[Zeke Menuar]

The old M1897 Winchester 12ga I recently aquired has a bulge about 1" or so from the end of the barrel. Is this normal? It is a full choke barrel.

Thanks
ZM

[kudu]

Probably was shot at one time with a light obstrution in the barrel, rather than spliting the barrel it bulged it and pushed the obstruction on out.

Might be a candidate for a smith to lop off a couple inches of barrel?

[Dave McCracken]

Kudu nailed it. Not for shooting as is. A bulge indicates the metal was strained beyond its limits. Another high pressure round could turn that thing into a blunderbuss, with fragments and so on.

A decent smith can cut/crown that barrel for a pittance. More cash can have it fitted for choke tubes. I'd be tempted, in your shoes, to just get it shortened and use it for HD and grouse/woodcock/quail hunting.

[Zeke Menuar]

Another high pressure round could turn that thing into a blunderbuss, with fragments and so on.

What about low pressure wimpy loads? At least until I can either shorten the barrel or get a replacement barrel.

ZM

[auschip]

If you decide you don't want to cut the barrel, a new barrel can be had at http://www.e-gunparts.com/products.asp?chrMasterModel=0950z97%20TAKEDOWN&MC= additionally, you see them crop up on ebay every now and then.

[kudu]

The thing about a new barrel is it won't match serial #s with the reciever. Other than that it's a good way to get it up and shooting again.

As for shooting light loads in it for the time being, it probably would be fine but there is always that one chance. Have a smith take a quick look at it unless your feeling brave.

[Dave McCracken]

Zeke, I'm still here cuz I'm cautious. I can think of a dozen instances where caution kept me from assuming ambient temp.

I wouldn't put my lightest load through that thing before a smith OKs it.

[Zeke Menuar]

The plan was to get a check-up after I replace the buttpad and remove most of the offensive surface rust. That is still the plan. I am not really crazy about cutting the barrel down at all. I am keeping an eye on the auction sites. Maybe a used barrel in good condition will turn up. If I replace the barrel, I will hang on to the original barrel just to say I have it.

I really need to do something about this demented obsession to get wallhangers back up and shooting. First Grandads M99-R, now this. Will the madness ever end? My cousin has a M1 Carbine that needs some attention..........Stop Me before I do it again!!!

ZM

UPDATE : I took the gun to a proper gunsmith today. He said the bulge wasn't bad at all and the gun is OK to shoot. The bulge is small enough that it probably won't even affect patterning enough to notice. I guess I was just a bit cautious.
Off to the range