Gap in shotgun

[nemisis1400]

I have side by side shotgun, and I noticed that there is 1mm gap between the barrel and the receiver(is that what you call it?) Is this safe to fire? I know that revolvers are kinda open like that too, but is this okay for shotguns?

[nemisis1400]

yeah this is an old c&r shotgun that was all kinds of rusted when i got it.

The shells fit nice and tight in the barrel, but the receiver has a bit of a gap like 1mm. I can squeeze the two together to seal it up, but it naturally loosens up when i let go.

[Stryfe76]

Is there a latch or catch you can shim or adjust to keep it closed tighter?

[nemisis1400]

just the bottom hinge really, no other contact points.

[nemisis1400]

So i guess no one knows if it's safe to fire with a gap like this?

[Stryfe76]

I wouldn't do it unless you can get a gunsmith to says it's all good.

[Fjold]

Your shotgun is "off face". This is caused by wear on the hinge pins and the cumulative effect of all the shooting.

It can be dangerous as the latch is no longer tight and the action can open under pressure when firing if it gets bad enough.

It can be fixed and is done regularly on 100 year old British double rifles that are worn out from shooting the big bore loads through them but be prepared to spend $$$ to do it.

Unless the gun is an original Holland, Greener, Army-Navy, Rigby etc, it's not worth it.

[bohoki]

this happens when some body is snapping the barrels closed like you see in the movies

its no problem if the barrels are only 10 inches but if you got 26 inches of barrels the effect is increased dramatically and cumulative

if it locks up solid though i wouldnt be afraid to shoot it with some low base

is it litterally 1 mm have you used a feeler gage? or is it just one of them eyeball measures

[nemisis1400]

It's more of an eyeball measure, but when I took some pictures I could slide this piece of brass into the gap when closed.

Here are some pics





the gap is bigger on the right than the left

[nemisis1400]

just took a ruler to it, and it looks like the right has a gap a hair bigger than 1mm, the left is just 1mm. Barrel length is 24in. Overall 41in.

[bohoki]

first things first is it profed for smokeless

got any pics of markings?

i dont care if it closes up like a vault door if its not rated for smokeless shells

it might make a spiffy lamp

[nemisis1400]

right side:
Cresent FireArms Cp
Norwich Conn. U.S.A.
left side:
No.60 EmpireHammerless

And regular 12gauge shells fit in the breech. I think it can take modern shells.

[bohoki]

that shotgun was made at or before 1893

please retire it before it retires you