Hammerless single shots

[Otony]

When I was a lad, coming of age, one of the single shot shotguns offerings available was a hammerless version made by Beretta. If memory serves, it folded almost in half. I also recall a fanicer version, dressed up for Trap.

When it came time for my first shotgun, the Old Man bought me a side lever, hammer .410 by Stevens. It was, well, less than lovely, but I toted it about happily for some time. It is long gone now, but my nostalgia is for one of those Berettas. Yes, yes, ungrateful whelp, I know

I would dearly love to find one of the old Beretta single shots in 20 gauge (heck, in any gauge!), but these seem to be few and very far between nowadays. I know some clones were imported by Sile a few years back, and I believe that Traditions also has imported a Beretta clone. I, for one, am unable to find any of those either.

Do any of you recall the Savage (Stevens?) hammerless single shot as well? I remember seeing more than a few as a young man.

Doesn't seem as though there is any thing in this vein on the market today save for the single shot Baikals, which are sadly lacking when compared to the older Berettas. Suggestions anyone?

 

[PawDaddy]

Stoeger has a hammerless single. It has a vent rib and screw in choke tubes. I think that it has a crossbolt safety and lists for about 120.00.

You can look at it by going to the Benelli website and then to the Stoeger link.

 

[Otony]

Do you know, Pawdaddy, you are the second person that has told me as much? But everytime I go to the Stoeger website, I can only find a single shot with a hammer, and certainly not vent rib.

If you could find the site for me, I would certainly be a happy camper!

 

[grimlock]

I have (at my parents' house) an exposed hammer single-shot 20ga by Stevens, but I've never seen a hammerless version. That was my first gun. After a shot, you'd break the action open and a spring-loaded ejector would pop the empty shell about 8 feet behind you.

I used to use that gun to harvest mistletoe from the pecan tree out front for every Christmas. My dad still uses it with birdshot to chase off dogs and such.

 

[Otony]

If I recall correctly, the hammerless was the Savage 219 or 220, or some such.

Not sure if it was still in production in the late 50's, early 60's (when I was hot for one ), but I sure did see 'em around.

The reason I liked, and still like, the hammerless jobs is that it seemed a bit cleaner. Less the "farm gun" single shots I was used to, and more "sporting". The upland game single shot if you will.

Of course that is neither here nor there, both work, and work well in the intended role.

 

[PawDaddy]

Otony,

I have a 2003 catalog that has it listed as a "new" item. Maybe they haven't updated their website in a while.

Their phone # is 301-283-6300 if you would like to call and request info or a catalog.

 

[jzimm9mm]

Not sure if this is exactly what you are looking for, but Browning makes the BT-99, which is a single shot hammerless break open shotgun for clay work. Take a look...

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/category.asp?value=009B

Jer..

 

[Otony]

THANK YOU PAWDADDY! I will give 'em a call tomorrow........