SSS Information

[Paul Ehlers]

What exactly are the unique features which make up a steel shot special repro.

I've always assumed that they have more open chokes for shooting steel. Is there anything special about the barrel bores like chrome lined, over bored, longer forcing cones Etc. What set's them apart from a regular 12ga repro?

Has anyone that owns one shot any of the other non-toxic shot in one like heavy shot, ITX or others? I'm just wondering if a SSS can handle the other hard shot non-toxic loads out there today?

[George M. Purtill]

For nontoxic shot I have only used steel because it's cheap but I'm really unhappy with the ballistics in knocking down heavy sea ducks.
I shoot sporting clays with my SSS and it shoots lead just fine.
They are choked IC/Mod.

[Kenny Graft]

They were to have a .740 bore and 3" chambers, ic/m chokes. SXS Ohio

[Scot Cardillo]

There are a few 12ga's floating around that are SSS by specification however they are not marked as such.

[George M. Purtill]

There are a few 12ga's floating around that are SSS by specification however they are not marked as such.

Scot
What does SSS by specification mean.

[Scot Cardillo]

Scot
What does SSS by specification mean.

Specs as Mr. Graft has posted w/28" barrels.

Although I had one at one time (not marked as SSS), I never did have a look to see if the forcing cones differ beyond normal configuration. I have never heard of nor have I read as such, however I'm not going to be the one to say "never"..but

All Reproductions have chrome lined barrels so that is not an exclusive feature to the SSS & provided you use choke less than Full..steel shot is safe for all Parker Reproduction barrels.

[George M. Purtill]

Perhaps but to me an SSS has to be marked as such.

[Scot Cardillo]

Perhaps but to me an SSS has to be marked as such.

10-4..nothing wrong with that logic whatsoever.

Hope you have found one or find one should you begin the search :cheers:

[Paul Ehlers]

Let's see. So far it looks like all repro's have chrome lined bores & can have chokes less than full.

The SSS has 3" chambers with a .740" bore and IC/Mod chokes. Now the question is. What are the standard bore diameters on other 12ga repro's, is it .730? Are SSS actually .010 over bored? Information from someone who has a bore mic and can measure the bores would be great information. Kenny have you actually measured the bores on your SSS?

I guess the main thing I'm driving toward is if a repro can handle hevi-shot without experiencing bore scuffing or other damage from using the harder than lead non-toxic shot available today.

[Robin Lewis]

All Reproductions have chrome lined barrels so that is not an exclusive feature to the SSS & provided you use choke less than Full..steel shot is safe for all Parker Reproduction barrels.

What exactly are "chrome lined barrels"? Can you explain how are they made and what is their advantage over "regular" barrels?

[Scot Cardillo]

I will state first and foremost that I am far more comfortable in my role as student..but since you asked..I'll give it a go.

--

Chrome lined bores are just that..chrome lined bores. I could only guess that the chrome plating occurs straight after polishing and prior to barrel join in the case of a sxs..I dunno’ but that would almost seem the best manufacturing approach.

I cannot proclaim to know the specific process nor the specific spec (what type & what class) but typically an allowance of .00001 is all that is necessary unless a drawing specifies a thicker application.

That .00001 is designated as the dimensional allowance for buildup per surface so on a bore or any other round surface - an allowance multiple of 2 would apply…in other words a bore that requires an accurate size will have to be over-bored/polished by .00002 to allow for the plating which would then bring the item into spec.

What does that mean in this particular application from a dimensional/manufacturing perspective?..exactly nadda’ since shotgun bores do not require precision nor do manufacturers bother to focus upon that due to lack of necessity relative to functionality…manufacturing money (labor) is better served elsewhere.

One of the key considerations when making preparation for chrome, is the material finish prior to plating b/c chrome will bring out every flaw upon the surface, but this is an aesthetic concern.

That said, and from a practical view relative to bores in firearms..bad surface finish = harder cleaning b/c the residues tend to occupy the space below the surface (metal imperfections)…so smooth bore = easier cleansing.

A common misnomer is that a “good finish” must shine…not true at all as many a dull appearance possesses a very fine surface finish throughout all of industry.

The application of chrome in shotgun barrels is a fantastic marriage of benefit..it’s hard, it resists corrosion, it’s slick, and it cleans up very easily.

I think Greg and others have stated that Regeant purposely left the choke areas void of plating so that choke modifications would be simple using standard HSS tooling (High Speed Steel).

HSS would cut through it no problem provided it is sharp, however tool life will suffer.

If the chrome plating is desirable to a Parker Reproduction owner..any modification to chambers, bores, or forcing cones is a no-no because even with simple polishing..it is gone, with exceptions.

A wadded up pc of Nevr-Dull or other non abrasive polish at high speed won’t touch it…it’ll just polish the surface making it just that much easier to clean provided the regimen is maintained periodically.

The only exception to chrome lined barrels amongst the Parker Reproductions are the 16ga barrels as supplied by Krieghoff which do not “appear” to be lined at quick glance..maybe I’m wrong??

Chrome is nasty stuff for the folks who work with it day in/out.


*Edited to add

Everything I have described is what makes the SSS unique..special attention was paid to bore size etc in order to achieve the best patterns for a specific application..or so the story goes..

The only other feature which would come into play with respect to patterns would be the relationship between forcing cone, bore, and choke..the geometry of these features and the relationship between the three have much more influence on the quality of pattern than that of simple bore size.

As I stated, I haven't any idea whether the forcing cones or the geometry of choke differ in the SSS.

[Hal Sheets]

So, do I understand this correctly?
In my 20ga Repro., the chambers & bores are chrome lined, but not the choke area? Mine is a 28" F&M but I would have preferred M&IC or even M&SKEET. Never thought about opening the bores, because I thought it would be removing the chrome in that area. (Still, spreader loads are a simple but pricey fix & the do keep the gun original)
I'd love to know how they chromed only part of the inside of the barrel and not any of the outside?

[Scot Cardillo]

I'd love to know how they chromed only part of the inside of the barrel and not any of the outside?

Simply mask the areas that do not require chrome..I think it's a paint-like material.