Hello All-
I need some advice. Tomorrow I am going to shoot a friend's French MAC (Manufacture d'Armes de Châtellerault) 16 ga. He has never shot it and wants to sell it. I may purchase it if I like it. I have some concerns however. I handled the shotgun several weeks ago and as I recall it is in very good condition, very tight and I would say the metal work wears 90% or better original finish. Nothing fancy, but it impressed me as light and well made.
The shotgun has the characteristic sling swivels. Somewhat unique, the butt stock has a large serial number stamped on it. That kind of marking one would think would be associated with a military weapon and not a sporting weapon. Manufacture d'Armes de Châtellerault (MAC), was a major supplier of military weapons, so that has me wondering.
Anyway, my question (and I guess it is somewhat of an urgent nature) has to do with chambers. I have tried to do my homework here before asking. If the gun is stamped 65, that will tell me that the shotgun has 2 1/2" chambers. I assume a larger number would mean longer chambers. If this gun has 2 1/2" chambers, is it considered safe to shoot 2 3/4" shells?
If not safe with 2 3/4" shells, does that make this shotgun more trouble than it would be worth (any good sources for the 2 1/2" shells short of reloading)? Also in the off chance anyone knows exactly what this shotgun is, I would appreciate any information. I was thinking this may have been a WW2 bring back. Do you think $300 be a fair price?
Thanks-
Doug
