Which gun to choose?

[Mark Britton]

'I'm on my way to Kansas in a few days. I know what gun to take,but what gun to take as a back up that will not be in my possession ? Maybe a $300 gun would be a better choice but not the one I would like to have ?

[Pay Dirt]

Askins should have watched Ted Lasso,
"Be curious, not judgemental".

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by Harry Gietler

This guy should have read ''The Shotgunners Book'' by Askins. In chapter 9,
page 80, in regards to small gauge guns, Askins says, ''The perfect shotgun is the 12ga. If, man or boy, a Gent isn't Stud enough to shoot a 12 then He should take up ping-pong.

Askins was a writer. Like most of them he would write what would sell at the time. Just because he was famous didn't mean he wasn't human, and prone to changing whims. He contradicted himself, which reduces his credibility, IMO. I'd like to have seen his face on a dove field when I take a limit with a .410.

What he overlooked is that just because a "gent" chooses to shoot a gun other than a 12 ga. doesn't mean he can't shoot a 12 well. That is absolutely ridiculous. Remember Quigley's final statement to Marston, about the Colt revolver .......... "I said I didn't have much use for one. Didn't say I didn't know how to use it."

Amen.

[Jim Thynne]

Originally Posted by Harry Gietler

This guy should have read ''The Shotgunners Book'' by Askins. In chapter 9,
page 80,in regards to small gauage guns, Askins says, ''The perfect shotgun is the 12ga. If, man or boy, a Gent isn't Stud enough to shoot a 12 then He should take up ping-pong.

Wait until you are 80 and had 4 shoulder surgeries, the 12 ga is for young people, thos under 65. I have a few, but cannot shoot them!

[Double Lab]

Here in S. Dakota for the pheasant opener, being over 65, I have with me a Fox 20/30", a Fox 16/28", a Parker 28/30" and a Perazzi 28/30", and a Belgium Browning 20/28". Never felt undergunned but never worn out carrying a 12.

[John Davis]

Been reading this thread with some interest and it got me to thinking. As they say, the only thing constant is everything changes. I began life with a single shot .410. Graduated to a 12 gauge auto and stuck with it until I discovered the joys of a side by side, in 12 gauge. Worked my way through the 16’s, 20’s, 28’s, and back to a .410 (even tried a big 10), each time believing I had finally discovered the Holy Grail of shotguns. They were all great and bagged lots of birds. These days 99% of my shooting is done on a trap field instead of a dove field etc., so I’ve circled back around to the 12 bore. Have never found recoil to be an issue (I won’t be 65 until April) and I keep my loads within reason. Although not a popular assertion, for my money the 12 is the most versatile of all gauges. Of course variety is the spice of life, so I still keep a few sub-gauges around for when I'm feeling frisky.