doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Speed features in doubles

I made it clear that I would like to own a Beesley Purdey, but regard the self opening feature an abomination, not the gun, the feature. An example of a smooth working action, both opening and closing, is a Model 21 or the Cogswell ejector. The Purdey is not an example of a smooth working action, opening and closing. It is a nice working gun on opening, an abomination on closing. I would still like to own one.

I agree with you Eightbore that the Model 21 has a nice action; however, I have never read and am unaware that the Model 21 Winchester has an 'assisted opener' mechanism. Would you please cite references which corroborate your statement. Thank you.

Buzz- My 1938 Winchester Salesman's Catalog details this on the M21- a coil spring assists the opening of the barrels from the breech, once the tapered bolt is withdrawn from the adjustable machine screw's head-- page 40 details this somewhat. Those not accustomed to the design of the great M21, upon first handling one, may inadvertently think the gun in their hands is "loose or off-face" not the case- the coil spring's upward release when the top lever is opened to unbreech the gun may cause a bit of a "wiggle" (for lack of better terminology here) but it is just another "plus" that comes with the M21- along with a superb single trigger.

The Model 21 and the Belgian Browning O/U are the only two double guns that I would buy (if I could afford one) and trust the design of their trigger. Just my viewpoint, not cast in stone- others with "deeper pockets" that can afford Kreighoffs, Perrazis, Berettas, et al- might well also say the same about their shotguns as well, and be right.

Some 30 years ago, when I owned a nice older LeFever DS 20 gauge, DT, EJ, 28" open choked-great grouse gun- a friend let me shoot his Model 21 skeet 20- made in 1938--I killed three pats and two woodcock, over rock-solid points, with his 20 gauge- with 7 shells- early Nov. leafs down, great gunning day- I have never shot better on grouse and woodcock than that day, and that M21 may well have been the reason- less drop and a bit more LOP than the way older LeFever perhaps--I have wanted a 20 gauge M21 since that "red letter day" but never found one within my limited budget.

I think John M. Olin did the American shotgunners of the 1930's a great favor in keeping the M21 in production in spite of the great Depression--If you have one, or are in the market for one, you are indeed most fortunate.

If ya'll boys would use those guns enough to loosen'em up a little you would find that an assisted opening feature is unnecessary anyway. With proper length barrels (that would be 30" or longer) the weight of a set of barrels will open the action and trip the ejectors, ejecting the empties. I've been doing the "right hand opening/left hand loading" thing for years. First day's shooting in Cordoba got my new 687 SP II Sporting to where it would do that, in '03. Use 'em more, talk about 'em less.

All this talk of high fallootin' mechanisms to assist opening is a bit affectatious, IMO.

SRH

Worth noting that ALL hammer guns are easy openers and easy closers too. And if they are half way decent in the locks department can be a joy to manipulate when pulling back the hammers. Not to mention the instant sight and touch cue as to their cocked or uncocked state.

Stan and I have both noticed that the 680 series Berettas are very easy opening, for the same reason the Model 21 is easy opening. The ejector springs are compressed against the breech face. When the top lever is released, the ejectors just fight to get loose. In the Beretta, the ejector springs are cammed very gradually when closing the gun, unlike the Purdey. The Beretta is a great piece of engineering, the Purdey, not so much.

I've seen a number of self openers on the clays course.....most Citoris with a heavy load in the top barrel.

I've never seen any gun that locked up tightly and then fell open as easily as a Ruger Red Label.

I must own the only Purdey with a well made well designed pleasure-to-use self opening action.

I have never owned a gun in the price bracket of a Purdey. In fact have only had the opportunity to handle a Purdey but one time & that in a shop so didn't get to shoot it. It was a heavier pigeon gun chambered for 2 3/4" shells. I did try opening & closing it to check it out & was absolutely amazed at just how easily & smoothly it Closed. I had heard for years about how Hard these guns were to close.
I still don't understand how ejectors can have any influence on making a gun open easier "After" it is fired. The ejector mechanism would normally be held in its cocked position after firing & exert no influence to opening. I think on any double I own when it is un-fired the barrels will drop by themselves when unlatched.

"The Beretta is a great piece of engineering, the Purdey, not so much."

Eightbore, that is food for thought. Engineering being the key word.