Proof Marks, Acceptance Marks, etc. ?

When a firearm is foreign proofed or receives a foreign acceptance mark is the individual weapon function tested beyond one proof test? Assuming a factory new firearm.
Upon receiving this mark would this minimize the chance of receiving a defective firearm like some of the horror stories we read about in firearm forums?

When a firearm is foreign proofed or receives a foreign acceptance mark is the individual weapon function tested beyond one proof test? Assuming a factory new firearm.

Click to expand...

You would have to go and look at the procedure for that country. I'm sure the CIP protocol used in Europe is available online somewhere. As for further tests, recall that many states require a fired case. Whether this is done in the country of origin or the importer I cannot say.

Upon receiving this mark would this minimize the chance of receiving a defective firearm like some of the horror stories we read about in firearm forums?

Click to expand...

I would say generally, yes. What sort of horror stories are you talking about? Are you concerned about the safety of a foreign firearm that has been offered to you?

Foreign Firearms Proofing is contained under the C.I.P.
Short for the Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms.
It's actually in French or Belgian/Flemish language, but I don't know how to spell it all out.

Most all European countrys along with several other Nations that do not even mfg'r small arms are members. I think there are 14 or 15 in all.
Britain is NOT a member IIRC but they do recognize CIP proofing on a foreign made firearm. That means a foreign made firearm imported into Britain does NOT have to be Proofed in one of the 2 English Proof Hs before being offered for sale there.

USA is not a member and has no Govt mandated firearms proofing.
Private industry 'proofs' the guns made in the USA and marks them with their own different stylish markings. No standard other than Factory Mfg Proof rounds are generally used.
Most all do test the guns with a few rounds for Function fireing and then a few for a quick Targeting.
But not all are the same.
I worked in two different gun factorys in Repair & Custom so we used the Ranges often, and have a good friend that worked in the Colt Range in the early 70's. There was quite a bit of difference betw reality and how the Ranges were supposed to be working.

CIP proofing is straight forward.
First is what could be called a View Proof,,but it only involves the chamber /cylinder of the gun.
Measurements, inspection. If it passes then on to the Firing Proof.

Two rounds of Proof load are used in CF Long Guns @ 25% overload (over max service pressure)
Handguns and RF Long Guns get Proof Rds @ 30% over max service pressure.
I'm not sure if all chambers of the revolvers get proofed.

(CIP service pressures are generally listed as higher than those of the SAAMI)

That's it.

CIP does no function testing of the firearm at all.
No checking feeding, ejection, No Targeting the gun.
Just a pure Proof Test.

So, the CIP proof would seem to be more strict on the surface.
But with no added checks of function and targeting,,maybe not.
But then how much and how close attention is really paid to the individual guns as they zip though the Range and get proofed in US gun mfg'rs factorys.

I used to see an awful lot of screw ups that made it thru the Range and that was 50 yrs ago,,when they made the Good Stuff!
Ha!