Always wanted one, I have 2 md 12s, 12 trap and a 16 gage. Are they worth the $$$? Love the looks and the feel of them. To be honest, I don't use shotguns much anymore, thinking squirrels, maybe turkey if you can use the tss loads or what ever there called. What does the fire think?

Why the TSS bull hockey?
Get the bird within range of the shotgun is THE fun of the entire endeavor!
I've been killing turkeys with plain Jane old lead #8's.
I would love to have a M42, but I'll just have to do with my old bolt Mossberg .410....and I bought some of those TSS loads for it!
SIX BUCKS A POP! 🤯!

I love the model 42, if I wasn’t left handed I’d have one.

Model 42 is on my bucket list. I've shot several but haven't owned one yet. I don't have much use for a fairly expensive 410 pump its just a fun gun.

I shoot mostly left handed!, Iv never used the Tss stuff.

I know lefties that shoot pumps better than well....also others that use TSS better than well and care less what others may think of them doing so. TSS shot has moved the .410 from a fun shotgun to a serious shotgun. Seems like a win.

And there are no rules that say you can't have your fun and shoot a Turkey at 30 yards or closer using TSS...May not be necessary, however individuals use a .30-06 on Deer and they are definitely not necessary.

There is a feel to M42 that is about perfect...balance, slenderness yet controllable. Really like my 1958...it gets used for a round or two of skeet quite often. I did not shoot the 1930's era M42 that I once owned very well due to the stock dimensions but the '58 works well for me. I wouldn't shoot TSS out of my '58 with a full choke but that would be your choice.

My "modern" shotgun is a '92 Rem 870 12 gauge.
My next "new" gun is a 1952 Win M12.
I won't shoot any non toxic shot in anything I own.
Lead only.
If I get hungry enough to hunt waterfowl (....and that's not likely to happen!), I'm not going to be concerned about toxic/nontoxic shot.
No brag. Just fact.

It is not only Waterfowl that may have lead restrictions....Fact

I like the 42 a lot and have a couple. The Model 12 is my first love. It’s important to understand that the 42 is not a Model 12 in .410. It’s a very different gun, with its own feel and appeal. I’ve shot quite a few doves with mine but I don’t think I’d ever take one turkey hunting. I’m not suggesting that it can’t be done but I see it like deer hunting with a .22. If that’s all you got, make sure you get close!

Iv bought a birdseye maple stock set, for one a couple of years ago, needs to be refinished, hoping to find a md 42 with a broke stock, but have about gave up on that still would like to use it one day!

I hunt only upland birds (grouse, woodcock and pheasant). When hunting pheasant in Iowa, one must use non-toxic shot when hunting public WL Areas. My BIL and I hunt mostly private land (farms), however, once in awhile we'll hunt some public land during the week.
I use an SKB O/U 20 ga, Ithaca says I should not shoot steel (or other non toxic shot) in it. Pondering if I need to snag a newer 20 ga that can handle steel shot.

Best get ready to adapt. “The times they are achangung”


Bismuth:


“Bismuth falls about midway between steel and lead, making it an attractive alternative. Best of all, bismuth is softer than steel and therefore safe for use in older shotguns whose barrels and chokes could be damaged by hard steel shot.”

Kent tungsten matrix:


“Non-toxic Impact® Tungsten Matrix® Ammunition from Kent Cartridge
Kent Impact Tungsten Matrix is a patented blend of pure tungsten powder in a polymer matrix specifically developed to match the physical and ballistic properties of premium quality lead shot. Tungsten Matrix® pellets are uniform in size, have consistent density and superior muzzle velocities to deliver maximum energy to the target. Because of its unique lead-like characteristics, Kent's Tungsten Matrix® pellets are safe for use in older Nitro-Proofed or high grade fixed choke barrels.

Pellets are as heavy as some types of plated lead shot (10.5 gm/C3) so it shoots like lead
Patterns consistently - up to 90% between 40 & 50 yards
Brings back traditional (lead) full chokes and long-range shooting “

And then there is this:

https://www.fieldandstream.com/guns/shooting-steel-through-old-shotguns-approved?amp

Interesting, thanks Battue.

The downside is cost and limited options other than 12 gauge. A few for 20 gauge. 16 Gauge non-existent. Availability of all currently is also an issue.

Powders and primers are also in short supply for reloading.

Since being told by Ithaca about not using steel, I cobbled onto a 20 ga M2 Benelli (still NIB) to use with both steel and lead. I've been wrestling with "am I over thinking this".......yeah, don't know (??).

I have given thought too one of the browning md 42s, they have choke tubes, and can use tss, Still something about a original Winchester model 42!

Kinda takes me back to my opinion that the "lead ban" is a hoax!

Just bought 3 kg (6.6#s) of #6 Bismuth shot at our local gunshow a week ago from the only supplier I know of in Canada....$240 CA or $36/#. Was running out of the container I bought a few years back. I find bismuth works very well in our 16 ga SxS's, and don't notice much of a drop off from lead when used on upland birds (pheasants, valley quail, chukars and huns) as required in some areas in WA. Plan to load up some bismuth for my 28 ga Beretta A400 for this fall with the border issues settled down.

I was given a m42 by my FIL about 47 years ago, one he bought for his sons to rabbit and squirrel hunt with. While the M42 is a fine Gun, I don’t think they are worth the high price most are asking these days. I gave mine to my son to give to his son. He used it a couple years then I gave him a Benelux M2, which he still uses. If you want to hunt with a 410 pump get a Mossberg and treat it accordingly.

Used my little Henry SS on clays today for the first time after finally finding some target loads. Broke enough, and they broke nicely enough that I’d consider a pump or even a double but for the price of the shells, which are about 3X what my club sells 12s and 20s for. Don’t see that changing anytime soon, or maybe ever.

The Browning 42s out there look nice, and I think they make the BPS in .410, or did.

Iv decided to just pick up a 410 double or maybe a henry . For now.thanks for the response.

There are quit a few Turkish doubles available at decent prices that look good, but barrel regulation seems to be a sometime thing, according to my experience, and a couple of others. Of course if you’re like most folks who never check that stuff, you’ll never know. I’m guilty of that as well, or was until a couple of years ago.

I had a couple of the 42 Brownings, neither had choke tubes.

Murder on the skeet field. 1949 Model 42 26" Cylinder bore.

Very nice Transition gun!

The little CZ Bobwhite model are nice little double .410’s. I’ve had a couple of them, but I always go back to my 1960 mfg WW Model 42.
I shoot it ch better than a a dbl brl, and it’s a blast to take a limit of doves with.

My 1959 skeet,Super x 7.5's @ 15 yards...

My favorite Winchester shotgun model. Have a bunch of pre-64s plus a repro that came with Briley CTs. Son and I use them in .410 and Fluff 12 ga SC events, sometimes in 28 ga or 20 ga events. With 14 thou or more and a "best" factory shells they're about out of gas at 35 yds......except battues. Never ran 100 straight skeet with one, but have 50s.

Shot 42s for a few years before taking them after woodcock and grouse. 42s are a joy to carry. .410 is not a limitation on WC, as one #7.5 anchors them just fine. But you will pass up grouse opportunities. Then, limiting stopped mattering long ago.

Perfectly reasonable to use them for planted phez, especially over a pointer. Evidently, phez react same to #7.5s launched from a .410 as from a 12. Imagine. JMO, keep all .410 shots on game at/under 25 yds and you will not want the bigger guns. Best 3" shell - velocity and shot hardness - in my testing is the Remington. B&Ps are good, too.

Market got soft on them, if not as bad as with M-12s. But inflation seems to be "fixing" that. Think you can still find a 90% original postwar field for around $1k. Non-original guns maybe $800-$900.

I've limited on wild pheasants in South Dakota opening day about 15 yrs ago with my .410 (great Vizsla!!) 3" Remington Express #6 and only shot if the rooster was around 20 yds broadside and I could clearly see the head and ring. Three pheasants with 3 shots...CZ Bobwhite, not my Model 42 (1958 build) as I did not own it until 6 yrs ago. Haven't hunted my M42 (yet). The .410 is a real short range shotgun...Sam H has it right, it's a 25 yard hunting gun.

Couldn't find a nice Md. 42 so I bought a Browning BPS .410.

It's bottom eject, so it works well for lefties also.

Virgil B.

My favorite shotguns are Model 12s. I've wanted a Model 42 for many years. I've seen several nice ones at local gun shows lately, but they were very pricey.