Guns that you turned your nose to but have changed your mind

[Mike of the Mountain]

Researcher, you need to write a series of books!!

[Mills]

Another thread idea is ones you wished had turned your head and left your heart alone. Thing is I have been trying to forget about those

[Phil Yearout]

Often listed alongside the Winchester 24 as the ugliest side by sides ever made are these Stevens/JC Higgins/Model B/etc. .410's. The squared off receiver might be a little off-putting, but they are tons o' fun for not a lot of money (although the prices do seem to be going up)…



Actually I never turned my nose up at mine; I've always rather liked it !

[Bill Jolliff]

I guess we're showing off our 410 doubles.

Here's my Ithaca Lefever Nitro Special 410 with 26" M/F barrels. As you can see, it's a later one. Weighs 5# 12 oz.

I've had this one for 51+ years. Paid $150.00 + $7.50 tax from Pearson's Gun Shop in Auburn, NY.

It has accounted for many cottontail rabbits and a few grouse.

In fact, I was grouse hunting with a PGCA member (Tom) quite a few years ago and was standing in some heavy cover with some tall Norway Spruce trees scattered here and there. I noticed something dropping from above.

It was grouse poop and some of it landed on the stock of my 410. Have you ever had a grouse poop on your gun? Almost justification to shoot them in the tree but it took flight and away it went. No shots taken.

All in good fun and sport.

[todd allen]

I was the guest of an old gentleman on an Iowa pheasant hunt a few years back. Though he could afford to shoot anything he wanted, his gun of choice was a well worn Stevens 311, in 12 gauge.
When asked, he explained that he has hunted with that old gun since he was a kid, and he shot it well.
And, he shot it well!

[Bill Murphy]

Phil, your flat frame .410 with checkered walnut is a thousand dollar gun, or close, today. There are other variations that sell for close to that. They will kill a pheasant and are easy to carry.

[Mills]

Julia's Marlin fake LC Smith 410 is deadly in her hands

[bob weeman]

I have heard about the Winchester 59 for many years and always said why would anyone want one. I heard the stories of those that loved it and others cursing the butt heavy feel among other things. Never handled one until a couple months ago. One was in a local gun shop and I chuckled at it and picked it up. It felt pretty good but still not my taste. I went back for other things a few times and always picked it up. Well the price was 299.00, it was in decent shape and had a modified barrel. I said what the heck lets give it a try and bought it. Took it down back to the range, set up the trip wires and shot it from many angles and both split and stacked doubles. It was a very fast handling gun that pointed well for me. Not sure how many birds I shot but only had one miss. So far so good but more shooting needed for a better assessment. Sure does carry nice at 6 and a half pounds!

[Craig Budgeon]

In the right hands, the guns mentioned, would take as much game as a Parker Invincible, Fox G Special, etc.

[Mills]

I recently bought a Model 59 from a cousin of mine. It was family heirloom and the price was a giveaway, so I have one now. I still have not shot it.