Trojan chambers lengthened to 3", safe"?
 

I am looking at a 12 gauge Trojan that has 3" chambers that I am assuming were "let out" sometime in the past.
The seller (a dealer whom I trust) said the chambers look good (no tool marks...).

Should I have any concern on the safety of shooting this gun with standard 2 3/4" shells?

Thanks,
CHAZ

can the dealer give you the wall thickness in the extended area?

it would make me nervous - but then, I tend to lean to over cautiousness with barrels - I generally figure there are enough examples of the common guns to be picky.

also - wood wise - if someone was pounding it with 3" magnums - I would look very closely for cracks from recoil

It has been restocked, perhaps due to shooting 3" shells? I hadn't considered that. It is a beautiful piece of wood though, would look out of place on most field guns, but looks good on this one.
CHAZ

Wall thickness is key to this. What year production is the Trojan? A lot of earlier ones were 2-5/8" chambered and many ask questions about shooting 2-3/4" shells in these guns. If yours is lengthened to 3" then it may have been lengthened a full 5/8" which may be a bit much. But if it is a later gun where it may have been 2-3/4" originally, then it was not lengthened all that much.
Chances are the gun has been shot a bit since the time of the chamber lengthening, so I would not think shooting it now would be an issue.

Chaz: Since none of us (and most certainly not the dealer) know what boomers (including steel) have been through the gun since the chambers were lengthened, I agree that wall thickness measurements are mandatory.

Absolutely. I'd want wall thickness in the area of chamber extensions. I'd do them over and over until I felt the numbers were correct. And I would never put a 3" shell in it regardless of the numbers.

I guess I am going to pass. This gun would probably last several more lifetimes and I am missing a good one, but I am "playing it safe." I am a tall guy and the stock on this gun really calls to me (even with the wonky checkering). Here is a link to the ad. For what it is worth I have emailed back and forth with Mr. Hoyt several times and he seems like a very straight forward, honest, dealer.

http://www.vintagedoubles.com/catalo...iew&gunID=2196

if i really liked this gun i would not let it pass...shooting 2 3/4 inch shells in a 3 inch chamber has never hurt any gun.and just for a shooter i would rather have a new stock anyday if it fits me.. i see you have put a lot of thought in this gun...if you pass i think you will always be sorry i know i have done this... charlie

Ask Kirby Hoyt of Vintage Doubles to measure the wall thickness at the intersection of the chambers and forcing cones. Knowing Kirby, chances are he has and found the gun safe to shoot. Kirby is a very honest gun dealer!

Chaz, I can see how or why you are attracted to the gun and you might be walking away from it a bit too early. I would try to work a deal with Kirby which would allow you to keep the gun if the barrels are safe to shoot and meet you requirements. Wonky checkering aside ...the stock looks great and seems to be very fairly priced. Andy

Roger that Andy. That's a very nice Trojan. Stock fit looks excellent and wood is gorgeous. Pretty difficult to find any Parker that nice for the money. You couldn't get someone to restock it the way it is for anywhere close to that price. That is one pretty Trojan.

Well you all wore me down and I called Mr. Hoyt today and bought the gun. I told him I sent an email to let him know I was going to pass and have regretted it ever since. He said about my question on the chamber length "it was a safety issue so I wasn't going to argue about it, but these barrels are stout."
Now I am in the incredibly odd situation (for me at 6'4") of having a gun too long for me. It looks like I will be able to lose the recoil pad and possibly just trim a little bit off the back and add a reproduction plate to have my length. If the wood measures right I might just checker the butt and call it a day.
Thanks for all the encouragement,
CHAZ

Chaz what is the length of pull on the gun as it is now? Andy

16"!
CHAZ

You will like dealing with the Hoyts. I have delt with him many times. If you have a problem with the gun after it arives Jost contact them and they will take care of it. Nice gun and well worth the money as a shooter. I beleave kirby can have that stock shortened if you want it done.

That is something I will tackle myself. Depending on the finish that is on the stock I may lower the comb a bit too. If I have a hard time matching the finish without refinishing the whole stock I will leave it alone.
CHAZ

My Parker shipped today! Only a few days until I get to see what I bought. I am going to a shoot in Michigan this weekend so I hope it gets here by Friday AM, although the tracking number list the expected delivery as next Monday. Keeping my fingers crossed.
CHAZ

i hope the gun arrives for you to shoot on friday too...just something about a parker name.... charlie