Break-down shotgun?

C

Ctrain

New member
Hey everyone,

I have been thinking, and recently remembered about a very old leather shotgun case I have from my grandfather. He passed before I was born, but my dad gave it to me. It is a really nice case, it looks old, but I am thinking of getting it restored. However, the only shotgun I have is a 12 GA remington wingmaster. The case, however, is about half the size of my shotgun. I think that I need some kind of shotgun that can "break down" as it looks like it would need to fit two halves in the case? Ever heard of something like this? And how much would a good gun like this run me? I've just had it sitting empty, but I would really like to have a gun so I can actually use the case! Thanks for any input guys
 
Most side by side shotguns 'break' in half when the forearm is removed...

There is also the Marlin 1898 series that had 'takedown' models...
 
Typically, when you take down (remove the barrel) a pump or auto, the magazine tube remains with the receiver making it too long for a "break down" case. Some early pump guns had the barrel and mag came off as a unit making them true "take down" guns and candidates for your grandfather's style of case.
 
I have a similar case (mine is canvas), and it can hold every one of my O/U guns and SxS guns.

Prices are all over the map -as is quality. A quality gun that won't break easily or often tend to run from 4 figures and up. But a gun that can be used occasionally, like a Turkish made CZ can be had for a few hundred less than 1K. Of course there are some used guns that might work as well, depends on your budget and requirements
 
Ah, I've always wanted an over under, so I might have to look into getting one of those. If only I had the case, I would have taken a picture to show what I had, which would have probably helped, but it is back at my parent's house. Was just curious about it, because the way my dad talked about it, these "break down" shotguns seemed rare. Then again, my dad doesn't know much about guns and doesn't have an interest really, which is why the case was passed to me :p

Thanks for your help guys.
 
If I was buying an Over/Under I would put $1k at my low limit and go up from there. Even if it meant saving for a whole 'nother year.

I'd more likely be closer to $2k-$3k.
 
All good advice but you may want to find what gun was transported in this case. It could have been a side by side, a Model 12 or any number of guns. I have owned a couple of these cases and sometimes one size does not fit all. It would actually help to know what Gramps shot.
 
Take some dimensions off the inside of the case - especially if it has more than one internal section ....and that will give you an idea of what guns will fit it when broken down.

I carry my pump guns and my semi-autos in break down cases...as well as my Over Unders....you just have to have the right case that fits the gun you intend to use it for.

I like the breakdown cases because they're easier to transport in the back of an SUV vs long cases for fully assembled guns.

Look at the cases on Browning.com ....and in a variety of their cases they will give you the model number for some of their gun models ...like their pump gun the BPS, the Citori ...and barrel length matters. On a gun like the Citori XT Trap with 32" barrels and extended chokes screwed into the barrels ...I need a bigger case than the one I use for my 30" O/U's or I have to take the chokes out ...which is easy...but you have to think about all of these little things...
 
If you get a case, be sure to consider modifications that may make the case to small. Like BigJimP said, consider it you want to use extended chokes and not have to take them out to fit the case. Wil you be increasing the thickess of the butt plate or pad with a something like a recoil absorber such as a Graco or even a Jones pad.
 
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