I'm a veteran of the 'old shotgun wars'. Older shotguns SHOULD NOT BE FIRED. I know, I know, your granddad, daddy and you have fired thousand of rounds without trouble. I know it's a high-grade gun. I know it's just as good as the day it was made. Question: How much is your eyesight, hands, and maybe life, WORTH. How much are the same things worth to a bystander.
My brother was going to buy a Remington double made in the early 1930's, a few years ago. I told him NO, don't do it.
He and the owner took it out for one last test fire. My brother told me the owner finished ripping me for 'dissing' a fine Remington, loaded 'er up, fired it, and the right-hand barrel blew out mid-way down the hand guard. Fortunatly he was holding it with his hand against the receiver. A piece of steel about 4 inches long by 3/4" peeled back and was literally hanging by a 'thread'. If it had come free, it would have gotten him square in the right eye. he got some fragments in the face and a nice cut from the peeled section. Suddenly, I wasn't so stupid any more.
Over the years I've seen a number of guns blow, and it AIN'T funny, even when nobody gets hurt.
No gun is worth your life. Hang the old ones over the mantle.
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