When did need actually figure in anyway?
I had gone to Gunz R Us to pick up some 45 ACP ammo, but out of long habit I looked at the used shotgun rack. Besides a 16 gauge Sterlingworth in great shape and the usual mix of old singles and near new repeaters, there was a 20 gauge SKB O/U there at a decent price.
A bit of history......
Around 1970, Pop had the old O/U he had used for decades stolen from his camper at a field trial. That thing had more time in B 24s than some pilots.
Some friends got together and bought him a replacement, a 20 gauge SKB. He used it behind his dogs and loved it. I borrowed it a couple times and liked it for upland game,especially the mixed bag stuff we had here in Howard County then and nearby.
The old thread here, "Pop's Last Dove Shoot" has that SKB in it.
Pop sold it during the 80s when I had little extra cash around, and I missed the chance.
Anyways, this one showed little wear, store pointed like it was made for me, and just seemed to have my name on it.
I spoke to the owner, who put the SKB in back while I went home and began the series of delicate negotiations needed with The Permanent Head Of The Budget Committee, AKA Wonderful Wife. Things went well, and I brought it home.
The first range trip showed there were issues. The trigger did not reset. What made it more frustrating was the fact that when it did go off, the targets exploded quite regularly.
This is the up side of dealing with a local gun shop vs a box store or an online vendor. When I walked in, the owner told me they would fix it or give me a complete refund. That's on a 30 year old shotgun of uncertain provenance.
Less than 48 hours later, the smith called me to say he had replaced a spring, cleaned up a burr on the sear and test fired it 10 times per barrel. I picked it up on the way to work and chafed a bit until time and weather permitted a range test.
That happened yesterday. The rain plaguing us let up long enough to get to PGC, and they have a new attraction.
Range 4 has had a 5 stand setup on it. They've added a wobble trap which can be used as part of the 5 stand or alone. There's 5 firing points at 4 elevations, the trap has more zip than most, and it's become very popular.
Few, if any, straights have been recorded.
So, I joined the throng waiting their turns and when it came.....
The thing weighs 6 lbs, 11 oz and I'm used to an 8 lbs plus clays O/U. The stock is a skosh short for me and has a plate, not a pad.
Still, the first round was 21/25, the other two 22/25. A lot of targets went away emphatically,with a little smoke. Chokes, BTW seem to be Mod/Full, tight for this game but usable.
As a control, I switched to the Beretta 12 and scored about the same.
As I drove home, I mused about getting a MEC 600 in 20 gauge and working up a 3/4 oz load, but not before the dove opener.
I can see why Pop liked his, and maybe this one is a payback for missing his.
A nice little birdgun.....
I had gone to Gunz R Us to pick up some 45 ACP ammo, but out of long habit I looked at the used shotgun rack. Besides a 16 gauge Sterlingworth in great shape and the usual mix of old singles and near new repeaters, there was a 20 gauge SKB O/U there at a decent price.
A bit of history......
Around 1970, Pop had the old O/U he had used for decades stolen from his camper at a field trial. That thing had more time in B 24s than some pilots.
Some friends got together and bought him a replacement, a 20 gauge SKB. He used it behind his dogs and loved it. I borrowed it a couple times and liked it for upland game,especially the mixed bag stuff we had here in Howard County then and nearby.
The old thread here, "Pop's Last Dove Shoot" has that SKB in it.
Pop sold it during the 80s when I had little extra cash around, and I missed the chance.
Anyways, this one showed little wear, store pointed like it was made for me, and just seemed to have my name on it.
I spoke to the owner, who put the SKB in back while I went home and began the series of delicate negotiations needed with The Permanent Head Of The Budget Committee, AKA Wonderful Wife. Things went well, and I brought it home.
The first range trip showed there were issues. The trigger did not reset. What made it more frustrating was the fact that when it did go off, the targets exploded quite regularly.
This is the up side of dealing with a local gun shop vs a box store or an online vendor. When I walked in, the owner told me they would fix it or give me a complete refund. That's on a 30 year old shotgun of uncertain provenance.
Less than 48 hours later, the smith called me to say he had replaced a spring, cleaned up a burr on the sear and test fired it 10 times per barrel. I picked it up on the way to work and chafed a bit until time and weather permitted a range test.
That happened yesterday. The rain plaguing us let up long enough to get to PGC, and they have a new attraction.
Range 4 has had a 5 stand setup on it. They've added a wobble trap which can be used as part of the 5 stand or alone. There's 5 firing points at 4 elevations, the trap has more zip than most, and it's become very popular.
Few, if any, straights have been recorded.
So, I joined the throng waiting their turns and when it came.....
The thing weighs 6 lbs, 11 oz and I'm used to an 8 lbs plus clays O/U. The stock is a skosh short for me and has a plate, not a pad.
Still, the first round was 21/25, the other two 22/25. A lot of targets went away emphatically,with a little smoke. Chokes, BTW seem to be Mod/Full, tight for this game but usable.
As a control, I switched to the Beretta 12 and scored about the same.
As I drove home, I mused about getting a MEC 600 in 20 gauge and working up a 3/4 oz load, but not before the dove opener.
I can see why Pop liked his, and maybe this one is a payback for missing his.
A nice little birdgun.....
