0 Frame 16s

[Clark McCombe]

A 12 is too heavy
A 20 a little light
I think the 16 is just right.
I’m lucky the first Parker I fired was a 16.
There are no 16 Ga repros? Correct?
Is there a sxs 16 modern gun?
The cost of 16 Ga shells and abcence of light loads is pushing me to reloading.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Clark McCombe

A 12 is too heavy
A 20 a little light
I think the 16 is just right.
I’m lucky the first Parker I fired was a 16.
There are no 16 Ga repros? Correct?
Is there a sxs 16 modern gun?
The cost of 16 Ga shells and abcence of light loads is pushing me to reloading.

Yes, Clark, there are modern 16 side-by-sides. Two to consider are the CSMC FOX, and AyAs. I have both and can vouch for both. I’m pretty sure the Turkish guns come in 16s. No doubt someone will chime in for more options.

[24 grams]

Originally Posted by Clark McCombe

A 12 is too heavy
A 20 a little light
I think the 16 is just right.
I’m lucky the first Parker I fired was a 16.
There are no 16 Ga repros? Correct?
Is there a sxs 16 modern gun?
The cost of 16 Ga shells and abcence of light loads is pushing me to reloading.

I had Arrieta built what I consider the perfect prairie gun, through the now defunct New England Arms: a 16 gauge sidelock with 30" barrels, custom dimensions, straight grip, splinter forend, and super wood. It has been my favorite upland gun for 20 years.

I bring other guns along, because good guns deserve to be shot, but if I am experiencing a shooting slump, I know which case to reach for.

[Bill Murphy]

Clark, there are 16 gauge Repros, all 0 frames. There are also dozens of makes of modern 16s. As far as 16 gauge ammo goes, "Watch the obituaries.". Many of us have been hoarding 16 gauge ammo for a long time.

[Keith Doty]

I'm particularly weak for "0" frame 16s. 3 or 4 fluid steel and a recently acquired Damascus I've lusted after for a couple of years. "Carries like a 20, hits like a 12" was the saying when I was a kid and 16s were common. I load a 7/8 1185 fps round. Pleasant to shoot in guns under 6# (2 of mine are, 26") and works just fine on doves, quail, and clays. The 5#13oz is a favorite quail gun.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Keith Doty

I'm particularly weak for "0" frame 16s. 3 or 4 fluid steel and a recently acquired Damascus I've lusted after for a couple of years. "Carries like a 20, hits like a 12" was the saying when I was a kid and 16s were common. I load a 7/8 1185 fps round. Pleasant to shoot in guns under 6# (2 of mine are, 26") and works just fine on doves, quail, and clays. The 5#13oz is a favorite quail gun.

Keith, a 26 inch gun that’s under 6 pounds sounds like a treasure. My CHE has 28 inch barrels and weighs right at 6 lbs. The others are between about 6-4 and 6-7, except the hammer guns which are nearer to 7 lbs.

Clark, my 16 gauge Fox is, by request, under 6 lbs and has 29 inch barrels. Since I only hunt with my guns, and don’t shoot many birds, the recoil issue is not a factor. You can still have a bespoke gun and not have to sell the farm (pun intended) with the Spanish guns. I’d suggest getting fitted first after you are happy with your shooting mechanics. And note that, like so many other things, you’ll see changes as you age.