[Andy]

Ian I may be crazy but I don't think it's old vs new generation, it's about how shooting has changed. I think if you look back shooting shotguns was a field sport and the infrequent shots weren't bothersome. We shoot a lot more than they did in 1950. But go shoot 200-300 rounds of sporting or trap and sure, it becomes noticeable. My 28g repro with factory 28g shells was much more punishing than a 6.5lb 12g with 1 oz 1250 Fiocchi shells so there's a lot of factors. I don't think recoil plays a role at all in the stagnation of the 12. I think we'll see it come back. I was having a blast shooting 3/4oz 12g skeet yesterday and that load in a well patterning SxS that is light to carry would be a grouse destroyer due to its patterning if you do your part to sort it out. I happen to love all gauges so I'm trying to be objective here. I am not of the mind to start selling all my 12's because the market is flat. I'm in it for the long game. Personally there are two sides to the coin: 12's are priced a bit low and small gauges have gotten a bit out of hand. I can afford to buy what I want, I just can't bring myself to spend used car money for the sake of having a small gauge gun. Not that important to me but your mileage may vary.