A Guide to Longthorne Barrel Technology
Four distinctive options. One uncompromising approach to precision engineering. At Longthorne, we believe that the barrels are fundamental to the character, handling and performance of a fine shotgun. Our pioneering, patented monolithic barrel technology represents a significant departure from traditional barrel manufacturing, combining advanced precision engineering with the finest traditions of English gunmaking.
Unlike conventional shotgun barrel assemblies, which typically rely on soldering or brazing to join individual components, Longthorne's monolithic barrels are precision-machined from a single solid billet of metal, without soldered, brazed or welded joints.
This innovative construction provides exceptional structural integrity, precise barrel regulation and consistent alignment, while allowing us to engineer the weight distribution and handling characteristics of each barrel design.
All Longthorne barrels are proofed for High Performance Steel Shot as standard, unless a customer specifically requests an alternative proof specification. This applies across our standard steel, Peregrine, stainless steel and titanium barrel options.
We offer four distinctive barrel options, each with its own advantages, enabling customers to select the characteristics that best complement their individual shooting style and preferences.
Which Longthorne Barrel Is Right For You ?
Which Longthorne Barrel Is Right for You? The ideal barrel choice is ultimately a matter of personal preference, shooting discipline and the handling characteristics you wish to achieve.
For those who appreciate a traditional, smooth and composed swing, standard steel barrels provide an outstanding foundation.
For shooters who favour longer barrels but desire a more responsive and effortless feel, Peregrine barrels offer an innovative approach to balance and weight distribution.
For customers seeking enhanced corrosion resistance and a choice between a contemporary natural finish and classic blackened barrels, stainless steel barrels provide an appealing combination of practicality and refinement.
For those who place particular importance on reduced weight, manoeuvrability and advanced materials engineering, titanium barrels offer an exceptional alternative, with the option of a traditional blackened appearance.
Whatever your preference, every Longthorne barrel embodies the same fundamental philosophy: precision engineering without compromise.
Barrel chart
1. Standard High Performance Steel Barrels
The Foundation of Longthorne Precision Our standard monolithic steel barrels embody the engineering principles upon which Longthorne has established its reputation.
Precision-machined from a single solid billet of carefully selected steel, they offer exceptional structural integrity, dimensional stability and consistent barrel regulation.
Their carefully engineered weight distribution provides the smooth, controlled swing and reassuring stability favoured by many game and clay shooters.
Manufactured to our exacting standards and High Performance Steel Shot proofed as standard, these barrels combine the benefits of our patented construction with the reassuring handling characteristics of a traditional steel barrel configuration.
For shooters who appreciate a composed, predictable and controlled shooting experience, our standard steel barrels offer an exceptional combination of performance, craftsmanship and value. The defining characteristics: Traditional barrel weight, smooth swing, controlled handling and High Performance Steel Shot proofing as standard.
2. Peregrine Barrels
Exceptional Balance. Effortless Handling. The Longthorne Peregrine barrel design represents a further refinement of our monolithic barrel technology, developed specifically to optimise weight distribution and transform the way a shotgun feels in the hands.
Unlike our standard steel barrels, Peregrine barrels redistribute more of their mass towards the breech, bringing the balance closer to the shooter.
This reduces the sensation of forward weight, allowing the gun to feel lighter and more responsive during mounting and initial movement, without necessarily reducing its overall weight.
For example, a Longthorne fitted with 32-inch Peregrine barrels can exhibit the lively handling characteristics often associated with a conventional 28-inch barrel configuration, while retaining the longer barrel length and its associated sighting characteristics.
The result is a distinctive combination of responsive handling and smooth, controlled movement.
Peregrine barrels are particularly appealing to shooters who appreciate longer barrels but prefer a gun that feels lively, agile and exceptionally well balanced.
Like all Longthorne barrel options, Peregrine barrels are High Performance Steel Shot proofed as standard, unless otherwise specified by the customer.
The defining characteristics: Breech-biased weight distribution, reduced perception of muzzle heaviness, responsive mounting and refined balance
3. Stainless Steel Barrels
Contemporary Metallurgy. Enduring Performance. Our monolithic stainless steel barrels combine Longthorne's patented manufacturing technology with the corrosion-resistant properties of stainless steel.
Machined from a single solid billet, they retain the structural integrity, precise barrel regulation and consistent alignment inherent in our monolithic construction.
The principal advantage of stainless steel lies in its enhanced resistance to corrosion, particularly when exposed to moisture and the environmental conditions frequently encountered during game shooting.
Unlike conventional carbon steel barrels, stainless steel does not depend upon traditional hot blacking for its primary corrosion resistance, providing an attractive alternative for customers who value durability and ease of maintenance.
For those who prefer the timeless elegance of traditional black barrels, Longthorne can also supply stainless steel barrels with a blackened finish upon request. This allows customers to enjoy the corrosion-resistant properties of stainless steel while retaining the classic, understated appearance associated with fine English gunmaking.
Our stainless steel barrels are High Performance Steel Shot proofed as standard, unless an alternative proof specification is requested.
Although stainless steel is highly corrosion resistant, normal cleaning and maintenance remain essential. The defining characteristics: Enhanced corrosion resistance, durability, a choice of natural or blackened finishes, and refined contemporary engineering.
4. Titanium Barrels
Pioneering Innovation. Remarkable Lightness. Longthorne's exclusive monolithic titanium barrels represent one of our most distinctive engineering achievements, combining advanced materials technology with our patented manufacturing process.
Precision-machined from a single solid billet of titanium, without soldered, brazed or welded joints, they offer excellent corrosion resistance and a substantial reduction in weight compared with equivalent steel barrel assemblies.
Titanium has a significantly lower density than steel, enabling us to produce lighter barrels while retaining the structural integrity required by our carefully engineered design.
This reduction in barrel weight can transform the handling characteristics of a shotgun, reducing forward weight and creating a lighter, more responsive and manoeuvrable gun.
These characteristics can be particularly appealing to shooters who spend extended periods carrying their gun or who prefer a lighter, more agile configuration.
Longthorne's titanium barrels can also be supplied with a blackened finish upon request, combining the considerable weight-saving advantages of titanium with the elegant, traditional appearance of classic black shotgun barrels.
This allows customers to benefit from advanced materials technology without compromising their preferred aesthetic.
Despite their substantially reduced weight, our titanium barrels are High Performance Steel Shot proofed as standard, unless an alternative specification is requested.
Available across the Longthorne range, titanium barrels offer a distinctive combination of innovative engineering, exceptional lightness and refined performance.
The defining characteristics: Significant weight reduction, excellent corrosion resistance, responsive handling, a choice of finishes and High Performance Steel Shot proofing as standard.
Longthorne Multi-Barrel Sets – One Action. Multiple Gauges. Exceptional Versatility
Longthorne's innovative multi-barrel system represents a remarkable achievement in precision engineering, offering the versatility of several shotguns within a single, beautifully crafted gun.
Our unique design enables a 12-bore action to accommodate interchangeable barrel sets in 16, 20, 28 bore and .410, while a 20-bore action can accommodate additional 16, 28-bore, and .410 barrel sets.
The key to this innovation lies in Longthorne's ingeniously engineered integral barrel fin, which compensates for the dimensional differences between the various gauges, allowing every barrel set to utilise the same action, stock and, importantly, the same beautifully crafted forend.
Unlike conventional multi-gauge systems that may require separate forends, this eliminates unnecessary duplication of components while preserving the precise fit and seamless integration of each barrel set.
For the owner, the advantages are considerable: the freedom to enjoy different gauges without commissioning entirely separate guns, the familiarity of a single bespoke-fitted stock and grip, and the convenience of a more compact, versatile collection.
Each interchangeable barrel set is individually precision-engineered to work with its designated action, maintaining Longthorne's exacting standards of mechanical fit, alignment and performance. The result is not simply a shotgun with interchangeable barrels, but a sophisticated, fully integrated multi-gauge system that combines engineering ingenuity, practical versatility and the enduring elegance of fine English gunmaking.
High Performance Steel Shot Proofing - A Longthorne Standard
High Performance Steel Shot Proofing – A Longthorne Standard At Longthorne, exceptional engineering is supported by rigorous proof testing.
Every Longthorne shotgun is submitted for High Performance Steel Shot proof as standard, irrespective of whether it is fitted with standard steel, Peregrine, stainless steel or titanium barrels, unless an alternative proof specification has been expressly requested by the customer.
High Performance Steel Shot proofing is carried out in accordance with the applicable CIP requirements and involves prescribed testing to verify that the firearm meets the relevant proof standard.
This consistent approach reflects our commitment to engineering integrity, quality and performance across the entire Longthorne range.
It is important to distinguish proof status from unrestricted ammunition compatibility. The suitability of individual cartridges also depends on chamber length, shot size, choke constriction and the ammunition manufacturer's specifications.
Customers should always ensure that their chosen ammunition is appropriate for the proof markings and configuration of their individual shotgun.
Longthorne Removable Stainless Steel Chokes – Precision Engineered for Exceptional Performance
At Longthorne, our commitment to precision engineering extends to every component of our shotguns, including our stainless steel interchangeable chokes, which are designed and manufactured entirely in-house at our Northampton factory in England.
Precision-machined to exacting tolerances, our chokes offer excellent corrosion resistance, durability and a consistently precise fit within the barrel. Available in both flush-fitting (internal) and extended (external) configurations, they allow customers to select the appearance and practicality that best suit their shooting preferences.
Flush-fitting chokes sit discreetly within the muzzle, preserving the elegant, uninterrupted lines of a traditional English shotgun, while extended chokes project beyond the muzzle for easier identification and convenient removal or adjustment.
Manufactured in a comprehensive selection of constrictions, our chokes are available in both UK and USA specifications, accommodating the differing choke preferences and conventions of shooters on either side of the Atlantic.
Every choke is produced with the same meticulous attention to detail as our patented monolithic barrels, ensuring a precisely engineered, integrated system that reflects Longthorne's uncompromising approach to quality, performance and British craftsmanship.
