doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ringing barrels, take 2 !

The "Clark Kent test" is the bast....GDU yours sounds like a close second.
I always looked at the ring test as a selling 'ploy' by gun dealers because that's where I first saw it..from a gun dealer not a gunsmith.

It is pretty wonderful that our expensive tubes act just like a piece of cheap electrical conduit. So long as you don't cut them off to achieve a particular pitch and hang them outside in trees, no harm is done by a bit of Barnumesque musicality.

jack

I'm with John Mann on this one. I haven't seen a barrel set that rang nicely that had anything wrong with it. Besides that, I sure as heck don't want a mouthful of cigar smoke. Mine or anyone else's.

Silvers. I have a LC Smith Long range 3" gun with the reinforced barrel splinter. That's a long extra piece soldered underside the breeches. The barrels won't ring at all they make a dull sound everywhere just as you said. I think the long splinter keeps the barrels from ringing. I"ve used that gun for years hunting and even for box birds with heavy ammo. No loose ribs or anything problems. You didn't say what kind of barrels you have but take a look at the underpart and see if there's anything long and heavy soldered in there. Have you been on the mountain lately? Take care

Jim I guess I imagined the visibly loose ribs on my 10 gauge W & C. Scott muzzle loader that rang a perfect tone top to bottom.

As far as the ciger smoke trick....I've never noticed any "vent holes" in the ribs of any of my guns.

Ringing is only one test, but I think it's a worthy one. I have seen gunsmiths do it. Foolproof? Nope. I've found some loose ribs just by pushing down with my thumb and detecting movement. The water test . . . might work OK after you've paid for the gun, but most dealers probably aren't going to haul out a tub of hot water for you to use. As long as you're working with a dealer that has a good return policy, however, might be interesting to try at home.

I'd think if you'd thump the Liberty Bell just right, the over-tones would sing like a chours of angels from on high.