Help is my single shot shotgun safe to fire?

[JBD]

I've an old single shot 12 guage with a slight gap between the breach face and the barrel. Can be seen when held up to the light. Spoke with a gun store owner and he told me that it is not in a safe condition to fire as the linkage is getting worn and could separate on firing.

If this is true than that would be bad.

Is my gun probably unsafe to fire. I've fired about 100 rounds of trap loads to no ill effect however if its not safe then I will bin it.

Best regards

Jason

 

[tiriaq]

I don't think anyone could definitively say without an inspection. Do the fired cases show any signs of distress?
I saw a new - factory defective - Winchester Cooey 12ga single which had its barrel separate from the barrel lug. The barrel was launched gracefully foreward 30 feet or so. There was no harm to the shooter whatsoever.

 

[JBD]

I don't think anyone could definitively say without an inspection. Do the fired cases show any signs of distress?
I saw a new - factory defective - Winchester Cooey 12ga single which had its barrel separate from the barrel lug. The barrel was launched gracefully foreward 30 feet or so. There was no harm to the shooter whatsoever.

No shells are not split. I did not examine for pressure signs. Ejection is poor with buckshot however it shoots birdshot reliably. 2 boxes of 25 without a hiccup.

 

[BigUglyMan]

The gun is coming "off the face" as you describe it. While it may not kill you, it won't do the gun any good. Get it checked by a gunsmith that deals with shotguns. If it's an old single shot it might be a better idea for you to start saving some money and find a replacement, or upgrade. Lots of good pumps available for a reasonable price these days.