Thunks (sorta) Who do you recommend?

[B. Dudley]

Dean, what is an Eand? Just kidding.

John,
It sounds like you have a little bit of an issue there with your barrels. And by the sounds of it someone has already been into them to attempt a repair.
A dull sound is not always a telltale sign that the ribs are loose, but it is a red flag telling you to look closer. I have come accross barrel ribs that were loose and you would swear they were tight by looking at them. And when taken apart, there was about 10" worth of rib that had almost no solder holding them together. Not every factory solder job Is perfect and completely void free.

As a rule of thumb, the only way to properly fox a loose rib is to remove it completely and relay it.

And a tip for checking for loose ribs. Put some oil in the cracks of the ribs and let it sit for a minute. Then wipe it out. Then in the light, push down / squeeze on the rib firmly. If it is loose, you will see oil movement as it pushes out from under the rib in the light.

[John Cinkoske]

Looking at the muzzles, you can see it. You can wiggle the front end of the rib independent of the barrels.
And there is a pile of solder at one end of the forend lug.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Dean, what is an Eand? Just kidding.

the only way to properly fox a loose rib is to remove it completely and relay it.

So, that's how you fox a rib. Dang, learned suttin new.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Dean, what is an Eand? Just kidding.

Hahaha - ya got me!

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Gary Carmichael Sr

Edgar, When do you start tapping trees and collecting sap?

Gary, I'll start a new thread in Off Topic

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Yeah. I go out and catch a fox. And I rub it on the barrels. And all fixed. I just have to wear PPE because live foxes can be nasty.

Brian, I had always been told that to fix a busted Fox, go out and buy a Parker. This is the first time I've heard it t'other way 'round.