look what I found in my gun safe

[Harold Pickens]

While looking around thru my small gun safe(not the big one), I pulled out a gun that has not seen the light of day in many years. I bought this gun used back in the late '70's while still in optometry school after reading Frank Woolner's "Grouse and Grouse Hunting"--a Franchi 48 AL 20 ga with a polychoke. I never did shoot it much as I also had a Ruger Red Label 20 sk/sk.
I distinctly remember missing a grouse 5X as it flew over me from one spoil bank to the other around Piedmont Lake in Ohio. My Brittany Jess had pointed it( yeah, I used to hunt with Brittanies, but one day the Lord spoke to me and showed me the error of my ways, and introduced me to SXS's and English Setters).These guns weigh only 5 1/4 lb and have a very sharp recoil. Brought back a lot of memories of when 20+ flushes/day were the norm in Ohio. I actually shot my first grouse as a teenager with my uncle's Stevens 12 ga SXS.
Cleaned the Franchi up and put it back away, maybe carry it one day just for old times sake.

Just kidding about the Brittanies guys, they are wonderful, loving dogs and I may have another in the future.