doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Question on First Fox Purchase

I plan on purchasing my first Fox 12 gauge and I am down to a decision between a 1911 Pin Gun and a 1916 Late Style A grade. The Pin Gun is in better shape than the A grade. I have a few questions I am hoping to get some guidance on. 1) Which of the two is a more sought after gun? 2) My original thought, irregardless of which one I purchase, is to eventually have it restored. Is it better to buy one in better condition and leave it original or is it quite acceptable, or preferable, to have it restored?

I should add that I am buying to keep and use.

I am very new to the world of doubles and this is my first post. Thanks to all for sharing so much information!

welcome to the world of Double Shotguns and congrats on deciding to go with the finest shotgun in the world instead of one of those boat anchor 21's or coo coo clock internals Parkers!!!! or one of those stock splitting LC Smiths!

which one fits you better?
which one do you like better.
look at it this way, if you had two girlfriends, and one looked like Catherine Zeta Jones and the other looked like Rosanne Barr, which would you rather spend your time with? after all, both would fulfill the same function and purpose but one sure is a whole lot nice to hold and use.
shotguns are the same.

Well. Just as long as the advice is unbiased.

If you are looking for a shooter and not a collector piece -----

Agreed. Buy the one that fits best and you would be proud to carry, either is a nice gun

On the other part of the question. Generally a better condition original will have more collector value than a restored gun

A properly restored gun will have more value than a beater

And it all depends on the buyer

Yes, a properly restored gun will have more value than a beater, but it is highly likely that you will be under water when you take into account the cost of restoration. But you will have a gun you will be proud of. Guess it depends on your objective.

To me the most important criteria here is usability. If one fits you better than the other that's probably your best choice.
I've owned and been shooting a Sterlingworth for over 40 years and these guns are virtually indestructible.
Jim

I couldn't have said it better myself. LOL

Brian, if you don't mind I'm going to save that quote for future use.

To the OP, read the advice carefully. It's all good so far. You just have to be clear in your own mind what the gun is for and how you will use it. But I know you already are.

Victory-If I were to choose between the two you mention, I would select the one in best overall condition, and with best stock fit. If one of them has dimensions than work for you you'll be far ahead in shooting.

Have fun!

Buy the best one you can. If the pin gun is a good fit to shoot then buy it. It is a mistake to buy a project gun as your first gun. Buy one you can shoot and enjoy right now. You can find a A grade in good condition later. Do not buy a series of money pits with the intention of fixing them up. All you will have is a closet full of guns needing work instead of a smaller closet full of fine guns to enjoy. Until you have a decent number of guns to enjoy, spend your money wisely on solid shooters.

This works. BTDT

At the risk of being called a skeptic, I will say that the first step is to learn how to shoot. Once you learn which end the shot comes out, the search for a nice double gun is simple. Buy the best original condition gun that feels good in your hands.