Now what?

[Ray Masciarella]

Bad day at the 5-Stand. I guess a wad got hung up but who knows. Shame on me for not checking between shots.

Doesn't look like I have many options but please share your thought with me.

Thx, Ray

[Kensal Rise]

Ray:
Three options remain for you:
1) cut the barrels back to a point where the bores remain "normal."
2) have the gun sleeved (expensive)
3) find new barrels had have them fitted.

The last option is sell the gun for what it will bring.

Me? I'd choose No. 1. if there's enough length.

Best, Kensal

[Bruce Day]

Ouch, really tough luck Ray. I have seen this happen to two fluid steel guns, neither Parkers. It looks like there was good wall thickness.

Choices as I see them.
1. Cut the barrel ends back.
2. Find new barrels.
3. Sleeve the barrels.
4. See if somebody like Brileys could bend and weld the fractured end back then sleeve in a permanent choke tube that would give the weakened end strength.

GOOD LUCK.

[Ray Masciarella]

Thx Kensal and Bruce. The last time I priced having a gun sleeved it was $3000 and a long wait. Is Teague still in business? As I recall, there was some US agent that one would have to deal with.

I like Bruce's option #4. Do you think they would try to weld damascus?

[Opening Day]

No Teague is no longer doing barrels from what I heard

[Bruce Day]

I understand Teague is out of business, but that's second hand.

I have seen cracks in damascus welded. I know some PGCA members have damascus barrels with welded cracks. I have seen old welded cracks in damascus.....like really old, that obviously have been shot for years after. I saw one with a square patch over a cracked area......I'm not suggesting that but it worked.

I suggested Brileys because I know them to have done permanent choke tubes. They may say no because its easier to say no than try, but seems to me if you selected an open choke tube there would be little hoop stress and the welded remains of the original end would have sufficient strength to hold the tube. Michael Orlen is another barrel guy whom I understand to be good, there are undoubtedly others.

[Brent Francis]

Thats a shame. Unless its a really high grade gun I would agree that the removal of a couple inchs of barrel is the way to go. My absolute best skeet gun is an old Lefever that someone shortened the barrels. I know there is alot of talk about ruining the gun because the point of impact is not the same. There maybe some truth in that but it hasnt been a problem for me with two shotguns I have owned with shortened barrels. If you need the chokes get briley to put inserts into the shortened barrels

[Double Lab]

Looks like there was some type of obstruction (quite possibly the wad) as the pressure is quite low at that point. What loads were you shooting? Kirk Merrington is one of the best and I understand he is up and running again after his illness. Good luck.

[Ray Masciarella]

Shooting RST loads

[B. Dudley]

Cutting the barrels back is the best option given the situation and also the cheapest. You can always find an exta set of barrels of you still want more choke.