doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Best guns in the world today?

So where does that place our hardware guns, the Parkers, Elsies, and Lefevers, Mike? I haven't had one break on me. Gunsmiths here on the board have seen lots of weaknesses in these guns. But considering all the current technology do larger productions runs today make all that difference in reliability? (It's a sign of age, Mike, but I don't oooh-and-aaah much about "improvements" in guns!)

OWD,
Good to hear all the diverse opinions.
My personal opinion is that the serious competion shooter today shoots many times more than any of the victorian era shooters. I have nothing other than speculation to base that on.

But, I think you've missed my point. "Quality" is a subjective term all by itself. "Quality" of what? Quality of design for intended use. Quality of manufacture. Quality of finish.

Obviously a Pgun can't compare quality of finish to a "smoking room" gun. But, it can compare in it's quality of design for intended use.

If a London sidelock was a viable gun compete on the world competion circuit it'd be there, IMO.

If a London sidelock was a viable gun compete on the world competion circuit it'd be there, IMO.
Chuck it is, because Pinky La Grelle uses a Holland & Holland for Olympic skeet.
Because she can afford to.

Those guns stood up to the challenge because (1) they were very well made, but (2) because their owners, that thin upper crust as you put it, sent their guns back to the original makers at the end of the gunning seasons with instructions to go completely through them and make them like new again. If it weren't for that I really do not believe they would have held up under the strain of many thousands of rounds nearly as well as Purdeys, Kreighoffs, etc, and still be around today. Who knows how many times many of those old "still tight" S x Ss had hinge pins replaced and were put back on face.

No way do I believe their locking systems were as bulletproof as the top target guns of today. To begin with, IMO the steels available to them at the turn of the century were not the equal of what is being used in best target guns today.

SRH

I've had to have Giocomo put a Perazzi back on face too! I think we're beatin' a dead horse with this question. I like a Mossberg pump to shoot turkeys with.....no better gun made for that purpose. See what I mean?

What about Peter Hofer?

Well, a turn-of-the-century English best, seeing seasonal use, with black powder or equvalent English period loads, gone through every season by the maker, should last a long time.
But, sometimes, they don't. Sorry to pop the bubble. The notion they are all still in use is a foolish one, perpetrated by fools, that persists in spite of evidence otherwise.
For my money (clich�, I understand, but, IT'S MY MONEY) an English (sorry, only those English guns with modern levels of proof need apply) or continental boxlock on the Anson and Dealey patent, with disc set strikers, and perhaps intercepting sears, if we want to impress the "conoscent�", will prove to be more durable and capable than most of us.
For a great price.
Best is as best does.

Best,
Ted

Best guns in the world? For me the magic still lies in the guns made by those Edinburgh Scots!

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�I shoot for Holland & Holland (the gun-makers) and I am the only one with an English gun on the international circuit,� she said. �They have never done a competitive gun before and it is like taking part in a banger race with a Bentley.

�I feel very proud of it. It feels gorgeous. I came across the chairman one day and tapped him on the shoulder and said, �Can you do something for me, my gun is clapped out�. I asked him if they would be prepared to make me one and he said they would. It is pure image. It feels gorgeous. I do not say I am going to shoot better because I have one, but at least when I miss, I miss in style.�

I don't think an H&H has achieved the acme of target gun accomplishments. There's a lot of makes in competition.