Old CVA dbl bl shotgun kit

I recently was given an old CVA dbl barrel shotgun kit. It had never been worked on near as I can tell. The stock carving and inletting is not good at all. The locks seem to be fine. The double trigger mechanism is low quality. The barrels look heavy enough and the breech plugs look tight BUT with all the the reading I have found on CVA, their guns have been involved in many serious injury lawsuits. Is this thing worth a look by a gunsmith or what are your opinions? Thank you for your input!!

I think it would be worth it , However please bear in mind that if the allegations/issues with cva were even remotely factual/common....people would not be using them. I personally do not have one, however there are thousands that do! and they shoot them every day. I did some looking at the "lawsuits" and allot of them seem to be the result of improper use. IE..wrong powder, improper loading etc..which can cause even the best built muzzleloader to fail. I personally think youd be fine building i t, shooting it and make smoke. But if it brings you comfort then by all means get it looked at

I'd have it checked out by a gunsmith,,might even contact CVA and ask them.If nothing else it would be practice for a future build !! If the gun has a documented Bad history,, why push your luck,Wall Hanger comes to mind. In reading your post I read between the lines,,the answer is obvious to you,, JMHO
see you up the trail.

I would build it and shoot it. If you keep it clean and use reasonable loads it will be perfectly safe to operate. I have seen several of these in action over the years and there is nothing inherently dangerous about them. Enjoy it!

If you're interested in researching the "CVA Recall" accounts, check out this link... http://cvaguncases.com/
Most of these "incidents" were operator error.
Use your own judgement.

If I recall correctly, Zonie here on the site rebuilt one he acquired already assembled. The results were very good, and if I'm correct that it was a CVA, he'll be an insightful source for you. A neighbor has one he assembled himself, and it's just fine. I don't recall any comments about problems or difficulties, and the end results certainly speak well for his efforts. I tried to talk him out of it as a matter of fact, and he wouldn't hear of it.

Yes.
The 12 guage double I was given by my neighbor is a CVA.







I have never heard of one single lawsuit against CVA that involved these 12 guage doubles.

The only suits against CVA I've heard of dealt with their modern style, can't be talked about here things and these usually were the result of people loading smokeless powder in the guns or shooting them with an obstructed barrel.

The only criticism I have of the kit is it doesn't include a butt plate.
I don't know why Ardesa did not include one but the problem was easily solved by ordering a steel plate from TOTW.

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/671/2/BP-SHOT-C-2-I

It did need to be filed down to a smaller size to fit the stock and I removed the top tang.

The barrels were first browned and then boiled in distilled water to convert it to black.

I polished the locks and left them in the white after a poll of the members here. They seemed to like it.

I like your shotgun!! Thank you for responding with pictures. I dont have skills for gun building, but will give this one a try. The stock is poorly carved and the double triggers will need some work to function.

I have one I built back about 1987/88. I haven't shot it in many years but back then I did take it to the skeet range at Ft Knox. I shot with a very patient friend. I never had any problems with it. It is a typical CVA from that era, not top quality but good enough to shoot and have fun. The locks and triggers are ok, inletting typical CVA. I browned everything and stained the stock and it turned out ok. I've since added some tacks. It ain't fancy but it's fun.
I don't really think you have much to worry about as long as you load properly and obey the rules.
Chris

I put one together for my brother a few years ago and I thought it was a fine shotgun.

I bought a 12 ga CVA from a fellow who moved up to a a high dollar gun.

I have shot hundreds of rounds of muzzleloading skeet out of it.

Equal volumes of 1 oz. of shot and 2F black powder a hard card, cushion wad and an over shot wad makes a pleasant 12 ga load for skeet.

The locks are so-so but they always go off, the trigger pull is about the same as my breach loaders.

A decent gun for the price in my opinion.

I have doubts about the validity of those so-called "lawsuits". CVA sold many-many of those doubles. Many were sold under different names. For reasons you didn't mention, I did not like the one I had. But, that is no fault of the maker. Don't do too much fiddling on the locks. Some stoning and filing to slicker them up some is OK. But if you are an amateur don't go beyond the bounds of your skill and experience. And, DO NOT fiddle with the breech plugs. They definitely are not intended to be removed except by an experienced muzzleloading gunsmith. Finished up with care, it should be fine.