Ultimate Shotgun: Upland Birds

[BozemanMT]

Sure they gets some scratches and and a ding here and there. My guns wear them with pride because they tell the world that these are not prissy little safe queens that you need white gloves to handle

Now that's funny.

I do agree, if it's not being used.
Look at that picture I posted on the first page with the Boss, Westley Richards, etc. Gotta be close to 100 grand in 4 guns and yet, there they are, being used for hunting.
Amazing.

 

[ArmedBear]

They are suppossed to be near flawless, rugged, and reliable.

I've seen their inertia barrel selectors fail.

BTW why do shotguns use those things, anyway? Seems like a complicated way to do something simple.

 

[Scoupe]

You shoot any shotgun enough, it will fail. I saw two Krieghoffs on my squad go down at the worlds this year. One was release trigger related (not really Krieghoff's fault) and one broke an old-style sear spring. Both these guns see 20,000 rounds +/- a year and are well-cared for. It happens.

 

[ArmedBear]

I'm not saying that Perazzis or any gun could go forever with no repairs or maintenance.

However, why do manufacturers choose inertia- or mechanical-select triggers?

 

[PJR]

No gun is flawless even a Perazzi. The leaf springs in their drop out triggers are prone to breakage as one of mine did at about the 50 thousand round mark. Replacing the trigger spring is a matter of minutes however and new Perazzis come with replacement trigger springs and firing pins. On a Krieghoff if you break a trigger spring you are pretty much done for the day.

Perazzi selective triggers are not without their quirks. Before changing the barrel order on a Perazzi the gun must be put on safe otherwise it can double. I have a selective triggers in one gun and non-selective in the other. I prefer the non-selective.

Why makers choose inertia versus mechanical is an interesting question. I've owned guns with both types and don't have a preference. I believe the inertia triggers are simpler with fewer things to break. The trigger on a Krieghoff is a maze of little springs, clips and pins compared to the stark simplicity of a Perazzi trigger. The trade off is that it's easier to to install a subgauge tube set in a gun with a mechanical trigger because often the .410 doesn't have enough power to reset an inertia trigger.

FWIW, I swap triggers between my 12 gauge and 28 gauge Perazzis and the trigger from the 12 works flawlessly in the subgauge gun.

In the field however my favorite barrel selector is ME. My sxs has two triggers which is as the shotgunning gods meant them to be.

 

[MCgunner]

In the field however my favorite barrel selector is ME. My sxs has two triggers which is as the shotgunning gods meant them to be.

Amen.

Figured I'd put an old pic up that has my old side-by-side shotgun in it. Hard to see details, though. The forearm didn't belong on that gun, made it fit. My forearm split, but I later drilled and put a dowel in it and patched it back up and installed. Like I say, that shotgun's been through hell. I put camo tape on the stocks and barrel to turkey hunt, once. Pulled the tape off the barrels, but left it on the wood, figured it looked better, ROFL!

 

[TrapperReady]

Replacing the trigger spring is a matter of minutes however and new Perazzis come with replacement trigger springs and firing pins.

Tells you something when they come with a bunch of spare parts, eh?



Just kidding! If Kolar wasn't a hop, skip and a jump away, I'd probably be shooting a Perazzi instead.

 

[PJR]

If Kolar wasn't a hop, skip and a jump away, I'd probably be shooting a Perazzi instead.

Due to distance and borders a Kolar wasn't an option for me but the ones I've seen are very impressive.

Have you taken delivery of yours? If so how do you like it? Can we look forward to a full report?

 

[TrapperReady]

Yep. I got it a little while back (end of August I think). I've got just about 2K of shells through it and I like it a lot. It's heavier than my 425 by a good bit, but the balance is very nice (with the 32" .750 bore barrels).

I'm pretty heavy into hunting right now (leaving for So. Dakota in the AM), so I'm going to wait a bit for a full report.

If you're interested, I can shoot you a PM with some more details.

 

[Khornet]

I'm happy

with my 1931 Fox Sterlingworth. 12 Ga. 28" barrel non-ejector.

For some nice double guns at good prices, check out Hill Rod And Gun. They're online.

 

[kbheiner7]

I've got a buddy who drives truck for a living and rather than leave his 1921 Superposed alone in an empty house, I'm "looking after it" for him.

It's seen better days, but is absolutely alive in your hands.

 

[hinton03]

Didn't even have to think about that one.

 

[MCgunner]

I have been using a new Remington Spartan 20 gauge coach gun last couple of years for doves and I absolutely love that thing. Choked I/C Mod, it's deadly on the little feathered morsels. Takes a little concentration on the swing if you're used to a bigger, heavier gun, but it is just so sweet. It carries light, of course, and is very fast to point. I can take 'em right out past 35 yards with the modified barrel and those 20-25 yarders ain't got a chance in California with the IC barrel.

I know it ain't much, only a 299 dollar gun, but it sure is fun to ME.

Dang, this is an old thread. When I first replied to it, I hadn't bought the Spartan, yet. Well, it was a good purchase, put it that way.

 

[X-Rap]

I had a Citori Superlight and traded it for a SBE in basic black. The Browning was a dream for quail when I lived down on the border and I spent many enjoyable days walking through the mesquite. The Benelli is sweet also but just not as warm as that double.

 

[Virginian]

I can't abide an Over and Under, so I'd jump on a Winchester Model 23 20 gauge side by side, either a Classic or a Golden Quail, depending on whether you prefer a straight or a pistol grip. If you can afford two, get a 20 and a 28, but with pheasants in the mix, for one gun I'd have to say a twenty.

 

[Gary A]

Dr. Rob - Sounds like the CZ Bobwhite is closer to what you want. Double Triggers and available as a 26 inch.

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=60

I also would like a 24 inch SxS with double triggers. Where I hunt, steel is becoming the rule so I have considered having my 28 inch Spartan cut back to about 24-25 inches. It is too muzzle heavy as it is. I'm thinking that 24 inches with steel shot, even open cylinder bore might be just fine for flushing birds. 1 1/8 ounces of #4 steel in the right barrel and 1 1/4 ounces of #4 in the left. The Spartan, though, will never have a wand-like feel, tough and durable as it is.

 

[rbernie]

I imagine that Dr Rob has bought a shotgun by now, since he started this thread more than a year ago.

Maybe he'll tell us what he bought.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Question:

Pronounced "SIGH-Tor-eee" or "See-TOR-eee"??

 

[Bud Tugly]

As others have said, there's no simple answer to the question. You often do lots more walking than shooting when bird hunting, so lighter is generally better even though you'll get kicked harder.

I shot a lot of grouse and woodcock with a single shot .410 but generally hunted thick brush where shots are rarely over 20 yards and you have to be lightning fast. Light weight, open chokes. and a short barrel are pluses in that terrain. A 20 gauge coach gun with IC/Mod chokes would probably be even better for that rare chance of getting a second shot.

If you're hunting more open spaces like a cornfield a longer barrel gives a better sight plane. You also might want a tighter choke since the shots will likely be longer. This is where a pump, semi-auto, or double with Mod/Full chokes perform well.

My favorite gun that worked well in all situations was a 20 gauge Amadeo Rossi SxS double with 26" barrels. With the right loads, it was a great compromise gun for everything from pheasants down to woodcock.