How Good Are Shotguns Made In India?

The DBBL (Double Barrel) pistol is a versatile and excellent weapon for shooting birds and ducks. However, it is not a weapon of self-defense nor an instrument for the soldier. Indian ordinance factories began manufacturing the 12-gauge double-barreled shotgun just after independence. The IOFs have been making the weapon for many decades and it can be said that over a period of time the quality of the weapon has improved considerably.

In addition, there are private arms manufacturers who have obtained a license from the Indian government to manufacture arms. They have been making weapons for almost a hundred years. The arms manufacturers are mainly located in Jammu in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and also in Monghyr (Bihar). In total, there are about 30 manufacturers in Jammu and a similar number in Bihar. Some manufacturers are also at Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.

Guns made in Jammu are of reasonably good quality, as manufacturers have individually installed machines in their own facilities. On the other hand, Monghyr’s manufacturers have been allocated a space inside a former prison and access is controlled by the government. Therefore, they do not have enough space and sometimes sell unfinished products to other manufacturers. The quality of the weapons is not uniform either.

A pistol is made up of three main assemblies that can be easily disassembled and include a) the body) the barrel and c) the hand guard. The body and parts of the hand guard are made of mild steel. The barrels are made primarily of mild steel and some use EN-9 or EN-19 steel. One manufacturer uses high carbon chrome steel and is located in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

For stock generally Indian manufacturers including IOF only use wood. In general, walnut, Assam teak and Shesham are preferred to make the stock. Manufacturers in Jammu prefer walnut wood as it is readily available there, while those in Monghyr use teak from Assam. The IOF primarily uses Shesham for its weapons. Indian-made shotguns are well made and, if cared for properly, can last a lifetime.

Indian made weapons have a ready market in India and the quality is not bad. Guns don’t miss a lot and are good for small game hunting and to scare off thieves. Over a period of time, we expect Indian-made shotguns to find a market abroad as well.

Some people have owned Indian-made firearms for over 30 years and the weapons have stood the test of time.