doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Skinny forends VS. beavertails, etc....

For myself and for a lot of us who actually get out and hunt where there is a lot of walking involved, it's about weight. If I can save a few ounces with a splinter and straight grip, that's the way to go. Target shooting (other than tuneups for hunting) is a different story.

Look at it this way, when you shoot a handgun, isn't there a grip to hold on to? And when you shoot a rifle, do you grip the barrel or is there wood to hold onto? So, why would you want to grab the barrels of a shotgun? In a quick flush, your fingers can get in the way. And if you watch people shoot them, sometimes, they try to hold them between their thumb and index finger. Then watch the gun recoil out of their hand. And as far as the Brits using them?- they miss birds, too. As far as looks go, I admit, I have seen some very elegant splinter forends. But overall, they are usually pretty gawdy. As far as weight goes, you are talking about the equivalent of a few shotguns shells. I will stick with the BTFE. And to be honest with you, around this part of the country, a classic gun has a hard time being sold with a splinter forend if a BTFE is made for the same gun. People around here would not even touch a Model 21 with a splinter forend. And in this area, Model 12s and 21s are pretty much the preferred classic.

It's really to each his own; one size doesn't fit all. The Models 12 and 21 are revered for many reasons. They do not appeal to others like myself for many reasons---often similar reasons.

The comment of guns too hot to handle reminds me of the water-cooled MGs of John Wayne on Wake Island. To me, using older guns not made for shooting games is abuse.

Yer thinking with yer dip stick again Jammy....

This truly is a function of personal preference. As to why the small forend exists at all, it is because it (and the straight grip) are direct decendents of the earlier percussion guns. The only traction for BTs and pronounced pistol grips (vice the Prince of Whales) is here in the US. I suspect that has more to do with an emphasis on the practical (particularly mid-20th century) in this country rather than on the aesthetic. All of my guns but two have splinters, and they are split about half and half with regard to pistol grips of one form or the other. I don't notice any particular difference shooting them, but I prefer the "look" of a splinter. For instance I have two big LC Smith pigeon guns. Specialty grades, the metal is virtually identical, and each has 32 inch tubes. One is built with a straight grip and splinter, the other with full BT and pistol grip. I shoot about the same scores with both, but there is no doubt in my mind which gun is more attractive. The pistol grip gun is a big, massive 1 1/4 ounce lead launcher that looks and seems very big in the hand. The gun in English drag is a big, massive 1 1/4 ounce lead launcher that looks and seems very lean in the hand. I prefer the latter, but that is all it is - preference.

If Brits don't know enough to drive cars on the right side of the road what makes you think they know anything about the right gun for driven birds?

Perhaps originally, but they are svelte and elegant guns for anyone to carry and shoot at doves, quail and Ruffed Grouse, which are good game to hunt with 3/4 oz of shot. No gender or age requirements here. Match the gun to the load (and of course the load to the bird!).
Joe

[quote=Jimmy W] In a quick flush, your fingers can get in the way. [/quote

That's ridiculous. If you're looking at your fingers you're gonna miss the bird anyway. Your complete focus should be locked on the bird, not on anything else. That makes as much sense as trying to make the argument that the frames of eyeglasses interfere with shooting, or the bill of a ball cap, or the hammers of a percussion side by side. If your attention is where it's supposed to be none of the above matters. They're all poor excuses for poor shooting.

The real purpose of the fore end is to house the ejector mechanism, as well as holding the barrels and frame together.

Jimmy - get out more. While I don't spend much time in Ohio, I also know many Ohioans who would disagree w/ you "around here" comments.

"Around here" one doesn't criticize another's gun, nor his dog. A person shoots what pleases him or her.

The fingers getting in the way business is over the top, as others have rightly mentioned here.

I bet Jammy's got big fingers.

Quote from the book "The upland gun":

"The British cling to straight grip, splinter-forearmed shotguns for a very sound reason: they enable a shooters hands to work in tandem through out the gun mounting procedure. Although a pistol-grip stock gives the rear hand a greater feeling of control over the gun, unless it is coupled with a beefy forearm to bring the leading hand onto the same plane, instinctive pointing is inhibited. According to the English, both hands, especially the leading, must work together to control, mount, and point the shotgun."

Sounds about right to me.