Hello all - My first post because I'm picking up my first Smith from an estate sale. I was told it's never been fired and sitting around for 30 years. My question: Does it need and any special prep before I hit the range?

Thanks. This is a great forum.

You didn't say what if it was a revolver or semi-auto and what caliber or model number, but there is no prep on a S&W. Load it and shoot it and get back to us with a range report.

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Dick

Welcome to the forum.

Your rights of membership will be definitely enhanced when you post pictures of your new gun.

It's a model 63 from the early 80s. Never been fired, just sitting in storage. Thanks for the replies...range report and pics to follow.

The oil may well have evaporated from long storage. Lube it up first, then shoot. Won't hurt to shoot it dry, but it will likely run better properly oiled.

Don't overdo the lubing though. S&W's are specifically designed to run with a minimum of lube. Way too many guys who are used to other brands, or have been taught by grandpa to lube the snot out of everything (mainly because in grandpa's day it was the right thing to do with equipment from that era ), really overdo it when lubing their Smiths. Just a drop or two in the right spots will keep them happy and running properly .

Eagerly awaiting pics and range report. Glad you got it, you're
starting out with a great firearm.
TACC1

Try just a little oil in the right places; you can add a couple more drops if necessary. I'm thinking the 63 is "dried out" as it typical for a long-term storage gun.

My lube regimen for a competition gun isn't the same as for a carry or storage gun. A competition gun may be fired maybe 150-300 times in a session; a tad more of the right oil in the right places won't hurt it. It may make cleanup after nasty if overdone, so too much oil is to be avoided. Too much oil is definitely not good for a carry gun or one that will be shot only a little.

If it is new, I would clean it before shooting. Many guns ship with a rust preventative coating applied.

None of us mentioned this, and we certainly should have!

Check the bore for any build-up of congealed preservative or any other possible obstruction before ever firing any gun that has been sitting around for a long time. If there appears to be even a small glob of anything, clean it out. Also the chambers, since any appreciable build-up there can raise pressures to unsafe levels sometimes. Safety first.