Noob questions about counter-boring

[caldude]

I'm just starting to collect mil-surp firearms, and I see 'counter-bored' sometimes on firearm descriptions. I assume this means that the barrel is bored at the muzzle to remove rifling, but wanted to make sure, so:

1) What does it mean to be 'counter-bored'?

2) How can I tell if a rifle has been counter-bored?

3) Is counter-boring something to avoid, i.e. what affect does this have on the gun?

Thanks

[762cavalier]

You are correct about counterboring. It is bored at the muzzle to remove rifling that has been damaged by overcleaning or other nastiness.

Counterboring can usually be spotted by the larger than normal muzzle opening. If the muzzles swallows a bullet tip inserted into it it is probably counterbored.

Counterboring is not necessarily something to avoid. It is a cheap easy way to restore a barrel that has been damaged at the muzzle without having to remove and reinstall sights,bayo mounts etc. I have a couple of counterbored Mosins and they shoot as well as any others. The only time counterboring MIGHT be an issue is when it comes to a collector grade firearms as some purists don't want to see a counterbore. If you are just buying shooters, then they are no problem