Opinions, please.

[John Truitt]

What is everyones feelings/ thoughts concerning the use of subgauge tube inserts for side by side competitions? I mean like briley tube sets, gauge mates, etc.

Is it an unfair advantage?, a none issue, should be allowed or not?

for example they are not allowed for competition use at the Vintagers or Southern events.

[Jeff Christie]

What is the rationale behind not allowing tube sets?

[John Truitt]

I believe it is a gentlemanly type thing. Meaning shoot the gun as it was manufactured.

Also I can understand guys who have spent several thousands of dollars to obtain an original configured gun not wanting so one to be able to step in with a gun that is not true to the gauge of the event being shoot.

I would really like to hear from as many of us as possible.

[FRANK HALSEY]

I think that we need to use only the gauge the gun was made for. It makes the shoot more real. Anyone can get sub tubes for any gun but the shoot is for the gauge the gun was made for. People have spent thousands of dollars to buy the proper gauges to shoot in these events and I think tubes should not be allowed. I bring down over 10 different guns for the S x S shoot because of different gauges and chokes, (all my guns are hard choked), so it does not seem fair to let someone to shoot everything with just one gun. Just my thoughts, Frank

[C grade]

Frank
I agree with you 100%,. I have spent many years and a considerable amount of money to collect an "original" group of Parkers to shoot in 28ga to 10 ga hammer and hammerless events. I enjoy shooting a gage specific event with a gun in that gage. I understand the desire to have one gun that you really enjoy, shoot well, and want to use gage mates to shoot all the events. That is not how the game has been played . Sorry John
David

[DoubleDown]

I'm on the fence with this one. I purchased a set of gauge mates at the Parker Silent Auction two years ago, but have yet to use them to this day. The only time I thought about using them was at Backwoods during the Fall Southern. I wanted to shoot the small bore course because the folks I was shooting with were going out to do so. I had 20ga inserts for my 16ga gun, but was told that I couldn't compete with the gun in this configuration. For me, it was about shooting with my friends that afternoon, not about trying to win the 20ga event. I can understand arguments from both sides. As you said John, there are people who have spent a lifetime collecting guns and spending the money to acquire a diverse collection. Not all of us will be able to compete in the .410 Hammer Gun competition, because we just don't have that gun in our collection. The purist in me agrees that competitions should be shot with guns in the original configuration. On the other hand, as someone who is relatively new to collecting vintage doubles, and someone who hasn't had the opportunity (or the funds ) to acquire guns of every caliber (yet), it keeps someone like me from competing in more events, which means less competition and less revenue for the event sponsors. There are not may people our age who are interested in keeping up this tradition of shooting vintage doubles, and I'd hate to see any limitations on competitions for this reason. If there is an unfair advantage to shooting a gun with gauge mates versus the original configuration, then that is another story.

Mike

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Let's keep everything even in competition. Use the same gauge shells as the gun is chambered.

[Double Play]

I agree with Frank and Dave as well but not because of the amount of money spent on a group of guns. It's more the fact that someone who shoots one gun all the time will more than likely have an advantage and shoot better than the guy that is switching from an 8# 12 gage with 32" barrels one minute to a 5.5# 410 with 26" tubes the next. I see no reason to change an established rule for vintage SxS shoots and make them more like an NSCA shoot.

[Ed Blake]

Allowing tube sets would enable more shooters to become involved with sub gauge shooting. A Parker 28 or .410 is beyond the budget of many folks.

[John Truitt]

Keep em coming guys. This is the kind of talk I was hoping for.

NO reason to apologize Mr Dwyer. I have yet to establish an opinion.