doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Average age of BBSers

Am 36 yrs old and starting shooting here in the UK when I was 12 yrs old.

First gun was an ancient rickety old single barrel .410 "poachers gun" which was lethal and soon replaced by my o/u Rizzini 12 bore. Still have this and use it for mainly wildfowling, with my 1870 Reilly Hammergun as my mainstay gun now. Also use a 16 bore s/s sidelock ejector by Darlow and a 16 bore s/s Webley and Scott 700.

Keenly searching for a decent 8 bore/gauge to use on the marshes here in the UK and own for the long term - not an easy task presently.

Interesting topic.

I am 45. Been interested in doubles ever since I was a kid and went hunting with Dad during the season, and read all of his gun magazines during the off season (about age 11). But between college and law school and raising a family, I didn't get my first double until about 6 years ago, and have been buying and selling ever since.

I'm 60 and I bought my first shotgun, a used Browning Superposed in 1970 for $288. It was a trap gun and with those 30" barrels in was long. 5 years later, my dad gave me his August Schuller 16 gauge side by. Sunk a lot of money into it. Last gun I bought was a Bernardelli Series Uberto I in 20 gauge in 1989. The Browning is well made and very nice, but I prefer the side bys. They just handle better and look nice.

I'm 52. First gun was a Fox B in 12 ga. At 12 years old in 1970. Raised havoc on the duck populations, guided by my 14 year old brother. Dad never hunted a day in his life. Mom was raised on a farm and believed boys should know how to use a gun.

19 going on 20. Got my first sxs at age 15. It was a Miroku built Charles Daly 500 in 20g. Been hooked ever since!

Adam

47 years young and holding. AH who am I bs'en. Been bustin feathers as long as I can remember. Still shoot grandpa's 1946 20ga sportsman couple times a year at ducks and doves. I think we're both just happy to be able to.

Am 74 in July 15th if I make it. Been sick last few years, seem to be on the mend now. Got my first double, a Marlin Elsie when I was 14. Been hooked on doubles ever since. Owned a score of them over the years but also like vintage pumps, M-97s, 12s, 37s, Remington M-17's (a hell of a fine pumper and dove killer). I like Hickok's reply when asked about whiskey: "It's all good" -- the way I feel about side by sides. And Elmer Keith's statement that O/U's "looked like poisoned pups that'd laid too long in the sun." The Merkels are the nicest I've seen in the O/U category. Chopperlump

Just turned 46. Sigh. I've been into sxs's for about 6 or 7 years now, and have owned a bunch. I really enjoy fixing them up and re-selling them.

Wow, I would have thought a few more Gen-X'ers would be hanging around. I just turned 42, and have been into double guns for almost 20 years. I was turned on to doubles by the same guy that turned me on to bird dogs and quail when I was in college in Texas. I was absolutely ruined to double guns as this same guy put a 28 ga. Parker reproduction in my hands one day. I was never the same. I bought a couple of cheap doubles looking for the same feel, but never came close. Eventually, I located a single trigger DHE repro in 28 ga, and put it on a credit card. It took me a year to pay it off. Unfortunately, I sold it in 2000 to fund another project. It's doubtful I'll ever afford another. I'm now into project English and continental guns that I make into nice shooters. Fun thread!

Nearly 65 and a friends 1902 Woodward with the arcaded fences got me interested in doubles.