Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Shot today with John Kirksey. For those who don't know him, John's the owner/operator of the Green Machine, a much tweaked 1100 with trestle rib, overbore barrel, tight choke and a color scheme usually associated with the Grateful Dead's Koolaid of choice. Said Green Machine is a death ray on clays, at least in John's hands. If he missed any today, I didn't notice it.
John has never owned a pump gun, but he has a "Closetful" of Beretta shotguns. He works for them. He tried a pair of trap targets with my TB, which he powdered easily.
If he wasn't such a nice guy, it would be easy to hate him. He's THAT good.
After, he pointed at a fellow sitting nearby in a P/U. He said, "There's the 870 man. He beats most everyone, and he does it with an 870".
As you may imagine, that got my complete and utter attention. So, before driving off into the sunset, I walked over and introduced myself to John Gnall.
John Gnall is an unassuming 30-ish guy with a ready smile, and a habit of breaking clays one after another hundreds of times. Mentioning 870s to him brought out a scrumptious TC he had bought 5 months back and already ran 100X100 with same.
The thing's absolutely stock. No Timney Trigger, no overbore or fancy choke work,no recoil reducers, no custom stock. Speaking of the stock, that wood was beautiful. TCs run to good wood, this was high end even for C grade.
John Gnall told me of a TB he had done very well with,and he bought the TC because of that.Of course, he still has the TB. The TC was near new, and brought in from ND on a private purchase. I won't mention what he said he paid because I don't know if he wants it publicized, but let's just say I'd call it a great deal.
We compared my TB to his gem, and spoke of the amazing longevity of these mass produced masterpieces. We agreed on liking the older ones, and I regret I didn't have more time to talk with him.
Of course, I gave him this website, so we may hear more about this.
John has never owned a pump gun, but he has a "Closetful" of Beretta shotguns. He works for them. He tried a pair of trap targets with my TB, which he powdered easily.
If he wasn't such a nice guy, it would be easy to hate him. He's THAT good.
After, he pointed at a fellow sitting nearby in a P/U. He said, "There's the 870 man. He beats most everyone, and he does it with an 870".
As you may imagine, that got my complete and utter attention. So, before driving off into the sunset, I walked over and introduced myself to John Gnall.
John Gnall is an unassuming 30-ish guy with a ready smile, and a habit of breaking clays one after another hundreds of times. Mentioning 870s to him brought out a scrumptious TC he had bought 5 months back and already ran 100X100 with same.
The thing's absolutely stock. No Timney Trigger, no overbore or fancy choke work,no recoil reducers, no custom stock. Speaking of the stock, that wood was beautiful. TCs run to good wood, this was high end even for C grade.
John Gnall told me of a TB he had done very well with,and he bought the TC because of that.Of course, he still has the TB. The TC was near new, and brought in from ND on a private purchase. I won't mention what he said he paid because I don't know if he wants it publicized, but let's just say I'd call it a great deal.
We compared my TB to his gem, and spoke of the amazing longevity of these mass produced masterpieces. We agreed on liking the older ones, and I regret I didn't have more time to talk with him.
Of course, I gave him this website, so we may hear more about this.
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