is this safe to shoot?

[proven]

my father recently gifted me a sxs 12 gauge, which i believe to be a stevens. (i'll try and get a pic of the whole thing later). we've shot this plenty in the past, but it's been laid up for a while. upon inspection, there is a small dent in the left barrel, which protrudes into the bore and can be easily seen. the dent is small, as if made by a nail set or punch (not saying that's what happened, just trying to put it into perspective).

do you guys think this is safe to shoot? ahould i get a local smith to look at it? i somewhat figure that lead shot will simply deform and a poor pattern will be the worst case scenario. and of course, no slugs. however, i value my digits and peepers, so don't want to take unnecessary risk.

there is what i believe enough barrel behind the dent to legally shorten it to 18 inches as another option.

the pics aren't great down the bore, but give the general idea.

what say you?

 

[Fred Fuller]

It would be worth consulting a good gunsmith about that one, I think. Dents can be removed given the proper tools and skills - the article linked below has some good pictures.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/2011/01/03/gunsmithing_0906/
The Ins And Outs Of Shotgun Barrel Dents
by admin • January 3, 2011


Read more: http://www.shootingtimes.com/2011/01/03/gunsmithing_0906/#ixzz1zF1r64Io

 

[14427H]

Gunsmith with a dent remover could fix it.

If you want to try it, i actually removed one like it by tapping a bore size Craftsman socket down and tapping on the outside. I forget what size but a common 3/8 one fits about perfect Drop it in till it sticks, tap it into the dent a bit with a rod. Use a small hammer on the dent a few times an then tap the socket in again a few taps. Easy does it Got 95%+ out that way. Remove from the end you dropped it as the choke will catch it.

 

[One_Jackal]

I would find out the value of the gun without the dent. Given the popularity of anything tactical the gun might not lose any value if it is cut down by a pro.

 

[Still Shooting]

The dent raiser is NOT cheap! - $468. But it can be bought from Brownell's.

Go to this URL

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=399/Product/ORIGINAL-ENGLISH-HYDRAULIC-DENT-RAISER

 

[303tom]

Not telling you what to do, but Id shoot it. First I would tie it to a tree & run a magnum round through it, may straighten its self out..............BUT you make-up your own mind.

 

[alias]

I wouldn't tell anyone what to do either, but I sure wouldn't try to straighten a dent like that by putting a 3" shell in a 2 3/4" chamber. That wouldn't staighten a dent in any event, if the barrel was that soft it would have just worn through (dent or no dent) years ago. I have an old no serial number stevens 311D with a dent in the full choke barrel slightly smaller than the head on a dime. It, too can be seen from inside. I've used this gun for a yard gun for hundreds of 1 and 1 1/4 ounce loads from #8 shot to 00 buck for yard pests and general screwing around without problems. I'd have it staightened if there was someone in the Central CA area who could do it for a reasonable fee, but it hasn't caused me any problems so far, and I realistically don't expect any. Shoot it.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Try Mike Orlen for barrel work. Does great work.

 

[303tom]

I wouldn't tell anyone what to do either, but I sure wouldn't try to straighten a dent like that by putting a 3" shell in a 2 3/4" chamber. That wouldn't staighten a dent in any event, if the barrel was that soft it would have just worn through (dent or no dent) years ago. I have an old no serial number stevens 311D with a dent in the full choke barrel slightly smaller than the head on a dime. It, too can be seen from inside. I've used this gun for a yard gun for hundreds of 1 and 1 1/4 ounce loads from #8 shot to 00 buck for yard pests and general screwing around without problems. I'd have it staightened if there was someone in the Central CA area who could do it for a reasonable fee, but it hasn't caused me any problems so far, and I realistically don't expect any. Shoot it.

Nobody said anything about putting a 3in. shell in a 2&3/4in. chamber that`s stupid, I was kidding about the magnum & it straightening out the dent cause that ain`t gonna happen, I to have a old H&R 12 gauge single barrel with several dents in the barrel, some you can see inside & I shoot the hell out of it, even magnum rounds, but if it is a good old cheap Stevens it will cost more to get the dent out than the shotgun is worth, I would just shot it........But like I said, you make-up your own mind. That`s my .02 cents.................

 

[jimmyraythomason]

This is a very easy fix for a person with the proper dent raising tool.

 

[oneounceload]

run a magnum round through it, may straighten its self out..

***? Tell me you are kidding about that.

Lead and plastic are both softer than steel.........

 

[303tom]

***? Tell me you are kidding about that.

Lead and plastic are both softer than steel.........

You did read my last post RIGHT, you know #9.................