So occasionally, the ideal gun falls in your lap.
In recent years my hunting passion has been pursuing wild quail over pointers in Texas and the Carolinas. My collecting and shooting interests lean towards English side-by-sides which are predominately 12 gauge. Unfortunately, one is considered a rube if he shows up with a 12 gauge on most quail plantations or ranches. Even conspicuously pulling out dainty 2 “ 12 gauge 7/8 oz paper shells by RST does not let one off this hook!
Most English small bores (and American for that matter) are short barreled and whippy, and likely to be short stocked as well.
So I have been forgoing my English preference and shooting predominantly a 29” Grulla 28 bore SxS. Not a chore I can assure you, but not in keeping with my preference to carry an antique gun.
Then last year, Toby Barclay posted a simple yet unique 20 bore BLNE by Julius Coster. The only other mention of Coster I have ever seen was by Konor above. It hit all my buttons: thick Damascus barrels but only 5 3/4 lbs total weight. I struggle to shoot light guns under 6 lbs but not this one: with 30” barrels, the CG is 4 3/4 “ forward of the front trigger so it nearly swings itself! Perfect chokes for wild birds: skeet and IM. And to top it off, the replacement stock fits me to a tee (LOP 15 1/8”)
The moral of the story is keep a little balance in your gun buying account, know what you are seeking and don’t hesitate when you see it!
http://www.heritageguns.co.uk/Coster%2020%20BLNE/Coster%2020%20BLNE%20Details.htm
