No and that's the problem. I'm getting a safe full of them that are "almost" OK. So far the cosmetic favorite is a little 410 sxs but I can't hit shit with it. The one I hit best with is my uncle's old Remington Model 11, hard butt plate and all. But it beats the crap out of me on extended shoots.

Still looking for that "just right" gun.

Sambar9.3 (Dave)

I smiled to myself reading that you preferred twin triggers on a shotgun. (As an old man, it really delighted me that some old things survive!) I think it's some kind of almost trained impulse (a little like Pavlov's dogs) but I started shooting a shotgun at 15 and since my father was a fanatic about preferring doubles ( he said pump shotguns were a "market hunters" shotgun) I started out with doubles (and still love them even though I have strayed now and then to use a pump or even an auto) You are absolutely right to want two triggers. You aned I are "conditioned"to ease the finger off and come back to the rear trigger and we don't even think about it. ( I bet you can't describe just what the process is whereby we do that - but we both know what it is to do it!) Regards, Gerry

Gerry, it's called 'muscle memory', or 'operant conditioning'. I like twin triggers because; #1 they allow me to instantly choose between BBLs, in order to accomodate different conditions, and #2, with them, I'm not dependent on any sort of 'inertial recocking system', and #3, I have been using them for so long, I just feel comfortable with them.

Cheers, Dave.

Dave:

I am happy to receive an informed medical opinion about why I like two triggers! I liked reasons 1 and 3 that you gave for why you like two triggers. Reason No. 2 has me puzzled a little. Is that that godawful system where the shotgun has to be jolted if the left barrel is fired before the right? (like hitting the butt on the ground) (As on some over and unders?) BTW - much as I am delighted to discuss shotguns - where the heck do you guys use a shotgun in Australia? I'm half kidding and half serious. What are your game birds?

Gerry, waterfowl, quail, pheasant, and partridge, just name a few. And rabbits and foxes.
Re #2, yes it's that Godawful system that depends on the recoil of shotgun to cock the hammer for the second BBL.

Cheers, Dave.

After 35 years of shooting shotguns I am still trying to find one that I truly like. But trying different ones out is one hell of a lot of fun.

I like my Winchester model 24 shotgun best of all its a little 26" barrel 20 Ga.I can hit skeets better with it than any other shotgun I have ever had.It has a large front bead on it.I got it at a gun shot a few years back.I tried to get the gun down to $500 so I could get it.He went down to $550 so I took it.I had sold my unfired mint condition Model 24 that was made in 1939.It looked as good as the day it was made.The 20 ga is almost as good looking.

latest pet is a mid 50's auto-5 Light Twelve

I love my Beretta 1201FPG3 M&P autoloader.
It shoots as fast as you can pull the trigger and WILL back you up doing so!
It's light, fast, and powerful. Not to mention a bit rare.

My Ithaca 16 gauge sxs - the barrel is gray with wear. I had a friend cross reference the serial number with the manufacture date. He said it was made about 1902. It takes 2 1/2" shells. I'm glad it was built well - I shot modern 2 3/4" shells for a long time before I found out. I love hunting with a gun over 100 years old.

My WC Scott and sons 12 ga double was made in 1899 and was also made to shoot 2 1/2 in shells. I found out about 10 years ago that it is NOT nitro proofed. I have shot plenty of 2 3/4 in shells in it and it never hiccupped. The gun handles like a dream. That gun and my Parker Trojan are my favorites. If I were to pick one,it would be the Parker.

I was given a Winchester Model 1300 Pump about 14-15 years ago and regardless of how much I have abused it in Duck Blinds, Dove fields, Turkey woods, and an ocassional deer w/ Buckshot, it's just never let me down. It's light, easy to carry, and throws a scary Turkey Pattern. I busted a Tom at 50 yards w/ it last season as well as two others that were closer.

Despite being one of the cheapest out of many shotguns I've owned, I reach for that 1300 when I want dependability.

Reloader

Well, I have a half dozen or so Husqvarna model 310 SxS's in 20, 16, and 12 guage in various grades from "field" to "best". I can't tell you which is my favorite - it would be like choosing between children. I love them all.

a friend of mine let me borrow his remington 1100, dam it is working sweet, now i'll have to see if he'll sell it!!!

I have accumalated a few too many if that's possible. I like them all but shoot some better than others. The new Benelli Super Sport gets me the highest score on the 5 stand.(21-23) My Beretta 28 O/U and the Remington 1100 Sporting 28 are the most fun. The next would be the new CZ S/S 28/28" Ringneck. The rest are Browning and Beretta and Winchester O/U's for target and field, all 12G. The S/S Coach gun and the 520 Stevens pump sit next to the bed...

Early 870, 28 ga. 26" mod and 26" IC barrels. It has killed snipe to turkey... my Beretta, Win 101 and Ruger 28 gauges can't beat it!!!

I agree about the 28 gauges for sure. I have shot them in sporting events and for a 100 bird walk through my scores were equal or better. The trick for me was learning the difference in the lead. We had some very high relatively slow crossers and the 28 amazed the 12g shooters. In the 1100 I shoot IC, and the O/U it's SK/IC-IC/LM. I don't like changing around my chokes all the time, but it might improve my scores if I did. We have pretty tuff courses in Alaska and I feel pretty good if I can get 50% of the winning score which is usually in the hi-70's to mid-80's. The best I have done is a 67 E-class.

I have a 20 gauge 870 that is dear to me. I haven't shot it in a few years but it was the first gun I ever owned as a teenager and a Christmas gift from my father. I've bought my share of nicer guns but that one is special.

SH

It's had to beat an 870, but I bought a Benelli Cordoba & man what a gun. For an all around shotgun I think the Cordoba would be hard to beat.

Ithaca Model 37 featherlight in 16 ga. Mod choke and 26" barrel. Made in 1939.

Perfect gun

I am beginning to like the Beretta 682E much better. Last time out I did pretty well for me. Two scores over 21 on five stand, and 17/18 on wobble trap. (If you have not shot this game it can be a challenge. Elevation and direction are constantly in motion when you call for the bird.)
I did not do as well as expected with the little CZ s/s 28g, but sure had a blast!

Two one from the past my 97 Winchester, the present my 870 Remington.

Chief, I hope that little CZ works out better for you in the field than it did on the range. How is that gun stocked? I just got a Bobwhite in 410 and that is the straighest stocked gun I have shot. Drop at heel is only 2".

SH

Hello Snipe hunter. I have not actually measured the stock dimensions, but I think that the .410 and 28g are similar actions and stock measurements. I will dig out the book and check. I used the 28g on towers and wobble skeet as well. With the 28" barrels I think it helped slow my swing, but it feels balanced really well. I think this model was called the ringneck. Pistol grip single trigger. I hope to shoot the lil 28 much more, hopefully on walk through this summer to hone my skills. I shoot at a club called "Grouse Ridge" in Alaska, and Harry and the gang set a challenging course. Never the same presentations. Little tough shooting in the winter, but the snow is melting as we speak!

Chief, CZ says that they all have 2 1/2" of drop at heel but the first time I mounted mine I thought I saw much more of the tops of the barrels than I do with any of my guns with 2 3/8" to 2 1/2". Just wondering if your heel was that high and if that was the reason you didn't shoot the gun quite as well as you thought you should. I didn't get mine until this past season was over so you won't see it on my homepage link. I have done some pattern testing and informal clays with my Trius trap. I can't wait to use it next season.

SH

That is a possibility. I usually mount the gun few times, and then mount with my eyes closed. When I open them again I should see what I think is perfect alignment if I have done what I am supposed to. I have not patterned the gun yet nor checked point of impact with each set of chokes. (just read about that one). Good article in the Sporting Clays monthly magazine.
My wife bought me one of those Trius Traps. I think it mounts to the receiver hitch. Now all I need is a trapper.

Holland & Holland Side Lock Ejector Shotgun 12g
Barrel Length 28" & chokes: ½ + Full

This one is being burried with me!

Ziegenhahn "Old English" SxS 20ga boxlock. Or my Simson 35E 16ga SxS boxlock.

My favorite:

Franchi 48AL with engraved receiver.

I bought it used about 20 years ago.
Light, quick pointing, and pretty. I've shot doves, quail, pheasant, grouse, deer, rabbits, squirrels and clays with it. I used to shoot trap with it, but I was younger and the bruising healed quicker. At about five pounds, it does have a punishing recoil but I've never noticed it hunting. It's the one that'll be my boy's when he's old enough.

I have had an HK Benelli SBE since 1991 and although I still use it, I hate it. It is by far the highest maintenance of all the shotguns I own. I cuss it all the time, I missed three turkeys in one day with it this spring, two of them at less than 10 feet. I planned on moving alot that day so I thought I would cut some weight and carry it instead of my SP10, Mistake. My pattern was most likely too small at that range.

My favorite is my SP10, it kills turkeys and geese like nothing else. I have never missed a turkey with it. IMO, Remington autoloaders are the best. The 870 is the best pump, and mine has seen plenty of action.

10Gauge, those NEFs are real turkey thumpers too. One of my turkey buddies has one and it really puts the hurt on them.

For the last 15 or so years: Browning Citori Lightning 16 ga. 28"

But...
I just bought an AYA #4/53 16 ga. After shooting skeet with it twice over this past week, I may have a new favorite in the making. I can't wait to use it on birds!

For ducks and pheasant its a Ruger all weather o/u 12 ga. (shoots good and always works) - for quail the Westley 2 1/2" gets to go.

Palmer, that Westley Richards is a nice looking gun. Someone came down to hunt with me this past season and he brought a 2" twelve. I shoot smaller guns but I could change to one of those lightweight short chambered twelves and not have any complaints at all.

SH

Rem 870 12g Wingmaster with Trap,Skeet & Field barrels and TC wood; Custom made 1924 Winchester Mod 12, nickel steel 30" full choke trap barrel with a simmons rib and Winchester Y wood.

My French 12/70 bore SxS, stright grip, splinter forend, double triggers (articulated front trigger), Purdey style rose and scroll engraving. Its my pride and joy, I've used it on everything from driven pheasant and partridge in France, to Canadian Geese and grouse in Alaska!

Chasseur:

Glad to hear from you on this thread. (You and I have exchanged more or less agreeing posts before and I highly respect your views about shotguns) I do have to confess that the picture with your post left me green with envy - and I'm a retired shooter!

Thanks Gerry,

Good to hear from you too!

My favorites, and unfortunately I sold them before I got married...

Winchester matched pair Model 23 Grand Canadien shotguns, 12 and 20 ga, one of fifty factory sets, and this was serial number GC1 and 1GC, that's right serial number one. I bought those guns for $4200 in 98-99% condition, in 1996. Now it would cost me about 10k to get them back..

I have a Velmat 512 with a 20ga and a 12ga Barrel set thats it in my avatar, the more i shootit the better it feels. It shoots great not to sure about the trigger puller

Beretta 682E Gold Sporting, 12ga. 30" barrels. Not super crazy about how it looks, but it fits me and I got a great deal on it.