Thanks for both replies. The gun was 2 1/2 inch chambers and the first thing I did was to lengthen the chambers to 2 3/4 ($110 down the tubes, no pun intended). The gun was used for hunting for years so I am sure it was shot with longer shells its whole life. The owner did not have a clue it was 2 1/2 inch chambers. The gun is not pristine, hairline crack, a few dents in the L barrel, m & m where the left barrel was honed out from F, bright receiver (polished out by owner). But it is a shooter 20 ga Smith that I want to shoot 7/8 ounce loads at doves and rabbits, and let my granddaughter shoot as her first gun. I don't think I could hurt it. I can load 3/4 oz. loads in 2 3/4, but did not want the expense of new 2 1/2 inch shells. It locks up as tight as a bank vault, a little over 6 lbs., and handles well. Just another toy. The crack repair does not sound like a job for a novice so I will probably just keep an eye on it.