What to look for in a "shooter" ?

[OH Osthaus]

"shooter" will mean different things to different people

to me - there is no difference in any of the safety or structural features (lock up, solid wood and such) between a "shooter" and a good condition gun

a shooter is simply one that has finish issues - worn barrel blue or brown, well worn wood, little or no case, a gun I am not going to worry about hauling into a marsh in my canoe or on a rainy day in a thick woodcock cover

any thing else (wood issues, rust) falls to the "project" class - which you then have to evaluate each fault on its own and how much it will take (your time or your money) to get it fixed up. Rarity or desirable features or bargain price may make it worth while.

[Bill Graham]

Originally Posted by Rick Losey

"shooter" will mean different things to different people

to me - there is no difference in any of the safety or structural features (lock up, solid wood and such) between a "shooter" and a good condition gun

a shooter is simply one that has finish issues

any thing else (wood issues, rust) falls to the "project" class

Generally, I am fine with certain levels of project guns, largely determined by what I can do myself. Wood is not problem to address, surface rust is OK, and since I like rust bluing barrels, learning how to work with damascus seems like a good next step.