doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A few long-legged girls

I have to admit that I had to look that one up, Daryl. I was unfamiliar with Dumbo's syndrome.

I believe it has everything to do with swing dynamics. Longer barrels move part of the mass of the gun outwards which, in effect, increases the effort to start the gun moving, but more importantly help keep the barrel moving at the shot. Stopping the gun is just easier with shorter barreled guns, for me. I fell in love with long barrels when I was but a very young adult. My Dad gave me a new 1100, 12 ga., for my 16th b'day. It had a 26" IC barrel. I learned to shoot it well. But, I wanted a choice of chokes for the variety of bird hunting I did/do. Remember, this was before screw-in chokes were available. So, I saved my money and bought a 28" Modified barrel, and a 30" Full barrel. Over the years I found myself gravitating to the 30", with the tight choke, more and more. I learned the importance of a smooth swing, and follow through at the shot. I think that the longer barrel made that easier for me, and it just "stuck".

When I began shooting sporting clays seriously, and joined the NSCA in order to compete in the big events and be eligible for class "punches", I used the 1100 and the 30" barrel until I literally shot it to pieces. The magazine tube came out of the receiver, was resoldered, and came out again. I retired it and bought a Valmet 412 O/U with 32" tubes. I really began to get better. Then, the old Perazzi was offered to me, with 31 1/2" tubes and I used it until I made it to Master class. Then, in about a year I began to lose interest in tournaments and the huge expense they had become. I'll keep that old MX8 until I am too feeble to shoot it anymore.

I grew up shooting doves and ducks, primarily. Follow through is obviously more important on them than on flushing birds. Had I grown up only shooting quail and woodcock I might have likely stuck with shorter barrels all my life, which would have been a handicap for me in sporting clays competition. Anyway, at my age I am not about to try to "mend my ways" in order to use shorter barreled shotguns. I love the way long barreled guns feel, perform for me, and look. I've got 'em, and I like 'em.

Thanks for asking. Keep warm!

Maybe it all has to do with “I believe”. My unexpected love for the 26” 20 ga pushed so many longer barreled guns away. I was surprised.

Yeah, maybe. Me and thousands of top clay sport and pigeon shooters around the world. 😉

Of course, Stanton, I do not shoot clay sports or pigeons, just pheasants, sharptails, dessert quail, and Huns. Clay sports are not something I enjoy, except on a casual basis, nothing competitive. All are shot from a low gun position, if that is the proper term. Lots of competition
guns out there with a myriad of alterations. My thought was that a certain gun can change my beliefs about what a gun “should” be.

I agree totally, Daryl.

I thought I wanted to marry a blonde, until I met my dream girl, 54 years ago.

No regrets.

Stan, I guess I should not ask for pictures. Lucky you.

Just for Daryl . . . .

Sophomore year of college, 1970



A couple years ago with our youngest son and our granddaughter

Thank you. Great pics Lucky fellow.

Thanks for the reply and the photos Stanton. That is a good looking piece and when you said it might be for sale I immediately went back to the original photo description to check the gauge and saw it was indeed a 12. That cooled me off!! I have shot 12 gauge a good portion of my life but as I approach 77 years of age next month I have gravitated steadily toward smaller bores. I started my changeover with 20, then my wonderful 16's (Dickinson SxS, new style Browning A5, and a pristine model 12), then on to the 28, and now also will include the .410. My latest .410 acquisition was a Turkish made SxS and a Remington 1100. Of course, I shoot upland birds primarily with a few doves thrown in. I will probably never buy another 12 gauge, unless of course I find one I just can not live without!! Thanks again for posting.

I understand the "sequence", Perry. I'm gravitating more towards sub-gauges but I'm a dyed-in-the-wool duck hunter, so 12 gauges will be in my stable until I give it up someday.

That particular gun was bought from Jay Schacter back before he coined "Vintage Arms" as a business name. It was his personal duck gun.

Best wishes in this New Year, brother.