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Forums10
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,203 Likes: 1178
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,203 Likes: 1178 |
Ted: what you're contemplating is what I did to this circa 1970s Belgian 10 bore. It had a huge beavertail and a chunky pistol grip before I took a coping saw and a wood rasp to it. It was also cast way-off. I had it bent back to neutral and took it North for waterfowl. I even opened up the chokes so I could shoot the only commonly available ammo for it then, which was steel. It beat the hell out of me to shoot it (3 1/2-inch shells), but it was quite effective on geese and the occasional duck that came through... Looks good, Lloyd. That is a mighty nice pad you put on it. I'd like to get my hands on a few of those, but they're scarce as hen's teeth, now.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,137 Likes: 602
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,137 Likes: 602 |
Stan: That was the pad it came with. I'm hearing those Jostam's are getting hard to find now. You'd think someone like Tony Galazan would re-pop them sometime? Don't have that 10 anymore BTW. All that factory 1510 fps steel loosened her up a bit (Heck, it loosened me up a bit too!) so I sent it on down the road. Shooting a lefty 870 in 12 on waterfowl now. Much easier to live with.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 195 Likes: 17
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 195 Likes: 17 |
Ted, you keep saying it’s a really nice gun worth thousands in replacement, given to you from a person you respected. It sounds like you’re about 3/4 of the way of talking yourself into leaving as-is. I know that’s what I’d do.
“When faith is lost, when honor dies, the man is dead” - John Greenleaf Whittier
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,786 Likes: 766
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,786 Likes: 766 |
Ted, you keep saying it’s a really nice gun worth thousands in replacement, given to you from a person you respected. It sounds like you’re about 3/4 of the way of talking yourself into leaving as-is. I know that’s what I’d do. At the very least, the gun needs a clean and strip, and the auto safety dismantled. I actually could do that myself, but, I think I would send it to a ‘Smith and listen to his thoughts. A good ‘smith could very likely rasp that pistol grip off, and perhaps refit the front wood. That, I can’t do, or, don’t want to do to a virtually new gun. As a Texan, I suspect you haven’t fired many rounds at departing Ruffed grouse. Most of my hunting revolves around that hunting, and my requirements are more to game gun configuration. I’m not trying to be insulting, just point out that the different configuration works out better in my circumstances. It would be OK, as is, for pheasant hunting. JR thinks it is a dove gun, could be, I’ve never killed a dove in my life, and don’t see starting now. I doubt the gun is worth thousands. Highly doubt it. But, it would take that to replace it with something new, in the correct configuration. I wouldn’t feel bad putting some money into it to make it mine, but that number wouldn’t be thousands. Thanks for your thoughts. Best, Ted
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 130 Likes: 21
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 130 Likes: 21 |
Since you asked . . .
I took a gun refinishing class some years ago, and took my grandfather's rifle with me as a possible project. This is the rifle he taught me to shoot with, and left to me when he died. It looks like it spend its life outdoors, sun bleached lighter on the right side from lying bolt-handle up on the package shelf of a Ford coupe. The teacher persuaded me to leave it alone, because it wouldn't remind me of my grandfather if I made it look new. So, I left it as is and take it hunting a few times a year.
If your friend had hunted that gun, especially with you, I would have to vote to leave it alone. Since he didn't like it the way it is either, I see no reason not to make it the way you want it.
Caution: Hunting and fishing stories told here. Protective footgear may be required.
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1 member likes this:
Stanton Hillis |
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,032 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,032 Likes: 8 |
Not a bad dilemma to be in Ted. Your friend gave you a very nice 20a and sorry to hear of his passing. WWII Vets are getting far and few between now. FWIW, I'd leave it alone too. The sentimental guns passed down from family either work as is or are left alone. Its only the guns I purchase for use, that get restocked or tinkered with in any way. Best shooting with it from across the aisle.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,498 Likes: 396
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,498 Likes: 396 |
Since you asked . . .
I took a gun refinishing class some years ago, and took my grandfather's rifle with me as a possible project. This is the rifle he taught me to shoot with, and left to me when he died. It looks like it spend its life outdoors, sun bleached lighter on the right side from lying bolt-handle up on the package shelf of a Ford coupe. The teacher persuaded me to leave it alone, because it wouldn't remind me of my grandfather if I made it look new. So, I left it as is and take it hunting a few times a year.
If your friend had hunted that gun, especially with you, I would have to vote to leave it alone. Since he didn't like it the way it is either, I see no reason not to make it the way you want it. This is a great comment and nicely sums up my view on the change/leave it alone issue.
The world cries out for such: he is needed & needed badly- the man who can carry a message to Garcia
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,786 Likes: 766
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,786 Likes: 766 |
Thank you for all the comments. Strip and clean will fall to me, and after that I am going to busy myself with shooting it this summer, and playing at the patterning board. Maybe it was Skeetex who said you should use a gun for a year before you screw with it, but, whoever, it was sound advice. I’ll see what I can do with it, as is. It is a new gun, sound as a dollar used to be, without problems related to heavy use, lack of maintenance, careless ownership or any of the other bedevilments that beset us with these relics. I will use it.
The white line spacers are jarring, no? Would anyone object to eliminating the two of them?
Best, Ted.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,106 Likes: 339
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,106 Likes: 339 |
The white line spacers are jarring, no? Would anyone object to eliminating the two of them?
Best, Ted. You have my unfailing support to do that, Ted. Black Sharpie on the pad spacer? JR
Last edited by John Roberts; 06/22/21 11:39 PM.
Be strong, be of good courage. God bless America, long live the Republic.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,203 Likes: 1178
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,203 Likes: 1178 |
Black Sharpie on the pad spacer? Precisely what I did on the SKB 200E I mentioned earlier. No objection, Ted.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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