Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    344
    Rep Power
    1525784

    Default Shotgun Wall Thickness Gauge

    Good evening everyone!

    Quick question, are there any smiths within reasonable driving distance of southeastern PA who have wall thickness gauges? I don't particularly want to shell out $500 for a gauge and am happy to pay someone to do measurements for me! If not, I will probably buy one since I have a weird addiction that requires I buy a vintage SxSs every few months. In any case, I currently have a few vintage shotguns that I want to ensure haven't been honed to ludicrous levels and will blow up on my hand/face if I decide to fire them. Thank you!
    Opera Non Verba

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
    (Chester County)
    Posts
    36
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: Shotgun Wall Thickness Gauge

    You could just buy a cheap set of telescope gauges and a micrometer. Subtract the I.D. from the O.D., and divide by 2.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Levittown, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
    Posts
    9,636
    Rep Power
    21474860

    Default Re: Shotgun Wall Thickness Gauge

    How does one ascertain the original thicknesses from chamber to muzzle? What amount of thinning is allowable?
    There are two kinds of guns. Those I have acquired, and those I hope to.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    ., Pennsylvania
    Posts
    2,718
    Rep Power
    21474852

    Default Re: Shotgun Wall Thickness Gauge

    would this honing have been done to hide/remove rust and pitting or for some perceived performance benefit like weight savings or spread?
    i've heard of honing a cylinder... but never when that cylinder is actually barrel.
    There is no way to make it out alive...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    344
    Rep Power
    1525784

    Default Re: Shotgun Wall Thickness Gauge

    Quote Originally Posted by ScorpioIM View Post
    You could just buy a cheap set of telescope gauges and a micrometer. Subtract the I.D. from the O.D., and divide by 2.
    That's not a bad idea. I hadn't thought of using a telescope gauge for the ID. The OD would definitely not be a problem with a micrometer. I may have to shop around for a cheap gauge. Even at full cost, a telescope gauge is significantly cheaper than a wall gauge.
    Opera Non Verba

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    344
    Rep Power
    1525784

    Default Re: Shotgun Wall Thickness Gauge

    Quote Originally Posted by Bang View Post
    How does one ascertain the original thicknesses from chamber to muzzle? What amount of thinning is allowable?
    You can't really know the original thicknesses, but the Brits have some standards for minimum thickness which is then measured at different distances from the chambers. For a 12 gauge .020 inches is considered okay for most parts of the barrel. Ideally you want more than that. The chamber obviously has to be thicker as well.
    Opera Non Verba

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    344
    Rep Power
    1525784

    Default Re: Shotgun Wall Thickness Gauge

    Quote Originally Posted by fallenleader View Post
    would this honing have been done to hide/remove rust and pitting or for some perceived performance benefit like weight savings or spread?
    i've heard of honing a cylinder... but never when that cylinder is actually barrel.
    The honing is usually done to remove rust and pitting or to reduce weight to sleeve a gun. My main concerns are honing that was done close to the chamber or if someone improperly reamed out a 2.5 inch chamber to a 2.75 inch chamber. If too much metal was removed lengthening a chamber or honing I'm not going to shoot the gun even with the black powder or low pressure reloads I use
    Opera Non Verba

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Levittown, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
    Posts
    9,636
    Rep Power
    21474860

    Default Re: Shotgun Wall Thickness Gauge

    Tie it to a tree and pull the trigger with a rope.
    There are two kinds of guns. Those I have acquired, and those I hope to.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    344
    Rep Power
    1525784

    Default Re: Shotgun Wall Thickness Gauge

    Quote Originally Posted by Bang View Post
    Tie it to a tree and pull the trigger with a rope.
    Been there done that but... I'd at least like a nice wall hanger if a couple of these don't work out
    Opera Non Verba

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Posts
    344
    Rep Power
    1525784

    Default Re: Shotgun Wall Thickness Gauge

    As an update, the situation ended up working itself out. Just as I was about to buy a set of 12" telescope gauges I decided to check Brownell's one last time. Wouldn't you know that they magically have a Manson wall thickness gauge in stock for $110? I thought they were done carrying them! I thought Hosford & Co was my only remaining option.

    In any case, if anyone in SEPA needs a to measure wall thickness on 12-28 gauges, you're more than welcome to borrow my gauge!
    Opera Non Verba

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. .22 LR Rim Thickness, homemade gauge and sorting results so far.
    By thomae in forum Ammunition & Reloading
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: February 16th, 2011, 10:50 PM
  2. Shotgun Wall Penetration Vids
    By Garlisk in forum General
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: December 16th, 2009, 08:09 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •