Balance on 28 Gauge Repro 26" barrels

[tom tutwiler]

Are these balanced well? I'm considering a purchase and very much like the 28" barrels, but sure don't want to go with Full/Mod chokes (which is what was made (I think). If I want to go with what I'd describe as more bird hunting type chokes I'm looking at 26" barreled guns. Accordingly, are those guns going to be muzzlelight as a rule?

PS. I know I can't shoot a muzzlelight gun (I've tried), but am wondering whether those fine Japanese makers actually balanced the guns (boring out buttstock for example) so they would swing as they should. PS. I normally shoot pistol grip stock guns better then straightstocked guns. However with a 26" barrel and pistolgrip stock I'd think those guns would be even more muzzlelight as compared the english stocked versions. Appreciate any and all responses of course.

[Dave Suponski]

Tom, I have a 26" 28 gauge Repro with a pistol grip stock. I find this gun very muzzle light and have to be mindfull of this to keep the gun swinging.I find if I hold at the end of the forend the gun swings a bit better.

[Jay Gardner]

I have a 28 with straight stock, dt, btfe and two sets of barrels (26" and 28"). Honestly, I don't notice the difference between the barrels at all, especially in the grouse woods. What I can tell you is the 26" barrels (.004/.006) are extremely effective on grouse, woodcock and the skeet field.

[Dean Romig]

As long as you remain cognizant that you will be carring a light gun - quite possibly the lightest double gun you own - the gun will swing as an extension of your body and mind. I have a couple of those with 26" barrels.

[scott kittredge]

As long as you remain cognizant that you will be carring a light gun - quite possibly the lightest double gun you own - the gun will swing as an extension of your body and mind. I have a couple of those with 26" barrels.

Dean i can see the body ,but the mind?? i just don't see it :rotf:

[tom tutwiler]

Thanks for the comments thus far. I have a 5 lb 10 oz Fox A grade 16 gauge with 26" barrels. Gun is dynamite on early Woodcock when they are close but truly doesn't swing with a darn because its muzzlelight. Accordingly, I end up carrying it in Maine during the early season but it quickly moves to the back of the closet when the vegetation thins out and shots become longer and require a more sustain lead.

[Dean Romig]

Dean i can see the body ,but the mind?? i just don't see it :rotf:


Let's see, how can I explain this....

The mind has to be tuned to the fact that you are carring a light gun which requires a bit more focused control than a heavier gun might require. So... your mind controls your body with the underlying concept (the knowledge) that the 'instrument' you are weilding might require a bit more concerted control.

I prefer a lighter gun and the barrel length doesn't make any difference in the way I shoot. I've taken fast flying grouse with IMP/MOD 26" barrels at 43 yards and at 4 paces. Be "one" with your gun.

[John Dallas]

4 paces? How did that one taste?

[Stephen Hodges]

4 paces? How did that one taste?

I suspect it didn't:eek:

[Dean Romig]

Frankly, I strafed it across the back as it sped past me at eye level at about a 90 degree angle. The top of the grouse was about shredded but the breasts and legs were unscathed. The branches of the bushes that took the shot charge looked like they all sprouted little tufts of fluff in about a 12 inch circle and well back into the bush. It was quite a lucky shot really... I'm not really that good on grouse or grouse-like clays :cool:

[Joe Bernfeld]

I have a 28 ga with 26" Q1/Q2 bbls, DT, pistol grip and BT forend. It is not particularly muzzle-light, just plain light period! Or should I say that my wife has it, since she decided she likes it for grouse and quail :rolleyes:. I've even had good luck on doves with it, which usually are better shot with a longer barreled gun. That is, when I can pry it away from her.

[Dave Suponski]

That would make sense to me Joe. One year at grouse camp I snapped Deans beavertail onto my splinter equipped 28 and instantly liked the gun a whole lot more. Maybe someday I will find a beavertail forend for it.

[Dean Romig]

Actually, Kathy has the exact same gun that Joe's wife has... chokes and all. The only difference is that i replaced the buttstock so I could cut it shorter and add a NOS NoShok pad to it for her.

The BTFE Dave refers to is Kathy's and I sneak it from her gun to bring to grouse camp... and I usually take her Q1 & Q2 barrels too. They all fit nicely on my double-trigger straight-grip gun. I really enjoy swapping these components around to suit my needs.

[Michael Murphy]

For what little it might be worth, I bought a straight stocked, splinter forend, double trigger, 28ga, two barrel set years ago. I used to shoot a good deal of Skeet. Took the gun to the range with 26" barrels on it and proceeded to break 25 straight from the low gun position.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is , shoot the damn thing and stop thinking about it. You'll be surprised how the human brain adjusts to differences in weight, balance, etc.

[William Stevenson]

What Michael said. A 26" 28ga works well on Teal over decoys also. Might be my favorite Parker---well, there is my 16, and sometimes the 12ga steel shot special is called for. The .410 works well on quail and the 20 is an all around gun. Shoot each gun enough to accommodate the differences then enjoy them all. You can make yourself miserable worrying about 2" of barrel and 4oz weight differences. Bill