Are opinion changing on restoring a shotgun?

[Dennis]

I am surprised there are any bidders at all. That gun is totally ruined by some knee jerk wanna be gunsmith who has no idea of what a quality gun is. He should be shot and then shot again.

Dennis

[Bruce P.]

Originally Posted by Dennis V. Nix

... He should be shot and then shot again.

Dennis

And his horse too!

Bruce

[C.O.B.]

Some people just don't know their limitations.

Den you could add this and have a pair of 10's....think driven clays

[Marc Retallack]

C.O.B., Mr. Reed and Mr. Spencer,

What age group do you consider the current generation of shooters? If you mean teens and 20's, then yes, most are enamored with synthetics and semis. That, to me, is just the generation responding to fads and marketing. The pumpgun and the semi-auto contributed to the downfall of the American doublegun industry when former generations flocked to those actions for increased firepower and lower cost.

Tastes mature. I'm 40 now. I was almost 30 when an interest in classic doubles was sparked for me. Fortunately, the desire started around the time when I started to have the income to afford nicer firearms. I think for many of my generation, with all the demands of young families and kids in college, the disposable income isn't available to buy higher end guns. Given time, that will change.

There are a few of the younger generation who appreciate these guns. Danny Suponski comes to mind. From what I've learned through reading these threads, a lot of that is thanks to his father but also the community here. Take someone younger in to the fields and coverts this autumn. Let him or her use one of your doubles. Maybe you'll light a fire...

Cheers,
Marcus

[Eldon Goddard]

Originally Posted by Marc Retallack

What age group do you consider the current generation of shooters? If you mean teens and 20's, then yes, most are enamored with synthetics and semis. That, to me, is just the generation responding to fads and marketing. The pumpgun and the semi-auto contributed to the downfall of the American doublegun industry when former generations flocked to those actions for increased firepower and lower cost.

I got my dad into these old guns. Only problem is he likes the Winchester Model 21. I try to get all my friends converted. One now is into over and unders and another liked my side by sides and went out and bought a stoeger.

[edgarspencer]

One step at a time, Eldon. Once he finds out how much more enjoyable SxS guns are, you then need to educate him on quality and balance. He sounds ripe for becoming a convert.

[Bill Murphy]

Sometimes these conversions are a struggle. By the time I was 14, I had a Lefever, a 20 gauge Model 24 Winchester, and a Parker. That year, my Dad finally broke away from his Model 12 and bought an AYA Matador from Tendler's in DC. Four years later, in 1965, he went off the deep end and we split a pair of Model 21s. That's when I had him. Considering that I had my first double gun in about 1957 or so, the conversion took me about eight years. Now I'm wondering who was converting whom.

[Eldon Goddard]

I don't want to admit it but we had a lot of fun shooting that 20 gauge stoeger. Not a piece of quality work but fun none the less. I had my 870 wingmaster and we traded off shooting 20 gauges. I guess when it comes down to it if it is a gun I like it. Some just more than others.