Stephen Hodges
03-05-2017, 06:19 PM
I decided that I wanted to find a versatile, "modern" double gun. Something that was light, that I could shoot clays, skeet, pheasants, grouse and woodcock with. I wanted it to be built to my personal dimensions, have great wood and nice engraving. My search began by visiting Connecticut Shotgun last February, 2016. After my initial shock :shock: at all the great guns I was looking at and touching, I got serious with Thomas on my wants. I decided on an RBL 12 gauge. But I wanted it light, not heavy as many of the 12 gauge RBL's seemed to be. "We will build it on a 16 gauge frame" was the answer from Thomas. Next the wood. A visit to the "wood room" where the walls were literally covered with beautiful blanks was next. Thomas picked out three blanks for me to choose from. I said why only three. He answered that we could spend all day looking and would not do better than any of the three he picked for me. I decided on a blank and we moved on. What else did I want? Setters on the side plates, double triggers and a nice treatment on the butt of the gun was my answer. We looked at engraving patterns and I picked the one I liked best. Thomas suggested a heel and toe plate with checkering in between for the butt, and I agreed. Great. But how about finish he asked. I answered something classy and he suggested there London Oil finish. I agreed so that was set. I told him I wanted my gun to be versatile so we added Trulock Choke tubes to the barrels. The next stop was to see the stock fitter. After abut a half an hour of fitting, he decided on my personal dimensions for the gun. A deposit was left and I was assured that I would have my RBL within three months.
Two months later I received a call from Thomas that "my" RBL was finished, I eagerly awaited delivery to my FFL. I was not disappointed. The gun came out better than I expected. And how about weight? 6Lbs 8 oz, as light as many 20 gauge guns. Last summer I shot Clays, Skeet and Trap with it, changing chokes as needed. I hunted Grouse, Woodcock and Pheasant with it in the fall and found it a joy to carry. So here is my "versatile" modern double. I will treasure it for a long time. :) So how about the folks at Connecticut Shotgun? Wonderful to work with and true to there promises. Clicking on the pictures twice will bring them much clearer.
Two months later I received a call from Thomas that "my" RBL was finished, I eagerly awaited delivery to my FFL. I was not disappointed. The gun came out better than I expected. And how about weight? 6Lbs 8 oz, as light as many 20 gauge guns. Last summer I shot Clays, Skeet and Trap with it, changing chokes as needed. I hunted Grouse, Woodcock and Pheasant with it in the fall and found it a joy to carry. So here is my "versatile" modern double. I will treasure it for a long time. :) So how about the folks at Connecticut Shotgun? Wonderful to work with and true to there promises. Clicking on the pictures twice will bring them much clearer.