I would not continue shooting a Meriden Arms shotgun unless it was some extreme sentimental reason and then only occassionally with special reloads, like black powder. If it did have sentimental value I would probably rather not take a chance on it failing, but put it on the wall. Just my opinion.
I know of a W W Greener made about 1869 with Damascus barrels that was used with smokeless loads, including heavy duck loads, until the mid 1960s.

It would rattle like a 59' Ford and spit gas in your face but it never failed.

I wouldn't shoot it today with black powder loads but it probably would not fail!
To me the Meriden is not as well made (metal quality) as something like an L C Smith, Fox or even the old Greener. Just don't trust that old steel.
