doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Galazan Chamber Gauge

FYI Galazan has again listed for sale their chamber length gauges. They have been out of stock for several years, but are available once again.

I have one, bought it some years ago-- that and one of their fine brass stepped choke gauges- well worth the price they ask- top shelf tools indeed.

Except, RWTF, the brass drop-in choke gauges only give accurate readings if the bore diameter of the gun in question is standard.
If not, and depending how far off from standard the diameter is, the result can be very misleading.

Chamber length gage is good to have for the old shotguns. The choke gage is only good to let you know the muzzle was not honed out. Without knowing the bore you don't know choke.

I have the brass combo chamber/choke gauge. For the chambers, it�s great. For chokes, it�s very hard to read the stamped brass. I bought a much better round, drop in gauge for chokes.

If Tony Galazan serial numbered his brass chamber gauges being discussed, the one shown in the link provided below would be Serial Number 1. (I couldn�t figure out how to post the image directly so provided the link.)

I made this one almost 40 years ago to measure the chamber length for primarily A. H. Fox doubles, my main collecting interest.

Tony seen me using it and asked what it was. He liked the idea and asked if he could make some. Sure, why not.

Back then the gauges and tools for measuring chokes, chambers and wall thickness were less common and this one worked fine for its intended use.

And also, the good ole American dime (0.703� diameter) was useful in checking Modified and Full chokes in a 12 gauge. And much to the chagrin of some, I still use a dime today. (Sorry!)

So a precision instrument it isn�t but still quite handy for what it is.

Jolly

https://i.imgur.com/5IhW2sV.jpg?1

I do not have a Galazan chamber gage so do not know what diameter they are made to. As to the "Old" guns, be aware that SAAMI specs did not exist when most of them were built. Present specs call for a minimum chamber diameter at the juncture with forcing cone of .798". MANY old chambers, even of 2 3/4" length may run from .001"-.003" smaller than this. "IF" that chamber gage is made to the .798" diameter it will show the chamber being from 3/16"-�" short for every 001" it is undersized. This undersize does not present a hazard & does not require either short shells or a chamber lengthening.

I check the length of my "Old" guns with a 6" flexible machinist scale. In fact, one of the "General" brand you can pick up at a home improvement store for about 3 bucks will work as well for this use as a Starrett or Brown & Sharpe.
I hold the barrel up toward a light, such as an open window, not concentrated & view the shadow line where the cone starts. The scale can be slid in touching the chamber wall until the corner just touches the shadow line. Hold it right there & bring the barrel down & read scale. Actually much more accurate than a misfitting chamber gage.

Internal Dial Caliper works for me. Just mark 2.5" 2.75" and 3" on the arms. Slide in the chamber and when the chamber length is reached take the reading. Helps on chokes as well. Pretty simple and handy.