shooting safe without chokes installed?

jeffsfirearms

June 26, 2004 11:16

I was just wondering if any damage or unsafe conditions result from shooting a shotgun without any choke installed. I am asking because a customer is telling me a shotgun without chokes is totally useless, and cannot be fired. I have not heard of this and have shot my shotgun many times without one. The shotgun is Century International Arms model HL-12. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff

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  select-fire

  June 26, 2004 11:24

  IF you are talking about screw in type chokes the threads will become damaged when fired if left out of the barrel.

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  eastwood44mag

  June 26, 2004 13:17

  The threads will be destroyed almost immediately. Depending on the quality of the gun and type of load, your barrel could possibly split apart at the muzzle. I know that loosely screwed in chokes will rip off the last inches. The chokes, even if cylinder, are what take the force safely--having them out exposes thin-wall steel to too much energy. It might work for 1 shot, or 10, or even 1000, but eventually there's gonna be a serious problem.
  
  Just don't do it.

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  BigBarn

  June 26, 2004 17:27

  jeffsfirearms;
  
  you don't say whether the shotgun you are shooting has chokes installed or not. if the guy that you were talking to was referring to shooting a shotgun that has screw-in choke tubes, and is being fired with those tubes unscrewed out of the barrel, then that is an absolute no-no!
  In shooting a shotgun like that, you will sooner or later ruin the threads in the barrel, and really there is no reason to shoot it like that. If you do, the pattern is so spread out, it is almost impossible to hit anything, farther than 20 yards or so.
  Not a good idea, under any circumstances!
  
  BigBarn[:o)]
  
  "Respect the land, and it will respect you"

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