Well, since we just finished a few conversations about guns we really should pay close attention to the ammunition we feed them, and keep it on the lighter side, pressure, payload, and velocity wise, how bout we talk about some you dont have to?
My monster:
This is a 1968 vintage Pirandelli & Gasperini, 20 gauge, with 3 chambers. Ive been shooting some trap with the gun, it is marked MOD and IMP MOD from the proofhouse, and the bores measure .620 in both tubes, with .022 choke in the right and .030 in the left.
It came with the recoil pad, and assorted white line spacers, which, I will keep on the gun in case they come back into fashion, perish that thought. It is bolted with double underbolts and a hidden top bolt, both seem to be well fitted. The top bolt is round, this is a machine made gun, after all. I guess they didnt want the gun opening up at the shot. It actually weighs just over 6 1/2 lbs, I dont believe petite ladies or youth gun was the thinking.
It is a clay crushing machine. I actually have to remind myself to let them get out a little bit. I know some are nauseous at the sight of a beaver tail and a pistol grip on a sub gauge, but, the combination works pretty dang good. Easy to hang on to, controllable to the point of automatic, and easy on the shoulder. A guy could do a lot worse.
The front wood wiggles around a bit more than I like. The auto safety is a bit balky. There is no cast in the stock, a plus for a southpaw. I like the look of bone pack colors much more than cyanide on an A&D, and the checkering and engraving are a notch above average.
It was left to me by a dear friend, who decided in 1968 that he needed a big 20 gauge. He also bought the Sears version of the Winchester 101 in 20 with the same length barrels, but 2 3/4 chambers. I didnt get that gun, but, Im pretty happy with this one. He never fired either gun, a shame. Both were new.
I think of him when I handle it. I literally wont give a second thought to what ammunition I feed it this fall, when I load it up for pheasants, which, I have promised myself I am going to do with it. Some ammunition came with it, even a few boxes of 3 stuff. One was a load of 7 1/2, havent seen that one before.
I should mention that I really miss my friend. He was a good guy.
Best,
Ted
I'm going on memory, but I'm thinking it's choked IC right and MOD left. Wish it had double triggers like yours, but it is what it is. Works perfectly, and was carried on my first trip for Gambel's quail in AZ. Went two for three with it that morning. She'll digest anything I feed her. The wood in the butt is strange, not really attractive in the usual sense, but has a translucent look, with very subtle figuring.
