Ranger SxS 16 guage

[Davemuzz]

My father in law past away this year and left a vary old and well used (well used) Ranger 16 guage double barrel to my nephew. Now, this gun has no $ value but just sentimental value. My father in law was the oldest of 5 brothers, and after he bot this gun, he went to war and his brothers all used the gun to hunt with. They all went to war. Actually, if you look at this gun, you would think it went to war.

The left barrel has a buldge about 12" from the breach. I have had it looked at by Smith's and they have all said, it is too expensive to fix it, just hang it on a wall. Although the right barrel is useable. (the left barrel could be plugged).

The "Ranger" was the trade name an manfacutued by someone else. This gun has the double trigger.

So, is there any way a do-it-your self-er could fix the gun? Even if a smith could replace the left barrel, I could do the required filing and blueing.

Again, this isn't a value gun but a "pap" gun and one with family history.

Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.

Dave

[Graybeard]

Such repair on a double would generally require the making of a new barrel set to be hand fitted to the action. Unless you are prepared to drop over $1000 into it you'd be well advised to do as recommended and hang it on the wall. Give it the honored retirement it's earned.

Also don't assume the one good barrel is safe to fire. That's not necessarily a good assumption.

[Davemuzz]

Thanks for the reply Bill. Your echoing what the Smith's have said. I just thought I'd give it one more try here.

Thanks again.

Dave.

[gunnut69]

It's likely the gun you have is a boxlock double made by Savage/Stevens and has little value(monetary) and the smith based his statement on that. What Bill said is also true but,,, Sometimes bulges can be reduced. Dents are routinely removed from the relatively thin tubes of a shotgun and bulges too can sometimes be fixed..but the smith's statement remains true..it would not be a cost effective job.. The fact remains these old doubles were likely built with castiron receivers and modern shells are loaded to higher pressures than most were designed to handle.. I would advise against fixing the gun. Just add it to the wall and sit back and wonder at what it's seen and where it's been..