doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Worst American Double Ever Made

Jimmy, go back and re-read my post, I said "After the Model B", which I consider an excellent gun, and that is the one to which I am referring when I said it has been a work horse for over 50 yrs. I said, I think the newer models were designated as the model "BSE", and I would never consider a purchase for one of these, all stamped steel and checkering...UGLY!

binko

fnb25, the "superior Winchester single shot" is the Model 20, except that they never made it in any guage but .410. A killing-guaged Mod. 20 would have been a real nice single.

I like the 37; have had one since early 1950s. But you're right, it isn't much of a design although the technology for making the steel reciever was apparently something new for Winchester and the gun world (widely used since, I think, mainly for "rat-tat-tats" of various breeds). I see .410 Model 37s like mine for sale for laughable amounts; even 16s like my other one go for "collector" prices. What fun to...watch!

One thing that strikes me after all my experience with cheap shotguns (mainly what I could afford--my expensive ones are all gifts or inheritance) is how crucial the dang WOOD parts are. Doesn't matter much what wood it is, but the dimensions of the parts your body "interfaces" with, and their angle to the metal parts are the most important factors in whether the gun will actually kill stuff in YOUR hands. Cheapo guns with reliable, clunky actions and a stock that fits, even a "Tenite" or "pallet grade" stock, will kill and kill and kill. All the "technology" and marketing whiz goes into the metal, but it usually isn't what really matters.

Hang Purdey or Parker metal from two ill-shaped pieces of scrumptious English walnut and you have an expensive decoration. Someone will be impressed, but not the ultimate judge, your dog. Dogs don't mind Mossberg or Remo boltguns or 24s or BSEs, as long as they fill the mouth with feathers and blood. There are other kinds of judges (luckily many on this forum) but for me, the bird dog is the "Supreme Court" on shotguns! When you see one in the field grinnin' with his mouth full, your gun is OK too.

From what I've seen, most of them would be making a step up to use a Remington. I've seen a lot of single-shots, both .22s and shotguns in the woods. Last year I met a kid in the woods with a Winchester 37 16 gauge. I had a sidelock english gun. Of course he has two grouse and I didn't have anything.

From what I've seen, most would be making a step up to use a Remington. I've seen a lot of single-shots, both .22s and shotguns in the woods. Last year I met a kid in the woods with a Winchester 37 16 gauge. I had a sidelock english gun. Of course he has two grouse and I didn't have anything.

Allan

We can add another to the list. The Colton Gun Co. The wall hanger I have was very poorly made. After the internal parts were made ( with hammer and vise ) they seemed to be then just forced into place. No wonder you don't see many.

I'm going with the Fox BSE for the worst. Mike Armstrong stated it better than I ever could.

I have owned a model 24 in 12 ga. with 30 inch barrels. Much more gun than I ever wanted to carry into the woods. I have handled a 16 ga. with 26 inch barrels, and it really felt pretty good. If the guy had not wanted so much money for it, I might own it now.

I also wonder why people pay the prices they do for the model 37. I just don't see it.

Well, I have seen a lot worse guns than the Fox Bs and BSEs, which were basically the same gun except for the double triggers. In fact the BSE was considered better than the early ones and command higher prices now days. But, if you guys say so.