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Im trying a different tact for my project. First let me say that I am mechanically trained to know which "thumb to hit when hanging a picture for my wife". Nevertheless that hasnt stopped me from scheeeeeming about building or rather having built a DR. Awhile back I bought one of the Bakail Coach guns and added two barrel inserts for 30-30 Win.

The inserts slide in from the rear and have a fitting for the original extractor, they extend beyond the shotgun barrels and have two different size "wedges" for "reg-u-guessing". Finally a knurled nut secures the insert inplace. The gun can be setup with two rifle barrels (45-70 is also available), or just one as in a "Cape gun"; but the barrel nut extends about 1/2" beyound the SG barrels and looks even more "odd" as a single than (admittedly still) in twins.

To make matters worse the system is only available for the 20' Coach guns. Now I suppose there were many DR's made with short barrels; but it just dosent "look" right to me. Sooooo, I started thinking about improvements on the theory.

I discovered Mace.com barrel inserts and ordered a set in 45-70. I believe I paid $90.oo a piece for two 18inch inserts for a 12 gauge SxS that I had in mind. It just happened to be a Bakail with 28in barrels. Here in the "Peoples Republik of Maryland" its considered major gunsmithing to mount and boresight a scope. I was able to get the barrels shortened to 24inches and have a set of generic express sights mounted on the existing rib.

The Mace inserts have no provision for extraction. In fact the SG extractor actually "lifts" the inserts, as they are rimmed like a 12ga shell. Never being the one to let reality hold me back, I shelved the project and scheeemed some more till I could find a smith crazy enough to take on the project. My thoughts turned to other "master pieces", then I saw a listing on one of the auction sights for an NEF Buffalo Classic rechambered from 45-70 to 45-120. About the same time a found the Gun Digest article about converting the Pedersoli DR to 45-120(3 1/4").

I ended up buying the converted Buffalo Classic and had some further custom done work done. The smith was not only willing to listen to my ideas; but his work from scratch when he made mounts for a long brass scope was Fantastic! During the Buffalo Classic work we talked a length about my DR plans.

Our plan for testing the theory, is to make smooth bore barrel extentions for the inserts to fit the SG barrels and a better regulation system without large knurled nuts extending. We agreed smooth bore extentions would avoid any problems with mismatched rifiling. He is going the reshape and "bush" the fireing pins for rifle primers.

Im undecided on 45-70 vs 45-120 but in either version I'll likely limit loads to BP levels. The 45-120 has the advantage of atleast being able to shoot 45-70 with a long chamber jump.

There are many more details that Im sure Im leaving out; but Im VERY open to suggestions.

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If it's not custom, it's just borrowed

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