firing an 80 yr-old shotgun

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newenglander

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I recently inherited my uncle's ancient Springfield 16 ga s/s, and would like to hunt grouse/pheasants with it. I have fired it a couple of times and seems OK. Other than staying with lead shot, is there anything I should be concerned about other than routine maintenance? The stock has a hairline crack and to be on the safe side, I'm going to order a new stock.
 
Sounds like you are taking a commons sense approach to this.
If the gun is in decent condition you should be OK just epoxying the stock or replacing it. I would stay away from magnum shells.
 
Stick with the "leaded" shells of non-magnum style and you should be OK.

{No steel or any of that other 'non-toxic' stuff, lighter loads only}
 
I'll let you know next year, as my go-to trap gun is a model 12, circa. 1929.
30" barrel, full choke. I pulled mine out of my grandfathers closet, cleaned, cleaned, and cleaned some more. Had to replace the fireing pin 7 years ago, but it justs keep going. not sure how long it sat on the sidelines, but it is back in action going on 10 years.

p.s. I only run trap loads through it, factory and reloads. 1 1/8 #8's (obviously lead)
 
A 16 ga. that old might have 2 9/16" chambers instead of the modern 2 3/4" length.

I would have a qualified gunsmith measure the chambers before firing modern 2 3/4" ammo in it.

rcmodel
 
Someone tell me if I'm wrong, but wasn't some making ammo specifically for old shotguns? I cant remember who it was, check midwayusa.
 
A few months ago I started a thread about my step grandfathers 1897 winchester it was made in 1908.it had been shot (probably a lot) early in its life but grandpa Jack wasn't much of a hunter I assume it was inherated by him from a uncle,he was born in '07.well anyway it had gone neglected for many years before it fell in my possesion,and I've had it for 15-20 years.a reacent interest in cowboy shooting led me to have it repaired so I could shoot it.last weekend I was invited to go phesant hunting with my father,uncle and cousins in South Dakota,I haven't got to go with them for a few years due to hunting conditions and loss of available ground.I'm very glad I got to go this is the first dads got to hunt with his new knees(it was humbling to see him walk a field again).anyway I had a good hunt even limeted out with the old 16 guage.Other than a couple(embarrasing/frustrating) shortsuckings the gun worked flawlessly.very natural to the shoulder,just gotta remeber to cock the hammer
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I hadn't thought about the possibility that it would only take 2 9/16 shells. When I first fired it a few years ago, I used 2 3/4...they fit flush and worked fine.
 
I'm pretty sure that Springfield didn't make a 2 9/16" chamber...
Just stick to the light stuff.
 
welcome lawman, I hope you enjoy THR and look forward to reading some of your posts.

As for the OP I have a stevens arms in 16ga that was my great-grandfathers. I have been shooting this gun for about the last 25 yrs. I use only lead shot in it. The hardest shooting stuff I have ran through it has been some federal pheasant loads in #6 shot. Not a problem one in a shotgun that has been around almost 100 years.

And don't tell this to anybody but it shoots better than any other shotgun I have ever shot. There is something to be said for an old single shot. or even a good old SxS
 
+1 On The 2&9/16 Check, My Brother Bought A Browning Auto 5 That Was Like That. He Took It To The Gunsmith And Had It Bored To Shoot 2&3/4 Shells.
 
I inherited a Model 1912 Winchester 16 ga. 2/9-16 chamber. It will handle roll crimp paper 2/3-4 ok but plastic star crimp are too long to eject and hang up on the front wall of the port. I watch gun shows and have picked up a lifetime supply of W-W Ranger 2/9-16 shells at a good price.
 
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