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Restoration & Repair Tips Board

OT any gunsmiths here ?

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bill b va

03-21-2005 09:46:10




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i have an old double barrel shot gun that belonged to my grandfather with swollen chambers (i suspect from too high powers shells). i would like to know if it is possible to ream the chambers and sleeve them and be safe to use . thanks bill




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buickanddeere

03-22-2005 23:17:59




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 Re: OT any gunsmiths here ? in reply to bill b va, 03-21-2005 09:46:10  
The entire length of the barrel would have to be sleeved. Then the breach locking mechanism may not be strong enough for smokeless powder anyways. Nothing much to beef up for more strength at the lock(s). Best ask who fired a Damascus barreled shotgun with smokeless powder? Then make a point of staying away from that person as they will likely keep doing more foolhardy stunts until they cripple/maim/kill themselves or go to jail for injuring somebody. At a Sports Man Show the Conservation Officers had a shotgun on display. The C.O. charged the fool owner and confiscated the gun. The owner had managed to split the barrel just ahead of the stock. The 4” long split was wrapped with a sheet of steel and dozens of wraps of fencing black wire which is similar to bailing wire.

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Carm

03-29-2005 17:27:46




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 Re: OT any gunsmiths here ? in reply to buickanddeere, 03-22-2005 23:17:59  
I have heard you can fire blackpowder in an old damascus barrel, but I wouldn"t. Even if you fired only blackpowder, there is still significant risks even if the barrels look ok. One of the issues with damascus is the unseen corrosion between the steels used in the manufacture. I think you can have them magnafluxed or eddy current checked, but that is cost prohibitive. Unfortunately, I think yours is too far gone. These are neat old shotguns and its a shame they have to be relegated to wall hangers.

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old

03-21-2005 17:40:54




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 Re: OT any gunsmiths here ? in reply to bill b va, 03-21-2005 09:46:10  
Check with gunparts.com and they will probably have a barrel that would fix the problem with your gun



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kraig WY

03-21-2005 15:51:31




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 Re: OT any gunsmiths here ? in reply to bill b va, 03-21-2005 09:46:10  
Chances are if the chambers are swelled the collectors value is gone. I believe your shot gun was designed for black powder. The smokeless powder creates too much pressure. So if you could get someone to sleeve and chamber it you still can't shoot it (with smokeless powder). Since its been in the family so long, my advice would be to clean it up and hang it over your fireplace. Then think about the memories about your grandfather when you look at it.

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Coloken

03-21-2005 13:34:32




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 Re: OT any gunsmiths here ? in reply to bill b va, 03-21-2005 09:46:10  
I second engineer. Its worth more as a collector than to shoot. Don't mess it up. A cheap single barrel or pump shotgun is still one of the most aforable items there is.



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Engineer20

03-21-2005 11:31:39




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 Re: OT any gunsmiths here ? in reply to bill b va, 03-21-2005 09:46:10  
Bill,

I'm not a gunsmith but I would think that what you have in mind would be cost prohibitive.
Your are right about the modern shell presure taking a toll on the old barrels. They are not safe to shoot with todays loads. It's a good thing that the barrels only expanded and didn't rupture causing injury. I think you are better off not shooting grandpa's gun and just clean it up and keep as a family keepsake to hand down.

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Clark

03-22-2005 11:59:56




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 Re: OT any gunsmiths here ? in reply to Engineer20, 03-21-2005 11:31:39  
It is possible to re-chamber a shotgun barrel, I've done it on the barrels I build for my turkey shoot guns, but Engineer20 is right, it's a pretty labor intensive process and isn't cheap to do.

I've got an old double that belonged to my grandfather and even though it is still in good shape I wouldn't take a chance on shooting it. It may not be worth a lot of money, but it's priceless to me and I would never risk blowing it up shooting modern shells. It hangs above a doorway in my house from two old hay hooks that I used for a gun rack. It looks right at home there and every time I walk into the room I see it and think of my grandfather. If I were you I'd do something similar with your gun and pick up another gun to shoot.

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jakej

03-23-2005 08:53:39




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 Re: OT any gunsmiths here ? in reply to Clark, 03-22-2005 11:59:56  
I make it point to remove the firing pins from the old damascus shotguns. They are usually identified looking down the bores with the wire winding showing. Better safe than sorry.



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spud in mo

04-02-2005 02:56:11




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 Re: OT any gunsmiths here ? in reply to jakej, 03-23-2005 08:53:39  
To fire any damascus steel barreled fire arm is to place oneself in danger. The nature of the blueing and the wrap used to make a damascus type barrel is conducive to corrosion in the boundry layers where the wraps join. All of these barrels are considered unshootable due to their age.Were this firearm mine, I would refinish the wood and metal and remove the firing pins and hang it on the wall as a conversation piece for all to admire. Please do not shoot it!
spud in mo

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