Shooting Sportsman Article

[Ed Blake]

Thank you Drew. Roster does not like damascus guns unless they’ve been to the proof house. Personally, I believe Sherman Bell made his point and we here have discussed over the years that if the gun/barrels are sound the greatest danger to the gun is recoil effects on the stock. I’ll continue to shoot my damascus guns regardless of Tom Rosters opinion

[Setter Man]

Personally I’m fine with articles like these planting seeds of doubt or reinforce old beliefs about Damascus barrels. It makes them much more affordable.

[Researcher]

Originally Posted by Jay Gardner

Personally I’m fine with articles like these planting seeds of doubt or reinforce old beliefs about Damascus barrels. It makes them much more affordable.

But, it makes unscrupulous people blue over them!!

[Setter Man]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

But, it makes unscrupulous people blue over them!!

Perhaps that is the case. Certainly there are dam barrels that have been blued for one reason or another. I’m always a bit excited when I see a dam barreled gun in a local gun shop. It usually doesn’t take long to get to the “damascus barrels are dangerous” speech from who ever is behind the counter.

[Keavin Nelson]

Given Mr. Roster status and position in the industry, perhaps his position in the context and space limitations of a "periodical" article is the only one he can take. And we all agree that having someone in the know inspect a set of composite barrels is always wise before using them.

[Kensal Rise]

When it comes to sporting media like Shooting Sportsman, one must keep these things in mind:

1) The Shooting Sportsman audience is MUCH larger than the Damascus gun market.
2) The advertisers in SS make guns with fluid steel barrels.
3) These advertisers PAY for space in SS.
4) Mr. Roster wants to keep his job.
5) A cautionary story about Damascus barrels helps sell more of those fluid steel barreled guns.
6) Mr. Roster's publisher is happy.

Thus ends our lesson in sporting media economics.

[todd allen]

If my Damascus barrels blow up and kill me on a covey rise, then I died well.

[Mills]

I'm either living proof of the hoax or the luckiest man alive

[Ken Hill]

Shooting Sportsman is the "Magazine of Wingshooting and Fine Guns." I would have hoped for a better approach to the article. This is the second time in about a year Mr. Roster has confused the issue on Damascus barrels.

Ken

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by Ken Hill

Shooting Sportsman is the "Magazine of Wingshooting and Fine Guns." I would have hoped for a better approach to the article. This is the second time in about a year Mr. Roster has confused the issue on Damascus barrels.

Ken

Agreed, and that is one of the reasons I dropped my subscription to it.

SRH