I am looking to the expertise and experience of the CGN community on this safety issue, and would appreciate a definitive answer to this issue, if it is at all possible.
I have acquired an older 12G Browning Citori (1974) and would like to know if it is safe to shoot steel shot with these barrels?
Also, if not, is there something that can be done to the barrels to make them capable of shooting steel shot?
On the left side of the barrel pair there are:
- numbers just ahead of the extractor mechanism. A 3 on the upper barrel and a 5 on the lower one.
- symbols just behind the extractor mechanism. ** (modified) on the upper barrel and **- (improved cyl.) on the lower one.
- a 5 digit number on the bevel just below the extractor mechanism matches the serial number of the receiver. The receiver's *****H47 serial number indicates a 1974 12G, so this is the original barrel set.
-the following text on the upper barrel
BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q.
MADE IN JAPAN
On the right side of the top barrel there is the following text:
SPECIAL STEEL 12GA - 2 3/4" AND 3" - 28"
On the bottom of the locking latch there are 3 symbols which I expect are proof marks.
- a circle surrounding a capital I
- a circle (with a "crown") surrounding the letters SP
- the naked letters NP
Thanks for your considered opinions, gentlemen.
I have acquired an older 12G Browning Citori (1974) and would like to know if it is safe to shoot steel shot with these barrels?
Also, if not, is there something that can be done to the barrels to make them capable of shooting steel shot?
On the left side of the barrel pair there are:
- numbers just ahead of the extractor mechanism. A 3 on the upper barrel and a 5 on the lower one.
- symbols just behind the extractor mechanism. ** (modified) on the upper barrel and **- (improved cyl.) on the lower one.
- a 5 digit number on the bevel just below the extractor mechanism matches the serial number of the receiver. The receiver's *****H47 serial number indicates a 1974 12G, so this is the original barrel set.
-the following text on the upper barrel
BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q.
MADE IN JAPAN
On the right side of the top barrel there is the following text:
SPECIAL STEEL 12GA - 2 3/4" AND 3" - 28"
On the bottom of the locking latch there are 3 symbols which I expect are proof marks.
- a circle surrounding a capital I
- a circle (with a "crown") surrounding the letters SP
- the naked letters NP
Thanks for your considered opinions, gentlemen.
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