I would agree that the shooting sports, in general, are doing quite well. I had to wait in line for an HOUR at the rifle range last weekend. I was there with my 10 year old sister letting her shoot her shiny new bolt-action 22. And to my surprise, she was quite the little sharpshooter.
But I am talking about SXSs. I am the ONLY "regular" at the my gun club that shoots a sxs... not that the guys don't like trying out my new doubles (I show up with a new gun quite regularly)... they just don't want to own any of them.
I for one have always been fascinated with double barrels. My first shotgun was a Mossberg 500 pump. My father, although not a "double-gunner" at that time, always encouraged me to buy the highest quality guns I possibly could. And so I quickly worked toward a Beretta 686 and I never looked back.
Situations like my own (and many of yours) give me hope for continuing this sport. Because I wasn't introduced to doubles by anybody. I was just naturally drawn to them. I guess magazines like Double Gun Journal and Shooting Sportsman help as well.
I just hope that the attraction doesn't end with everyday folks.
Adam
