At this point, Chubby has a choice he can believe the incorrect information contained within initial replys to his post, or he can believe the information I have supplied which I can assure you is absolutely correct. My apologies if you took my comments personally but you will note, as I am a gentleman in every respect, that I did not resort to name-calling and refer to you, or anyone else, as an "A**hole" and further, the only person I referred to as "just another idiot" was myself in a self-deprecating manner intended to encourage personal research efforts. Thirdly, my comments were in no way intended to be a personal attack on you, RJay as I certainly respect your opinion but you are unfortunately misinformed to some unknown degree as regards the Syracuse Arms Company (certainly not your fault for a while I too was guilty of regurgitating incorrect information most often found in dubious printed reference materials and on odd web sites). I failed, due to fatigue and the lateness of the hour, to make that point clear.
Secondly, if my comments were percieved as "high-handed" that is unfortunate but entirely my fault, as those statements represented an effort towards expressing the extent of my frustration regarding the continued perpetuation of false and erroneous information regarding the Syracuse Arms Company and the guns they produced. Gentlemen: So much great material here that I hardly know where to begin but here goes! First of all, I am thrilled to know that my comments have elicited a discussion and even though many of those comments are a bit vitriolic towards me personally, that's OK as honest discussion presents a superb opportunity for the sharing of knowledge, which allows for actual learning. Some still think that todays shotshells can be pressure ID'd by the height of the brass or the base wad.as it is OK to shoot low brass or Ok to shoot low base shells in old shotguns.not so, while a lowbase/lowbrass casing may contain a educed load.the key word is "MAY" Truthfully, if anyone has demonstrated"ignomance" with an added dose of careless would be the person ID'ing themselves as SGT! My 2 cents Gunsmoke! You will find that most "shooter's" or owner's of such firearms have no clue as to what a "Dram" is or an equivelent load of say.4 dram equivelent. To make such a statement, without definition is bordering on being reckless with another's life or limb. "Low pressure" the operating pressure of a BP shotshell can be quite low.even in the less than 8000 cup range.while there are hardly any nitro loads that operate at that low a pressure. As to being checked by a "competent" gunsmith.just what is the exact test(of the foolproof variety) that shows such a barrel to be safe. twist or damascus may differ in form, but not function and it is everybit as possible for any grade or type of laminated barrel to be compromised by time,wear or weather.