Building a duck gun from scratch.....

[wngrog]

Forgot to log in.

[Greenhead22]

And you laugh at me for a keyboard typo.

[motherducker]

GET YOU A REM. 870 AND BE DONE! I GOT A BUDDY THAT'S BEEN HUNTING FOR YEARS. HIS BACK-UP GUN IS A TEFLON COATED BENELLI "SUPER BLACK EAGLE" IF HIS 870 FAILS. THE "SBE" STAY'S IN THE CASE. PERIOD.

[GulfCoast]

If I were going to hunt with a pump, the 870 is a way back second stringer compared to the Model 12. The 870 is, however, head and antlers a better value than the "Several Broken Extractors" or SBE as it is commonly known.

[motherducker]

GC,
Hell, I could type about "history making" guns all day, and yes, the Model 12 would be one of them. I'm talking about one you can buy at any gun shop in the country right now, new or used. It's unlikly any auto will give you any trouble around here if it's clean and trouble free. When you're in a pit blind or slew bed in Eastern Arkansas or Western Tennessee belly deep in December with a Northern wind blowing sleeting rain, the best auto does't compare to the cheapest "shucker and jiver". I had a buddy who got to go on a guided rice field hunt in the Arkansas delta last year, had bought himself a brand new camo Browning Gold. He had a $950 single barrel. With a pump, if nothing breaks, it's all up to your arm to have that second shot. You can buy four 870's for $1000 when your 10 years old and if your 4th one is almost worn out when the Good Lord calls you home, you'll be a ripe old age of 110 years.

Each unto their own, but that is a nice "dream gun" ther GC.


motherducker

[GulfCoast]

You can find used Model 12's all day, if you look for them. 'Cept I will probably buy it on sight if I get to it first!

[motherducker]

Of coarse you can buy them anywhere today, there were probably over a million manufactured. Desiability and collectability, yes. Practicality, no. Model 12's haven't been made since 1976. The majority of the ones that aren't "on their last leg" are pretty pricey. No screw in chokes. The most common was a 30" full choke plain barrel (not very blind friendly). I have heard some horror stories, but not as many, of excessively shooting steel shot through them that compares to the ones you hear about Belgium Browning A-5's. As I said, each unto their own. The Model 12 is the quintessential "fowler" scattergun, but in mainly a nastalgic sense. Not as prctical today.

[Model12]

Hey, FYI, and as GC already knows, you can also buy a new unfired Model 12 in just about any year you want in just about any grade also. They are not real hard to find. My primary duck gun is a 1965 "Y" model 12, 26" IMP CLY, 2.75", and I shoot Kent TM 5's. Man, why anyone would shoot a 870 is beyond me....

[motherducker]

When's the last time you saw an unfired Model 12? I bet it wasn't less than $500. As I said, each unto their own. And about the 870 comment, check the stats Bub, over half the fowlers out there hunt with one. Period.

[Model12]

Well, I see several unfired M12's every day when I go home. As far the $500 goes, we're on a duck hunters site here. You know, the most expensive sport known to man. Like it or not, I've got nothing against the cast, molded, punched-part pieces of crap as long as I don't have to shoot um.... To each his own. But most guys who shoot M12's, or Beretta, Benelli, Boss, K-guns, P-guns, Fabbri, Woodward, Richards, Grant, Purdey etc, etc, etc, started in the cheap seats, and went on to something else. No offense meant....

[motherducker]

No offense taken, Model12. I understand fully about quallity made firearms. I've been a shooter much longer than a hunter. My point is, for the price, availability, adaptability, and dependability, you can't beat an 870, even if you do consider it a "throwaway" gun. When I first started duck hunting it was in the Pearl River swamp where you had to walk in to where the good, unpopulated spots were. Where the doctors and lawyers and corperate "big wigs", (no offense, we couldn't live without them) who didn't feel like going to their $1,000,000 leases in the Arkansas Delta for the weekend, because their guide up there told them conditions weren't right (only saw 10,000 not 10,000,000), wanted the "honey holes" just off the river, and didn't mind setting up on top of you even if you were there at 4:30 A.M. Back then me and my dedicated buds were belly deep in black water with holey waders and a smile on our faces. My first duckgun was a 500 'berge that I had a Whopping $100 in, 'cause where we hunted you never knew when you may step off in 4 foot diameter cypress stump hole with no bottom. Your gun was the only thing that kept your waders from filling up.
Nowadays, I to get to go on those guided lease hunts. Not the ones, mind you, that apperances matter most. (especially how expensive your gun is) The ones where you hunt, eat and tell lies. Not much different than the old days, just a different place. (same good friends) I still hunt in the swamps a good bit. I can't forget my roots. (got to keep it real, brother) That's when I take my trusty 870, cause you never can predict the conditions.
By the way, I shoot a 25 year old Berreta 56E o/u. What's the good in talking about duck hunting, if you can't pull somebodies chain ever so often.
Good luck to you both, GC and Model12. Hope you guys have a safe and happy season. I've enjoyed the bickering. See ya 'round on the forum.

motherducker

[Model12]

Now that was a nice post. I'm usually the LAST one to every bicker on one of these sites but I'll admit I was a little bored. I've been working about 15 days without a day off and I'm a little stir crazy. I've spent alot of time hunting the pearl also. I hunted it south of Monticello Ms. Those were the "good ole days". I agree totally about the venerable Remington 870. They allways provide alot of "bang for the buck" (pun intended). Have a great, safe season....

[GulfCoast]

We ain't bickering. We is "rubbin." And rubbin is racing....