I shoot sporting clays reguarly with a group of guys and we mostly shoot side by sides. Not to say sometimes you see the O&U. All are middle aged to senior. There are Purdey's, Holland's, Bosses Piotis and various other makers.
I have started shooting a Garbi 101, 12 bore with long barrels.
English Best's are expensive and repairing a broken spring or some other damage can get costly.
Afew years ago while shooting my Atkin, I broke a left cocking spring. It is a spring opener so the inards are much like a Purdey. Only a few people in the US can even make that spring.
While in for repairs it needed a new hinge pin, a left cocking spring and a top lever spring and a strip and clean.
All in all a very expensive day at the Best gun doctor.
Now I still shoot my nice side by sides but I still favor the old Spainard.
Last edited by PALUNC; 09/24/17 05:43 PM.
