Damascus Barrels- yes or no?

[King Cobb]

Just curious what the opinion of actually shooting Damascus barreled shotguns is by people on this board? I ask because I think some of the ones I have seen are gorgeous and would love for my next parker-a long way off to have such barrels.

However, I was raised being told they were dangerous to shoot. That is a hard lesson to shake off. Also, I just got done reading Best Guns and McIntosh unequivocally states that D barrels are not safe to shoot. Now I know some on here don't consider him an expert, but the man knew a lot more about doubles then I do and he took a pretty strong stance on the basic idea that a Damascus barrel is not safe to shoot. Granted this was in 89 so it may have predated the tests showing Damascus barrels can be fired safely.

Anyway, just looking for talks knowledge and experiences.

Thanks.

[OH Osthaus]

this is a topic for which a search on this board will give you days worth of reading material

it seems that they have become what I shoot most of the time lately,

the readers digest version - damascus and twist barrels in proper condition (good wall thickness and no or light pitting) are generally considered safe to shoot with proper loads by most of us

NOW- ask what a proper load is




I do prefer lower pressure loads - no matter what the barrel material - they are old guns with old wood

[Double Play]

Bill,
I certainly hope their safe to shoot. The last three guns I’ve bought are all Damascus and will be in the woods this fall.

I also agree with Rick and shoot low pressure loads in all my guns not just the Damascus.

[Brush Buster]

Hello King and Welcome to the PGCA ,I see you are a relatively new member ,this is the place to be ! I beleive most of this group read all of the Sherman Bell articles in The Double Gun Journals on Damascus Barrel testing and I would guess there is better than a 50Percent following here that shoot Damascus barrels on a regular basis ! As already said ,barrel wall thickness and condition is a must but it is on any type of barrel ! I like the low pressure loads from RST also as do many of the Guys on this forum !The only suggestion I would like to make is that if you decide to buy a Dam. Barreled gun on one of the internet auction sites like Gun Broker etc. ,that you make sure there is an inspection period so you are able to either measure the Barrel wall thickness yourself or have a professional do it ,in my opinion ,this is a must ,if the seller is selling with a no return ,than I pass them by ! Again ,just my opinion but thin pitted barrels from a seller that gives a bad description are a costly mistake Good luck in your search for a nice Damascus barreled Parker ! Russ

[Dean Romig]

We were ALL told that lie and ammo boxes still tell that lie. All I shoot are Damascus or composite barreled Parkers. I have no reservations whatever about shooting these barrels. Just be sure they are sound and that you don't stuff the wrong ammo into them.

Barrel obstructions are almost always the reason for barrel failure of both fluid steel barrels guns as well as composite steel barreled guns.

[B. Dudley]

I don't know about you guys, but I shoot Damascus barrels all the time.

[Mills]

I shoot Damascus and Twist barrels all the time. I use RST shells which have the same pressure as the loads for which these guns were designed.

As long as the barrels are in good condition and you use proper loads

[Setter Man]

Been shooting damascus barrels for 10+years. I look at them the same way as fluid steel: make sure there is enough wall thickness, no deep pits and use appropriate ammunition.

The REAL problem with damascus barrels is they make fluid steel barrels look pedestrian.

[Roundsworth]

My W.W. Greener has 'Laminated' barrels that were NEVER final proofed (proved?) at either the Birmingham or London Proof Houses. I use RST cartridges without hesitation!

[Dean Romig]

From some things I've read and from what Brad tells me, Laminated Steel barrels are likely the strongest or at least most resilient barrels on these old Parkers.

That said, Sherman Bell conducted his "Finding Out For Myself" tests on guns that were truly in the "Clunker" category and the Damascus barrels on a 2-frame Parker went to just over 30,000 p.s.i. before they succumbed to destruction.