Old shotgun I would like to shoot

[southernmallard]

With all the wood stock discussions, it got me to thinking. I have my great grand father's old Riverside Arms Co. 12ga single shot. He has his initials carved into the stock and it has tons of scratches and what not, and from what my grandfather told me when he was alive, "there is not a gun on earth that kicks worse than the "mule." That being said, I've decided I'd like to hunt with it this year. Maybe for one dove maybe for five, but it will only be a few shots. The problem is, I have NO clue where to get those paper shells and if I do find them, if it'll be ok to shoot it. I had a gunsmith put a new firing pin in it a few years ago, anticipating the day when I do take it afield. But I never researched it any further until now. Does anyone on here have any experience with this kind of stuff, and not only that, but does anyone have any knowledge of this company? Thanks again.

SM

[southernmallard]

Don't know what photoshop did to the first pic, I tried to darken it up a little so you could see it, maybe a photography person can help me in that catagory next time

It may only be worth 20 bucks, but it has a lot of sentimental value. Also, has the serial #473...possibly an earlier production model??

[the doctor]

to answer your question directly Pauls Mart in cleveland still has (or used to) boxes of paper shells, but they are as old as your gun

collectors may have wiped them out by now

on the other side I dont know why the hull material would matter unless you just want to be nostalgic

I have also wondered in all our new efforts to be "green" why we havent seen a modern shell with a decomposable hull, especially for duvs and clays

cool gun

the doc

[eldorado]

Fiocchi makes paper hull shells.

[southernmallard]

to answer your question directly Pauls Mart in cleveland still has (or used to) boxes of paper shells, but they are as old as your gun

collectors may have wiped them out by now

on the other side I dont know why the hull material would matter unless you just want to be nostalgic

I have also wondered in all our new efforts to be "green" why we havent seen a modern shell with a decomposable hull, especially for duvs and clays

cool gun

the doc

Not totally sure that I have to have paper hulls, just what our local gunsmith told me.

[Sprangletop1]

You dont have to have paper hull shells. But, the metal used in these old guns can not handle the pressures generated by modern shells. There are a couple of options you can try at your own risk.
Bismuth light loads(dont sell anymore), Heavy shot classic doubles, or you can send to Briley and have a SS sleeve inserted in barrel so it can handle modern shells. Sleeves are removable but I will say if the gun is a 12 gauge it will likely drop to a 16 0r a 20.

[southernmallard]

But If I ever wanted to take it back down to it's original state, I could remove it?

[cwink]

Cool gun. I have any old Parker sxs that i shot last dove season with modern shells. So unless your gunsmith said NOT to shoot it, i think modern 2 and 3/4 light loads would be fine in it.

[Sprangletop1]

Yes you could remove them and get sets for all gauges .410 thru possibly .16

[teul2]

Heavy shot classic doubles

This is what you need.