The big gun is ready.....
 

I'd been doing a little trap shooting with the Swamp Angel over the summer and happened to notice when I got home one evening that the tang screws were worked loose a bit. I broke out my best screwdrivers and went to running them back in needless to say. Well the front top tang screw went back in nearly a full turn too far and like to scared me to death. The only time I've ever had this happen was with a gun that I later found out had a badly cracked stock head.

I wrung my hands over it a few days and then emailed Brian Dudley. I figured he was super backed up and he was, but he said send her on and he'd take a look. I shipped the action a few days later and he got into it post haste. Thankfully the report wasn't as scary as I feared, apparently the wood had shrunk away from the metal a bit under the tangs and somebody (years ago) had put paper under them. Well the paper had turned to dust finally and they were going back down again. He filled in the slots, cleaned the action, even waxed the stock for me, and sent her back in fine shape.

Trap shooting continued and and then I noticed the ivory front bead had apparently disintegrated. It was badly crazed so I knew this was coming, thankfully I had several new old stock ones on hand. My friend Karl took that job under his wing and I just got the barrels back this afternoon.

Duck season opens in Ontario two Saturdays from now, I guess I'm ready......

Destry: It sounds like Brian came in pretty handy and on short notice too. Thomas

What exactly is the "big gun"? Would like to see pics.

Brian did me a real favor looking into it on short notice like that, I appreciated it a lot.

The Swamp Angel is a DHE 12 gauge with 34 inch barrels, straight stock, on a #3 frame. I don't think I've got any pictures that show the old girl very well. Will try to take some if we get into the ducks in a couple weeks.


Destry

Now that's a water fowler! What is it chambered for?

sounds like destrey and the swamp angel are in good shape now for the up coming waterfowl season...we should hear some good stories this year...we know now who to call on if our favorite gun breaks down...thanks brian...i love the name of that big gun..SWAMP ANGEL......charlie

It will take 3 inch shells but the recoil is devastating, and that's from a man who doesn't let a little gun kick bother him. I stick with the heavy 2 3/4 loads and she digests them just fine.

DLH

I have a few pics of Destrys wonderful gun but they don't show enough of it to be helpful. I can tell you it's a great gun that swings well whether you like it or not and really reaches out there. This pic from 2007 shows how long the bbls are and my best kill with it.

I still remember that duck! The biggest whitest most fantastic bull canvasback I've ever seen shot. And I've seen a few get killed over the years......

We also came pretty close to taking a swim that unexpectedly windy morning as I recall. A good time was had by all, well other than the ducks I suppose.

DLH

P.S. I'm hoping the old girl sees some action this Sunday afternoon. Heading across the border for an evening hunt.

don t fall in like i did last year...good luck on the hunt...man them are some long barrels on that swamp angel....charlie