Vanity- Need some advice on an old shotgun

myself | 2/6/2011 | myself- Victor

[Victor]

Need some Freeper help. I recently acquired an old double-barrel, side by side 12 gauge shotgun in decent shape. The inscription reads "Riverside Arms, Chicopee Falls Mass".

I think the gun was probably made in the 1930's.

Here's my question: both 3 inch and 2.75 inch shells fit into the breech, but is this gun safely able to fire a 3 inch higher velocity shell? Is this even an issue with single and double shot shotguns, and the 2.75 vs 3 inch loads a discussion for pump and auto loaders....?

Thanks y'all.

[Beowulf9]

"Consult a competent gunsmith, if you're smart. If not, you could easily lose an eye...if not worse." In other words, 'you'll shoot your eye out, kid'.

[painter]

Thanks for your time writing your response.It is something all the gun owners here should read.Actually you should start a thread with this.

I did not buy a 45 because I wanted a "big" hand gun. For years I had a fascination with 1911 45 auto,and shot several different brands during that time. A couple years ago I got the chance to buy one. It's a Colt knockoff, but it shoots good and a hell of lot of fun to shoot.

Sometime back I bought a supply of hollow points from Georgia Arms.I shot a metal gallon can full of water.45 going in and 90plus coming out. Big nasty hole coming out.

[Raven6]

I understand how you feel about that .45! As a kid, I had a toy 1/2 scale 1911 that my dad had purchased for me at a gun show. When I played G.I. Joe with my friends in the neighborhood, my G.I. always had his 1911 and his M-1 Garand (and I still consider those two weapons to be the finest ever designed within their classes.) The first pistol I ever bought was a Colt Government 1911... Now, this is going to tell how old I am: It was brand new in the box and I paid $385 for it, taxes and all, out the door.

Your hollow points are going to do a fine job... Most all hollow points, provided they are properly manufactured, will just about double in diameter when fired into soft tissue or liquid. That is just what they are supposed to do... That expansion helps create a bigger permanent wound channel.

For kicks and grins, drop a few Mentos candies into a 2/3 full 2 liter bottle of diet Coke sometime, and then quickly cap it up. Then step back and put one of those .45's through it - be sure to be wearing a raincoat or a pancho! WooHoo!

Raven6