BC Miroku rib advice
 

Gentlemen: Need some advice on a 20 ga. BC Miroku Kodensha O/U from the late 60's (think Charles Daly Superior grade) in better than 95% condition except for what appears to be a beginning rib separation at the muzzle. The rib does not visibly move when squeezed down, and displays no other movement. Just a .005 gap visible at the keel and extending back towards the breech on the left side for about an inch or two.
I shot a round of clays with it this weekend and first noticed the gap about half way through the round, but the gun shot fine, no buzzing, wiggling or any other signs of dysfunction and the gap did not visibly progress during the rest of the round.
My questions for the mechanically astute members here are: 1. Is a full rib relay the only way to properly correct the condition, or is it possible to thermally mask off the rest of the rib and barrels and just do a "spot" repair? 2. Is a complete barrel reblue going to be necessary in either of the previous scenarios? 3. Any idea of a ballpark cost for any of the above?, and 4. Can I just keep shooting the gun occasionally and keep an eye on the separation? My sense is that a full re-lay and re-blue would cost more than $500, which is more than I have in the gun. I only shoot it infrequently, much preferring side by sides. Thinking about saving it for a granddaughter, however. All thoughts appreciated.

Call Kirk Merrington. He will do "spot repairs" on a rib for a very reasonable fee. But he WON'T guarantee them. But hey, it is Kirk Merrington...!

If the rib is not moving then just keep shooting it and see what happens. If it clearly separates more, then get it attended to.
It could be it has just always been like that and you did not notice it.

Yes but if he is like me once I notice something like that I can't stop looking at it. I have a 20ga Miroku Daly as well. It's a great gun. I used it a lot in the 80's and 90's and then it got pushed to the back of the gun rack. Last time I took it on a crow hunt I asked myself why don't I shoot it more. If it were mine I would send it to Merrington and get it spot fixed so I could stop looking at it :rotf:

Send Breck Gorman on here a PM . He just did a Winchester 101 rib for us that had separated and a few months back he did the rib on a Beretta 682 an idiot friend had knocked the heck out of . Good work , quick turn around and reasonably priced .

Thanks to all. Never heard of Mr. Gorman before, but I will see what he has to say. Again, thanks.

My father has the same gun, Charles Daly Superior Grade in 20 gauge. It has been his go-to gun for hunting and skeet for 50 years. I can only guess the number of rounds through it, shooting nearly weekly over a half-century. When it began to malfunction, after trying a couple local gunsmiths without success, I found Bob Storms in Arizona. Bob was the contract gunsmith in the US for BC Miroku and bought the remaining Charles Daly parts from them. Miroku Browning parts do not fit. He essentially rebuilt the gun for me and it now feels and functions as new for my dad. Here is his contact information: Bob Storms, B&C Gunsmithing, 2288 Barranca Drive Lake Havasu, AZ 86403 (928) 854-8209. FYI...Bob's in his 80's and doesn't have a website or email so you'll have to call. He is, however, very quick on turn-around.

My wife has the same exact gun (CD Miroku Trap) that she shot trap with. She no longer shoots trap, so we will sell it. PM me if interested.

If the rib is starting to separate and you don't fix it, shooting will make the separation worse. You should send it out to see if a spot fix can be made. A spot fix is definitely less expensive than a rib relay and reblued.

Ken

Great guns. I have 3 a 12 , 20 and .410 ga.
Scott