Everyone is surely welcome to think whatever they want. However, don't completely dismiss the possibility that our friend MMC could have been wrong. One of his last writings claimed that choke is unnecessary, a rather obvious monthly column filling, piece of silliness.
The only way to prove it would be to take two identical guns, always closing one by the thumb sneaking method and always closing the other by the normal, factory recommended way, shoot a few hundred thousand rounds, over a 100 years or so, always keeping both clean and freshly lubed, and see which one gets loose first. I'm happy to take the recommendation of most, if not all, of the manufacturers. That is, to close it (not slam it) respectfully, with your thumb off the lever, allowing the bolt to seat properly.
Always a fun topic which probably never changes anyone's mind.
P.S. Just re-watched an excellent tape called "Wingshooting", featuring MMC and the late Jack Mitchell. Michael was shooting a Beretta O/U. He closed the gun 50 times, never once holding the lever. In nearly every closing, he closed it with his trigger hand on the butt, a practice he learned from Jack Mitchell, a wonderful instructor.
So much for the value of what he wrote.
Last edited by Jim Legg; 08/21/10 06:34 PM.
