Recently two people asked questions about 2 shotguns that I was hoping you folks could answer.
First, a fellow explained that he has his father's J.C. Higgins Model 20 with a "power pac" choke. It is an old system and hasn't been made for decades, with good reason. When you screw the choke tube into the ventilated housing on the end of the barrel, there is a gap between the end of the barrel and the beginning of the choke tube. The size of that opening depends on which choke has been inserted, but it can vary from about a half inch to about an inch and half. The question is whether it is safe to shot modern shotgun shells that have the plastic shot cups with this space between the end of the barrel and the beginning of the choke tube. He is worried that the lip of the shot cup will get caught or "hang up" on the choke tube and blow the entire choke off of the barrel. He wanted to hear from someone with first hand experience before he risked his father's shotgun. He realizes it doesn't have much monetary value but it is the sentimental value that he doesn't want to loose.
Second, another fellow has a Browning A5, made in Belgium from the 1930s, and wants to know if he could replace the original barrel with a recently manufactured A5 barrel that has the Invector Choke system. He doesn't want to spend a two or three hundred dollars on a barrel that will not fit his shotgun. I called Browing to ask, but after being on hold for about a half hour, I gave up. Once again comments from folks with first hand experience would be greatly appreciate.
Thanks for your time and attention!
First, a fellow explained that he has his father's J.C. Higgins Model 20 with a "power pac" choke. It is an old system and hasn't been made for decades, with good reason. When you screw the choke tube into the ventilated housing on the end of the barrel, there is a gap between the end of the barrel and the beginning of the choke tube. The size of that opening depends on which choke has been inserted, but it can vary from about a half inch to about an inch and half. The question is whether it is safe to shot modern shotgun shells that have the plastic shot cups with this space between the end of the barrel and the beginning of the choke tube. He is worried that the lip of the shot cup will get caught or "hang up" on the choke tube and blow the entire choke off of the barrel. He wanted to hear from someone with first hand experience before he risked his father's shotgun. He realizes it doesn't have much monetary value but it is the sentimental value that he doesn't want to loose.
Second, another fellow has a Browning A5, made in Belgium from the 1930s, and wants to know if he could replace the original barrel with a recently manufactured A5 barrel that has the Invector Choke system. He doesn't want to spend a two or three hundred dollars on a barrel that will not fit his shotgun. I called Browing to ask, but after being on hold for about a half hour, I gave up. Once again comments from folks with first hand experience would be greatly appreciate.
Thanks for your time and attention!
