"Barrels ring true?"

[Cold Spring]

Let me share a real life experience. A long time ago I took a chance on a high grade Fox at a good price, as is-no return deal. The seller was a shop that specialized in Class 3 weapons and the contact guy there hardly knew a thing about vintage SxS guns. I tried to walk him through the ringing thing over the phone but he just didn't get it. When the gun arrived the barrels wouldn't ring and I inspected the ribs thoroughly with a magnifier, and by probing with a fine sewing straight pin and with a very small piece of .002" thick steel shim stock, and found them to be apparently tight. I fired the gun twice on a sporting course and it worked well (200 shots). I then rechecked the ribs with the same result and convinced myself the barrel was one that just wouldn't ring. Barrel bluing was worn a little too much, so l sent the barrels off to a friend, noted gent for rebluing. He called after starting the metal prep and said the lower back rib had popped loose. This friend didn't do rib relaying so he sent the barrels to his comrade who did that work. Friend called me about 2 weeks later when the barrels were returned and rang them over the phone. The sound was very loud and crisp. It turns out the rib guy just did a local re-solder at the back end of the lower rib and that got them to ring like a bell. $100. plus shipping. I had a similar thing happen one other time and it cost me about $200. for a more extensive re-solder.

I will never ever again convince myself that a vintage SxS barrel that doesn't ring is OK, no matter how tight the ribs look. I do value other opinions but this is mine for whatever it's worth.

[Autumn Daze]

Be advised that composite barrels are more prone to have a bit duller ring to them than fluid steel barrels. That is due to their construction be of an iron and steel combination. I have a set of 16 gauge barrels with a dull ring to them and have repeatedly checked the ribs with a pointed .001 feeler and they are as solid as the day is long.