Some of my greatest gun related regrets are due to falling for the big lie that all Damascus barreled guns are unsafe to shoot. When I became interested in doubles, I passed up some screaming deals on these guns because I wanted only guns I could actually use, and not merely keep as wallhangers. I'm particularly haunted by a B grade Lefever and an A grade Harrington & Richardson I let get away because they had those unshootable Damascus barrels.
Now I understand that any gun I might buy has to be evaluated on an individual basis, and good Damascus barrels are better and safer than marginal or early fluid steel. Now I have no qualms about buying and shootIng sound Damascus with appropriate loads. The best part is their beauty, and knowing the skill and labor required to produce them would make them totally unaffordable to the average gun owner, if they were available in new guns today.
