The increased firepower of the old Model '97 probably contributed as much as any gun design to the eventual demise of the double gun; as in turn of the century accounts of hunting prowess, I've read more than one account of a Model '97 shooter having seven dead ducks in the air simultaneously. I don't know any shooter that could do that with a side x side? These old time meat hunters were very good at their craft; and no wander pumps and semi-autos are required to be plugged to 3 shells.