I see some confusion about this on the internet so perhaps it's time to post something here.
I use a range of older 12 gauges for waterfowl. I don't have anything against modern shotguns, and have new pumps and semi's in my gun locker, but since I am older it's just more fun for me to shoot ducks and geese with older shotguns, including blackpowder in the really early season.
I recently picked up a Marlin Model 55 on CGN. I have used a Marlin 55 12 Gauge Goose Gun (55GG) for a couple of decades. I wondered what would be the difference between the 55 and the 55GG?
Visually these two look virtually the same. The bolts are the same size, configuration, and weight. The box magazines are the identical and interchangeable. This might lead you to believe that the Model 55 takes 3" shells, but you'd be wrong, at least when it comes to the one that I recently bought!
There are some tell-tale visual differences if you compare them side-by-side. The easiest to notice is that the 55's ejection port is smaller than the 55GG...not by much but it is. 3.01" compared to 3.22". This makes a fired 3" shell difficult to eject. (***Note, an unfired 3" shell will fit in the chambre of the 55 with the bolt closed, but creates danger pressure if fired.) Additionally, each shotgun's barrel diametre immediately in front of the receiver is different, not significantly, but different. 1.17" for the 55, and 1.235" for the 55GG. And there is also a huge difference between the two when it comes to their overall weight - 7.09# compared to 7.95# - which I believe is more because of the beefiness of the barrel in front of the chambre than the added length of the barrel.
And then I cerrosafed the chambere of each and there is a definite 1/4" difference in the castings.
And just for fun I chrony-ed the two on AA loads. Their fps were virtually identical...10 fps difference. The longer barrel doesn't seem to have any effect on the velocity of the load.
I cannot speak for all 55's - whether none of them in their later (non-serialized) production were chambred for 3" shells or not - but this one was clearly chambred for 2 3/4". I don't mind this at all since I use smaller shells early in the duck season. I will personally add screw-in chokes to the 55 as I have to the 55GG this summer. It's a nice addition to my vintage duck hunting gear...nice gun.
I didn't see this information set out anywhere, so thought I'd add it here.
Three months to ducks...happy gunning...
I use a range of older 12 gauges for waterfowl. I don't have anything against modern shotguns, and have new pumps and semi's in my gun locker, but since I am older it's just more fun for me to shoot ducks and geese with older shotguns, including blackpowder in the really early season.
I recently picked up a Marlin Model 55 on CGN. I have used a Marlin 55 12 Gauge Goose Gun (55GG) for a couple of decades. I wondered what would be the difference between the 55 and the 55GG?
Visually these two look virtually the same. The bolts are the same size, configuration, and weight. The box magazines are the identical and interchangeable. This might lead you to believe that the Model 55 takes 3" shells, but you'd be wrong, at least when it comes to the one that I recently bought!
There are some tell-tale visual differences if you compare them side-by-side. The easiest to notice is that the 55's ejection port is smaller than the 55GG...not by much but it is. 3.01" compared to 3.22". This makes a fired 3" shell difficult to eject. (***Note, an unfired 3" shell will fit in the chambre of the 55 with the bolt closed, but creates danger pressure if fired.) Additionally, each shotgun's barrel diametre immediately in front of the receiver is different, not significantly, but different. 1.17" for the 55, and 1.235" for the 55GG. And there is also a huge difference between the two when it comes to their overall weight - 7.09# compared to 7.95# - which I believe is more because of the beefiness of the barrel in front of the chambre than the added length of the barrel.
And then I cerrosafed the chambere of each and there is a definite 1/4" difference in the castings.
And just for fun I chrony-ed the two on AA loads. Their fps were virtually identical...10 fps difference. The longer barrel doesn't seem to have any effect on the velocity of the load.
I cannot speak for all 55's - whether none of them in their later (non-serialized) production were chambred for 3" shells or not - but this one was clearly chambred for 2 3/4". I don't mind this at all since I use smaller shells early in the duck season. I will personally add screw-in chokes to the 55 as I have to the 55GG this summer. It's a nice addition to my vintage duck hunting gear...nice gun.
I didn't see this information set out anywhere, so thought I'd add it here.
Three months to ducks...happy gunning...
