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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 177
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 177 |
So, imagine you came into possession of a very nice old shotgun. In this case a high condition, top-level model British BSA shotgun with factory 2-3/4 chambers (engraved, ejector model). The gun is factory choked open on the right and a tight full on the left.
How big of a sin is it to have a qualified professional open the tight barrel to a choke constriction more appropriate for the owner's use (say light-mod or mod)? Does this ruin the value of the gun forever? Is it better to maintain originality, knowing the gun will likely collect dust in the back of the safe or adopt the gun to modern shells and uses and give the old gal a new lease on life?
BTW, I've had chokes opened on a number of guns in the past. This one just seems a bit more sacred somehow. Should some guns simply not be altered? (ETA: If it makes any difference, the barrel is marked simply "CHOKE".)
Last edited by bladeswitcher; 11/03/16 07:00 AM.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,498 Likes: 396
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,498 Likes: 396 |
BSA is a working gun. Open the chokes so the gun gets used.
The world cries out for such: he is needed & needed badly- the man who can carry a message to Garcia
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,025 Likes: 51
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,025 Likes: 51 |
I do not believe it is a sin to make a gun more useful for your purpose.
Altering choke is ok.
The word "choke" merely means the barrel had some choke at proof, it does not refer to any specific degree of choke like some Belgian guns do when they are stamped with bore and choke size markings.
I caveat that with an exception, a highly collectable, and valuable gun in pristine condition should be left alone if your purpose is collecting investment as any alterations affect value. If it is a shooter a not some unique gun have at it
Michael Dittamo Topeka, KS
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 593
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 593 |
That is my thoughts as well canvasback. It's only a BSA It is possibly a nice upper grade BSA because it is an engraved ejector model, so depending on the value of the gun now & as it is not suitable to you like it is; can you afford to mess with it ? I like the combination as it is, but then my use may be different to yours. O.M
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
having the chokes changed on a BSA field grade gun is like Dolly Parton having a boob job--having the chokes or chamber length changed on a Boss is like welding arms back on to the Mona Lisa in the Louvre--
I prefer to use RST spreader loads, and leave my Model 12's and LC Smith chokes unsullied. I like ist tight pattersm as I love to see birds crumple in air like they just ran into the vault at Fort Knox. If I were a grouse and woodcock and quail hunter today, that would be different, but 90% of my shotgunning today s pass shooting, or laying in wait like a sniper and be-heading a Tom turkey with a fist-tight pattern at distance- Win M1897--
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021 |
All British guns were built to be used and used hard. Open the choke and use it.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,704 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,704 Likes: 103 |
The BSA high grade ejector gun is pretty rare, but not much collector interest as far as I know. Western hunters and sporting clays guys want more choke than us eastern hunters do. Opening may reduce value in some circles. Does your BSA look like this one?...Geo
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,087 Likes: 479
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,087 Likes: 479 |
Geo, now you're just showing-off. Gil
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 177
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 177 |
Does your BSA look like this one?...Geo
similar, without the coin finish. I'll try to get some photos shot and post. Part of me says leave it alone. You can't UNDO the change. I can always open it later. Learn to shoot it. The other part of me says, we're not shooting the same ammo they had when the gun was made. If the gun were built for today's plastic wads, the bore probably wouldn't be so tight. Discretion says wait and think. Soliciting opinions here is just part of that process.
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 906 Likes: 30
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 906 Likes: 30 |
If you reload, I would leave it alone and adjust the pattern with spreaders. Its EZ to remove material but hard to replace. There may come a day when you want that full left barrel.
Bladeswitcher's comment works for me. Wait and think.
Bill Johnson
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