Takedown case or LOM?
 

So I've been debating, takedown case or Leg of mutton for my GH? I can't seem to decide, both would look good. What would you decide?

Get both of them of course! You should not limit your Parker shotguns to a single case, Big no no, Huge mistake! How many pairs of shoes do you have? You should treat your vintage shotguns at least as good as your feet. Just my opinion.:)

PML

I agree you need both. I like the vintage look and functionality of the LOM. But as a display or ease in actually viewing the gun, the takedown case is the better choice. If I were shipping a gun, I think the takedown would also be the better choice. If I had to choose one, it would be takedown.

I have both in use currently. The Parkers in the LOM cases I seldom look at. The three I have in take down cases sit on top of my desk most of the time and I open them frequently. I like them both, but for actually getting a look at the gun the break down cases are more convenient.

I have both,

I find myself using the takedown (although they both require taking the gun down) more than the LOM. For me it is easier to put a gun in or take it out of the case and the takedown case is a more stable place to set an assembled gun

in the end, its just personal preference -

Takedown.

By takedown, I assume you mean a trunk case? Since technically an LOM would also be a takedown case.

my assumption as well

Trunk or mutton are the options. Yeah, I got to work on nomenclature!

I would also recommend both. The trunk case for display and storage in the gun room but the LOM for transporting to and from hunts or shoots. I would never recommend storing a nice double in a closed LOM for long periods of time for the simple fact that a lot of the old LOMs have cotton cloth lining and can hold moisture and promote rust.






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My issue with lom cases is that eventually the stitching at the end caps breaks down. My experience is that takedowns seem to hold up better

In reality, this is the type of case most original GH-Grade purchasers would have gone for --

Attachment 69776

My GH-Grade two-barrel set came in this case --

Attachment 69777

The Trojan I borrowed for a few years when I was a kid was in a case exactly like the lower case in the top picture... complete with hang tags.





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Hey Dave, Mine actually came with the same case for one barrel but it was so rotten it was falling apart, maybe I'll find a replacement.

;My two cent's on this is that - I love a take down case for the simple fact that the gun is broken down, inoperable and unarguably safe ...just last season I was explaining my thoughts in regard this as my cousin asked me why I always broke down my guns for transport ...days later there was a fatal shooting here as one hunter pulled his loaded shotgun out of the full length case ...shooting and tragically instantly killing his own brother who was standing on the opposite end ....my cousin ordered a take down Boyt the next week for his new SXS

We can all weigh in and say " I always check" , " I never ", "someone should never" - ad finitum ...but the simple fact is WE ALL FORGET AT TIMES !!! ...those who claim they don't are full of shit -or probably forgot they forgot ;)

Like I said just my two cents ...but you'll never have to ask the guy with the L.O.M putting his gun the cab of your pick up if he made sure the gun was unloaded .

Chris is spot on with his observations. Two seasons ago I pulled a shotgun out of my full length case and found that some how I left it loaded.
Chris hunted with me for 10 days this year and never once failed as we approached the truck to unload his Parker, tell me and show me it was unloaded before closing it. Of course I followed and did the same. A great practice to get into.
Normally when I hunt I use a full length case.
Several years ago I went to visit some local friends that own a custom saddle and leather shop.
Brian and Val work with me to design and build a case to meet my needs.
I wanted a case that would last a lifetime, fit any shotgun I might have from a 410 to an 8 gauge. Length and width. Made from top quality saddle leather hand stiched with a full length calf skin lining. Solid US made brass buckles, and belt leather for the straps.
Handles made from Laret rope covered in leather. With a Mearns quail carved on the flap.
It’s a little large when I slip one of my 410’s in it, but it protects it well and when the flap is buckled it would take a lot of abuse without damage to the gun.
It’s not quit as pretty as it once was but I use it every day I am out bird hunting.

http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/56216_600x400.jpg

I have cases of all types and have used them all. I take break down case for traveling, but upon reaching my destination and for the week or so of hunting I prefer a full length case. I have done more damage to my guns assembling or disassembling them over the years than I have hunting with them. Maybe I’m not careful enough putting all them together as I should be but I can tell each scratch and dent in the wood that came from breaking down and asssembling the guns.
-Brett

I have all three types as well and my least favorite are the trunk cases. I have half a dozen sitting in the gun room that go unused. IMHO the LOM cases will protect the gun more than a canvas type of take down case and my hammer guns always go in a LOM case.

As Patrick Lien would say "A classic gun deserves a classic case" and for me it's a LOM style.