Posted by Stephen Hathcock on September 1, 2016, 5:28 pm
I just received a Field Grade Long Range, purchased via Gun Broker. Solid appearing gun, locks up tight. The wood is what you'd expect on a Field Grade, better than many I've seen, without any cracks or much oil soaking. Case colors are faded but visible. Metalwork is stable, only one screw is a little bit boogered.
Some things, though, are bugging me... First off, the barrels have been reblued despite the Item Description making note that "...the barrel blueing [sic] is fading also but 80%+." Wouldn't one think that's referring to the original barrel bluing? While everything locks up tight and looks nice and straight, the barrels don't ring, rather they sort of "clang", which is concerning.
The barrels are 30", appear to be original at that length but I don't know for certain, the bores are mirror, but the chambers appear to be 2 7/8", not 3" as advertised and as marked on the barrel flat. I'm not aware that L.C. Smith made Long Range guns in 2 7/8". What am I missing there? Was 3" not really 3" but kinda sorta almost 3"?
There's no barrel reinforcement, which I understand was a variable sort of thing. The lug is marked Long Range. Serial number is R 68192.
The gun is otherwise clean and tight and looks exactly like what it is said to be, a Field Grade L.C. Smith Long Range. Except...I'm concerned about the rebluing and the rib integrity, not knowing who did it or when or how well. And with that I'm concerned what else was redone on the gun without my learning about it up front. I'm concerned about the barrels not ringing. I'm curious about the chamber length.
Anyone able to shed some light on all this? I'd welcome sage wisdom, educated thoughtfulness, wild ass guess, rank opinions. I don't want to have to return the gun but I do want to be able to shoot it safely and enjoy it and not have a lot of nagging doubts.