Need to fix slightly damaged Browning O/U barrel

[ny32182]

About a year ago, a buddy of mine had an unfortunate accident while we were out shooting a sporting clays course. We were driving a golf cart with the shotguns mounted on hooks behind the back seat. We hit a bump, and his Browning Lighting "Sporting Clays Edition" took a tumble from its mount, and landed on the edge of the small bed in the back of the cart. Luckily it was encased in a thin sleeve that kept scratches off of it, however... one of the ribs on the top of the barrel was bent very slightly inward, by a couple millimeters or so, I'd say. This is a picture of a very similar shotgun with a couple of the "ribs" circled. Only one of the ribs is damaged:



My question is, can this be repaired without buying a new barrel? Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the exact damage in question, but can probably get one if it is crucial to the answer.

 

[TrapperReady]

A while back I saw a magazine write-up of someone using a tool like shown at the link below. The short answer is "Yes. It can be fixed."

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=8754&title=VENT RIB TOOL

 

[highorder]

it can likely be repaired. if time isn't a factor, poke around the net and ask some folks that you shoot clays with and find a good smith that specializes in ribbed doubles.

not unlike seeking out a specialist when you have a medical condition.

 

[ny32182]

So does anyone know of such a smith? I don't think time is too much of a factor. Thanks for the help, looks like we can get it worked out.

 

[Striker]

Here are few:

http://www.simmonsguns.com/

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi

Also: Walker Arms, 499 County Road, 820 Selma, Alabama 36701
Phone: (334-872-6232 Service Dept.)