So bummed, was out shooting my excellent condition Winchester Model 37A 20 gauge and sent down range a few federal 2 3/4 5/8oz slugs. I noticed afterwards the bead was missing on closer inspect (put on my glasses) I notice a split from the missing bead hole to the end of barrel. Now I know I've read you can shoot slugs from a full choke?

Any suggestions on why this happened, and if it’s repairable?

So bummed, was out shooting my excellent condition Winchester Model 37A 20 gauge and sent down range a few federal 2 3/4 5/8oz slugs. I noticed afterwards the bead was missing on closer inspect (put on my glasses) I notice a split from the missing bead hole to the end of barrel. Now I know I've read you can shoot slugs from a full choke?

Any suggestions on why this happened, and if it’s repairable?

My guess is that it is a Full choke. Slugs work best from an open choke such as a Improved Cylinder, or cylinder. About the only repair possible is cutting the barrel off just past the split and having it re-crowned. It will then most likely loose all it's choke and be a cylinder bore.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

That's too bad J/B.
But at least you sharing your experience will help any others reading this, from doing likewise? If it can be done on your barrel, this would be the time to have the hardware installed for interchangeable tubes. Or if they're still made, an adjustable polychoke?

Yes was it used to be a full choke, I suppose cutting down past the crack making a cylinder bore would make it a best a good scatter gun for Buck Shot?

Spotteddog I also like your idea, will look into that.
I just called a place in NY thats specialixes in Winchester and their looking to see if they have any 37A barrels.
The Valley Gun Shop

JB:
I have been shooting slugs down a full choke model 12, 12 ga. for 30 years and haven;t ever had any issues. Supposedly the cylinder bore is best for accuracy but mine is plenty accurate as it is and took 2 deer this last fall.
Ed

I certainly don't understand why it spilt, I've always read full choke and slugs were fine, now the only thing I can figure is that it’s not a true slug barrel? Shoot, I put 2 slugs in the neck of the silhouette at 50 yards before I noticed the split.

Cut it off, reset the beed and shoot away.

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Standard slugs are supposed to be small enough in diameter to drop thru a factory spec full choke.

Perhaps the front sight bead threaded post was protruding into the bore just a bit. That can be all it would take to do the damage if a slug round contacts it just right.
Shot loads can usually by-pass such w/o any damage.

I'd cut it back to something comfortable for a slug gun,,24 or 25" perhaps. Add a set of rifle sights and sling swivels.

Cut the choke out and try to find a gunsmith capable of cutting a jug choke in it. That's the oldtimers way of tightening the chokes.

Another great idea, what's the MIN & MAX lenght. Is the trick shortening enough to fully cut out the choke? I would be starting from a 28 inch barrel.

2152 gets the cigar for my money with his diagnosis. Brilliant, Sir!

A shotgun must have a barrel length of at least 18 inches and the overall length of the assembled gun be 26 inches.

The choke is usually within the last 2 inches of the bore, but it depends alot on mfg, era, and sometimes the price range of the gun.

Some of the inexpensive guns had a choke that was swaged into the barrel so it's only the last inch or maybe even less. Two inches is a safe bet.

Take a very close look at the split and see how far back it went and then cut at least 1/2" or more behind that to ensure you're not leaving a hair-line crack in the barrel behind that will cause problems again.

Most commercially made hunting 'slug guns' seem to be made with 24 to 26 inch barrels. What ever you feel comfortable with and still leave the gun legal length(s).

A 24 or 26 inch barrel on a break open shotgun will have the same overall length as about a 22" barrel on a pump or auto as there is no long receiver to add length to the gun.

Don't see any evidence of a swaged choke, so the protruding bead seems to fit the incident.
All the replies have been very helpful, thanks, I feel comfortable now moving forward with searching out the repair/modification that fits my budget. I think having the adjustable screw in choke may be far more cost then what the gun needs, since I don’t use it for any serious shooting anymore, just for fun. I’ll search out a few good smiths and price cutting and new bead vs. cutting and installing rifle sights.

Thanks again!