Unsafe 20 gauge VHE barrels

[Thomas Baumgardner]

First time using forum, hope I am doing this correctly. Aquired VHE 20 gauge via the Internet and told by owner of store that bores are nice and clean. I sent the gun to Larry DelGrego for some cosmetic work but noticed some pitting in barrel and asked him to check the barrel. Larry reported that the pitting was extremely deep and that after measuring wall thickness believes the barrels unsafe to shoot. Having discussion with seller but not optimistic he will take gun back and refund my money. Do not questions sellers integrity, only qualified gun smith could evaluate the barrel properly. Any thoughts on making this gun a shooter other than buying a set of new barrels which would cost more than the value of the gun. What about 28 gauge sub tube? Have not gotten the gun back from Larry yet, but looking at my options if seller refuses to take gun back. Thanks for any input.

[Bruce Day]

So what is the wall thickness ? It’s not uncommon for Parker 20s to have a wall thickness of .020 from the factory.

Are you saying that only a qualified gun smith can or would have a wall thickness gauge? That is odd because I know that quite a few collectors here have those gauges, Julia auction when they sell a gun lists wall thickness, Jay Shachter the gun seller lists wall thickness. Many more people here have a bore diameter gauge by which they can determine if barrels have been honed excessively beyond standard.

If the barrels are really bad then your options are to get replacement barrels, sleeve the old ones, use subgauge inserts or get rid of the gun.

[Thomas Baumgardner]

Have not gotten Delgrego's written evaluation but recall him saying there are some spots with less than .020 thickness. I am not a qualified gunsmith and do have the equipment or knowledge of Parker shotgun barrels to determine if they are safe to shot.

[Bruce Day]

I think you need to find out the real and exact measurements .

[edgarspencer]

I learned, a very long time ago, several rules when shooting: Foremost amongst them are, 1) Know Your Gun; 2) Know your ammunition; 3) Know your Target.

Your situation falls under #1. Where, along the length of the barrel, does it measure 'under .020"? If this less than 7-8" from the muzzle, then apply #2.
A light load such as the RST Lite is a delightful load and I wouldn't fear shooting it if the pitting is far enough (distance and pressure) down the tube.

[B. Dudley]

anyone who tells you the wall thickness is an issue should also tell you what the thicknesses are and at where. If you are paying for a detailed evaluation on wall thickness, you should get a report showing thicknesses every 3-4” down the barrel in different locations around the tube.

Also, one persons opinion of unsafe may not be anothers.

If your minimum is around .020” and that is out by the muzzle, that is not realistically an issue.

[Dean Romig]

I would be concerned only if that measurement was in the rearmost 12" - 14" but not so much if it was in the forward half of the barrels.

I agree, such a claim as "unsafe to shoot" should be backed up with a documented set of wall thickness measurements. It may yet prove to be unsafe but with only word of mouth you can't expect a seller to take back a gun.






.

[Kensal Rise]

Mr. B:
You have entrusted your gun to the foremost Parker gunsmith. He is a professional. Take his advice. But ask him for a complete explanation and options. He will be glad to give it. And his counsel will be honest... and made with safety in mind. Anything else is speculation.

[Bill Murphy]

We are missing the point here. The seller said the barrels were clean and bright. That is a far cry from "pitted". The whole mess could be solved if the seller took the gun back and issued a refund. On another point, someone entrusted to give you a good appraisal should be willing to give you some measurements at all points of the bores. I could do that in five minutes and charge you a half hour of labor, (seven dollars an hour at my current rate). However, I actually own a bore micrometer and wall thickness gauge. Most gunsmiths don't own such instruments. Make sure your guy owns such tools.

[B. Dudley]

That is a very good point Bill. The seller says Good bores and Larry is saying that the bores are pitted to the point that unsafe thickness is a concern. That is two complete oposite ends of the spectrum. It is not like we are talking about one persons opinion of “frosting” vs anothers. But then again, some “professional” smiths cant tell that a gun is sleeved and then take a customers money for restoration to have the customer find out after the fact that he is upside down in a sleeved gun. But i would not expect that same smith to mistake good bores for pitting. But who knows...

Tom, did you put eyes on the gun yourself? That would have been a good idea.