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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 19 |
I've been on the search for an American made double for the youngster, the Stevens 311 sounds good but I came across a NR Davis 20 that looks pretty sharp, are these guys worth it? You never really hear about this company. Anyone here have a 20ga by this maker that can give me some insight as to quality and weight?
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 760 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 760 Likes: 114 |
Just a matter of opinion- I use "special" ammo in all my vintage doubles. Even a 3 inch Nitro Steel LC Smith gets my "Damascus safe " 2.5 inch low pressure loads. However I would not want to limit a youngster that way ( unless it was my kid and I was providing the ammo). But if it is a friend or neighbor or nephew. I would want to get to something he can fill from wal- mart. In my mind that is Stevens 5100, 311 etc. fox model Bs, ranger models, nitro specials and things like that. I think I would consider a Davis one that I use "special ammo" in.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97 |
stevens 311's have a rep for their reliability...however, they are rather clunky...
nr davis brand guns have a rep as being sorta unreliable and clunky as well...
if your budget can stand $500-600, get him an ithaca lefever nitro special...a well made, well balanced, reliable little gun, that is a joy to carry and shoot...
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,418 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,418 Likes: 2 |
Fulton, Fulton Special, Hunter Special, Gladiator, and numerous house branded examples made by hunter arms are also nice older doubles.....sort of a red haired step child of the LC Smith.....
gunut
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,756 Likes: 748
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,756 Likes: 748 |
stevens 311's have a rep for their reliability...however, they are rather clunky...
nr davis brand guns have a rep as being sorta unreliable and clunky as well...
if your budget can stand $500-600, get him an ithaca lefever nitro special...a well made, well balanced, reliable little gun, that is a joy to carry and shoot... Do try to find one that hasn't had little round burn marks from a torch put on the metalwork, however. Better to leave them as found... Best, Ted
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 2 |
311 are pretty clunky in 12 gauge; they're less so in the smaller gauges. An early 20ga 311 is a pretty nice starter gun.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. - Albert Einstein
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4 |
My choice and what I bought for my kids is an Ithaca/SKB M 100 or 200, actually made in Japan but a nice serviceable double
Last edited by Stallones; 01/25/16 03:20 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,379 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,379 Likes: 105 |
Be careful of chamber length on vintage American 20's. If you get one that has 2 1/2" chambers, then you're into the "special ammo" category. Some Fultons and, I believe, some Nitro Special 20's (Walt Snyder would know for sure, but I can't find confirmation in his book) had 2 1/2" chambers.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,160 Likes: 1154
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,160 Likes: 1154 |
RA, I understand your wanting to buy American made, and I'd never try to change your mind. But, for a kid, I felt that the more important issue was how shootable the gun was. As soon as my grandson could handle something more than a .410, I went looking for him a 20 ga. S x S. I found an Ithaca SKB 200E in unfired condition at an auction, and bought it for $850. It is a lot of gun for the money, well made, and he shoots it like a house a'fire. I can shoot it well, too. It's a lot more shootable gun for a kid than a 311. But ........... it's not American made.   Good luck, SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 145 Likes: 11
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 145 Likes: 11 |
My two sons shot a Ithaca/SKB Model 280 20 gauge. They both liked the Model 280 better than the Model 200.
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