[Katrina Wood]

Hi - I see a lot of discussion about minimum bbl thickness in terms of safety with vintage guns (so the gun doesn't blow up) but it's something I've seen less within the context of being able to handle hunting usage, say in a grouse/woodcock situation, where bonking on trees in the thick stuff happens. Do I need to worry about barrels denting if they are say, thick enough to be safe (I'm here going to call that ~25 thou for a 12)

While this isn't a Parker-specific question, I've been getting the "classic double" bug and I figure this group has the expertise to answer this question from evaluating old guns that you are buying more than the "just get a Mossberg pump!" crowd.

Is say 30 or even 25 thou MWT enough to not be overly "delicate" in the woods? I have never dented my barrels on my modern guns, but these things are chambered for up to 3.5"(!?) so I would assume they are much beefier-barreled (and they feel like it). If I go to a lightweight vintage double (with sufficient MWT for safety, etc.) am I going to come out of the woods with a dented mess? i realize lots of types of hunting and shooting in general are just open spaces/trails, so this might not be an issue they think about.

Thanks!