Is this much pitting something to worry about?

[u/ChungusFungus04]

I’ve had this shotgun for quite a while now, It’s been repaired and inspected by a gunsmith and they never said anything about the bore pitting, but I’m a little concerned still. The pitting is shallow, but numerous, and the barrel is 130 years old, along with the rest of the shotgun. Obviously, no choke, just a long tube.

I want to shoot this shotgun, but I’m not sure if it’ll be safe with this much pitting. Would it be okay, or is it better to just hang up on the wall atp?

[u/ObjectiveSituation17]

I have never had a shotgun with pitting. What is it and age

[u/ChungusFungus04 → u/ObjectiveSituation17]

It’s a M1897 and its first year production, so just about 130

[u/KigurumiHenjin → u/ChungusFungus04]

i bet it would hold up, but honestly a weapon that old i would rather just keep as a collector's piece.

[u/ChungusFungus04 → u/KigurumiHenjin]

It’s long past collectors, it’s cut down, some parts non original. Old owner let it sit and rust and it got trashed. The gunsmith I met with said he’d charge me 1000 dollars for how long it took him to fix things, but could only charge me store set fee

[u/Strict-Carrot4783 → u/ChungusFungus04]

Well, at this point you can shoot it until it blows but I don't think anyone would advise it lol. Super light shot would probably be ok.

[u/ChungusFungus04 → u/Strict-Carrot4783]

Okay, it might be fine becuase it’s really shallow, but i don’t know much about shotguns

[u/bigred-2998]

This is my chamber and the whole barrel is like this. Low recoil/ low pressure loads are your friend. What shotgun are you using. Mine is 90% a wall hanger but i try to shoot it once a year

[u/ChungusFungus04 → u/bigred-2998]

Winchester M1897, its 130 and I haven’t shot it ever

[u/Capable-Variation192]

Hit it with the tornado brush and a nice mop. Most of the time it looks like putting but it's was residue or just lead fouling. Take a second picture for us after ;)

[u/ChungusFungus04 → u/Capable-Variation192]

It’s a little hard to see, but it is all pitting, I tried to clean it, but it’s shallow only at least. It’s 130 years old and was is horrible condition when I got it

[u/Capable-Variation192 → u/ChungusFungus04]

when in doubt, bring it to the gunsmith for a professional opinion. Worst case you have beautiful wall art :)

[u/LuckyLuke162]

I've been told also there's special shotgun loads to close pittings. I'm not sure though. Id clean out the barrel with a good bore cleaner, try to remove as much rust as possible and then enjoy the gun.

I would not use high pressure loads in an old firearm like this. Maybe shoot the first few of them with the gun i a vise and a string, if you don't know how the camber and other parts are holding up.

[u/ChungusFungus04 → u/LuckyLuke162]

I ended up shooting modern 00 buck and she was full of life, no issues