[quote=Lowell Glenthorne I've always been taken back by the heavy gun and the owner's need to declare it a dedicated fowler, or pigeon gun.
Hey! it could be just a heavy ol'gun.
No such stories needed with the light sidelock ejector 12b gamegun.
[/quote]
Heavy guns were made that way for a reason; there was purpose in the weight. In no particular order of importance:
1. Heavy guns allow the shooting of more powerful shells without punishing recoil,
2. Heavier guns generally require more swing effort and, as a result, have smoother/more stable handling,
3. Heavier guns are as robust to heavy loads as light guns are to light loads,
4. A cheaper gun can be made more robust by adding weight.
High phesant, light fowler, and pigeon guns share a lot of similarities. It is difficult,usually, to tell the exact original purpose. Also, keep in mind that if one is to choose a single gun for all shotgun shooting purposes, this is the most likely purpose class of guns from which to choose. Most American built guns were heavy not because the American makers didn't know how to make a light gun. Rather, they were heavy because Americans bought a duck gun as first priority and then used it for everything. Those who purpose bought the lighter American offerings bought game guns for the uplands.
