Demi-Bloc vs. Mono-Bloc barrels
Demi-bloc and Mono-bloc are names for methods of barrel construction on shotguns and rifles.
The names are helpful as demi means half or two and mono means one. In this case, a Demi-bloc consists of two parts with a Mono-bloc consisting of one.
The "Bloc" (Breech) in both cases is the first section of the barrels that fits the action body that uses the barrel "lump" to lock into place.
Demi-bloc
A Demi-bloc is often referred to as a "Chopper lump" barrel and from the top and left picture below it should be evident why. Each barrel is formed from a single piece of steel which gives additional strength as the steels grain flows through the entire barrel.
The picture above shows the assembled Demi-bloc. The line down the middle is the fitted braised join which has to be accurately assembled to ensure the barrels converge at the correct angle (the convergence angle ensures both barrels point toward the same point of impact - more on convergence angles in next month's feature).
Mono-bloc
A Mono-bloc barrel consists of a single machined component that the barrel tubes are braised into. The below shows the Boxall and Edmiston Sidelock Barrel lump in both computer aided design (CAD) and component form.
Sharing the load
The main advantage of a Demi-bloc barrel is its strength. When a cartridge detonates a shotgun is held shut by the "Bite" which is the body bolt pushing down on the barrel lumps. The bite on a Demi-bloc pushes down on both halves of the barrels giving extra support.
The bite is incredibly important on any gun which is why shotguns of quality are smoked in; this is the process of adding soot to a component and then fitting it to identify the points that they rub together.
The benefits of a Mono-bloc come from the accuracy of its manufacture as its size is perfectly machinable. Angles can be machined to a tolerance of microns and most importantly the convergence angles are added easily. As Mono-bloc barrels are easier to machine they are also inherently less costly to manufacture.
With modern Engineering barrel production has become far more advanced and both Demi-bloc and Mono-bloc barrels have pros and cons that will be difficult to discern for most shooters.
When we apply this topic to OU's the logic turns on its head. As the barrel lumps and therefore the bite is on the bottom barrel of a Demi-bloc barrel the only thing holding the top barrel into the action is the braise between the two.
The below shows the Boxall and Edmiston over and under barrel lump from its CAD form through the various stages of machining. The strength of the Mono-bloc barrel lump is far greater on an over and under as it's formed from a single piece of steel. It is also far more machineable and the convergence angles and bite points are precision engineered which is why most over and unders are manufactured in this way.
