Barrel Weight

[Mark Landskov]

I just purchased a 1907 vintage GH in 12 gauge, built on a 1-1/2 frame. The gun weighs 6-15. The 30" Damascus barrels are marked '3-14' and weigh 3-4 on my little scale. The bores are shiny and show nice, concentric rings when held to a light. The chokes measure F/F with my Galazan gauge. I do not have tools to measure inside diameters, but I am willing to bet they have been honed. My Manson gauge shows .145" to .100" in the chamber area and a minimum of .035" in both barrels at 12" from the breech. I ordered a letter to see if the gun was ordered 'extra light'. I have a flat of RST Falcon Ultra Lights, which work well on ruffed grouse, and should be safe in these barrels. The exteriors show LOTS of nice pattern with no signs of rust, pitting, dents or repairs. They ring nicely, too. In regards to the weight difference, is 10 ounces an unusual difference from rough to finished?

[Steve Huffman]

Just a quick question what do they weigh with the forearm on ?

[Mark Landskov]

Weight with the forend in place is 3-8. I just re-weighed the gun. I tried various angles with the scale, to make sure I wasn't messing up the reading, and came up with 7-3, which is 1 ounce less than shown in factory records. I guess the barrel striker had his work cut out for him!

[Wayne Owens]

Information from my own personal investigation showed that numerous 12 gauge guns I checked weighed from six to ten ounces less than the stamped barrel weight. One 12 gauge gun that I know had the barrels honed/polished out weighed 12.5 ounces less than the stamped barrel weight. An untouched 8 gauge set of barrels were 14 ounces less than the stamped barrel weight. An untouched 20 gauge set of barrels weighed 8.5 ounces less than the stamped weight.