My AhHa moment
 

I was at a large sporting goods store recently and passed the owner working on a new fangled camo synthetic stocked semi auto shotgun. I asked what he was doing and he (with the new owner right there) said they were trying to get the 3 shot plug out. I chatted for a few minutes all the while wondering why you would want to take the plug out.

I made my purchases and about 15 minutes later they were still at it. Once again I made conversation but this time referenced my preference for 100 year old Parkers simplicity of using the top lever, opening the gun and dropping in two shells. The I presume proud but confused new owner of the aforementioned slush o mattick said "and I suppose you shoot paper shells too". "As a matter of fact I do" was my reply and the look on his face was just priceless.

If it's not broke don't fix it. Parkers, paper shells and bird season....perfect.

Absolutely

But then, if they were all competing for our guns

Hmm, maybe let them keep the plumbing

...and a good dog.

I find it ammusing it was taking them that long to get the plug out.

i m with brian on this one..and i loved the paper shells part...charlie

I'm in So. Dakota now and today is 16ga. day. I'll be shooting a GHE damascus with RST papers. Life is good.

Kind of troubled by the fact they were trying to take the plug out. Why bother? Aside from the fact that they are required for migratory birds (and often deer) if you can't get the job done in two or three shots you are just spraying and praying.

There you go.

the smell of paper shells filled with Winchester super target is a heaven, reminds of pheasant hunting 50 years ago as a boy.

i shot some paper 10 ga saturday that gun powder smelled mighty good...charlie

The owner of the store didn't even know paper shells were still available:eek: I enlightened him about RST.

Whereas I appreciate the love for nice double shotguns, the smell of fired vintage shells and the look of a good dog working thick cover, I don’t think we should dismiss folks who have not yet discovered these pleasures. Just because someone purchased a synthetic stocked semi-automatic shotgun and does not know that paper shells exist does not mean they have any less fun hunting and sharing our fine sport. Perhaps with some helpful words they may come to like what we cherish, but perhaps not. Each to there own.:)

I don't think anyone was "dismissed" here. Maybe the guy with the semi auto needs 5 three inch 1 1/4 oz loads of #5 shot to kill a Pheasant:eek: different strokes for different folks but we are all shooters and hunters. My point is/was newer isn't always better.

Interesting somebody buying a new semi-auto even new there was still paper shells made.

If those two guys could not together remove a plug from a semi automatic shotgun would you really want them to touch let alone hunt with a Parker? Think about what might happen to one of our beloved doubles! No, it is better that Huey, Dewey, and Louie stick to their bang-o-matics and leave the treasured heirlooms to those who will love and respect them.

My Dad has always been a "newer is better kind of guy", I think he's currently shooting a Benelli Nova or some such thing. But he's got a Model 21 Winchester that he breaks out once in awhile and he still appreciated all my old clunker guns and various vintage shooting tackle. Just cause somebody doesn't do it doesn't mean they don't like it, Dad is a prime example.

DLH

Seems like when I go hunting or clays shooting in the "real world", I'm the one everybody thinks is a little strange. You got to figure those of us shooting side x sides are out numbered at least a hundred to one. Our numbers seem quite large here, when in fact we are a very small minority. Of course, I always did like being different. John

Still not sure why they would remove the plug...Even more confused as to why it was taking so long. I removed the plug on my Remington 1100 when I was 13 just because I wanted to see how much I could take it apart and put it back. Unless it was a home defense gun I just don't know why you would remove the plug.

I grew up on pumps and semis, my father still swears by his browning A5s, rem 870, and winchester model 12 that he has had longer then I have been alive, but I have never understood buying a long gun let alone a shotgun with a synthetic stock. Just has never appealed to me.