doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com THE BARREL RINGING MYTH

Tin/lead solder crystallizes during ages and bad storage and old barrels may not ring properly. It fix-able. Ribs loosing is different story.
Too hard overbored barrels (honed many times) do not ring properly as well, they ring like metal backets.

The larger the hammer the better the test. Expensive barrels should be struck with at least an 8 lb hammer. If the barrels collapse, thay arent any good...

Basicaly ringing barrels is a test to check soundness . Like all rule of thumb tests you have to "read" the results based on past experience. I have had barrels that "rang" quite well but on closer inspection it was found that it was possible go get a .002" feeler gauge between rib and barrel tube in a couple of places. I have had other barrels that when struck did not ring at all,yet the ribs were sound,the dullnes caused by rust or other internal contaminents betwee the ribs.
It is best when ringing a set of barrels to remove extractotr and springs if an O/U ,multi chokes and any other add ons if possible. Hang on a finger by the hook or between fingers if a Beretta type barrel ,I just use the wooden handel of a small screw driver or similar and tap very lightly.
Diferent barrels will sound diferent dependent on there construction , rib type etc., As I said its a rule of thumb and like all rules you need to be able to read them .

Not withstanding the comments above, I have examined more guns at auction with a view to purchase than I care to think about.
Without exception I have 'rung the tubes' and once or twice I have found a seriously loose rib by the 'thunk' it has produced.
Far more often I have produced a sound that Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells circa 1970's) would have been proud of and gone home with my nice new project to discover several little streams of bubbles in the boiling tank on test.
Basically I budget for a rib relay on all pre-1900 projects. If damascus, one can cope with a tiny 'bleed' without compromising the 'brown' and the integrity of the tubes; with steel, forget it. The boiling tank will ruin all your best effort at a fine even black and no doubt introduce water and worse into the rib cavity.
I have heard of tricks with Loctite and other sealants but they have never worked for me and a total relay is the best and only professional answer IMHO.

I had my cellphone ring once, while inspecting a set of barrels at a gunshow. Rang really loud and carried on for a while. Didn't find any delaminated areas on that rib.

ROTFL

SRH

At the risk of allowing Mr. Good to assume an aura of respectability, I will relate the story of my Ithaca NID.
After thoroughly ringing the barrels of an Ithaca NID I found at the local gunshop; I offered the dealer a little less than asking price for the field grade 12 ga. He greedily accepted my check, and I left; the proud owner of my new-old double.
My 28 yr. old fell in love with the old girl, and wanted to try her out at the local trap range. Having a quantity of new Federal Gold Medal Papers on hand I consented. Away we went for a night shoot. To my mouth-dropping amazement, my son proceeded to break, in succeeding rounds; 23,25,24 targets with that 84 year-old shotgun. The regulars at the club were suitably impressed.
We shot trap with that NID three Tuesday nights running. While cleaning the guns after the third evening, we were shocked to discover the barrels coming loose from the ribs!!! They were detached for about 18 inches. It appeared very little solder was used when they were manufactured. We couldn't believe we didn't hear them rattle while on the line; as they rattled loudly when "rung" at home.....
Sent the gun out to Gunther Pfrommer, who did his usual fine repair job. When we got the gun back from Gunther, the barrels rang like a carillion. But we couldn't trust the old girl. So she went down the road to an old gentleman who will hunt her little, and care for her lots....... Yes we disclosed the barrel repair before accepting his money.
Now we are in the market for a bulletproof side-by-side. Maybe a Winchester 21? Browning BSS? The son likes his trap gun barrels horizontal...... Grant.

Hey Last Dollar
I thought everybody that is anybody KNOWS that with at LEAST a 6 lb. hammer UP to an 8 lb you can really open up those patterns without the hassle of cutting off 3 or 4 inches. Get your facts right, huh? Damned amateurs.
Rick

Interesting theory

For Oldmodel70-

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