Another thread got my memory going. While we all seem to have fast firing repeaters with extended mags, or O/U sporting arms of great value and esthetics, how many of us have an old SS tucked away?
And, how many of us have memories with those SSs' in them, whether it's unwrapping one as a child under the Xmas tree, or taking on the barn pigeons, a dove hunt or easing through a hardwood forest in the Fall with a pocketful of papercase #6s and our eyes up among the branches? Or following a beagle doing what beagles do best?
These utility shotguns have some good points, some bad. Let's list them...
First, most of the SSs' now made are quite durable,lightweight and relatively inexpensive. The balance is usually good, with the pivot more/less between the hands.A tendency to muzzle lightness means one must consciously SWING the piece, there's little inertia to smooth and steady the bbl's path.
Stocks tend to be crooked as a Clintonista, with most shooting a little low, and the kick being a little harder. This is easy to fix, and not all require corrective surgery. Most have shorter stocks than we should have, but the substitution of a recoil pad for the ubiquitous plate can fix this nicely.
And this is not the best instrument for shooting heavy loads. It punishes both the shooter and shotgun. Field and trap loads are the best here, and very effective on small game.
Also, overall length of a SS with a 28 inch bbl is about that of a riot 870,so it handles well in close quarters. With one of the old Long Tom type bbls,32-34", one still has a shorter firearm than a pump or auto with a 28" bbl.
So, my uh, deathless prose has convinced you to dig out your old Single Shot and shoot it some. What do you need to do?
First, it may need to be checked over by a qualified smith.Some have headspace concerns, some have short chambers, some are shot loose, some have bbl dings and dents,unsafe triggers, etc.
Once your smith takes oath it's safe, try it out with handthrown clays, or doves,pigeons, or ground game. Use light loads,like 1-1 1/8 oz trap or field loads in 12 ga,1oz in 16 and 7/8 oz in a 20.
Lots of these get used as beater guns, truck guns, or backpacking guns. Some,certainly, are buried in PVC pipe sections, sealed and watertight,with ammo by those who don't trust the Govt all that much.One shot isn't much, but beats no shots,and a simple shotgun with ammo is cheap insurance for those of us who believe in Plan B.
And for those who like to tinker, these can be upgraded just like more expensive guns, with lengthened forcing cones, custom choke work, porting, stock work, ad infinitum.Since most are so light, one can alter the balance and swing by adding a little lead here, hogging out a little wood there without turning it into an expensive club.
Questions and comments?
And, how many of us have memories with those SSs' in them, whether it's unwrapping one as a child under the Xmas tree, or taking on the barn pigeons, a dove hunt or easing through a hardwood forest in the Fall with a pocketful of papercase #6s and our eyes up among the branches? Or following a beagle doing what beagles do best?
These utility shotguns have some good points, some bad. Let's list them...
First, most of the SSs' now made are quite durable,lightweight and relatively inexpensive. The balance is usually good, with the pivot more/less between the hands.A tendency to muzzle lightness means one must consciously SWING the piece, there's little inertia to smooth and steady the bbl's path.
Stocks tend to be crooked as a Clintonista, with most shooting a little low, and the kick being a little harder. This is easy to fix, and not all require corrective surgery. Most have shorter stocks than we should have, but the substitution of a recoil pad for the ubiquitous plate can fix this nicely.
And this is not the best instrument for shooting heavy loads. It punishes both the shooter and shotgun. Field and trap loads are the best here, and very effective on small game.
Also, overall length of a SS with a 28 inch bbl is about that of a riot 870,so it handles well in close quarters. With one of the old Long Tom type bbls,32-34", one still has a shorter firearm than a pump or auto with a 28" bbl.
So, my uh, deathless prose has convinced you to dig out your old Single Shot and shoot it some. What do you need to do?
First, it may need to be checked over by a qualified smith.Some have headspace concerns, some have short chambers, some are shot loose, some have bbl dings and dents,unsafe triggers, etc.
Once your smith takes oath it's safe, try it out with handthrown clays, or doves,pigeons, or ground game. Use light loads,like 1-1 1/8 oz trap or field loads in 12 ga,1oz in 16 and 7/8 oz in a 20.
Lots of these get used as beater guns, truck guns, or backpacking guns. Some,certainly, are buried in PVC pipe sections, sealed and watertight,with ammo by those who don't trust the Govt all that much.One shot isn't much, but beats no shots,and a simple shotgun with ammo is cheap insurance for those of us who believe in Plan B.
And for those who like to tinker, these can be upgraded just like more expensive guns, with lengthened forcing cones, custom choke work, porting, stock work, ad infinitum.Since most are so light, one can alter the balance and swing by adding a little lead here, hogging out a little wood there without turning it into an expensive club.
Questions and comments?