I have a 16 gauge Darne double that needs more than a little work. To start with, the chambers need to be lengthened from 2 &9/16" to 2&3/4". The bores are really rough. One barrel is bored Cylinder. And the safety is not working. Yeah, I know, it's a pack of trouble masquerading as a shotgun, but I always wanted one, one that I could afford. I know that there is a certain value in keeping things as they are, but this particular shotgun is never going to be a collectors pride. So I have a lot of questions.
1. Back Boring: Is there enough steel in a Darne to be able to back bore? Of course, the answer is - it depends. What I'd like is somebody's experience with this or an educated guess on the order of "always - usually - sometimes - never". I'd like to take out the pitting and maybe add some choke.
2. Choke: If it's back bored almost to the muzzle, will that put some more choke on it, kind of like jug choking? If so, how much? Best guesses appreciated.
3. Safety Repair: I suppose that I will have to go through the current importer to find a gunsmith to repair that, and I probably am looking at a machinist making the replacement parts. Any other thoughts?
4. Gunsmith: Finally, can you recoment a gunsmith who could do any or all of that? My local gunsmith doesn't even have a 16 gauge reamer to lengthen the chambers. I phoned Burnt Hill Gunsmithing who can ream the chambers and put in a lenghtened forcing come for $40 a barrel but can't do the back boring.
I am brand new to this forum and would appreciate any help you could give.
