doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com American 28 gauge

While not a "vintage" gun, the feel/liveliness of the Parker Reproductions in 28 gauge is second to none in my experience.

Most weigh 5.5lbs give or take a few ounces. I have "nicer" guns, but my double trigger 28 gauge reproduction is the one I grab when hunting quail...

For me anyway, guns can be too light for me to shoot well. I bought a 28 ga RBL with 28" barrels from an estate. I was pretty excited. I'd read good things about the RBL 28 ga. Took it dove hunting and couldn't hit squat. Too light, especially in front. I have no idea what it weighs. But I know it's too light for me. YMMV

The Ruger RBL weighs 6 pounds 4 ounces if it matches my two. Weight distribution if the issue. The barrels are too light. I added a four ounce weight just beyond the fore end and it swings great at Skeet. In the field I just put in mod and full choke tubes and take my shots earlier no weight added. Longshot powder make a great reload which cleanly kills Dove out to 30 yards if I do my part. I would not shoot it with Skeet tubes because the pattern density just does not hold together enough for consistent kills much past 20 yards in my experience. And 7 or 7 1/2 size shot works better than 8 or 9's for me.

KY Jon, I agree with most of what you said about weight distribution, chokes and shot size. But I was talking about my CSMC RBL. I do have a Ruger 28 ga Red Label and I shoot it much better. I haven't weighed them but I'd bet the RBL is at least 1/2 pound lighter than the Red Label.

Huh??

My Wife's Ruger Red Label 28-gauge with 28-inch barrels weighs in at 6 pounds 4.9 ounces.

My CSMC RBL-28 with 30-inch barrels weighs in at 5 pounds 12.3 ounces.

My fault, Researcher. My post was imprecise and easily misunderstood. I've clarified.

Did any of the trade name guns make a 28 gauge SxS?

I used to think so, too. But, then I was given a .410 that has the mass toward each end rather than in the receiver. I can't remember the exact weight of it, but it is somewhere around 4# 13 oz. Rocketman may know, he spun it several years ago and recorded it in his data base. It handles like a much bigger gun. I shoot it really well in spite of it's very light weight.

Weight alone is not what determines handling characteristics. Distribution of that weight IS what determines it.

SRH

H & D Folsom Arms Co., NYC, had the little hammer double made by their Crescent Fire Arms Co. in Norwich, Conn. made in 28-gauge --

Not American, but I have a little 28ga hammer with 28" laminated barrels (quite a bit of finish remains) and Bel. BP proofs. Cyl bores I think. Only "Richard" on the locks. weighs 5-3.