doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com I want a clunker....

Let me explain. I've always had the warm fuzzies for double barrel shotguns. And I've managed to come up with a Citori and a really nice NID but due to the price of the really nice stuff I've been relegated to being mostly a doublegun dreamer. So I want something that I can just use without worry. Make and model isn't that important. Something that has had the frills worn off or even a parts gun would be fine. As long as it's serviceable and most importantly, affordable. What would you advise that I look for? I found a Winchester 24 in really nice condition that was priced right but I just haven't been able to wrap my mind around the overly "robust" styling.

Nitro Special?

PM me, I have a 12ga, VG but not collector condition.

Stevens m311 any ga that makes you feel fuzzie ,You'll never wear it out!

One person's holy grail sxs is another's rain gun. The point is: everyone has a different threshold for what's comfortable and what's too pricey. You gotta talk specifics for amount you are comfortable spending.

If you want something nicer than the "clunker" category but in a similar price range, look at Spanish guns. The good ones are very nice, but the bad ones are clunkers.

Sorry, I guess I should be more specific. I'm looking for something American made, 12 gauge, double triggers, probably 28" barrels or longer that's been used and maybe isn't all that pretty but is still plenty serviceable. I've looked at 311's but I've never quite warmed up to them. I was hoping to get above the hardware store grade but doubles seem to be scarce around here. All the local gunshops have are 311's or the occasional grossly overpriced Savage Fox model B. I guess there's always the internet but I'm a little leery about buying guns without being able to check them out first. I've made a vow for no more "new" guns.

You need to wait one year, saving a little money along until you can buy a decent, serviceable Fox Sterlingworth. Don't buy one of these "hardware store guns" you're thinking about. Just wait until you can afford a real American Classic. You won't regret it.
JR

Nothing un-real about a Western Arms Long Range Double-sound as the dollar used to be, some options were available, like ivory beads, single trigger (best avoided, IMHO) and recoil pads. Price goes up as the gauge goes down, but, there are plenty of 12s for short money. The receiver is a lump of hardened, malleable iron, which, isn't suppoed to last as long as steel, but, I've never seen pictures here, or anywhere else, of a blowed-up one, which, is something I can't say about a Fox.
The smartest thing said so far has been your point about not buying guns you can't see, and handle. Stick to that notion, and you'll avoid some bad stuff.

Best,
Ted

Sidekick,
Be aware that most of these old American guns have alot more drop at the heal than you're probably used to and may require adopting a different shooting style than you currently have now, otherwise you'll consistently shoot under your target. I suggest looking at British or Eruo clunkers such as the old Husquavarna(sp) hammer guns that are often avaliable.
Steve

Such words of wisdOm