Came today...CSMC XE-spl-16 set

[Kenny Graft]

Here are some pictures of the much talked about shotgun. Its everything I hoped for!!! Lou out did himself and did it just a few days short of 8 months from day ordered till day delivered. Now that is service! The wood he picked is perfect for this gun and all 4 chokes are just as ordered. Richard Roy put some real time into the gun...top shelf work for sure. Enjoy the pics...(-: SXS Ohio

[Kenny Graft]

29" barrels 6lbs-5 1/2 oz 28" barrels 6lbs-4oz I had the gun stocked high and the pistol grip is more open. Its like a parker radius, the fox gun is much sharper. It was made to match my Parker repro stock dimensions. They did a perfect job, I shot the gun for P.O.I. and all looks good! We have a rooster hunt in the morning if its not pouring down rain. The birds have been out for a couple weeks and should be fun hunting. Will use the 29" barrels with .012 and .031 chokes Will post some pics of the hunt....thanks all SXS ohio

[John E. Williams]

That's just stunning, Kenny. Good luck with the roosters!

[Kenny Graft]

See the pistol grip radius....some bird mounts

[Mills Morrison]

Really cool! Did original Foxes have skeleton steel butt plates or is that a CSMC touch? Very nice either way.

[Kenny Graft]

A picture of this was used for the setter on the belly of my Fox...looks just like my Gordon setter Ruby....(-:

[Kenny Graft]

Hunting quadrapedds

[Mark Landskov]

Very nice:cheers:

[Kenny Graft]

I do not know if Fox used them back in the day?? But I love Parker guns with skeleton but plates. I think its proper for a hi-grade gun. Its is eye candy for sure.....(-: SXS Ohio

[Greg Baehman]

There are others that know a whole lot more than I do about the original Philly-built A. H. Foxes, but I do know that there were a few that left the factory in Philadelphia with skeleton steel butt plates. See Tom Kidd's article in the DGJ Vol. 3 Issue 2 page 29 for one of them.

[Bob Jurewicz]

Congratulations Kenny the gun looks great

[Mark Garrett]

That is one special shotgun , Congratulations !!!!!

[Dave Noreen]

The Skeleton Butt treatment was a catalogued option for the original life of the Ansley H. Fox shotgun.

The pre WW-I Skeleton butts have a much larger area of steel at the heel --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/Ansleyone/A%20H%20Fox%20Gun%20Co/300459%20Skeleton%20Butt_zps4yyhvkdh.jpeg

Only picture I could find quickly, from The Double Gun Journal, Volume Three, Issue 2.

while the later Ansley H. Fox skeleton steel butts look pretty much like Parker Bros. Skeleton steel butts --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/Ansleyone/A%20H%20Fox%20Gun%20Co/203760%20FE%2005_zps4lx4htrd.jpg

From a late 20-gauge FE-Grade.

[Bill Davis]

That's a real beauty Kenny! Best wishes and shoot well!!

[charlie cleveland]

wow...have fun with the new fox...charlie

[Larry Stauch]

Outstanding!

THE perfect gun in THE perfect gauge!

[Bobby Cash]

Too bad the wood is so plain. ;)

Absolutely beautiful.

[John Dallas]

Anyone who had concerns about Tony's workmanship, or attention to detail should look at this gun. Wow!

[Craig Larter]

WOW Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[Eric Eis]

Great gun, really like the way you had the pistol grip done. I just can't believe you got the gun so quickly, but then I didn't think they could fix my FE with the broken ejector in one weeks time....! Good people to deal with for sure.

[Jess Lee]

Outstanding!

[Kenny Graft]

Anyone who really wants one of these guns and has some quality guns to trade should think seriously about ordering. Lou treated me very good and paid a fair price for my trades. Take the time to go to the gun works in person, have your gun plan made before you go. Have pictures of what you want engraved on your gun. I got very lucky!....everything fell into place with no delays. When Richard Roy stopped at the gun works looking for a little work to fill in before starting a couple hi-end rifles, that was the reason my gun moved ahead. I am so happy he did the engraving.....I am still in shock how it all comes together....it really is a work of art, not just a shotgun. Lou questioned my need for a two barrel set....said most people never use one of them. Look at the used guns and one set of barrels still look new and the other is well used. I am happy to say that this gun will get lots of use with both sets. It will be in the grouse woods and the big open country too. No screw chokes her so I did need two sets of barrels!....(-:

[Dave Suponski]

Kenny' congrats on a wonderful gun!

[Mike Koneski]

Really cool! Did original Foxes have skeleton steel butt plates or is that a CSMC touch? Very nice either way.

Mills, from what I've read and observed, some of the higher grade Fox guns did leave the factory with a skeleton butt. My opinion, a skeleton butt absolutely makes a gun a screamer instead of just a great looking piece of art.

[Kenny Graft]

I got to go to our club and ring out the 29" mod/x-full barrels on some sporting clays. I must say the gun is everything I hoped for. I was shooting Fiocchi game and target loads 7.5 shot. This is the lightest shooting factory ammo you can find at dealer price of 9.50 a box shipped. Other loads can beat a guy up after 50-75 rounds in a light gun. I shot 50 plus rounds and did not find the gun to have any noticeable thumping of face or shoulder so it fits properly and I was happy with my score. I will need more time at it to dial in the sweet spot and test other loads out. The gun is a joy to handle and shoot...it only got better as the working parts smoothed up from use. It opens and closes smoothly and has that Fox snap when closed. Ejectors work perfect and kick the empties good 4 feet behind the shooter. I always catch them and take them with me but its nice to know they work properly. The barrel bores have a bright polish and clean up easy. These new Fox guns have that old time feel the original Fox guns have and that's saying something for CSMC!....sweet.

[Mike Franzen]

I think it's great there is a company like CSMC that can still build guns like that right here in America. These guns are destined to be classics and from what I can see Kenny your gun has soul.

[Mike Koneski]

Ken, I love using the Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics 1 oz @ 1170 shells in my Fox guns. They don't beat up you or your gun and you can shoot clays all day with them. Price can't be beat either!

[Kenny Graft]

I found 33 boxes of Fiocchi dove loads at one of my whole sale accounts, bought them all...same specs as the GT loads 1-oz of 7 1/2 at 1160 8.19 box and 4.00 ship with a 1000.00 order. I just add the ammo to a shop order...(-: Kent also makes a nice field load that is not too hot for hunting in the light guns. SXS Ohio

[Bob Jurewicz]

I shoot 16 GA a lot and my favorite shell is Herter's Field Dove and Quail. Light recoil, 1165 F/Sec and the cleanest burning shell I have ever used.
$54.99 a flat at Cabela's with free shipping with a $100 purchase.
Bob Jurewicz

[Kenny Graft]

Hi Robert.....I neeed some of them too!!

[Kenny Graft]

We did a pheasant hunt yesterday....Ruby my setter did a fine job and so did my new Fox. Its working fine. I had my hands full in the picture and the Fox is poorly shown...)-: You only see those long barrels...SXS ohio

[Dave Tatman]

Nice birds, Kenny! Sounds like you had a good hunt down by Dover.

Great to meet you today and spent some time talking Parker's and hunting, as well as scoping out your inventory when you had customers or phone calls to deal with! You have given me another reason to look forward to visits to my old hometown....

Thanks for the guidance on Parker Reproductions. I will intensify my search for that elusive 28 gauge!!

Have a great trip to Kansas. I'll see you on my next trip to Columbiana.

All the best,
Dave

[Kenny Graft]

Well the little Fox got to go to Kansas for wild roosters and quail. We did six days of hunting in mixed weather from freezing rain to 25-30 mph winds, snow, mud and some sunshine too. It was a great trip and we got into birds everyday. Most of the hunting was on private ground but we did check out couple of our walk in spots that were always good. Bird numbers are still low compaired to 2011. We found quail in about 1/2 of the areas hunted and this seems normal for them. Brush and cover was back to normal from the severe drought of the last two or three years. The Fox hunted everyday to perfection. The gun does not miss! and shoots hard out there!!. I will add some pictures...This is the best bird hunting I know of, just like what Ohio was when I was a young hunter. SXS Ohio.....(-:

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Kenny, That is a gun that makes a man proud. You did good, a fantastic gun Gary

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Hey Kenny, what is the name of the preserve near Dover, Oh that was mentioned. That is probably only less than 1 1/2 hr from me. I need to keep working my young setter, she is doing good, and I want to keep working her.
You may not reload, but I have about 500 of those Herters 16 ga hulls, and have already loaded up about 300 with 7/8 oz loads( cut them down to 2 1/2"). We usually shoot 200 rounds at sporting clays, and they wouldnt bother you a bit--Hunting Hills charges $30 for the first hundred and only $20 for the second hundred, and thats just hard to beat. I have 9 16 ga doubles, including 3 Parkers (VH, GH,DHE) and 3 Foxes(2 SW's and an A), along with a Lefever G, and Ithaca 4E, so I keep lots of 16 ga loadings on hand.
Oh, and BTW, that gun is a screamer, hope to see you and it at Hausmann's, if not sooner.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

One of my best friends just got back from his 3rd trip to Kansas this winter, after spending 3 weeks in the UP. He keeps telling me I need to retire so that I can go with him next year, and that is sure starting to make sense to me.

[Kenny Graft]

Hi Harold....Bullseye , Urichville off Rt-250 Bullseyepheasant.com 740-922-5633 call for AP, ask for Matt or Kim tell them shooting stars sent you....I plan to do a hunt there soon, I could meet you some sunday coming??? maybe Jan-30th Kenny

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Kenny, that may just be doable. My wife will be in Florida, so only seems fair that i get out for a little vacation also. I will call you and pm my cell #.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Alright, Kenny and I have our hunt planned for next weekend, and looking forward to seeing his new Fox. i will shoot a Parker and will post on the hunt and pictures on the Hunting with Parkers thread--I know you are all holding your breath in anticipation(not).

[Kenny Graft]

I look forward to bird hunting!.....(-: Matt does a great job and sells good hardy birds. It will be a good time for sure. SXS Ohio

[Kenny Graft]

Can't believe a year has passed!!! I will be going to potter county P.A. to hunt grouse soon and I have the open choke 28" barrels in place.....(-: Early season is always tuff shooting and this will be the little CSMC Foxes first grouse hunt.....wish us well.....SXS Ohio

[Dean Romig]

Good Luck Kenny - we want pictures of your success.





.

[Gary Laudermilch]

Soon, Kenny? It is still a month away - not soon enough. Best of luck in Potter Co. Let us know how you make out.

[tom tutwiler]

Last time I went to Potter County was a few years ago. Never timed the Woodcock flights at all, but we got into the king a few times. Also more then a few bears. :)