Model 1900 - Chamber Length?

[doogle]

Hi y'all...

Got my granddad's SxS 12 gauge 1900 model; serial 3024xx. I learned to shoot with it growing up (I'm almost 60). Guess I'm gonna try to sell it, as I'm only child, no kids. I'm sentimental about it, but when I go, so does it, so thought it might as well be in hands of an appreciate collector. On the other hand, it would serve as a good enough home defense gun, DEPENDING on the chamber length question.

ANYWAY, what is this thing actually chambered for?
I shot a round through each barrel recently, using 2 1/4 buckshot. No probs. But then I realized that a 3" shell goes right in okay too (didn't shoot that).

Sooo, anyway, did a little online searching, and also tried to measure down to the expansion chamber ring thingie, and it's really tough to get a precise measurement. It MIGHT be 2 3/4, but it COULD also be 2.5 or 2 5/8. So I dunno if it's safe to shoot or not.

I found couple places that sell lower power loads in 2.5", but can't get buckshot; and if I can't really shoot 00, then might oughtta sell, as it looks like it worth more than a $330 Remington 870 Synthetic Express pump, which of course would be a heckuva more effective HD weapon, even including house invasions!

Well, anyway, sorry for the long winded question, but anyone reliably know what this thing is really chambered for? (I understand it's the length of the shell after firing, not the packaged length).

thanks in advance...

PS: I still have my Remington .22 pump 121 Fieldmaster rifle. My first owned gun. Given to me on 12th birthday. That would have been in '59 or '60. I see that gun ceased production in 1954, but gun was purchased new, so it had been languishing in someone's stock for a good long while or something.
Guess I'll keep it, as it shoots fine with any of today's LR ammo.

doogle

[Researcher]

The vast majority of Remington Arms Co. 12-gauge doubles were manufactured with 2 5/8 inch chambers. A few higher grade Remington doubles for Trap or Pigeon shooters may have been ordered with longer chambers.

Several American double gun manufacturers (Parker Bros. and A.H. Fox Gun Co. for sure) chambered their guns about 1/8 inch shorter then the shell they intended them for. It was believed that with the paper cases and fiber wads of the day, this gave a better gas seal thru the forcing cone and slightly better patterns. From surviving hang tags from Remington doubles it appears Remington didn't subscribe to this theory, as the tags generally mention 2 5/8 inch UMC shells.

Remington 12-gauge doubles are generally heafty enough to stand having their chambers lengthened. A good doublegunsmith with the proper wall-thickness gauges can tell you for sure. On the other hand the 870 idea and moving the old double on to someone who appreciates it has merit.

[doogle]

The vast majority of Remington Arms Co. 12-gauge doubles were manufactured with 2 5/8 inch chambers....

Appreciate the info ... as yet, have heard nothing back from Remington itself, so yours is the most definitive answer I've had.

So, assuming 2 5/8 chamber with 2 3/4 shells.
That's 1/8" diff. Do you think this is unsafe?
And maybe a big difference in regular shooting vs. just a couple rounds per year to just keep a check on mechanical viability in case of home defense need?

appreciate it muchly,
doogle

[Researcher]

No one can tell you over the internet what ammunition may or may not be safe in any given firearm. That can only be done by a qualified (and there aren't all that many of them) gunsmith with the gun in hand.