The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]

Ringing Barrels

Posted by Bert Sorensen on January 14, 2022, 6:33 pm
Edited by board administrator January 15, 2022, 11:52 am

If barrels do not "ring" like the bells of St. Mary's, does this mean they are unsafe to shoot, or is this more of a cosmetics issue?

Re: Ringing Barrells

Posted by Mark Robson on January 14, 2022, 6:42 pm, in reply to "Ringing Barrells"

The tubes may or not be safe. The ringing indicates whether or not the ribs are loose at some point along the barrels.

Re: Ringing Barrells

Posted by Bert Sorensen on January 14, 2022, 9:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Ringing Barrells"

So, barring some other defect in the tube themselves,they should be safe to shoot, even if they don't ring well?

Re: Ringing Barrells

Posted by Zachary Hopkins on January 14, 2022, 10:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Ringing Barrells"

I would advise against shooting with loose ribs. If the tubes aren't damaged by corrosion, dents, etc then they should be okay but the more you shoot it the more the ribs could loosen or the forend hanger which would be a mess. I had a 16ga and a 12ga 00 I shot alot with loose ribs and I ended up having to relay. The barrels are held together by soldered spacers which should keep them together however they could be compromised if corrosion from under the ribs have loosened the spacers as well. At the muzzle end the barrels are held together with strength coming from the ribs, keels, and solder. I relay my own but if you go ahead with the repair it's not the cheapest thing to have done. Zachary

Re: Ringing Barrells

Posted by Drew Hause on January 15, 2022, 8:11 am, in reply to "Ringing Barrells"

I use a 6" wooden dowel to lightly tap the barrels. Occasionally the extractors need to be removed to avoid a dull rattle.
If when tapping the full length of the barrels there is a distinctive and localized dull sound, that does suggest a loose rib at that spot.

For interest, I just tapped a barrel set with a burst mid-barrel and they both rang like St. Mary's!

Larry Potterfield Ringing Barrels

Posted by Drew Hause on January 15, 2022, 9:32 am, in reply to "Re: Ringing Barrells"

Using a brass hammer

what could possibly be under there

Posted by Jent P Mitchell III on January 17, 2022, 5:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Ringing Barrells"

after cleaning

Posted by Jent P Mitchell III on January 17, 2022, 5:45 pm, in reply to "what could possibly be under there "

Re: after cleaning

Posted by John Liles on February 23, 2024, 8:14 am, in reply to "after cleaning"

Many times a set of extractors or ejectors, which move about freely in a set of barrels when they are not attached to the gun, will dampen "barrel ringing". If your barrels don't ring when struck lightly with a non-marring item while being suspended from the hook, try removing the screw that capturers the ejectors/extractors, pull out the ejectors/extractors, and then try ringing them again. You might be pleasantly surprised.

« Back to index

1198

[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]