[axeman]

All,
Walked into my range today and there were a bunch of long guns on consignement. SERIOUSLY neglected. There were two A5 16g, both Belgian. Choose the one that looked less neglected, cleaned it out (serious surfact rust and dirt in action and bore) and it gleams now with minor pitting I think I can clean out with J&B.

Good points, etched rib, nice blueing left, old style safety, serial # 12##03, great wood with a nice reddish color, bore came out nice. Special Steel barrel, 3 shot model.

PROBLEM! under all the crud and mostly worn away is SPECIAL STEEL 16 ***** 2 9/16.

I have some 2.5 RWS shells lying around and can get more.

How much would a smith charge me to lengthen the chamber?

Axe

 

[rer]

Axe,
I think it runs about 130. + or -. One really good argument for getting the chamber lengthend is that a 2 3/4 shell WILL and CAN (accidentally) fit into the smaller chamber. The results can be a disaster if fired. Plus, I don't think you can find nontox ammo for the 2 9/16 gun. You will be able to shoot tungsten-matrix or bismuth out of the older barrel once you get the conversion done.

I'm pretty sure most decent gunsmiths can do the job. one I've used and can recommend is;

http://www.artsgunshop.com/about.htm

Art will answer an e-mail and give you a price quote.
also, I believe midwest gunworks also will do it. They have a pretty good reputation, but I can't personally vouch for them.
good luck,
Ross

 

[rer]

OK, I just checked out Art's webpage to see if it was still up and running..............he charges 185. to change a 16 from 2 9/16 to 2 3/4.

Inflation I guess.

 

[axeman]

Wondering if I should go ahead and do it of just invest in a case of 2 1/2 English Game loads. I even have some laying around here somewhere.

Well, I am going to take it to a smith next week to have him do a strip clean on it. I will have him qoute me a build out, but I am leaning towards keeping it original. I have a light 12 and a rem sp mag for waterfowl. This gun would fit my clay game and upland niche, but I already have a gun for that .... oh well. Who needs a reason it is a nice looking gun.

 

[Jeff Mull]

Do the modification, especially if your going to shoot clays with it. In the long run it is cheaper than 2 1/2" shells and will increase the value when you go to sell it. If it was a high condition early gun then you might want to leave it unmodified, but as a shooter it is much more useful with the mod to accept 2 3/4" shells.