doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Recommendation for Argentine autoloader...

Beware the 'Old Style' bolt closure lever by Angle Port for the 391. This aftermarket part is defective. The lever is a casting and it will eventually break, rendering the gun useless. The new style is stainless, and the problem is supposedly solved.

Mine broke Sunday, fortunately I was able to find the spring. Ballistic Specialties/Angle Port is aware of the problem and my new stainless replacement is 'in the mail'.

This event would have been unfortunate in the middle of an expensive trip.

Three of us went several years ago for doves only. All with 20 ga. I had a Beretta O/U with 30 " bbls and a Pachmeyer pad. Others took a M21 and a Browning A5. All performed flawlessly. Nearly 1,000 shells per day per man. The Fiocci shells we used were good, and they were clean, so less concern with gumming things up. I would stay away from 12 bore. 20 or 28 ga. is plenty.

You need two guns. All guns break and you don't want an expensive trip ruined by having to shoot with a loaner gun that does not fit you. I brought two guns I was equally comfortable shooting last time and they served as back-ups to each other in the case of a problem.

For my last trip I shot a Beretta 391 in 12 gauge (I was shooting ducks also) and a long-barrelled Beretta O/U in 20 gauge. My only regret was not including the 28 gauge barrel set for the O/U.

If you are doing A LOT ot of shooting the 391 will eventually become a single shot (quickly fixed with a cleaning). I alternated between the guns so I did not have to clean the auto as often. If you bring an auto, make sure to bring a parts kit with you. Cole makes one for the 391 with the parts that most often need replacing. Also remember to have your back-up with you and not at the lodge.

Enjoy your trip,

Ken

Have been to Argentina twice and found that the outfitter's choice for autoloaders is the Benelli 20 ga., hands down, no debate. They love them and can't buy enough of them at friendly prices. One member of our group on the first trip took the outfitter we use 2 brand new 20 ga. B-guns and simply gave them to him (Talk about public relations lobbying!). He'll probably never pay full fare again. The B-guns essentially shoot themselves clean, have very few "shooter serviceable" moving parts (e.g., the tyros can't get at the precision-fitted stuff to muck it up)and with minimal maintenence (bore brushed and solvented every day with action lubed as needed), and seem to be basically indestructible. Some of the first ones puchased by outfitters as rental guns in-country after they first came out are pushing a half a million rounds through them by now. Compared to them, all other autos (with the possible exception of a Browning A-5; Euro or Jap) usually begin to self-destruct about midway through the third day at the latest, when the pressed beer can lids and paper clips start to fly out of the actions. KBM

KBM, your reference to parts "flying out of the action" made coffee come out my nose...

It was great to see your latest "find" on the skeet field being shot, what a sweetheart.

Jeff

Joe....I am planning a trip also. When I asked my friend who's been there twice, if I should buy a Benelli, he said "NO!!" When I asked why, he replied, "When you push a thousand shells a day into a semi-automatic, your thumb gets so damn sore, that you wish you had never seen an autoloader!"
"Take your Citori, and your Superposed," is what he recommended. Grant.

My Dad went in 1965 and brought two 12G 1100's. He told me he "burned one out" and gave it away. Never did explain what went wrong. In 1970 I went to the same place and brought one 12G and one of the new 20G 1100 ... and never used the 12. The 20 went on and on with out a hitch and is still in use by my son inlaw. If I were going to Argentina again I would bring my 20G BSS and a new 1100 20G ...... although with things the way they are with airlines these days I might go with two 1100's which wouldn't be missed if they went the way of all flesh.

Al

I have a friend who had the presence of mind and the financial resources who at the age of 68 purchased a parcel of land near Cordoba. At the age of 82 he shoots a .410 B Rizzini custom built for him. The other thread concerning the B.Rizzini is pertinent here. This gentleman has about 40 guns at this time many of which are high value doubles - has had as many as 700 at one time. He started shooting in Argentina - Doves mostly - with a 20 gauge Bertuzzi if I recall correctly then he switched to 28 gauge and now it is the B. Rizzini which he purchased from William Larkin Moore. Now his gun is a little above the average gun but he told me that the mechanics of the $3,000 gun and his $20,000 gun were exactly the same. He loads in Argentina - bringing the some of the fixings in from U.S.A. and having the powder and primers sent in bulk from Italy - dumps a fistful of shells in his pocket in the morning and shoots till their all gone. More than one fistful acutualy as he shoots about 300 rounds per day now. He advised me that Argentina offered an opportunity for the wing shooter to practice the shot which was difficult as opposed to shooting lots of birds. So he has taken advantage of his land and the opportunity to become an accomplished wing shooter. Most of us can only manage a few days per year in Argentina ( if that ) - he has spent 3 - 6 months there for the past 14 years so how he sees things may differ from most of us. Still his observations about the guns which can take it day in day out without repair is pertinent. He critiqued my Beretta ASEL that although a fine gun, perhaps excellent gun it had more shortcomings mechanically than the B. Rizzini. Just his opinion but one earned.

Benelli is the only auto to use in the high volume shooting. They just keep working. I shot a 28 gauge Beretta BL 5. The only issue I encountered was a little charred wood where the bottom barrel abutted the fore end.
If you are going to to shoot an auto take some adhesive tape to put on (over your shooting glove) on the thumb of the hand you load with. it will save you some skin.

Joe, the Cosmi should be your choice. No one else will have one and you won't have any extra cash after buying one to tempt you on any doubles. Of course, the Cosmi is soooo beautiful, too.