I'm having a pretty hard time making a decision on this.
I really like both as they are.
They both look great and despite not having shot either of them, they should function perfectly based on my knowledge of the guns and the disassembly, inspections and function testing I've done. I won't do any modifications to them before I shoot them. I can't believe I haven't shot them yet but I'm really looking forward to it!
I agree with Keg in that modifying them, either of them, will bring positive attention from people who love the idea but may not be willing to go through with the modifications them selves. Because both guns have already been refinished and the a5 has had it's stock cut they won't maintain their value as originals, but their overall condition is good.
In a way, because of their overall condition and refinishing, it makes sense that I would take it all the way and have two nice old refinished, modified 18.5" "fighting" shotguns.
It is still a tough decision to have the barrels cut on these old boys, but I'm not sure that buying extra barrels to cut is worth the money since the guns are already refinished.
I'm going to need some more opinions, time, and pricing before I can make a decision.
For the record. After looking at Keg's 1897 I'm thinking about shortening both of them again. Also my use for the guns is just for fun. I don't intend to hunt with them, I will probably do some form of informal clay shooting with them, as well as just fun stuff, like shooting in the mountains with the A5 paired with an older 1911, or shooting the 1897 paired with a single action revolver.
I really like both as they are.
They both look great and despite not having shot either of them, they should function perfectly based on my knowledge of the guns and the disassembly, inspections and function testing I've done. I won't do any modifications to them before I shoot them. I can't believe I haven't shot them yet but I'm really looking forward to it!
I agree with Keg in that modifying them, either of them, will bring positive attention from people who love the idea but may not be willing to go through with the modifications them selves. Because both guns have already been refinished and the a5 has had it's stock cut they won't maintain their value as originals, but their overall condition is good.
In a way, because of their overall condition and refinishing, it makes sense that I would take it all the way and have two nice old refinished, modified 18.5" "fighting" shotguns.
It is still a tough decision to have the barrels cut on these old boys, but I'm not sure that buying extra barrels to cut is worth the money since the guns are already refinished.
I'm going to need some more opinions, time, and pricing before I can make a decision.
For the record. After looking at Keg's 1897 I'm thinking about shortening both of them again. Also my use for the guns is just for fun. I don't intend to hunt with them, I will probably do some form of informal clay shooting with them, as well as just fun stuff, like shooting in the mountains with the A5 paired with an older 1911, or shooting the 1897 paired with a single action revolver.
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