Manson reamers wall thickness gauge

[Dylan Rhodes]

Anyone tried these? I know Hosford is the gold standard, but I am having a hard time swallowing the $700 pill for a tool I find the need for once every year, or less. Within the community it’s generally common to have the MWT advertised, so this would come out at gun shows or from auction sites…..

Can’t imagine it wouldn’t work.

http://https://mansonreamers.com/product-category/shotgun-tooling/barrell-wall-thickness-gauges/

[Matt Buckley]

I’ve had one for a long time and it works very well.

[Mike Poindexter]

Before Jon Hosford built his tool, he used to show others how to use the Manson gauge in a horizontal fashion. There are several threads in the archive on his technique, I believe. It involves suspending the dial end of the gauge with a cord in order to let gravity center the other end at the lowest portion of the barrel. If you try to hold the dial end with your hand, you put unwanted forces on the probe that move it up and down the sides of the bore.

[Bill Murphy]

I have used the Manson tool for many years. There are several internet threads that debate and explain the best way to use it, horizontally or vertically. After much study and debate, "we" have settled on the horizontal method, the only method that can be conveniently used at a gun show. Several of these old threads are on this site, and others may be on the doublegunshop site. Without the Manson tool, how would I have proved the originality of a wonderful Whitworth steel barrel hammer Purdey pigeon gun or a cased pair of full sidelock, stocked to the fences, William Evans crossover guns? You don't just pick up guns like that and immediately write the check. Well, I guess some of us do. Big mistake. I think my Manson tool cost me about $125.00. By the way, the generous Jon Hosford taught me how to more efficiently use the Manson tool, even though his tool was in direct competition with it.

[OH Osthaus]

I've had both - and could get good readings with either

[Matt Buckley]

I rigged mine up with a big eye bolt on the end of the gauge that I can hang the gauge off my finger and get fairly consistent readings.

[Bill Murphy]

Matt, good luck buying Purdeys. We have all tried this method. We are talking big money here, along with unscrupulous sellers. To be honest, I have used your method and no method at all to buy hundreds of guns, but this is a different world. I recommend you read the old threads. I don't know how to post links, but I know how to measure shotgun barrels in the dark.

[Matt Buckley]

I guess I'm not buying Purdeys but I have bought several guns from reputable dealers and fellow members who have given me there MWT measurements and I usually come up with the same measurements, so I feel confidant with my Manson gauge. It saved me from spending several thousand dollars on a grade 4 Parker hammer gun earlier this spring with .012 MWT in one of the barrels. I was bummed but left the beautiful Parker with its owner.

[Keith Doty]

ALWAYS measure! Too easy and can save you a spanking! Buy the tool, cry once.