CLASSIC AMERICAN SXS POLL

[C.O.B.]

As I ponder the reality of semi retirement, the current economy, and the future generations of SXS collectors and shooters in relation to the safe full-o-guns and the investment they represent I have come to the solemn conclusion that haveing only one gun is an impossible consideration. Here is why. Grouse hunting IMHO requires an open choked, straight stocked gun of no larger than a 20 guage or a 28 or better yet both. Pheasant's rain from the sky via a bevy of 16's and 20's. Rabbitts roll through the powdered snow after meeting a charge of 6's from any of the above mentioned guages. My go to SC gun is a GHE 16 skeet.

While I have several 12's (I'm really not a 12ga person) my favorite is a grade 3 hammer gun. The one guage I could live without however is the 12 but living with only one shotgun is impossible. Now don't get me started on rifles

[charlie cleveland]

it would be a hard choice for me...but if all i can own is one side by side i guess it would have to be a 3 inch lc smith 28 inch barells and improved cly and extra full.... i also like the lowly stevens.... charlie

[King Brown]

I may be close to the average North American shotgun shooter, influenced by peers and consumerism, of a craft not known for its business acumen. In the beginning, it was enough to have a shotgun and it was mostly doubles then. I bought one of the first Winchester Model 50s in Canada, then 1100s and went back to doubles because I didn't like the mechanical clickety-clacks. Doubles seemed more a part of me. What we read and what experts say are a powerful influences on our preferences. My guess is the poll reflects that---and maybe age (Fox and Elsie) as we go to smaller gauges. Parker placement is a puzzle. I don't consider the Browning or Winchester as classics.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

King,

Perhaps Parker ownership is limited compared to Smiths and Foxes? There were many times as many Smiths built as were Parkers. As I understand, Parker was reluctant to enter into the affordably priced portion of the market.

As for Winchester model 21's, they should be a great gun since they had decades to learn from any mistakes the other makers made.

[King Brown]

Model 21s are great guns but they don't enter the pantheon of classics for me because of what I consider lacking harmonious proportions, a sort of "clubiness," as I also feel about the Brownings I've seen. Neither make comes near the magic balance and levitation of my hammer Parker 16 0 frame---nor do any of the others.

[Tom Will]

I wonder how many can say that they have shot all of the guns mentioned, Parker, Fox LC Smith,Lefever,Ithaca,Baker,Iver Johnson,Winchester,Remington,Colt, the list goes on and on. For me, I think I like I shoot the Parkers and the Winchesters best. So many doubles and so little time and money.

[C.O.B.]

A small bore Ithaca grade 3 or higher is on my wish list.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Tom Will

I wonder how many can say that they have shot all of the guns mentioned, Parker, Fox LC Smith,Lefever,Ithaca,Baker,Iver Johnson,Winchester,Remington,Colt, the list goes on and on. For me, I think I like I shoot the Parkers and the Winchesters best. So many doubles and so little time and money.

Hmmmm good question !

I own Parkers , Fox , Smith's , Lefever's , Iver Johnson and Ithaca doubles . And of those I've by far shot the Parkers the most !

I however I also have a taste from euro doubles !
W.C.Scott , Westley Richards , W.W. Greener , Kettner , Kerner and Francotte .

And to be totally 100% honest I've killed far more birds with the Westley Richards and W.W. Greener then all of the american doubles I own combined . The only deer I've ever killed with buckshot in a side by side was done in with my grandfathers old W.C Scott 10 gauge damascus gun this past season !

So while I have loved and revered Parkers for about 35 of my 49 years on this earth I am also an advocate of the British double (well atleast the midrange ones , never could afford the big name ones ).

While I'm blowing steam . I owned a pair of Pre War Darne's in 12 and 20 for a couple years . Lovely little pieces to carry in the grouse coverts , the 20 was under 6 pounds . In the grouse woods they shot well and comfortably . But on the skeet field that little 20 gauge Darne would have you shaking by the time you had completed ONE ROUND !

Yeah that was a bit more then my 2 cents so lets call it a nickel

[J.B. Books]

I wonder if the poll results will look different when an inevitable ban of lead shot is put in place

[John Truitt]

Originally Posted by Tom Will

I wonder how many can say that they have shot all of the guns mentioned, Parker, Fox LC Smith,Lefever,Ithaca,Baker,Iver Johnson,Winchester,Remington,Colt, the list goes on and on. For me, I think I like I shoot the Parkers and the Winchesters best. So many doubles and so little time and money.

I have shot all the above except for the Colt and other stuff like meridans, baltimore arms, midlans (did I spell that right?), etc.
I was fortunate enough to have a father who appreciated all of the above and enjoyed shooting them for hunting (hard hunting) and clays and always allowed me full use of any of them whenever I wanted.
It was with many years of full use of these different brands that allowed me to find what felt best to me and that I shot the best and that "talked" to me.
We are lucky to have so many different types to choose from. They are like people, many different kinds. Find what lights you up. It may be just one or only from one maker, or like my dad it might be all of them.

I for one agree with Mr. Lester. 12 ga is king and for me make it a Parker.