Is there a suppport group??

[Richard Flanders]

Sounds like a good method Bill. Have to think about putting a ring in my Manson. There are rotating vises to be had. I see two in the latest Rutland master catalog, one a nice Wilton, the other likely a Chinese knockoff but v. nice looking and only $81.

[Coach]

Here is a link to John Hosford's website with a video of how to measure barrel wall thickness:

http://vimeo.com/5011609

[Autumn Daze]

Carl,

Thanks for posting that.Very nice gauge!

[TARNATION !!!]

Hosford or Manson

Quite a price difference.

The Hosford comes nicely packaged and very portable without need for a vice. It handles .410 to 10 gauge and can be table mounted for use at gun shows, auction viewings or your own bench.

The Manson does the job but requires a vice thus not the same portability.

From cost/effectiveness perspective:

If all the work will be done in a shop, Manson may be the right gauge.

If the measurements are on the road as a collector/accumulator then Hosford may be the right gauge.

I assume both will give you the same results as far as correct measurement is concerned.

Missing anything or got something wrong??

Jack

I'm thinking of buying the Manson gauge from Brownell's-is it USA mfg?? And where did you see a Chinese knock-off of the great Wilton vise? I have two Wiltons and a older Parker and Snow in my workshop- the Parker was from my late grand-dad's machine shop-- Call me and old-fashioned guy (and you would be 100% right about that) but I'll do without before I buy ANY tool from the oriential countries--so you can guess that I don't shop much a Wally-World-Mart either--cheap crap- the most expensive thing on a job is a cheap tool, like a "fair-weather friend" it will let you down everytime--IMO

And Jack, on another thread I believe you were discussing "Back Door" mfg. Parkers, correct. So I can learn here, are those "unknown Old Reliables" about the same breed of cat as the 'lunch box specials?""

A back Door Parker-lessee here- Parkers went out of production around 1940 in Ilion, about the same time the late Jim Morrison was born- he died in 1971, doubt if he owned any firearms, so a Back Door Parker Man- probably not!!

[Bill Murphy]

Tom Leshinski is correct. The barrels can be mounted on a slightly tapered dowel and rotated without loosening and tightening the vise jaws. Of course, something has to hold the dowel. It can be a simple clamp as long as it is secure. I think Jon and I discussed this when he was giving me the block of instruction. I'm sorry this discussion isn't on a dedicated thread, but I'm sure it is available to all interested in it.

[Bill Murphy]

Jack Cronkite, the Hosford gauge will not measure 30" barrels from the muzzle. It will measure about 16" and consequently will measure 32" barrels at all points if you switch directions. The video is very informative and the tool is a wonderful piece of design. I wish Jon Hosford much luck in the sale of his instrument. I may bite the bullet some day since the ability to measure a 28 gauge barrel may pay for itself in one bad barrel discovered. Everyone should watch the video at least once.

[Opening Day]

I have Jon's gauge, only wished I had bought six months earlier, bought a t UP shoot last summer and it's a great gauge and I found out that the little DHE damascus 16 ga that I bought from Julia's was not 30 thousands (Bill measure it for me) but 15. When I contacted Julias they told me to pound sand even though Bill manages their gun dept . Sorry for the rant... Eric

[TARNATION !!!]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Jack Cronkite, the Hosford gauge will not measure 30" barrels from the muzzle. ... Everyone should watch the video at least once.

Thanks Bill: I better watch it twice I thought he spoke of doing the 30" in one pass so appreciate your pointing out that error. I will edit my post to avoid confusion

Francis: I agree with you about a less than quality tool ultimately costing you. I'm understanding that both these tools will give you an accurate measurement, so quality ends up depending on how you want to use it.

I don't see the stars and stripes with the Manson at Brownell's. Here is what Brownell states on their site regarding all their products:

Made In The U.S.A.

Products marked with the Stars and Stripes are proudly made in the U.S.A.

Many customers have asked us to show which products are made in America, and we’ve begun working with our vendors to identify them. This information, however, is not available for all items nor does it imply that foreign merchandise is of lesser quality. We will continue to gather this information to assist our customers in making informed buying decisions, and will keep our website current with the latest information.

I don't have a wall thickness gauge, so can't answer your question about measuring chokes. Leave that to those who have them.


I'm still a student of all this and have learned more about guns since joining the Parker forums than all the years I shot them (hunting only).

Eric: I have only looked at Julia's, as they sell way outside my range. A little surprised to hear their response though. Was wall thickness mentioned at all in the lot info??