Opening Chokes

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by William Davis

Am I missing something or is my theory that open jobs go wrong more that right correct. Are there gunsmith that can alter chokes that can’t be spotted from factory? William

1. Yes

2. Yes

Th chokes were cut from the rear using the bore to center the cutter. Parker Bros. chokes are sometimes 5" to 6" long but generally around 3". There is often a parallel section at the muzzles that measure as much as 3/8" long.
There are a few smiths who can properly cut chokes. Mike Orlen in Amherst, MA, Abe Chaber in CT, and Kirk Merrington in TX come to mind.

[William Davis]

Even if good work much opening at all the gun is still going to end up with thin metal at the muzzles. Clear flag it's been altered.

William

[Bill Murphy]

There is no one that knows so much about what they are doing in the "opening chokes" business that I would trust a medium high condition 12 gauge Trojan to their skills. This has worked for me in fifty years of shotgun gunsmithing experience. There are too many horror stories out there. I just don't do it.