Scattershot comments:
Re the UK and steel: They've had steel loads for some time now that can be used in vintage doubles. Reduced velocity and pressure, and shot sizes no larger than US 5. And Gamebore offers tungsten matrix shells in 2 1/2" hulls.
The OL article: Stevens was making "classic" sxs in the 80's? I must have missed that.
The US market got a real shot in the arm from the mid-60's well into the 80's with the Japanese-made sxs. We were stuck with single triggers (Ithaca SKB and BSS) on the lower priced guns, except for the Miroku-made Charles Dalys. But moving upscale a ways, and we had the Winchester 23, the BSS Sidelock, and of course the Parker Reproduction. And at about the same time, the Spanish were overcoming the poor reputation they had for soft parts by sending us much higher quality guns at relatively reasonable prices. They sold a lot of guns until the prices became a lot less reasonable.
Currently, good to see new Italian entries. If the FAIR sxs are the same quality as their OU's, they look to be a bargain. RFM . . . they made the Rota, which New England Arms imported along with the FAIR OU's. We have to hope that quality is much better on their current sxs.
Last edited by L. Brown; 02/18/21 07:36 AM.
