Old 12 gauge's with 2.5" chambers

[floridaboy]

I've been noticing a few older, damascus barreled, shotguns for sale lately. Mostly of English and French manufacture, with very well-known name brands.
A large percentage seem to have 2.5" chambers and relatively reasonable prices.
Now, I know lots of folks will jump in and say that all damascus barrels will fail upon firing. I also know that it's not hard to buy or load shells with black powder. There are 2.5", low pressure, smokeless shells available commercially.
Does anyone have any actual, personal experience with these older shotguns?
Muzzle-loaders with damascus are at subject for another time, only fixed ammo doubles for now.

Thanks

 

[oneounceload]

I shoot with some folks who have some older or "vintage" guns. They do get shot, but not a lot. They come out for a round of 5-stand now and again. One gent has his sleeved to the same gauge, another just shoots his. Both guns are from IIRC, 1895 to 1900. They do not shoot BP, but low pressure smokeless. Neither fit me very well when I was allowed to shoot a few rounds - they thumped me more than my modern gun due to stock dimensions - but they were cool to shoot. The key is having an EXPERIENCED smith check them out to get the OK........

 

[rmfnla]

It's not that all damascus barrels will fail, it's that any of them can fail, at any time and with no warning.

If you've ever seen a gun blow up (or worse, had it hapen to you) you will find other guns to shoot.

 

[bobelk99]

It's not that all damascus barrels will fail, it's that any of them can fail, at any time and with no warning.

If your interest in related to family firearms or collection, have at it.

If you interest is shooting, damascus is not a good choice. Like all guns, there are different grades out there. The low grade ones are an accident waiting to happen.