Help, potential loose rib?

[SmithShady]

So, tonight I took apart the 16ga Sterlingworth that I purchased this weekend to clean the bores. When I turned the barrels end over end, I heard a small rattling sound, like something traveling up and down the inside. I did not hear this sound when I purchased the gun ( I checked), nor did I hear it last night when I had it apart and performed the same movement with it. Now tonight, it's off and on, almost like a small pebble or some sand (solder?), but doesn't do it every time. I'm now concerned about the barrels, and fear that this could be the start of something bad. How common is it to hear this? Is this just going to get worse over time?

Doing a little research tonight, it sounds like it could be the sign of a loose rib, and I also came across the posts on "Barrel Ringing", something I was not familiar with. I took the gun apart and hung the barrels, tapping them with a rubber mallet all the way up and down. For comparison, I did the same thing with my A Grade 12 gauge to see if there was a noticeable difference. The Barrels on both ring all the way up and down, but not knowing what I'm really listening for, I don't know if it's correct or not. If there is a loose rib, will it be very obvious when ringing the barrels? Will it really be a "thud" sound and not ring at all, or will the ringing just be lighter, or less in the affected area? I get pretty much the same sound up and down both sides, but it is a little duller about 8 inches back from the front end on both sides of the 16ga. I now want to have it checked before shooting it, which means finding a gunsmith who knows Foxes in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina. Can anybody tell me what this potentially means for my gun? Is it better to fix it now when first noticed, or just wait and see what happens?

Thanks,

Mike

[Silvers]

Mike, hummmm.... it's been over 12 hours since your post, with > 20 views, but no replies. It seems that some of the initial fervor to answer posts as quickly as possible, has gone away over the recent period.

When ringing barrels I'd suggest using a piece of soft metal like a brass key, rather than using a rubber mallet. It doesn't take too much of a tap to verify the rib integrity. That loose material that's floating around inside, is likely a piece of solder from the original rib laying work, or possibly from later repair work on the ribs. Gunsmiths? Oft times you're better off sending barrels, or the complete gun needing work, to a far away gunsmith who knows what he's doing. I've seen too many Foxes with funky repairs that were done up by local guys who are relatively clueless on the AHF design.

Just a personal aside on the soapbox; there are > 1150 registered users here but only about 1 in 5 (20%) have stepped up to be paying members who help fund this site and the association's programs. And, although some users try to be helpful in answering questions, it seems many are here for a free ride so-to-speak. Also, you'll get a variety of opinions on technical things...... ranging from well intended guesses, to good data, to bad data. If someone is serious about Foxes and wants the best data possible, I'd suggest becoming a member and seeking sound advice from other supportive tech minded members, by posting questions in the Members Forum. Again, this is just my personal perspective as a member. Silvers

[SmithShady]

Silvers, thanks for responding. I certainly appreciate it. It's funny you mention the Member Forum. I actually signed up electronically through PayPal yesterday morning, and emailed my application in. I'm not sure how long that process takes, but I look forward to getting access to the Member areas of the site.

I did some additional research last night, and actually found a video on YouTube that showed a gunsmith doing Barrel Ringing, and he was using a copper hammer. He rang two sets of barrels, one with a loose rib, and one without. It was helpful to hear the sound. I also saw a post on another board that suggested using a coin (which I tried as well). The results were the same, and my barrels are definitely "ringing" when struck. I don't feel anything loose either, so maybe it's just some solder that has broken loose over time as you said. As for the Gunsmith, I've put a few feelers out for a local person that is Fox knowledgeable, but if there isn't one in the area, I'm not against sending it off for work. I tend to like the best qualified people working on my stuff. I've seen some names floating around in older posts of good fox gunsmiths, but if anyone has any current names and contact info you'd like to share, that would be great.

Another concern I have is a rattle in the safety. When I shake the gun, it sounds like something is loose. When I advance the safety forward, the noise stops. The safety is resetting after opening, but I have not tried to pull the triggers while the safety is on. I'll try to do that tonight. I'm not sure what is loose in there, but I'm sure it will require the stock to be taken off to assess or fix. If that is going to happen I'd want somebody who could evaluate the small cracks in the sides to see if they really are on the surface or something worse underneath. I think a trip to a Fox Gunsmith is in order for sure.

[setterspell]

Regarding safety rattle-could be the auto-safety rod bouncing fore and aft with the selector in the rear(safe) position. In the forward position there is no room for rattling. Just a guess.

[terc]

Mike, I've heard that sound in a few guns. It usually isn't a problem. It is probably a small piece of solder that has come loose between the barrels and ribs. A gunsmith that deals in English guns told me it's called a barrel ghost over there.
If it sounds like sand moveing around it could be loose rust. It never hurts to have it checked out though.
Dave

[bbman3]

I can ring barrels by thumping them with my fingernail but a brass keys works better. Bobby