How soft is it acceptable for the metal rail between shotgun barrels? SxS Coach Gun?

Question

Me again about this ERA Coach Gun yet again.  I just got the Brownell bead and put a sight on it.

My issue is, I have drilled into the rear sight blade on a Mosin Rifle, it was ridiculously hard to do it even just to get a dimple for a set screw!

This Shotgun has a thick metal rail between the two barrels.  I measured center, then used a punch hoping to get a starting notch for the drill bit.  I got a notch alright, and the drill just sunk into this steel like it was chipboard!  I'm still in shock.

Is this acceptable for the metal between barrels?  This new Shotgun was less expensive then the JW-2000 Chinese coach gun I bought years back.  It's very cheaply constructed, with the cavity between the barrels on the underside hollowed out in places.

Bought it on a whim, liked the wood on it.  I've fired it and got the Firing Pin working.  Yes it was gunk in the spring thank you J. c and Lana_Sands for the suggestions. But now very iffy to shoot anything out of it short of low brass birdshot.

? · Accepted Answer

the RIB doesnt have to be super tough and its easy to fit a bead on it.
birdshot is birdshot and the height of the brass head makes no difference.
Use the loads it has stamped on it

Joshua S · Answer

Hello,

That may or may not be steel.  The barrels are regulated and hard soldered.  The rib is only really for holding the front bead.  Take a magnet to it.  If it sticks, it's mild steel.  If it doesn't, it's aluminum.

Regards,

Josh Smith
Smith-Sights LLC

Mr.357 · Answer

It can be really soft since it does not contain any pressure.  It is just used to hold two hard pieces of steel so that they point in the same direction.  Most are just brazed or silver soldered to the barrels, which is no where as strong as even cheap Chinese steel.

Trending News

How soft is it acceptable for the metal rail between shotgun barrels? SxS Coach Gun?

3 Answers