Lets talk cheap single shots that do everything...

[mr.trooper]

I had a 20 gauge NEF pardner a few years ago. I got it new from a friend for $40; whoever lived in his house before him just left it in the closet - still in its box.

I got it as a lark, so I could abuse it for some fun. No matter what I did to the thing (some pretty horrendous stuff) it just kept shooting, and shooting well.

I cut the barrel down to 18" and kept it as a truck gun for a while before I finally sold it.

Wish I still had it - I need another one for a project I've got going. I've been reading some old Police Riot Control books from the 70's, and they show Savage / Stevens single shots that were adapted as gas guns / less lethal munitions launchers. The muzzle devices they used were very simplistic designs, so I'm itching to make one up for myself. The NEF should adapt very well to the same configuration.

 

[JShirley]

I shot a Topper, Jr in 20 gauge growing up. Was scared to shoot Mossberg 500 and Remington 870...and then found out they recoiled *less*.

John

 

[Guvnor]

Have you checked out the Topper Deluxe model? It's the regular 12 gauge Topper except with a recoil pad and screw in choke. Not sure of price but i can't imagine it being a whole lot more than the basic Topper.

 

[LordDunsany]

Mac66,

I like the looks of that strap-on butt cuff! I have tried several brands of the elastic version and have not been pleased with any of them. Who is the maker on that one?

Ron in Texas

 

[USAF_Vet]

I've got an old hardware store single shot 20 gauge. Lightweight, easy recoil, dead nuts accurate with a groove and bead. I pop gophers in my yard on the run at 20 yards with it. I've considered having it threaded for chokes, but it does what it does and does it well, so I've opted not to mess with it. Cost me all of $80.

 

[Eb1]

my first shotgun was my brother's hand me down Stevens 20 ga. with the stock cut to fit him and me when I could hold it up.
He was a duck hunter so he had a ton of nitro mag #4s and 3" #6's.
When they went to all steel, guess who got the ammo? Me.
Dad wouldn't buy new ammo, so all I ever shot be it rabbit or squirrels was Nitro Mag #4s or 3" #6s.

I learned to line them up between my fingers, and bust one off, break it down and throw one in. I could clear a tree full of squirrels easily. Then I graduated to a pump, but it wasn't the same as that old Stevens.

That single 20 Stevens had the tightest full choke of any full choke I had ever seen. At 25-35 yards you'd get a pattern of a basket ball.

I think for the price of a new single you'd be better off with a Maverick pump. Mine eats anything and keeps on running. All for the cost of $150.

 

[theautobahn]

I recently picked up a used NEF 12 gauge with modified choke. Went shooting with a friend and busted 3 clays with it and decided that was enough. I'm going to keep it for when I want something light and that I don't care about to take into the woods, but I have little interest in shooting it "for fun" anymore.

 

[Kymasabe]

Ithaca Model 66 Super Single

My first shotgun as a single shot Ithaca Model 66 Super Single. Was 12 gauge with full choke, will handle anything you can throw at it. They're not expensive and built like a tank.

 

[tiamat]

Mac66, I'd be curious to know where you managed to find barrels to fit that shotty? I've got a 20 ga. springfield model 1929 that'd be neat to be able to put different barrels on, but I'm guessing that wouldn't be feasible to do starting with the 20 ga. platform versus the 12 ga.?