Shooting shotgun with dented barrel?

**Rural Ruger** · May 19th, 2024, 08:28 PM

So I got a deal on a SxS shotgun that has a small dent on the one barrel. Its cheap gun (the model, and even more so, the cosmetic condition) and not worth fixing the dent IMO. Present on the outside but not horrible, and barely noticeable on the inside. Have an idea on what direction I wanna go but curious about public opinion.

Shoot it with low power loads? Full send? Don't shoot at all?

**RockIsland** · May 19th, 2024, 09:10 PM

Shoot the undented side.

**ar15jules** · May 19th, 2024, 09:14 PM

Have you ever seen a shotgun barrel that was obstructed after it was fired? Think Elmer Fudd's shotgun after Bugs stuck his finger in it....Take it to a real gun smith and have him check the barrel before you do anything...That's my real vote.

**Grizzlytrap** · May 19th, 2024, 09:49 PM

You could SBR it. But do it legally..

**Walleye Hunter** · May 19th, 2024, 10:07 PM

How come 'let your buddy shoot it first' is not an option?

**littlefitz** · May 19th, 2024, 10:21 PM

If you really can't notice the dent much on the inside, I would probably try it with a minishell. You could also rig it up and fire it with a string while you are out of harm's way.

**olderguy** · May 19th, 2024, 10:30 PM

Years ago, my brother fired his .410 with mud plugging the barrel. Nobody hurt, but he took it to school and made a pistol out of it. This was prior to 1960, when everybody took their guns to school.