you suspect could have issues with pitting. If the bore reveals pitting, raised sections or worn rifling, you may want to pass on purchasing the gun.