Harry, you did well with your prompt, especially by not defining "best." Lots of ways to interpret the word, but today, at least for now, I'll say the best gun(s) I have had are two that have served me best, in other words, consistently took birds for me over time.

Here they are:

A John Dickson and Sons boxlock 28 bore that was my constant companion over the course of many years -- years when there were birds in Missouri. I have not used this gun in some years, but it still has accounted for the most birds of all kinds (except dove, turkeys or waterfowl), including pheasants (which we had in decent numbers up until about 2000). This little 5 lbs. 3 oz. gun took ruffed grouse in 6 states over one season.

Number two is my favorite quail gun: a Parker DHE 20 with 30 inch barrels. This little 1918 gun has proven a quail killer, and I've shot well with it. It will take a pheasant on those rare occasions that we find one, but it's a quail gun, pure and simple...and simply the "best."

Now, ask me again tomorrow...:whistle:

Gotta be "Meat-in-the-Pot" my 1914 vintage Ansley H. Fox A-Grade, 12-gauge, with 28-inch Krupp 3-weight barrels and a straight grip. Been my go-to bird gun since 1966.

Attachment 107890

Attachment 107891

An all original Sharp's Creedmoor 50 cal.

Definitely not my best but right at the top as one of my favorites would be . . .

My early A grade, 12 gauge Fox, SN 7983 with 28 inch Krupp barrels choked IC and Full.

I got it from Glen Appleby of Galeton PA in September of 1968 for $175.00.

Shot many ducks and geese with that gun when you could use lead shot. It's had around 15,000 rounds thru it in the last 10 years shooting "at" Sporting Clay's.

That's the top gun pictured below.

Lately tho, I've taken a liking to my newly acquired, unmarked as to maker, grade and serial number but looks to me to be an office sample or lunch box gun.

In appearance, it looks like an early B12 Fox with some added, nicer features. That one is the bottom pictured gun and the two pictures below that. Note the absence of serial number, grade, patent info, etc.

https://i.imgur.com/iRLc7vC.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/OrWcDsn.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ASO0Op0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2JLFwvW.jpg

Garry had the best answer, and mine. "Ask me again tomorrow."

Well... my "best" would have to be a four digit U.S. Colt SAA from lot five issued to the Seventh Cavalry...

This is a really tough one for me. There are so many different disciplines and categories of shooting and collecting.
Box birds: My SC-3 Perazzi
Sporting clays: A Beretta AL 391 built by Angleport
Upland birds falls into a few different categories.
Most quail hunting: A 32" Parker
Travel gun (for hunting) A Briley choked M-21 Winchester
Special Hunts: An H&H Royal SLE from 1900
Crow shooting: A custom stocked Briley choked Winchester M-97 with a 21" barrel
Deer and elk: A Browning Stainless Stalker in 7 mm Mag
Varmints: A custom built Ruger H-Barrel in .22/243 (.220 Middlestead) Crazy accurate and deadly wayyy out there.
Tree top squirrels: A Ruger .22 Mag, M 77R (I think)
Paper punching: A Winchester M 52 with an 18 power Lyman Target Scope
Home defense: 1st line defense would be a Mossberg 500 ATP, followed by an AR-15 shorty (CAR 15)
Cowboy guns: SAA Army Colt in .45 Colt, a Bisley, and a couple of early Winchester Lever Guns
Looks and esthetics: German Luger
Truck Gun: Kimber Ultra Carry CDP .45 ACP
There might be a few categories I'm forgetting about.

Great list, Todd:bowdown:but surely you have a few more catagories.:)

I also remember the worst firearm I ever owned. I did not keep it long. It was a Desert Eagle in .44 Rem Mag. First semi-auto .44 mag as i recall. HEAVY and inaccurate! Bought it new and I couldn’t get rid of it fast enough.

This thread is getting a bit out of control, but I will give it a shot. My greatest guns for sporting clays and birds are a DH 16, 28", a world beater, and a DHE 30" 20 gauge, also a world beater, both factory single trigger guns. I own a bunch of bigger sporting guns, but these, with 7/8 and 1 ounce loads, are all I need.