doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com How despicable is choke change?

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".)

BSA is a working gun. Open the chokes so the gun gets used.

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

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

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--

All British guns were built to be used and used hard. Open the choke and use it.

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

Geo, now you're just showing-off. Gil

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.

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.