doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com How many of you shoot Damascus barrel guns

I always enjoy a "is Damascus safe to shoot" thread. I'm glad to see this one has stayed friendly.

I shoot a Damascus Parker GH 12 gauge without worry. It was manufactured in 1924. Bores are minty and measure as they left the factory. I doubt it saw many blackpowder loads and I doubt Parker made it think it would.

I sometimes get the feeling that many think that Damascus and twist barrels went away because the makers thought they were un-safe.

I have always thought fluid steel ended up being the barrel of choice because they were cheaper to produce. Damascus barrel construction was labor intensive. That, along with a dwindling number of artisans, more likely caused the demise of Damascus barrels; not safety concerns shooting smokeless loads of the day.