doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com No market for 12 gauge?

In response to Chuck's poll

1. 00
2. 00

While not much compared to some of you, I have owned about 25 shotguns in my life. Given away 2, sold 2, still have the rest. I have only had two new guns. One, a new 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge given to me by my father when I was about 20 and I bought a new Citori 16 in 2004. Every other gun was used when I acquired it. About 17 are SxS, 12 of which are 12 gauge. The rest are 16 gauge. Besides the SxS's, the only other shotguns I have bought are Winchester Model 12's. One 12 gauge and one 16 gauge. With the exception of the M12's, all the rest are pre WWII.

I'm 55 and in good health and in good shape. I run four to five miles at least 4 times a week. So far weight of the gun has not really factored into my choices. Only sub gauge I'm drawn to is 16, but that is because it's the only gauge my dad used. He was a "one gun" kind of hunter. A M12.

Chief,
My bad. I twisted my knee at work yesterday, and should have paid closer attention to your post. Sorry.
The other part, about Ed and his torch still stands, however.

I've bought two new doubles in my life, but, in a bit of a twist, I bought them from speculators who had purchased them years prior, to resell. Both were Darnes, one I used relentlessly during the 80s and 90s, and then sold, and one I still have in unfired condition. All the other doubles were bought used.
Neither of the new guns was a 12.

Best,
Ted

Ditto

Like many of you, I find subgauges easier to sell (and easier to buy due to lithe lines and weight).

But as a go-to late season gun for heavy roosters and high ducks, I grab a 12 ga. (as I did yesterday). I have a Merkel M8 which Briley fitted with steel-safe chokes and 3 inch chambers for me. Spendy on the re-work, but cheap at $400 for the initial acquisition used.

There is plenty (perhaps the most) utility left in the 12 ga. for gents in pursuit of late season quarry. I used 1.25 oz. #2 steel with an air temp. of 10 degrees, and didn't lose a bird. I dropped BB loads into the chambers when some geese threatened to pass within range, all things you'd have a tougher time doing with subguages.

Poll response:

1) Two
2) Two

I've only bought one new sxs in my life and it is a twelve. When everyone was extolling the virtues of the Turkish "Dickinson" guns Cabelas was selling, I fell for it and bought one. I can't pull the triggers and look at the target at the same time and I haven't been able to get that problem fixed yet. It sure is shiny though!...Geo

Do essentially free guns count in this poll? The only 12 I've accumulated in the last 10-years was pretty much gifted to me for a nominal sum because I mentioned to the owner that I thought Model 12s were pretty good guns. It's a solid-rib Model 12 with a Cutts from 1932. Not quite sure what to do with it, but it is very nicely made. It would make a great trap gun if I shot trap.

1. 02 (RBL 20 and 28)
2. 00

I do have one small gauge set I purchased in essentially new condition. This is an AYA No.2 - 2 barrel cased set(20 & 28ga) that was built in the early 80s and only rarely used by the original owner.
For the heck of it I recently asked AYA for a quote to build it today. The quote was $13,930 and that doesn't include taxes or shipping. Keep in mind this is a Spanish double.
Jim





PS: I saw Joe Woods post after I posted above and I share his sentiments. This AYA remains unfired by me to this day!

Virtually every gun I shoot is a 12 and they cover the entire range from heavy waterfowl to lithe 6 pound upland wands. Most of mine fit nicely into the mid-6 pound category and are easy to carry and swing beautifully. Though I have dipped my toe into subgauges they mostly sit out life in a gun safe. In America it seems every 16, 20, or 28 spends its entire life wishing it had the performance of a 12--witness what the ammo makers are offering. I'm really glad y'all are having a feeding frenzy on those tiny guns cause it leaves the field wide open for me to pick up real man guns.

And I also appreciate y'all's general aversion to short barreled guns. I think any less than 30" is an abomination.


Thanks!