doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Drilling barrels repair

I took my Kerstin drilling to have the stock looked at as premaint. and a safety issue. The gunsmith told me that the barrels did not ring true, it may be unsafe to shoot. My dilemma is that I want to have my seven(7) grandsons to use it after I am In THE LONG SLEEP. Is it practical to have it repaired and what would be an estimate of cost and who would you recommend? I have had great results from this Forum in the past as you all got me into this passion in the first place! With great admiration and respect I remain respectfully yours, Pilgrim

Champlain in Enid, OK has a belgian gunsmith (JJ) who can do the evaluation and work if it is required.

Be aware that conventional "ringing" test for shotguns may not work on drillings. Sling swivels, extractors and the rod that flips up leaf sight can all have a significant dampening effect of the Ringing of these barrels.Unless your gunsmith can show you where the ribs are clearly loose I wouldn't worry about it.

Hugh Lomas is absolutly right. The way to check is to tap on the ribs themselves, if loose it will have a "hollow" sound. If tight, it will sound solid. It doesn't make much difference what you tap with, when out of the house, I usually use the bolster on my pocket knife.
Mike

I concur with both Hugh Lomas and Der Ami. If you are unsure of the barrels and want 100% confidence you can take it or send it to a smith who knows and understands drillings

Champlain is one I have dealt with and feel good about, there are others.

Yes, check them very closely for movement. Sometimes a good way of doing this is to put some oil in the crack of the rib, wipe it off and then push on the rib firmly. If you see oil come out, then the rib is loose. Like others have said. Ringing is not always a definite sign of issues. But sometimes just an indication to look closer.

Thank you all for your great support and wealth of knowledge! I feel much better now. I was able, before I took the gun to have looked at to buy a box of S&B 9.3/72R shells and fired all 20 rounds for regulation. Does this reinforce what most are saying that the system may be reasonably safe as is? Pilgrim

Opinion YES, but ONLY valid if you send me $110 AND the WHOLE drilling, which I will KEEP so you will be protected
Enjoy the gun
Mike

Pilgrim,
Be sure to save your S&B cases and handload them, it will be rewarding.
Mike

Thank you for your continued interest. I have saved the cases and was able to buy Norma brass. I am now rolling my own!! as they say and enjoying every moment. a lot of my joy is because of you and like members of this forum.Warm and best regards, Peter