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Hey-
I just purchased a LC Smith Field grade 12 gauge shotgun last week. It is in really good shape, tight lockup and great mechanical shape. Cosmetically it looks like a 100 gun, with faded case hardening and bluing, but no real rust. Barrels are clean. Serial number is 125337, which I think dates it to 1902.
I had it checked at a local gun store and they said it is chambered in 2 1/2" size, and I would like to shoot 2 3/4" shells in it. Would I need to have it re-chambered in that size to be safe? Or can it be shot like it is with the slightly longer shells? Would modern ammo be too much for the gun to be used only occasionally?
Thanks for your input.
Scott Holcombe
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Hi Scott, I'm no expert but I have read that although you may be able to chamber 2 3/4 inch shells in your 2 1/2 inch chamber it might result in higher than normal pressures being generated (depending on the type of crimp on the shells your using). This is because there's no where for the crimped material to go in the shorter chamber. Having the chambers reamed out would be easy enough and safe enough as long as your gun is otherwise safe to shoot. petem.