Ring Double Barrel Shotgun Barrels

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Johnm1

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So, I know what I learned from the internet (it just has to be true). So bear with me.

I was looking at a Lefever 16 Ga. Nitro Special. Nothing special about it. Good sturdy gun, no dents and it faces up (is that the correct terminology?) well. Not loose at all with the handguard removed and the lever to the right of center. Blue on the barrels was in nice shape.

I had the shop remove the barrels and hung them (it?) from the barrel hook on my finger. Muzzle end produced a nice high pitched 'ring'. Similar, but slightly lower pitch, on the breach end. But in the middle the barrels still rang but at a much lower pitch then the muzzle end. There is no point along the barrel that doesn't 'ring' and it never produces a 'thud'. It just rings at a significantly lower pitch in about the middle. In this Midway video




(Edit to link no correct video)

the good barrel rings at the same pitch for its entire length. But the Lefever certainly rings at different pitches.

Nothing I have read prepared me for that. Now my mind wants to jump to the assumption that the lower pitch means there is some degree of separation. Maybe not much separation, but separation. But being I just learned that I had to 'ring' a barrel(s) I certainly don't have enough information to interpret what I heard.

So, does a lower pitch ring, no thud, mean there is separation in a barrel set?
 
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Thickness in the barrels at various points on the barrel will produce different sounds. You should be able to see any separation. I prefer visual and mechanical inspection to auditory inspection, there are just too many variables involved to completely rely on it. OTOH, SxS shotguns are not my specialty. I suspect they aren't Larry Potterfield's either. His method of removing dents is very good, however, much better than the 'pass-thru' method some use. (The steel plugs he mentions) I did not see him 'ring the barrel in this video, but I have seen it done in shops before as a method of inspection.
 
Thank you for the reply,

My inspection didn't reveal any separations visually. I will go back again tomorrow and confirm.

I corrected the link in my original post to link to the correct video.
 
Well I went back today and did a thorough visual inspection and confirmed that there were no separations. So, it is mine for now. I'll start a new thread when it comes time, but this one will be a 'Tribute' gun. I'm going to add some engraving of Dog Scenes to the receiver. It will be a gift.

Although it is a 'nice' gun and somewhat collectable, it doesn't carry a real high dollar value. So, contrary to my normal feelings about leaving stuff as it is, this one will be embellished and reduce its collector value. Although I paid too much, I still only paid $270 for it. Blue is nearly perfect, no case colors, factory engraved scene mostly worn off, wood dark but in very good shape, release to the right an the gun is tight. Mechanically it functions perfectly. It will be a fun project.
 
And you might want to measure the chambers. It’s tough to find the shorter shells. My recent single shot is 2-9/16 and I have yet to find proper ammunition. I will be rolling my own.
 
I don't know, I see them go for around $200 on GunBroker. I'm okay paying a local guy a little bit more for the opportunity to really inspect a firearm. I will try and get some pictures up in the next day or so. It is a very solid double.

I dont object to opening up the chambers if necessary as long as measurements will allow.
 
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And you might want to measure the chambers. It’s tough to find the shorter shells. My recent single shot is 2-9/16 and I have yet to find proper ammunition. I will be rolling my own.
you haven't looked hard enough
RST and Polywad show 2-1/2" shells which will work just fine for your gun

Even Midway sells shorter ammo
 
Brownells sells a reamer to lengthen the forcing cones. I would recommend checking them and having the cones lengthened. It will help keep the gun from beating on your shoulder.
 
Well I misread the position of the lever upon my 3 inspections. It is very close to center. Otherwise it is as I expected upon inspection at home. Chokes are marked full and cylinder.

I’ll start another thread about the embellishments.

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