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Forums10
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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 37
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 37 |
I have debated this subject numerous times with some of the people I hunt with. I am lucky enough to own a few older very nice shotguns (mostly Parkers) that are in very good condition. I have found myself hesitant to use them if the weather is bad, particularly constant rain. I have found myself using a "rain gun" when the weather is bad. Some of my friends say that no matter what, you should use your shotguns regardless of how nice they are. I saw an article years ago which stated in so many words: if you were to receive an old high grade FOX cased and never fired, would you fire that gun? I would like to know other opinions
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 27
Boxlock
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Boxlock
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 27 |
I personally do not buy guns as a investment item looking for a higher resale price. Guns are a tool (means to an end). Some are more ornate than others but all were made to shoot. You honor the builder and the gun to be using it for what it was intended. Just my opinion and worth what you paid for it.
Vern
Every true upland hunter should, in his lifetime, have one good shotgun and one good bird dog.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 571 Likes: 9
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 571 Likes: 9 |
I am in Verns camp when it comes to my view on guns. I don't own collector grade guns for that reason. I buy them to use.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89 |
I am both a collector and a shooter and treat my guns with the respect due their age. If it is in high original condition I tend to use it in conditions that will not harm it. After all, most of these old side by sides are rare survivors of an earlier time and are not as indestructible as modern black guns. Remember, we are only temporary guardians of these relics before they are passed along to someone else to care for. When the weather really turns ugly and wet I will drag out one of my old pump guns.
When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 458 Likes: 21
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 458 Likes: 21 |
I recently bought an A. H. Fox XE, all original, that came out of somebody's closet with 50 years of accumulated dust,grime, tobacco smoke, and even ceiling paint specs on it. On top of all that it had it's original collapsed and dry rotted Silvers pad on it with a length of pull for a midget. After a gentle cleaning,I sent it off to Susquehanna Stockworks to have the wood restored, checkering recut and the stock lengthened for my 6'3" frame. I know that that probably really got under the skin of some of my fellow Fox collectors because it was in totally original condition/configuration. But for me, all it was good for was to look at. I want to hunt with it and after it is finished I will. I'll never sell it so who gives a crap. Craig took the recoil pad off when I gave it to him and I saved it so in the end all somone would have to do is take the extension off and put the pad back on. I can't wait to go grouse hunting with it later on in the year and if it rains who cares.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,936 Likes: 16
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,936 Likes: 16 |
I do not like to carry a nice high condition double in the rain.I use ones that show a lot of use and try to keep wood as dry as possible.Bobby
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,277 Likes: 209
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,277 Likes: 209 |
Someone from Amarillo has rain hunting experience ???
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 617
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 617 |
If I'm totally honest, I'd say it's a damn good question.
If I could afford a 'top' gun to play with, I'd have my butler dry and clean it when I got home after a good day shooting in poor weather.
Unfortunately I'm not too well off and although I enjoy stripping, cleaning and checking guns there are times after coming home cold and wet with nothing in the bag that I'd just like a hot shower and maybe a cool beer or two so gun maintainance is one of the last things on my mind. Saying that, I'd still be gutted if my old Belgian went rusty because I'd forgot/couldn't be bothered to dry and oil it properly.
I think that guns were made to be used though. If you look after them, they'll look after you. It'd be nice to have a best and a knock about gun but that's only 2 guns. Not nearly enough in my mind.
Rust never sleeps !
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,432 Likes: 316
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,432 Likes: 316 |
Sir, gentlemen do not go sporting in such weather c. 1817   Frank Dadd "East, West, Home's the Best" 1922 Courtesy of cc/dt 
Last edited by Drew Hause; 10/03/12 02:32 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,852 Likes: 151
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,852 Likes: 151 |
That old high grade Fox, cased & never fired,, I wouldn't fire it. I don't really collect either. So why drasticaly devalue the gun by shooting it,,just to say you did so.
Works for some I guess,,really makes no difference to me.
I'd let it be,,safe in it's still unfired condition,,and let someone else who desires to fire it pay top dollar for it, just so they can be the first to shoot it..
...And that's fine,,it's their gun at that point.
The boys at Pawn Stars would need to fire it for sure.
Others I just use carefully.
I don't treat them as survival guns needing to perform in every imaginable climate or condition.
They're old(er) like most of us and need or at least deserve a bit of extra care I think.
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