My comments may not be speaking of the higher level some would refer to as 'refined' firearms, yet they cover barrel adaptors.
Long ago had a nice German Simson drilling, 12x12-8.57JRS, in which used a Krieghoff .22 LR short adaptor, standard grade. Krieghoff has 2 grades, standard and extra. Using the claw mounted scope, from a bench rest, was able to hit the bottom of a spent 12 gauge shell consistently at 25 yards. A good friend wound up with the drilling...it has been in a good hunting home ever since.
A question I would have for someone wanting a barrel adaptor is: what will it be used for? Small game hunting? Informal plinking and inexpensive practice? If for small game hunting at short range (under 40 yards, say) then maximum accuracy is desired. If informal plinking and inexpensive practice, or to allow a youngster or small size individual to fire a combination gun/shotgun, then the requirement for accuracy may become a secondary factor?
Another use: say you've shot your deer, it's down but still alive, and we all want to not see harvested game suffer. There you are, standing over the wounded deer, cradling your fine drilling in your hands. hmmm, 12 ga load is way over kill and messy. 8x57JRS full hunting load is a bit much at the muzzle. So you reach into your pocket n' remove the 12 ga adaptor (same dimensions as a factory 2 3/4" shell) in .22LR (.22 mag; 9mm; .38 Spcl; or ?), inserting it into the camber and humanely dispatch the deer. Many uses for adaptors there are.
In 1975 I bought my first barrel adaptor, from Shell Shrinker, in Texas (they are long out of business), a special order being 18" long, 12 ga, and chambered for .45-70. I use it in a non-fancy old single barrel 12 ga. This adds another level of use with that old single barrel, having put a Williams barrel ramp n' Redfield Sourdough Partridge front sight, and then a receiver peep sight on. When using this type of adaptor in a side-x-side or over/under, and say my 18" .30-40 Krag adaptor, I now have a combination gun.
Over the years I've befallen to GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) with barrel adaptors! At last count have 18 barrel adaptors of various chambering's and lengths, all 12 ga, though have had some 20 ga as well. Not an often found item are these adaptors.
Some adaptors I have/use are: all steel with 2 3/4" 12 ga shell dimensions - in .22LR, 9mm, .45 ACP (Anchorage, Alaska PD use to use these for 12ga pump shotgun practice/training, as they feed through a pump just as a standard 12 ga factory load does). I've a leather shotgun shell belt pouch that holds five 2 3/4" size steel adaptors, all in .38/.357 - bought 'em because they were unique, haven't really used 'em. I've other adaptors: 8"/.44 magnum; 16" long/.357; 18" .30-30; 18" .30-40 Krag; 18"/.45-70.
Even found one that's brass n' made for using .50-70 blanks in a 12 ga, for use in movies to make noise! Makes an interesting paperweight - but it is an adaptor. There are a few others, and a couple of duplicates. Let's not forget the older Savage 410'er tubes either.
Using loads they like, and especially returning the adaptor to the same exact position in the chamber, these will work for small game under 40 yards, and with some, deer at 70-80 yards. Some grouping better than others.
At present I'm aware of two places that you will be able to buy barrel adaptors of the type I'm mentioning (yes there are trap n' skeet custom ones out there also). Most likely there are other places that I'm not aware of?
1.
http://www.mcace.com/ I knew Ace in the mid-90's and have some of his adaptors - his lineage with adaptors traces clear back to Shell Shrinker and then Sports Specialties. In 1996 he'd made a set of .22 Hornet long barrel adaptors for a customer to convert a .410 double barrel in to a double rifle! Now wouldn't that be a dandy lil' setup! Even if you don't really use adaptors, you should at least look through Ace's web site for the knowledge of what can be done with barrel n' chamber adaptors. Well worth reviewing it is.
2.
http://www.gunadapters.com/ I'm aware of these folks, but haven't gotten any adaptors from them 'yet'! I hope to visit their shop sometime this summer.
Like the used car salesman said, "There's an ass for every seat!" I'm sure there's interest at all levels out there for the use of barrel adaptors - even if some folks don't realize it yet!
Adaptors are another way to enhance the enjoyment of our hobby and the use of firearms in the field.
Hope this has been of some help to others.
outsidebear
