Lately I have looked a several Birmingham boxlocks SxS’s in the $2k to $3k range, and am somewhat tempted. These have had nice engraving, great balance, suitable chokes, decent wood. Most are 60 to 90 years old.
Like most of you, I own a dozen + shotguns, so I would not be dependent upon this potential new acquisition. All summer, I shoot skeet and sporting clays with modern O/U’s, plus a little bit of trap. Probably about 4k+ rounds. I use the O/U’s because: (a) I shoot higher scores, (b) being newer, stronger, and having better steel, they hold up very well and need minimal repair, (c) since they’re heavier at 9 pounds, they recoil much less, (d) and I “save” the older SxS’s for hunting.
About August 1st, I store the O/U’s and begin shooting the older SxS’s for sporting clays to prepare for hunting season – when I exclusively hunt with older classic American SxS’s, and one Arrieta. I probably fire another 1k rounds at sporting clays in the fall, preparing for hunting, and on evening shoots after work, when hunting isn’t feasible.
My question is how well a 70 year-old Birmingham SxS will hold up if I fire 500+ rounds through it each fall. Is this too much for an old soldier? Will it be making regular trips to my gunsmith for broken parts, stock splits, etc? Are these old Birmy’s best used very lightly? Maybe as Closet Queens? Or is it reasonable to expect them to endure two cases of shells every fall for the next 10 years – after which I’ll probably be put into a nursing home anyway?
Does anyone actually shoot 500 to 1,000 rounds a year through their Birmy? If so, how has it worked out?
