Lower Rib question

[Boxbirder]

I have located a DHE that I feel might make a nice pigeon gun. 30" Vent Rib, Miller trigger, Pistol grip, FxF. I made the ride out to the shop today to take a look. Couple of things I always bring with me, 18" bore gauge, magnify glass and an oiled rag.

I mic'd the bores and chokes, they were full & full. One thing I learned the hard way was to hang the barrels from finger and give em a flick to see if they sound like a piano tuner. They sounded OK but I don't think with a Parker Vent Rib you’re going to get that twang. So then it was wipe the metal down here's where I hit a snag. About 6" or 7" from the end of the barrels "choke end" on the bottom rib is a slight bump in the under rib. This bump is about an inch long, so say it starts at 7" then goes for 1 inch then down to what feels level.

I then took out my magnifying glass, you can barely see this from above looking down while the barrels are laying flat. If you look down from the end of the barrel to the breach you can see one side an area that to me looks like it has a bulge. The barrel mic I have is a Stan Baker with the 3 balls on the end that takes the reading. There isn't a bulge around that area in either of the barrels. The Bores mic at .725. So my question is what is up with that area.

I was told that the gun was at Del Grego, Barrels blued, case colored action, all new screws, the gun is tight. I also had 2 fired hulls that I fired both barrels. It appears to me the left ejector is a little slower than the right and doesn’t toss it as far.

Please advise.

[Double Play]

Mark,
If I understand you correctly it sounds like the bottom rib is not even along the length of the barrels. I had a set of barrels striped and the ribs relayed by a very well known and respected barrel man. Everything looked great until one day during a cleaning as I looked down the length of the barrels I noticed an area of the lower rib that was as you describe. It was soldered correctly just not properly seated along its full length. It was easily repaired and the barrels are now perfect.

[Bill Murphy]

The only way to tell what's in there is to look. I'll bet the seller is not willing to get that done. It's up to you.

[Boxbirder]

I have possesion of the gun right now until next saturday. I have tried to take pics but every one comes up dark or glared. I will have some pics taken tues. Who could I overnite this to, get an inspection and figure out what's up with it.
The dealer I work with was surprised I found this, he's a little stumped on this.... when you look at the bottom rib it doesn't appear to be seperated from the barrels, everything on the end of the barrels look good.

[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by Mark Parela

I have possesion of the gun right now until next saturday. I have tried to take pics but every one comes up dark or glared. I will have some pics taken tues. Who could I overnite this to, get an inspection and figure out what's up with it.
The dealer I work with was surprised I found this, he's a little stumped on this.... when you look at the bottom rib it doesn't appear to be seperated from the barrels, everything on the end of the barrels look good.

Kirt Merrington in TX

[Bill Murphy]

If you really want to address the problem immediately upon gaining ownership, about $1200 should be put into escrow in case a minor inspection turns into a complete rib removal and reblue. If there is barrel corrosion, the deal should be off. Keith Kearcher removed the damaged and separated ribs from my vent rib D Grade pigeon gun and cleaned everything up for a very reasonable price.

[Boxbirder]

After a few phone calls I started thinking about this P shooter, it's going back in the A.M. I know there's one out there yearning to travel shooting pigeons and ducks. So for now the hunt is back on, I just don't know why I love these SxS's.