I guess I'm a junk owner

[MCgunner]

The shotguns I own and their purpose.....

Old Iver Johnson 16 gauge "Hercules" single shot....Uncle gave it to me, no real other purpose anymore.

Old Spanish Sarasqueta double barrel 12...occasionally walk the woods with it. Used to be my do everything gun until steel shot got mandated. Bought new in 1971.

20 gauge Spartan (Biakal) SxS SPR220....Dove hunting, woods walking, home defense (coach gun).

H&R 10 gauge single shot.....Goose hunting

Mossberg camo 500 12 ga....favorite duck gun for the salt marshes and bays

Mossberg M535 12 ga....Ducks mostly. 3.5" doesn't pattern as well and kicks too much to suit me for goose hunting, but could be used for geese.

Winchester M1400 12 ga...Bought originally for doves, but mostly used on ducks with Winchester Hi Speed steel 2 3/4" anymore.

Okay, so everywhere I look on the net, everyone loves to hate all these shotguns. You just ain't up to date without a B gun/spaghetti gun in the duck blind anymore. But, I like my old Winchester 1400. It soaks up recoil quite nicely, fit me right out of the box. I did have to find a left hand crossbolt safety for it at numrich arms before I started to like it too much, though. Everything I read about it, it's total junk, crap, won't last three rounds without breakage. Well, I bought it in 1988 and it's lasted me with only one breakage over the seasons, the bolt ejecting handle thingy broke off. I got a new aftermarket manufactured one off numrich arms and fixed it myself. While the trigger is a bit tough to work on, the rest of the gun is simple. I hear broken firing pins are common, but hasn't happened yet, knock on wood. I just don't see why I need a spaghetti gun just to keep up with the Jones'. I mean, I didn't buy this gun for Mr. Jones and he don't hunt with me, anyway. My hunting partner is Molly, the wonder dog, and she's quite impressed with the old Winchester, sometimes not my shooting, but the gun ain't the fault there.

I've owned Mossberg pumps over the year, prefer the safety, prefer the ergos, like the price point, they're rugged and I've had no issues with 'em that weren't ammo related. Why to people love to hate the Mossbergs? Well, some of 'em are 870 Koolade drinkers, I suppose. 870s are good guns, just don't think they're ANY better than the 500s and the 500s are lighter which means quicker to swing on those early morning teal. I fit mine to me by shimming, so fit is not an issue. Shoot your 870s and I'll shoot my Mossies, thanks.

I bought the Spartan 6 or 7 years back to break down and stow in my GoldWing's saddle bags for the trip to Waco every season. Well, don't have the old Wing anymore, but I've fallen in love with this gun! It's quick. I can get on those little devils right now when over the mojos or tanks and still can swing it smooth on long passers. It's my go to dove gun and racking up quite a round count for a bird hunter. Its light weight endears it to me for woods bumming. It's so easy to tote in the woods, short, yet effective. Yeah, it was cheap (I prefer affordable), but it's well made and shoots straight and, again, I didn't buy it for Mr. Jones.

Bought the H&R 10 about 5 years back for geese, didn't have many choices in 10 gauges. It fits well, shoots well, is 9 lbs so recoil isn't an issue, and it patterns over 90 percent on a 30" board at 40 yards with 3.5" steel T shot. I've brought a few snows down out of the stratosphere with this thing that no BB steel could have so much as tickled. Now, I've joined a waterfowl club and if I find myself doing more goose hunting than the past, I might invest in a Browning BPS 10, but I really like this H&R and don't know that I need a pump. Again, I ain't out to impress Mr. Jones. :banghead:

I'm a hunter. I've never even been on an official clays range, though I've shot some country doubles with the club, before, which I no longer belong to as we've moved to the woods near the self declared goose hunting capital of the world, Eagle Lake, Texas. I've been a bird hunter my whole life. Even though I do take a deer or hog now and then with rifle or crossbow, or hog trap, I would much rather be laying out in the rags or overlooking a spread of pintail magnum deeks than sitting in a box blind or tree stand. Call me crazy. Yeah, I know, ain't as much meat, but that ain't why I do it, not totally. It IS pretty much why I hunt deer and hogs.

What moved me to this post is seeing all the hate all over the internet for that old Winchester. People calling it an expensive tent stake, such as that. Well, I just haven't had that bad an experience with the old gal. Haven't put a million rounds a month though it like all these clays champions on the net that call it crap, but it's been a good wing shooter. It definitely shoots where I look. If I'm crosseyed that morning, that ain't the gun's fault.

I've been trying to talk myself up to a new Mossberg 930 or 935, but I just can't do it. My Winchester ain't broke, let alone my pumps and my H&R. If I spend anymore money on a shotgun, it'll probably be that BPS 10 I mentioned and that will depend on my goose hunting habits in the future. I'm 63 years old, so I figure I'll be hanging up my calls and handing down my deeks before my shotguns wear out, even that Winchester 1400 everyone loves to hate. Waterfowl is a life long passion, though, and I'm going to do it as long as I'm physically able. Next year will be my 50th season.

</vent>

 

[grter]

I like your thinking. Thank you for an inspiring post.

You mean you don't want the latest rap star wannabe decked out in gold imported semi auto tac shotgun?

What will other people think about you?? !!! so what if they can't even shoot straight the most important is looking tactikool and being certain you have ninja certified warrior gear anything less is vey uncool.

 

[Kingcreek]

My grandfather hunted into his 70s and only ever owned one shotgun, an old 1897 12g that accounted for truckloads of game. He grew up in Nebraska and talked about shooting pheasants from the running board while his sister drove through the wheat fields in the 1920s.

 

[oneounceload]

If that Sarasqueta is no longer wanted, I'll take it.....

All depends on what you want to do and achieve with your guns. Most here are into deer with slugs, HD/SD/3gun and some into birds. I'm about the only one who seriously shoots clay targets (based on the threads and responses I see). Most of the folks like me you'll find over on ShotgunWorld.Com, and the bird hunters who prefer doubles will be on doublegunshop.com.

If you like what you shoot and it works for you, have at it. I'll keep my O/Us, SxSs and semis................

 

[plumberroy]

My big ten ga single is just fun and will reach Canadians way up there. I have several H&R's Personally I prefer an 870 once you get the safety were it works for me (I'm a lefty too) But have no complaints with a Mossberg. I have 2 12's and 3 20's and a 10 ga in H&R singles and 2 870's one full lefty laminate stock 18.25 barrel vent ribbed with remchokes and a Right handed left trigger group with a 18.5 fixed modified choke barrel AI&P tactical put together for me, it has a remington synthetic stock
Roy

 

[Ash]

I've been surprised more than once on the fact that my shotguns (Mossberg 500, Mossberg 183 bolt action, and Savage 720) are all junk per some folks and yet they keep running and running and running...

 

[brewer12345]

Eh, I like my Baikals, too. Nothing fancy, but they are inexpensive, perform well, can drag them through the brush, and I have never, ever had them fail to fire.

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

I pay the least mind to shotgunning. Most of my important shooting is done with a shotgun. I will buck up for guns. I still prefer my inherited American shotguns to any thing else. They handle and feel designed to flow, not be talked about in a hypothetical context.

 

[Virginian]

Except for the Mossbergs, and depending on model the Sarasqueta, I guess I would pretty much have to agree with your opening statement. I prefer Remingtons but I have no issues with Mossbergs. Everyone should shoot whatever they are happy with, but don't go trying to change history. All the tales of "great" 1400 (or 1200 or 1300) performance will never get me to recommend one to someone looking to buy a gun. If you have one and like it, fine, but way too many of them failed, and the plastic parts that break are becoming unobtanium.

 

[MCgunner]

^^^^Thank you Mr. Jones^^^^

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

It's unfortunate that you're insecure in what you own and feel the need for public self-justification. I find self-identification with personal belongings meaningless and often wonder why people associate their self-worth in what they own versus what other people own.

If you enjoy and use your guns, and you're happy with them - that's all that counts. What other people think or say about them is unimportant.

 

[bannockburn]

MCgunner

Actually you're shotguns collection sounds a lot like mine, only on a slightly larger scale. I use to have quite a few fairly nice shotguns, like a couple of Remington 870 Wingmasters in 12 and 20 gauge, a Beretta Model 680, and a Franchi Renaissance. All of them beautifully made shotguns but I always worried about scratching the wood or metal on them every time I took them out in the field. Eventually I sold them all and went the less expensive, more utilitarian route, like a Maverick 88, Winchester 1300, Mossberg 9200, and a single shot Marlin 120. They have all been solid performers with no problems or parts breakage with any of them. I enjoy using them a whole lot more nowadays versus having a bunch of somewhat more expensive shotguns mostly taking up space in my safe.

 

[MCgunner]

It's unfortunate that you're insecure in what you own and feel the need for public self-justification. I find self-identification with personal belongings meaningless and often wonder why people associate their self-worth in what they own versus what other people own.

I feel no insecurity, just that if you read the net much, you see this tripe about most any gun, not just mine. Some like Rugers, some hate Rugers. Hell, I'm a Taurus revolver owner, talk about needing a thick skin!!!! But, they work great! I just felt the need to rant.

As to that Winchester, if it ever breaks anything that I can't fix, and in 27 years it hasn't, I'd buy a Mossberg 930 to replace it and all the bashers can criticize that one and I can roll my eyes. LOL I've been needing the excuse to buy a Mossberg 930 anyway.

 

[MCgunner]

Actually you're shotguns collection sounds a lot like mine, only on a slightly larger scale. I use to have quite a few fairly nice shotguns, like a couple of Remington 870 Wingmasters in 12 and 20 gauge, a Beretta Model 680, and a Franchi Renaissance. All of them beautifully made shotguns but I always worried about scratching the wood or metal on them every time I took them out in the field. Eventually I sold them all and went the less expensive, more utilitarian route, like a Maverick 88, Winchester 1300, Mossberg 9200, and a single shot Marlin 120. They have all been solid performers with no problems or parts breakage with any of them. I enjoy using them a whole lot more nowadays versus having a bunch of somewhat more expensive shotguns mostly taking up space in my safe.

I certainly understand the sentiment. It's a reason I shoot a camo 500 when I'm bay or salt marsh hunting. It not only isn't expensive, but it is one RUGGED shotgun with a rugged finish. It's served a good 20 years in that environment.

I bought that old Sarasqueta SxS as a freshman in college, Cook's Discount in Bryan, Texas was going out of business, $100. Of course, I reckon 100 1971 dollars is probably 1000 2015 dollars. I was making a buck 60 an hour as a student waiter in the dining hall at the time. The minimum wage is over 7 bucks now. I took that old Sarasqueta dove hunting, goose hunting, duck hunting, scaled quail hunting, rabbit hunting, squirrel hunting, anything I'd do with a shotgun. In fact, I sold my 20 gauge 870 wingmaster after I got the gun. Well, after college, I got a good job, I did a lot of hunting out of a boat in the salt marsh and the bays. That poor old shotgun didn't fair to well. The forestock split, I put a dowel through it and at least can use it, now. The bluing is a bit faded. I refinished what I could on the wood. That nice cut checkering got bashed around. It was quite the handsome piece when I bought it, but that didn't last. LOL! I keep it around even though I don't have a use for it anymore. Too many memories wrapped up in that shotgun and beat up as it is, probably ain't worth a lot. I've thought about having the chokes opened up, but not sure it's worth what that would cost. The chokes are mod/full, of course.

I do paste wax my blued/wood shotguns now and haven't been hunting on the coast much as I joined a hunting club in Eagle Lake. I don't worry about getting muck on any blued/wood gun if it's fresh water. It's the salt that can cause rust in a few minutes. The guys that shoot 870 expresses usually just sand off the blue and paint their guns every year with flat black. They seem to be rust magnets. But, a camo dip finish sure is rugged in this regard and looks so duck hunt fashionable. LOL

 

[bannockburn]

MCgunner

Yeah the Mossberg 9200 has one of those camo dip finishes and it's held up pretty well over the years. When I find a scratch on it I just cover it up with some matte enamel paint. The Maverick 88 has a synthetic stock that I don't even give a second thought to how dinged up it gets. Refinished the wood stocks on the Winchester 1300 and the Marlin 120 mainly because they were kind of dull looking as they came from the factory.

 

[Virginian]

Sorry, but to me your post came across like all those "I took my cheap short barreled pump with an extended magazine to the range and showed up all those guys with their fancy O/Us." As long as you like what you shoot you should not feel the need to justify it.

 

[rbernie]

As long as you like what you shoot you should not feel the need to justify it.

I've been on this forum for a decade, and I've come to learn that some folk just aren't comfortable being here without showing a chip on their shoulder of some form or another.....

 

[Ash]

Virginian, we do have folks on these forums who really have to poo-poo other shooters' goods. The Mossberg 500 shooter who owns a Mini-14, Taurus revolver, shoots a Mosin, or likes Nikon scopes gets told how their stuff is nothing but junk regularly here. Are their folks on the other side of the coin who do like said arms and post here? Sure. But a Taurus guy doesn't spend his time trashing threads started by S&W guys.

For instance, I shoot a Mini 14 GB. I use it for coyotes and rabid racoons plus the potential for dealing with ne'er-do-wells. I also have an outstanding M14 made by LRB. Yet mention that at THR, and it takes little time to be told how much superior the AR is and how nobody should shoot anything else. Moderators here even get into the act from time to time.

Perhaps that leads to the kind of chip-on-the-shoulder where folks like us take pride in our "inferior" goods shooting so well. I must admit I went on a duck hunting trip once with a much wealthier forestry consultant who carried a 10 ga. shotgun. I don't recall the manufacturer but do remember it was a higher-end shotgun (no so high-end that I could not afford one, particularly today - I have rifles that are easily twice as expensive). I had my humble 870 Express that I used until I really scraped the bottom of the barrel and became a Mossberg 500 shooter.

He spent much time bragging about the superiority of the 10ga and the platform he had. While he didn't trash my 870 directly, he was very proud of his superior shotgun. When at the blind, towards the end of the day on the second day of the hunt, a flight of Canada geese flew in. We were lying against a rice paddy dike waiting. The flight came in and he took 1 goose with his gun and I bagged out with my 870. I didn't rub it in (heck, I might at some point ask this guy for a job), it sure felt nice going back to the camp with two to his one.

 

[Virginian]

I understand what you are saying Ash, but I still can't kelp but get ruffled at anyone throwing rocks either way in the "class warfare" side of things. I do not care what anyone else chooses to shoot, but I do have a problem when they start rationalizing why 'it' is somehow better. Be 'it' a $100K plus O/U or an old single shot. In either case it is 90%+ the shooter that determines the outcome in any event. I have a friend who probably has a million dollars worth of guns in his safe, and he can dust me anytime at Skeet, Trap, or Sporting Clays, but he shoots an 11-87 or an Express at waterfowl and I can top him every time in the field. I have never heard either one of us blame or give credit to the gun except for the time I sold him a then new 11-87 (I didn't like the feel with the heavy new RemChoke barrel) and then the rest of us went to lunch, and when we came back he had shot 3 geese and an 8 point buck. He did say he thought he had found his lucky gun.
A lot of people I run into, I don't know their current economic situation, or why they are shooting what they are, and I don't judge, I am just glad they share a love of guns and/or shooting. No one shooting a pump gun of most any line needs to apologise for anything; it is a highly efficient tool and in the right hands is hard to beat. I have owned guns that ran into five figures, but I still sometimes waterfowl hunt with a '76 Wingmaster because I like to. My buddy could certainly afford a different gun but he totes an old BPS that the black stock is worn mostly brown now. I have had to scrimp to buy shells at times, but I was never reduced to having to justify what I was shooting. In our duck club we have a bunch of doctors and lawyers. After a hunt they are all talking about guns. What they just got or what is brand new and they are going to get. Beretta and Benelli autoloaders figure prominently in their conversation. None of my group has a gun newer than 25 years old and we usually are talking about a good shot or a beautiful retrieve the dog made. There is very little difference in the take.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I would rather have an example of a "junk" make and model that is personal experience tested in good repair and functioning condition than a "prestige" make and model that is a complete unknown quantity/quality.

I pass up NIB guns at the gun show. (I wonder, why didn't they take it out of the box and hunt or plink with it? I don't understand some people.)

 

[jmorris]

I have more than a few guns I consider "junk", although I call them "beaters" or "loaners". They still serve their purpose quite well, just might not be as pretty or well made as others I have. That isn't always a factor though, at least not to me or the people who have hunted or played with them.

 

[Kame B.]

For instance, I shoot a Mini 14 GB. I use it for coyotes and rabid racoons plus the potential for dealing with ne'er-do-wells. I also have an outstanding M14 made by LRB. Yet mention that at THR, and it takes little time to be told how much superior the AR is and how nobody should shoot anything else. Moderators here even get into the act from time to time.

What ya didnt know? They mine as well trash all the mini 14's and everything else and go lego! :banghead:

 

[huntsman]

To a hunter the only "junk" gun is the one that doesn't kill game.

Back in the 70's I killed some ducks and had some fun with an old Mossberg 185k that the Oldman picked up for $15.00.That gun is long gone but the lesson I learned transferred to other guns that I bought cheap and used to hunt successfully.

None of those guns were what the local gun club/field trialers would consider desirable but I was a blue collar guy with a young family and my goal was to hunt and kill game and not just sit around and talk about it.

 

[Choctaw]

I really enjoyed MCgunner's post and for those who commented on it negatively, perhaps you are the ones who are insecure and a wee bit defensive?

 

[oneounceload]

than a "prestige" make and model that is a complete unknown quantity/quality.

Guess that would all depend on how you define "prestige" - for some that is a Mossberg, for others it is a Kreighoff or a Purdey.

Some folks like "nice" guns, some do not. I love them - can't afford them - but I have a bunch of folks who do and anyone of them will gladly hand you their gun and some shells to try; nothing wrong with "nice" stuff if you can afford it. Too much of this "poor man's reverse snobbery" in most of these threads.

If you like what you have and it works for you, go have some fun with it.