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Question:

question on shotguns and steel...?

So today I was bored and was reading a shotgun shell box,the box was slug 12ga.I noticed it said not to be used in Damascus steel or twist barrel.It was to my understanding that Damascus steel is very strong and many stories came from what it could cut when used in a blade or sword.The little bit of info that i could find was that Damascus used earlier in the turn of the century on shotguns should not be fired unless special maintenance has been given and check out by gunsmith.So is Damascus not strong like i thought and not be able to handle higher pressure or why the reason for the warning?*

Answer:

Damascus steel in gunmaking Prior to the early 20th century, all shotgun barrels were forged by heating narrow strips of iron and steel and shaping them around a mandrel.[22][23] This process was referred to as laminating or Damascus and these barrels were found on shotguns that sold for $12.[22][23] These types of barrels earned a reputation for weakness and were never meant to be used with modern smokeless powder, or any kind of moderately powerful explosive.[23] Because of the resemblance to Damascus steel, higher-end barrels were made by Belgian and British gun makers.[22][23] These barrels are proof marked and meant to be used with light pressure loads.[22] Current gun manufacturers such as Caspian Arms make slide assemblies and small parts such as triggers and safeties for Colt M1911 pistols from powdered Swedish steel resulting in a swirling two-toned effect; these parts are often referred to as Stainless Damascus.[24]
Damascus steel is is great for blades, but does not have the strength to stand up to smokeless powder pressures.

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