I'm new to this site. Bought me a Fox Pin Gun and got a pretty good deal on it. It has a couple dents in the barrels about 5 inches up on 30" barrels. I talked to a gun smith before I bought and he said they could be removed. I don't want just anyone to attempt to remove them. Always wanted a A.H. Fox, but could never afford one until this deal came along. I suppose I could shoot it with the dents because they are not to deep, but don't think that is a good idea. Tell me what you think, where to go and what you think it might cost. Hoping to post some pics before to long, however the gun is out of state and I have a friend that is going to bring it to me the end of June when he comes to visit. Any advise would be appreciated.
Later,
Clay
Barrel dents and removal???
-
Silvers
- Posts: 5188
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:28 pm
- Location: Between Phila and Utica
- Has thanked: 1228 times
- Been thanked: 1880 times
Re: Barrel dents and removal???
Barrel dents are easily removed except in the Fox tapered chokes where it get's a lot more complicated. Chokes are of course at the muzzle and are usually about 3-1/2 to 4-1/2" long on Foxes. Two types of tools are used for barrel dents outside of the choke area; first one is a dent raiser which is a tiny hydraulic piston that works from the inside. Second type is an expanding cylindrical anvil of sorts, and the area surrounding the dent is tapped down onto the anvil from the outside. I've owned and used both types and I prefer the latter. With either type, evidence of the dent is still visable inside the bore unless the bore is afterwards honed oversize and metal removed. You can see the tiniest piece of lint inside a bore, never mind a slight ripple from a removed dent.
All this assumes the dent isn't really severe with a sharp crease. If so there's a possiblity the barrel will be perforated when the dent is removed.
There's a writeup with pics in our Member's Forum on the cylindrical anvil type made and sold by Jon Hosford, however those who are aren't current AHFCA members don't have access to that Forum.
Many people fire Foxes with SMALL barrel dents but I personally think it detracts from the aesthetics of the gun. If the dent is at or near the muzzle I definitely think it should be removed. I do my own dents so I don't really know what gunsmiths charge for this work. I've heard the current rate range is about $35-50 per dent in the barrel (not in the choke) but you'll have to check to verify. Two gunsmiths that are members of the AHFCA and who advertise in our newsletter are shown here, in alphabetical order. Silvers
http://www.pgsguns.com/
http://www.vicknairrestorations.com
All this assumes the dent isn't really severe with a sharp crease. If so there's a possiblity the barrel will be perforated when the dent is removed.
There's a writeup with pics in our Member's Forum on the cylindrical anvil type made and sold by Jon Hosford, however those who are aren't current AHFCA members don't have access to that Forum.
Many people fire Foxes with SMALL barrel dents but I personally think it detracts from the aesthetics of the gun. If the dent is at or near the muzzle I definitely think it should be removed. I do my own dents so I don't really know what gunsmiths charge for this work. I've heard the current rate range is about $35-50 per dent in the barrel (not in the choke) but you'll have to check to verify. Two gunsmiths that are members of the AHFCA and who advertise in our newsletter are shown here, in alphabetical order. Silvers
http://www.pgsguns.com/
http://www.vicknairrestorations.com
Re: Barrel dents and removal???
Silvers,
Thanks alot for getting back to me. When I get the gun, I will be able to communicate more with you and maybe identify the seriousness of the dents. Glad to be able to talk to someone with Fox knowledge. Can't wait to get the gun. If I were not so cheap I would have had my friend send it instead of bringing it. Oh well time seems to fly at my age.
Later,
Clay
Thanks alot for getting back to me. When I get the gun, I will be able to communicate more with you and maybe identify the seriousness of the dents. Glad to be able to talk to someone with Fox knowledge. Can't wait to get the gun. If I were not so cheap I would have had my friend send it instead of bringing it. Oh well time seems to fly at my age.
Later,
Clay