#2408539 - 09/02/08 12:20 PM
Classics are still soild performers
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KevinGibson
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Registered: 10/08/04
Posts: 4129
Loc: NW Arkansas
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These days everyone thinks they need the latest 12ga auto with backbored barrels, porting and extended choke tubes. Well, I have news for you guys. While everyone has been flocking to the latest and greatest; I’ve been snatching up the classics. In the past year I have picked up:
Winchester 1897 12ga
Winchester Model 12 12ga
Browning Auto 5 12ga
Remington 11 20ga
I’ll put these guns up against any of the Johnny come lately’s. With Bismuth loads, I they’re the same waterfowlers they were 50+ years ago (which is to say, the best), and with plain old lead, they get the job done on everything I point them at…fixed chokes and all. I even scored a 16 on the skeet range with the Auto 5 with a full choke barrel.
I just love them old guns.
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#2409741 - 09/02/08 09:15 PM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: Sako]
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slideaction
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Registered: 09/01/04
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After a ten day waiting period I Just picked up a Remington 20 gauge model 1917. Its clean lines, Glass action and modest yet lovely wood, puts this shotgun into the same category as the famous quality models you mentioned.
It's the quality and integrity that was built in these Hardware store guns of yesteryear that keeps them superior to the brand new models found at our local Big 5.
Edited by slideaction (09/02/08 09:15 PM)
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#2410040 - 09/03/08 05:34 AM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: slideaction]
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Mikem2
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Registered: 06/21/05
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Loc: Virginia
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Your right, they are solid shooters. Seeing fewer of the classics lately at the gunshows and online sales. Most of the A-5's are well used condition. I have a two A-5 magnums that I picked up a few years ago, round knob stocks, just about new in box condition, actually a third one I found was NIB, but that one went to fund a project. I shoot the A-5 light 12g's a lot for dove and pheasant.
Have not seen a Model 12, 97 or 25 in a long time at the local g-shows here.
Classics, keep on going strong!
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#2410250 - 09/03/08 07:56 AM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: KevinGibson]
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GPA
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Registered: 09/17/07
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Loc: Upstate NY
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I regularly hunt with a couple of old Western Arms doubles (1930's) and an old, but not that old Stevens 311....All are good at filling the bag.
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#2410789 - 09/03/08 12:25 PM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: slideaction]
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30Gibbs
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Registered: 01/24/04
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Loc: Central Calif. Coast
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After a ten day waiting period I Just picked up a Remington 20 gauge model 1917. Its clean lines, Glass action and modest yet lovely wood, puts this shotgun into the same category as the famous quality models you mentioned.
It's the quality and integrity that was built in these Hardware store guns of yesteryear that keeps them superior to the brand new models found at our local Big 5.
Yep!
Love the solid rib M17's or their 20 Gauge Ithaca pre-war successors.
Also shoot a Browning A-5, a 1953 Superposed,and a mint M12 Winchester all in 12 Gauge. Picked up a Winchester M41 .410 this year. It is REALLY fun to shoot.
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#2413144 - 09/04/08 02:00 PM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: 30Gibbs]
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RufusG
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Registered: 12/16/03
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Loc: In the weeds, AZ
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Sadly, the glory days of milled steel and walnut are behind us.
I'm pretty fond of my Benelli M2, but when I want to get really "pumped up" (sorry), I get out my 3-digit serial number Remington Model 31 and listen to the symphony.
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#2413716 - 09/04/08 07:14 PM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: RufusG]
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weagle
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Registered: 02/18/01
Posts: 2193
Loc: Atlanta Georgia
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I'm with you Kevin. I do nearly all of my shotgunning with guns that are over 50 years old.
You need to add a Marlin 90 to the lineup:
Weagle
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#2414685 - 09/05/08 09:15 AM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: KevinGibson]
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model70man
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Registered: 03/30/03
Posts: 2148
Loc: West Virginia
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Kevin,
You have good taste in shotguns. I might also mention the Model 31 Remington pump, the Model 11 Remington Sportsman (3-shot with tapered forend) and the older Ithaca Model 37s would round out your collection nicely. I didn't mention doubles but, as I'm sure you know, the Parkers, L.C. Smiths, Fox and LeFever doubles are wonderful shotguns. Thanks...Bill.
_________________________
NRA Benefactor Member
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do those things to other people and I require the same of them." (John Wayne, the Shootist)
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#2416517 - 09/06/08 06:17 AM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: model70man]
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KevinGibson
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Registered: 10/08/04
Posts: 4129
Loc: NW Arkansas
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Sako - I too am a fan of classic doubles: I have a Remington 1889 hammer gun, 12ga 30" fluid steel tubes choke full/full. Although I'm not much of a waterfowler (never did like the taste), if I do find myself in a duck blind, it will be with this gun loaded with both smokeless and black powder bismuth.
My upland double is a Westley Richards Anson & Deeley that sports 30" damascus barrels choked IC & Lt Mod. With 2 1/2" shells, it's a delight to shoot and kills everything it's pointed at like the hammer of Thor.
Model70man - I agree those should be on the list. In fact, there's a lot of guns that make the list. I have an old JC Higgins Model 20 deluxe which was made by High Standard for Sears. It's a bit on the heavy side, but I have never felt a smoother action on any gun at any price. The slide moves like it's on well lubricated ball bearings. There are some good ones out there, that's for sure. And many of the older guns are better than anything you can buy today.
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#2420726 - 09/08/08 06:56 AM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: KevinGibson]
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gnoahhh
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Registered: 11/17/05
Posts: 746
Loc: Annapolis, Md.
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I'll second that sentiment! I do most of my upland hunting with an L.C.Smith 28" Field Grade and most of my waterfowling with a 1922 vintage L.C.Smith Long Range Gun, Ideal Grade, 32" barrels and 3" chambers (with low pressure non-toxic handloads out of respect for 86 year old steel).
If one's goal is to kill game, then maybe a sleek High-Tech super-duper autoloader is the ticket. If one's goal is to hunt game then maybe a classy gun from the past is in order.
_________________________
Still looking for an aperture rear sight for my 1920.
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#2421531 - 09/08/08 01:01 PM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: gnoahhh]
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Golfswithwolves
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Registered: 11/10/05
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I hunt with older guns too. They have so much craftsmanship in them, with even the pump-action guns having received much milling of forged parts and hand fitting. Usually they have a good feel to their handling, and work smoothly. The only downside is (for some hunting) having to find non-lead shot which is soft enough to shoot safely in them. I always wonder what kind of stories older guns could tell if they could talk.
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#2430700 - 09/12/08 10:05 AM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: Golfswithwolves]
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ZeroGravitas
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Registered: 08/12/08
Posts: 17
Loc: New York
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I shoot the Super and the NID quite often.
1937 Superposed 12 trap config
1936 NID 12
1908-ish V Hafner 16
1871 Keep Bros 12 pinfire
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#2431057 - 09/12/08 12:51 PM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: KevinGibson]
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model70man
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 03/30/03
Posts: 2148
Loc: West Virginia
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Kevin,
I agree with you too on the private branded shotguns. The older Sears and Wards pumps and side by sides were, IMO, the best bargain out there. To me, nothing beats milled steel and walnut. To make them today would probably cost a bunch. I still see old Stevens pumps at gun shows that were made with much hand labor and very high quality and they are very low priced.
One of the prettiest Mauser rifles I ever saw was in a Wards store when I was a kid, marked Montgomery Ward on the barrel. I'm sure it was a FN commercial action and the walnut was outstanding. I still think about that rifle.
Thanks...Bill.
_________________________
NRA Benefactor Member
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do those things to other people and I require the same of them." (John Wayne, the Shootist)
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#2438507 - 09/16/08 11:33 AM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: model70man]
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KevinGibson
Campfire Guide
Registered: 10/08/04
Posts: 4129
Loc: NW Arkansas
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ZeroGravitas - I think you and I would get along very well. Nice guns.
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#2438883 - 09/16/08 02:23 PM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: KevinGibson]
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Ward
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I've read through this thread and am headed out the door to trade what a guy owes me for a model 17 Remington 20 gauge and an old Stevens pump 20 ga. Should have both in a couple hours. The last time I got into one of these moods, a Savage 311 in 16 ga followed me home. I shouldn't read this stuff. Ward
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#2438920 - 09/16/08 02:36 PM
Re: Classics are still soild performers
[Re: Ward]
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GPA
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Registered: 09/17/07
Posts: 1003
Loc: Upstate NY
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Next time a 311 in 16 ga. follows you home....Drive it away; send it in my direction!
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after all you can not have too many shotguns.
