Читать книгу Gun Digest 2011 онлайн

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The fiberglass also offered some more practical advantages. Like fiberglass boats and car bodies, these barrels were dent resistant. The impregnated color also made the scratches less visible. Unfortunately, the chamber area could turn yellow in color with sustained usage. Reportedly, the muzzles could start to unravel if subjected to continual abuse. But then again the muzzle of any abused shotgun can be a sorry sight. At this point one has to wonder: was the Win Lite barrel the inspiration for today’s high-tech carbon fiber Rifle barrels?

While the model 59 was available only in 12 gauge, different barrel lengths were available initially. The improved cylinder barrels were 26 inches while Modified choked barrels were 28 inches. Full choke barrels were available in 28 or 30 inches. However, by 1961 only 26 inch barrels were available. Earlier barrels had the front sight mounted directly on the barrel in conventional fashion; later barrels had a pad placed at the muzzle to mount the front bead slightly higher. Surprisingly, none of the Win-Lite barrels was fitted with a top rib. Presumably one could have been easily glued to the barrel. This would have been considerably easier than soldering a top rib to a conventional steel barrel.