From The Mailbox....

[Dave McCracken]

I get asked a messa questions off the BB. Here's some that may interest you....

Edited to preserve anonymity....

What's the take on Spanish Shotguns?

I'm no expert on them and have only owned one, a trap O/U that had seen better days.

Spanish guns run the gamut. The very best are as good as guns made anywhere. Spanish guns in the last 20 yards run pretty good, older ones oft have soft metal that means sears and such wear fast.

Spanish companies come and go. Most are based in and around Eibar in the Basque region of the Pyrenees. Oft families have been involved in gunmaking for generations.

Newer bespoke shotguns are terrific. A friend has a AYA made to his specs that equals British Best. Still, my best advice for buying Spanish is to go slowly and carefully.

Why don't you like Autoloaders?

I don't dislike autos, I'll probably get around to owning a few once Son graduates. I just prefer the reliability and simplicity of pumps. I DO like the gas guns' reduction of kick.

A gas gun is 12 or 20 gauge makes a fine starter gun for new shooters. A LT 20 1100 can be a gift from The Shotgun Dieties for someone worried about kick.

Why do you frown on accessories on shotguns?

I don't. I severely frown on trying to substitute gadgetry for expertise. Instead of getting a spring loaded stock, for example, one would do better by working on fit and form.

If the pile of shells fired by you in the last year would reach past your knees if all were together, mount anything you want on Ol' Trusty Rusty. I shan't snivel a whit.

But if you spent more of gadgetry than ammo this last twelvemonth, your priorities may need re-evaluation.

The best thing to see on a shotguns is wear marks.....

 

[sm]

Thanks Dave

 

[Rupestris]

Thanks Dave

Yep, what sm said.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Dating myself by saying this, but...

There it is.

lpl/nc

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks,guys. Here's another that comes up frequently.....

Dear Dave, I ran across a shotgun for sale. It's a trap grade 870 with great wood and seems in very good shape. Asking price is $___ but I think I can haggle them down. What's it worth?

It's worth whatever a buyer thinks it's worth. Some factors that can affect your decision include....

Wood, and whether or not it's a Monte Carlo comb on top. Unusual stock dimensions, finish and/or evidence of kitchen table modifications.

This ties in to whether it's a TA, TB, TC, TD, TF, All American, Classic Trap, or some hitherto unknown variant. Note that a WM dressed up in party clothes with a long barrel is not a trap grade even if it's sudden death from the 16 yard line. Trap grades say so on the receiver.

The barrel is another big factor. Is it 28, 30, 32, 34 or 36" long? Low rib, high rib, step rib? No rib? No way....

Have the internals been messed with? Has it still a pull trigger or an aftermarket release trigger? How's the pull. Trap grades have nice crisp pulls.

Remington Full choke barrels have close to 40 POC. Has the choke been altered in a fixed choke barrel and if the thing has tubes, which ones?

And it if has tubes, make sure it will unscrew.

Since 870s last well nigh forever, wear marks on the mag tube and action bars aren't dire warnings of imminent failure. Peening on the bolt recess, bolt and hammer face are more serious indicators of heavy use. Trap guns can get used lots.

 

[45R]

What about this infamous thread with photos of you holding a M1

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=122920&highlight=Dave

BTW

Benelli M1 Field with 28in barrel coming my way to play skeet all I need is the addition of a Limbsaver pad and I'm good to go.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

i dought you will need a special recoil pad for a benelli, they come with them anyways

 

[45R]

The M1 Fields come with standard plastic pad. The Limbsaver is much more comfortable.

 

[Dave McCracken]

That's not me in the pic. Y'all swiped my duds and posed some guy in them. In reality I'm much taller.

TDH, Benellis need special equipment to sue. Limbsaver Pads, rubber gloves, tongs so we don't have to touch the filthy things.......

 

[45R]

Its okay Dave...the first step is always Denial. Anakin did not want to join the dark side but he did

 

[sm]

Dear Steve,
My wife an accomplished Skeet shooter, B class in 12, 20 and A class in 28 gauage wants to know if using her 1100 in 20 gauge with fixed skeet barrel is a formidable Serious Shotgun.
Curious

Curious,
One of the best kept secrets is an 1100 in 20 gauge. The Fixed Skeet choked barrel has constriction that in my experience does a very nice job of patterning #3 Buckshot and Slugs. I would suggest , and she knows this already , to pattern a variety of loads to know what loads her gun likes at what distances.

Steve.

Dear Steve,
This is Mrs. Curious. I appreciate your time and reply. What husband did not share is, I am familiar with your suggestion, and I am comfortable using the 1100 in 20 ga, as this is what I used for years before I married him. Getting married, moving, I do not compete as I once did. Then I had an injury on weak side that precluded me shooting at all for a bit. I am recovered, still not 100% and truth is, will never be 100% in regard to some damage.
Husband is just being a worry wart.
Mrs. Curious.

Mrs. Curious,
I am sorry for your incident and I can empathize. To steal a line from Awerbuck , "I will not be present at your gunfight". Meaning, if you are alone, and have to deal with a problem, he will not be the one having to deal with the problem. He will not be the one for instance having to hold a shotgun and manipulate a telephone calling Police on direct line on speed dial or 911. He will not have to fire that gun if person being held at bay makes a legal threatening move to you, and you have to take immediate action.

I do not know what your husband is suggesting you use for a shotgun. I will share in assisting folks that we do have them hold a shotgun one handed and use a phone, we also let them wait in this position and do make the 'threat' move requiring immediate action be taken, such as having to fire the shotgun one-handed.
Many men cannot hold a shotgun , with accessories that weigh up to 11 pounds on handed very well , very long, and cannot shoot effectively .
I will also share some of these guns do not cycle and chamber a second round. Sometimes the gun itself need more weight of being against a shoulder to cycle by design. Sometimes the gun will if left in stock configuration, but adding accessories the reliability is no longer.

The 1100, and some other gas operated 20 gauge will cycle, naturally testing for reliability is something one must do with any gun, and the 1100 is one that will run port up, port down, upside down with the loads it was designed to run with. Slugs and # 3 buckshot runs these guns.
I hope this helps.

Steve


The truth here is folks, her husband's gun would NOT cycle do to design and accessories when being used one handed. He had a difficult time doing the drill I suggested he do, his wife did not.
His Serious Shotgun choice has been changed, the gun he had sold and he has gone to more simple.
Also the handgun became more of a Serious Situation firearm in the home.

Sorry Dave,
Then again you are familiar with some of my questions I have asked you and Lee in regard to some mail I have received.

Steve

 

[Dave McCracken]

Steve, no apology needed. Thanks for helping...