10ga Skeet Gun

J.B. Books · 07-30-2012, 05:29 PM

Not even close to being a "fine" gun but it is a double. I picked up this Italian import, a ROTA last week. They were imported by New England Arms, Kittery Point Maine in the early 2000's. It seems to handle and operate decently. It's an extractor gun chambered for 3 1/2", stamped 89mm. What made it unusual to me was it's 28" tubes and 8.5 pound weight. Scott measured it up for me and the bores are .770, choked .016 R and .018 L. There is 6 inches of choke taper which makes me think the chokes are designed for steel shot rather than cut barrels. It was also apparently special order as it has a 15" LOP. I am not sure who thought a light 10ga magnum was a good idea but I think the gun could be fun with the LOP cut back abotu an inch. If I like it I will have Mike Orlen install some choke tubes too. Might be nice on a clays course and should be a decent boat gun with light loads (1 3/8 ounce).

charlie cleveland · 07-30-2012, 06:26 PM

mighty nice gun...your probably rite about the steel chokes....bet you can shoot them 1 3/8 ounce loads all day if you get tired of her call me.... but i bet youve got a keeper there.... charlie

Mike Murphy · 08-03-2012, 11:52 PM

I once proposed a 100 target 10ga event at a club. Problem was paying for the ambulances that would have to be on standby.

Big Friend Ten (BFT) · 08-04-2012, 08:10 AM

Pete,

Those choke constrictions sound perfect for lead shot for sporting clays and non-toxic shot for waterfowl. Of course for your lead shot crows if might shoot a wider pattern than you desire.

Mark

Bill Murphy · 08-04-2012, 10:02 AM

That may be a better gun than you think. Jim Austin was a very astute buyer and would purchase to make a serious profit, but didn't buy bad guns. This gun appears to be a sample gun rather than a production gun.

J.B. Books · 08-04-2012, 04:50 PM

I hope you are right Bill. I shot the gun in a round of skeet and did surprisingly well with it in spite of the 15" lop, however, the gun had a very bad habit of not firing the right barrel, light primer strikes, about 40% of the time. I took the gun back to KTP for their gunsmith to go over it as I am within the 30 days of purchase period. I am hoping it is just gummed up as I cleaned some congealed oil from the barrel face and receiver. If they can't make it right the gun goes back but I am hoping it works out.

J.B. Books · 08-17-2012, 04:24 PM

Oh well not every story has a happy ending. I picked the ROTA 10ga up at KTP last night. Their gunsmith said the trigger group was full of congealed oil and grease. I took into my basement, used some primed hulls to test it and experienced 3 light strike/no fire out of 9. Since they give a 30 day warranty against mechanical defects I will return it for a full refund. It could have been a fun gun.

charlie cleveland · 08-20-2012, 11:14 PM

pete i hate you had to send this gun back was sure we would here some crow tells about it..as you saidsome tails are not happy endings...charlie

Kensal Rise · 08-21-2012, 10:10 AM

J.B:
Chances are good that the problem is that lock's mainspring -- weak. By replacing the spring, the light strike problem may go away. But... keeping a gun with one metal temper issue simply invites the speculation of what "else" could appear later on. I'd find another gun myself.

Speaking of which... If you really want a very similar 10-bore gun -- only high-end English -- please PM me. You might be very happy.

Best, Kensal