To all:

I would like to start a thread concerning the technical aspects of the various barrel assembly methods used with double rifles and double shotguns.

We all seem to prefer chopper lump barrels over dovetailed barrels. Can anybody relate a real-world experience to support this preference? Or to support the proposition that dovetailed barrels are to be preferred?

For instance, has anyone ever experienced a failure of the assembly of dovetail lump barrels under conditions where chopper lump barrels would have held together? I am not referring to a house fire or similar catastrophe.

Is there any evidence to suggest that chopper lump barrels will stay on face better than dovetailed barrels?

Can anybody point out the difference in cost of production of the two barrel types, either in monetary terms or in terms of man-hours?

The discussion can broaden to the pros and cons of monobloc barrels, or other methods of assembly.

Let's try to identify the ways each design is better or worse than other designs.

I beseech you people of knowledge to share with me on this thread.

Thanks,
Curl