Joe,
I have decided, after perhaps 30 seasons of using Darne guns, that the semi-pistol grip stock, most often seen, will not work for me. The photo I posted shows the two factory stocked, left handed Darnes I am aware of, that reside here in the new world-I was responsible for both of them. Both have dimensions that SHOULD be nearly perfect for me, however only the 12 gauge R10 (my personel Darne) fits me. I was quite capable of missing everything that flew with the stunning 20 gauge R15, as was another left-handed poster who purchased it from me. We don't know what, for sure, was wrong with it, for us. I was bloody hell on birds and clays with a late 1970s R15 20 gauge, that had 30" barrels, cartoonish engraving, and blond wood, that I sold in a classic moment of complete bird gun stupidity. I should add, that it should not have fit me, but, quite obviously, did.
I was fitted at the factory for the 12, and I believe the fitter, Hervé Bruchet, got that one perfect. He didn't tell me how he did it. The numbers of the stock dimensions from that gun were not different than the left handed 20 gauge, but my performance was. I also think there is more to a Darne stock than a simple list of dimensions. In particular, the length of the wrist and angle of attachment of the wrist, to the gun, seem critical, almost hyper-critical.
If, Mr. Taylor, you are able to hit things that fly with that Charlin, without too much thinking on your part, I suggest you keep it. If not, don't.
It likely fits somebody.
Best,
Ted
