For about 30 years I've hunted wild pheasants over springers, every weekend Oct. through Dec., mostly with a 16 ga. M-21. It has 28" barrels, straight grip, splinter forearm, 15" LOP over a pad, and weighs less than 6-3/4 lbs. It's just the right weight for the 1-1/8 oz. loads I like for wild pheasants. Retirement before last season let me more than double my days in the field, and at 60 years old I'm hoping for a few more seasons. The gun has never felt heavy to me. Maybe it will if I'm still chasing spaniels at age 75 or 80.
I'd post a photo of the gun, but don't have it right now. Ray Cover is just about finished engraving the frame with a little modest scroll, pheasant and ruffed grouse on the side panels, and a portrait of my best little springer -- who went suddenly blind during her eighth hunting season -- on the trigger plate. Goes without saying that I'll never part with this gun. Ted, I remember reading Russ Ruppel's opinion of M-21s. I don't understand why some who dislike 21s get so vehement expressing their opinions. My opinion was, and still is, a little different.
Jay
