Ringing the barrells
 

I have often heard of ringing the barrels of a double before buying. What should it sound like if the barrels are fine ? What does it prove if the barrels do not ring true ? Some one please enlighten me. Dan

Ringing is a indication of a set of barrels with good right solder joints. Every set will sound different. But a steady tone should be heard. A dull flat sound is an indication that there is a issue with the solder joints.

A flat sound is not always a dead indication that there is an issue. But, it usually means there is.

Sometimes extractors can interfere with the sound or cause a buzzing sort of sound. If it is removed or just held snug while ringing, you can determine if the odd sound is a result of that it not.

Thank You !

I always tell folks they should ring like a set of wind chimes. It is a pleasant sound to hear.

In my experience, Damascus barrels won't sound as clear and bell-like as will a set of fluid-pressed steel barrels.

since most of us are at least tone deaf if not stone deaf

I'll not try to describe it - but I can still tell clunk from clang

clunk and clang are good for me...charlie

So you have a high condition vintage gun that rings but say it has a small section of rib loose on one side. What is the problem? I have seen more than a few high condition Foxes that had this condition. The likelihood that it will get worse is small in my opinion. I would not be to concerned. What do others say??

Daniel, You may also find that,the longer the barrels the more bell-like the tone, everything else being equal.

The clunk and the clang are ok it's the twang you want to look at carefully.