doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Consumer Reports, October, 1965-12 gauge doubles!

Got a letter from my pal AYA Jeff today with a photocopy of said article reviewing 12 gauge field doubles. Reviewed were a variety of then current doubles, including Atlas 200 and 206 models, the Beretta Silver Hawk, AYA Matador II, Fox B-DE, Charles Daly 500 V/R, Sears 162, Stevens 311A, Noble 420-H, Zephyr Woodlander, Centaure, Abercrombie & Fitch Mark 1, Sarmco IZH-54, and a lowly Darne R10. Jeff noted the days of doubles being reviewed was well into the past, and he was as surprised with their conclusions as I was. They noted that the Charles Daly was similar to the AYA Matador II but had LESS DESIRABLE double triggers! The Darne was considered to be not acceptable due to it's safety, which they thought could be moved off if brushed against the shooter's clothing (?). They panned all of the guns with a splinter forarm, including the A&F, Darne, Noble and Sarmco, since it "reduces the effectiveness of the shooter's forward arm in reducing kick". The patterns of the Sarmco and the Darne were noted to be several inches above center at 35 yards, which, was a no-no also. Acceptable trigger pull by CU was considered to be "5-10 pounds"(!) The top picks were, the Atlas 200, the Beretta Silver Hawk, the AYA Matador II, and the Atlas 206. Interesting to note the only model tested then that is available today was the Darne.
I guess there is a reason you don't want the same people who test peanut butter testing guns. It was, from this juncture in time, an eye opening piece. Many Thanks to AYA Jeff, for thinking about me, and giving me the best laugh in 2008, so far, anyway.
Best,
Ted

When I was a senior in high school (class of 1956) I was shooting an old J Stevens, 12ga double. I was desiring something lighter & with more "Fire-Power" & was considering a 20ga pump. The school library had a subscription to CR & they just happened that year to do a report on pump shotguns. Of everything tested they picked the Remington 870 as being "Best-buy". Based on their advise I bought a new one. Now I know this will fly in the face of a great number of 870 lovers, but in over 55 years of using shotguns, mine as well as others, I have never put another gun to my shoulder that I liked "LESS". CR simply cannot account for personal likes, dislikes, prejudices etc. I did however learn a valuable lesson, I have saved over 50 yrs worth of subscription costs to CR, though I have spent alot for the Gun rags.

CR is indispensable for guidance, a sort of first look at which way the wind is blowing but not reliable, as noted here. For my money the Matador II pulled the AYA reputation into the slime. The worst review for my money was on outboard motors circa 1970 when the British Seagull was Not Recommmend because these 2-3hp motors had an exposed cooling jacket and flywheel and no clutch. I've been keeping four Seagulls stashed without any protection from the weather around remote lakes for 40 years. They're reliable, start on two or three pulls max after winters under the snow. No problem keeping fingers away from the flywheel and jacket and who needs a clutch with such low hp?

CR is entirely dispensable, as are all the other supposedly unbiased consumer rags. This is all subjective opinion, to a set of values you may or may not share with the authors.

I used to read CR, as well as practical sailor and aviation consumer. After several cases where my personal experience varied 180 degrees with the conclusions presented, I decided a far better source of information was first hand questioning with a sample of actual owners.

Some owners of most anything will defend their purchase decision to avoid losing face. Those types are easy to spot, however. Most people will be quite honest giving you information about actual experience.

Agree, Shotgun, even with dispensable but when I put out my money I cast as wide a net as possible for information. CR and Aviation Consumer provide criteria which may differ from yours and mine but, to me, it helps.

If Toyota made guns at that time CR would have bent over backwards to praise them. All American made guns would be down graded to buy only if you can not afford any others. Their bias has run constant for 40 years that I have read them. Take their advice with more than one grain of salt.

It was so bad that I wondered if they were just a paid mouthpiece for non GM, Ford and Chrysler makers. I drove a badly reviewed Ford product for 219,000 miles without any major repairs. Replaced it with another one that went over 200,000 miles with the same results. My wifes highly praised Toyota has had four recalls and been to the shop enough that the dealer gives us a loaner car or picks her up at work ten miles away. Great dealer, not so great auto. This years model is still top of their list. I will never buy another Toyota like hers again.

Agreed - if it is Japanese they love it.

Didn't CR get rapped about 10 years ago for getting caught taking kickbacks from certain companies they praised?

Very good thread and a good look into how far down the political correctness road we've come. CR testing GUNS???? OH-----------MYYYYYYYYYYYY-------GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!! My experience with CR, agrees with the others, over the years. Sometimes, very useful information, sometimes only proving they don't know squat about the test subjects. I remember vividly finding out that Jeeps can turn over, in a hard turn maneuver! DUH! Boston Whalers are un-seaworthy! Oh, Really?
I don't remember them getting in trouble for taking kickbacks, though, but that certainly doesn't mean that didn't happen.
Thanks, Ted.

I have had a subscription to to "Gun TESTS" magazine in the past, and enjoyed it. My opinion didn't always mesh with their's, but, the information was usually sound.

They seemed more concerned with the dollar cost of any given gun then I did, but, I wasn't buying several guns in any given month, either.

I have two magazine subscriptions, these days, and exchange those for the several my father buys, so we share.

I still don't have time to read them all.
Best,
Ted

I have subscribed to Gun Tests____once. I think they suffer from LOK(lack of knowledge) as well, particularly on shotguns. I bought a 9MM carbine on their glowing recommendations. I think it was a Hi-Point 995. Worst piece of crap I have ever owned. Only gun I ever took back to the store and got my money back.