Fitting barrels to action

[Bob Jurewicz]

Dean,
I believe you are "spot on". It is a matter if cost. Mine could be done but I did not want the expense.
Bob Jurewicz

[B. Dudley]

Joe,

Your photo shows that you are pretty darn close. At least one would think.

You can never know for sure exactly where you stand until the action is completely stripped and the barrels stripped and then fit is tested. Sometimes what may seem like a good fit is actually a tight fit in the wrong area and giving the illusion of a proper fit. The rear of the locking lug is a common place for this.

A good fit on the hinge pin is the first thing needed and then the breech is the next part of it and then the forend is the final piece of the puzzle.

And the rib extension on top action and graded hammerless guns complicate things a little more.

Your barrels are laying in nicely in the rib extension area which is VERY important. If the rib extension does not fit flush, it is a pretty big deal to make that right.

The barrels being proud to the action around the bolsters in places is no big deal if you are planning on refinishing the barrels. It simply means re-striking them to fit, recutting the breech engraving and finishing the barrels. (You would not believe how hard it is for some noted places to get something simple like breech engraving recut correctly).

The issue of the barrels being BELOW the bolsters is more of a complex problem since it would require work on the frame which is usually not preferred. Or the event where one does not want to refinish the barrels in the event of them being high against the bolsters. Your barrels look to have little finish on them, so refinishing is something I am sure you would want to do after all fitting is done.

Dean was correct in saying that pretty much anything (within the proper frame size) can be made to fit. It just depends on how much work it needs to be done right.

[J. A. EARLY]

Joe,

If you do go through with the fitting, engraving, and refinishing then you had just as well have the barrels renumbered to match the gun. As has been said, it's only money (and a lot in my opinion for the end result).

Maybe even find another forend and mate that to the barrels? $$$$$$$$$$$$

You'll buy another good GH a lot cheaper.

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

I just had Brad Bachelder fit two extra sets of VR barrels I had to a VR Trap gun.
It came out nice and the cost was well worth it.
I now have 3 sets of VR barrels on one gun: 26 inch skeet in/out, 30 inch FF and 32 inch ??.
I am a happy guy.
Note- all barrels were Remington vintage and the two extra sets were badly in need of refinishing. They have not been refinished yet- I want to shoot the new sets awhile before I go whole hog.
Like Dean says- money will do wonders.

[George "Scott" Davis]

Robin,
You mentioned in this thread concerning gunsmiths and who we recommend. I've lived in Arizona for many years and currently can't recommend a single gunsmith in the state, I currently have 3 s x s at three different gunsmiths in three different states for various types of work. One of which is a new young gunsmith here in AZ, he is doing some work on a 16 gauge Fox Sterlingworth as a test. Hoping to finally have someone within driving distance for high quality s x s projects.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by George Davis

A new young gunsmith here in AZ is doing some work on a 16 gauge Fox Sterlingworth as a test.

Good choice not giving the "new young gunsmith" a Parker to test his skills on...






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[tom tutwiler]

I was told by a very good gunsmith that anything can be fixed except bad barrels (not counting sleeving of course.) All it takes is money. Sometimes lots of money.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by tom tutwiler

Lots of money.

But "Lots of money" is a 'relative' term.... It depends on the value (whether intrinsic or monetary) of the gun that needs the barrel work.

'Intrinsic', in this case might be...

"Belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing"

Or...

"The intrinsic brightness of a star"

Or...

'The innate beauty or rarity of a particular Parker shotgun'






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