So Many Shotguns, So Little Time.....

[Dave McCracken]

I made the mistake of stopping by Gunz R Us today. I was in the area on business and had some time.

After saying hello to friend and BB Member MalbuckH, I headed back to the used shotguns rack. Silly me....

The first thing I saw was a nice Fox Sterlingworth. Anyone who has talked classic doubles with me knows I intone the name of Ansley H Fox in reverent tones. He made shotguns that were incredibly well made, looked great, and lasted like 870s. The Sterlingworth was the utility grade, but the difference came in ornament, not quality.

This one's stock had been cut and a pad installed. LOP was about 13.5", wood was OK and the bores good. The lever stopped a tad to the right of center, showing little wear. For a shotgun maybe 80 years old, it was in great shape.

Next to it was a new Savage 411, made in Russia. Heavier with freight pallet wood The ugly stepsister to Cinderella Fox.

And then, near them was an 870 Express. It spoke to me as I lifted it out of the rack, checked the action for safety and mounted it.

Funny thing, it spoke in sm's voice. Saying "buy me,buy me"....

Yup, 28 gauge. J safety and all, it swung like Zorro's rapier.Exerting more restraint than I am usually capable of, I returned it to the rack. MalbuckH tried it next, liked what he felt and said, "Hey, if you don't want it, I'll buy it" as he swung on imaginary birds. Saved by a friend....

 

[PJR]

Dave, it's time to face the inevitable 28 gauge in your future. It's not a matter of if but a matter of when.

I fell victim to it about a year and a half ago and haven't regretted it for a minute. Having found the 12 gauge of my desires a couple years earlier, I bought a 28 gauge in exactly the same model. I sold most of my other guns (the sxs and the 870 excepted of course) to cover the cost of the 28. The vault looks almost empty now.

The 28 gauge hits out of its weight. Recently on a sporting clays outing, we faced a very high 45 yard crosser. One of my squadmates snorted and said there was no way a 28 gauge would hit that target. After I crushed several he asked to try the gun. This was his big mistake. After the bits of broken target hit the ground, he handed the gun back to me with a big grin on his face and I could tell another shooter fell victim to the lure of the 28.

He showed up with one a few weeks later.

Resistance is futile.

Paul

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've been dreaming of a Sterlingworth since I played with one at the last gunshow I was at. A sweet little 16 for an even 5 bills. I know where is now, and Christmas is coming up...

 

[sm]

28 ga.

buy me...buy me...buy me...

Mark the calendar !

I hereby offically proclaim Dave will have a 28 ga. within the next 12 months.

Got a RC and Moonpie riding on this...don't let me down Dave.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Paul, I've been impressed by the 28 gauge for a long time. The thing just doesn't know it's little. I've been afield with a couple that dropped birds as fast as my 12s.

I admit the attraction, it's the economics that bid me falter. It's hard enough keeping me in 12 gauge fodder. It's not the cost of the gun., it's the gun plus a 28 gauge reloader, components, etc.. Not to mention the cost of good ammo for starting off and hulls. Once fired 28 gauge hulls are not found lying around on the ground.

John, for a $500 Fox I'd risk the wrath of The Permanent Head of The Budget Committee. This'un was $800.

sm, where do I send the cola and pie?.....

 

[Okiecruffler]

Went and visited that Fox today. Still 5 bills, and still awful tempting. Could use a refinish on the stock, and the after market recoil pad is broken down from too many years of standing in a corner, but still probably a great deal.

 

[Red Label]

I just hope I never try a 28ga. I have shotguns in every ga. including .410, which is an M42, and that is a blast but no 28. I'm like Dave. If I buy one I will need everything to feed it and the finances cannot stand that at the moment.

I have a friend with a 28ga. Red Label. I must resist the temptation to ever touch it! . I will not, I must not!

 

[Dave McCracken]

John, far be it from me to discourage you. $500 does sounds good. Do "Ring" the barrels before committing.

Red, good luck.