Side plates are also good for spiting stocks. Dad had a 12 ga and his cousin had a 16 both of which I could use anytime.Both had cracked stocks. I shot my first pheasant with the 12 and my first grouse with the 16. Hunting with them was great and they had great workmanship. However I was told never to take them the trap range as they wouldn't take it.
When I was 21 I found a mint condition 20 ga and I thought I had the greatest gun ever built. I remember taking it to the skeet field and an old timer telling me I shouldn't use it for skeet as it wouldn't take it. I didn't want to belive him but three years later I sent it down the road with a number of issues.
I think the old timers knew more than todays experts.
ac
