That's what I have heard too. I have ZERO experience with these shells to bu have good things.

I have about 10 Damascus barrel guns and shoot them all [ one or the other ] three times a week. You could visit our reloading forum and start reloading your own. Good luck.

I am not a gunsmith, but I tell guys that a lot...and then offer to buy their gun for cheap. For their safety of course.

In all honesty, I think the gunsmith admittedly knew he was over his head. He said he had been trained on all of it but did not trust his abilities because that is not what he focused on. I respect that about a person when they tell you that. He even went as far as describing the processes used to bring the guns back. With that being said, he was very excited about the gun and even said if I get the clear to shoot it, he would buy the lunch, the shells and the rounds.

Just sent off for my 10g letter yesterday and dropped another in the mail this morning on the 12g I got two weeks ago, I didn't have the barrel length at the office. Reading on this forum is like drinking from a firehose but all great info.

Most gunsmiths could likely tell if the condition of the bores and barrel wall thickness were safe. After that, as previously mentioned, use low pressure ammo of the right chamber length and you should be fine.

I suspect that some gunsmiths may not want to give damascus a "good to shoot" blessing. Given all the years of "don't shoot damascus", if something did go wrong, he would have one hell of a time protecting himself in court. A gunsmith my "know" the gun is OK but be reluctant to say as much because he would then have some liability, which he can easily avoid by not commenting or by saying NOT to shoot it.

James:

War Damn Eagle, Welcome to the afflicted, I live in Auburn and know a little (especially compared to most of our members) about the Parker. I have all the books and would be happy to introduce you to them.

Spin