The first "Double" I ever had was as a young child I had a break action double "Popgun". It didn't even shoot corks, just made a noise. I truly don't think that had any influence on my liking of SxS's though. First shotgun I shot was an H&R small frame 28 gauge single, Next was a Stevens 94 20 gauge single & then an old H&A 16 gauge single. I did not own any of these. My Dad was not a hunter but had bought me a single shot .22 bolt action at a fairly young age. I killed some squirrels with it but was not a good shot. Would not learn to shoot a rifle until I joined the National Guards my Senior year of high school at age 17. There I was introduced to the Peep Sight.
When I was 16 I began wanting my own shotgun & sort of wanted a pump. My Dad though a double would be safer for me & insisted we look for one. Ended up buying an old J Stevens Arms & Tool Co (Pre WWI) 12 gauge. Shortly after I graduated high school at age 18 I did buy a pump, an 870 Rem 20 gauge with 28" mod barrel. For me it turned out to be the worst gun buy of my life, I couldn't hit the side of a barn with it even from inside. Tried a Poly-Choke on it. I know that many deplore those things but will have to say the "ONLY" thing I ever liked about that 870 was the Poly. Ended up taking a beating on trade ion to a Parker Trojan 12 ga with 28" barrels.
In Hindsight I totally disagree with my Dad that a double is inherently safer for a beginner but am never-the-less grateful he started me in that direction. Have shot a variety of different makes over the years but finally settled on the Lefever as my double of choice, & am basically of the opinion if it can't be successfully be shot with a SxS it just doesn't have any need to be shot at all. This, of course, is considering shotgun game, have never owned a double rifle. Always wanted one though.
Saw a pretty nice & very reasonably priced 9.3x72R double rifle once & have always wished I had bought it.
Last edited by 2-piper; 02/01/19 07:19 PM.
