Your First Shot Gun to the one you use today

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anthony m coons sr

Well-known member
My first shotgun was my dads 16 gauge side by side spring field. I loved that gun and still have it today. Its beat to heck and has a cracked stock. But every time I take it out of the gun safe, I still smile. Its retired of course but its still cool to look at. I have had many shotguns in my life. The one I use now is my Browning Gold 10 gauge. I use it for almost everything. I hate crippling birds and still feel bad today if I do . I rather miss then just wing a bird. But when their hit ! you put them in the boat. That's just me! I hunt on the Hudson River so some of my shots are a little longer.Then say a timber or swamp hunter. I have killed many ducks geese, snow geese, turkeys with this gun. I know its not for everyone. I'm a big guy at uses a big gun. My gun is no better then yours. Its just the one I use.View attachment December 2018 photos from Galaxy 528.jpg
 
first gun I hunted with was my grandfather's Iver Johnson single shot 20,

when we shopped for my own first gun- I picked out a double 20, Dad said it was old fashion and got me a 16 gauge pump which saw me through my teens

when I got out of college, I bought my first side by side - added maybe a few after that [;)]

I did switch back to a pump for ducks for a while when steel shot was required -

but with bismuth and TM - now days - its side by sides - most often a Super Fox or Ithaca Super 10 - although others get their turn a well
 
I grew up taking out my grandparents shot guns... My grandmother's Stevens .410 side SxS. A 12g SxS of my grandfather's and his Remington10A. I inherited the 10A.. That is my first shotgun. From there it was a Beretta A390.. then a Benelli Nova, because I thought I needed a 3 1/2. But I couldn't remember how to pump it. Then I went to my SBE in 2002. Best gun. I bought a 1964 A5 a couple years ago.. and truly understand how that gun is favored by so many... I have also have been so blessed to have inherited a Winchester Model 90 from a very dear friend. And I bought a Remington SP10 last year.. I wish I would not have sold the A390 and the Nova.. but I had to back then to afford the SBE..
 
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Started out as a kid with a little Harrington & Richardson 410 single shot that had belonged to my deceased uncle. Moved up to Model 24 Winchester 12 when got I big enough to handle it. Have shot a multitude of duck guns thru my adult years. Once I started seriously wing shooting I,ve been thru Savage fox 12 side by side to 870 wing master to Beretta 685 o/u to Beretta 303 with a BPS 10 gauge thrown in at beginning of steel shot mandate. Moved on to 11-87 premier till I started wearing glasses and drop at comb wasn,t sufficient. Since glasses I,ve shot an SBE 1 along with Browning Gold and lastly an M-2 which SBE got sold for. Still shooting M-2 regularly and Browning Gold. The 870 remains as my turkey gun as I had barrel cut to 26" and screw chokes installed when steel became mandatory. Got a few 20,s that get thrown into the mix during teal & woody season but We won,t even start there!
 
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I started out with a H&R single shot 16ga. I have a distinct memory of missing two pheasants and two rabbits in about five minutes the first day of small game season with that gun. I had plenty of practice from dove and pigeon hunting but the excitement got the better of me!

Today I use a SBE2 almost exclusively. Even though I have enough variety in shotguns to choose them the way a golfer picks clubs. Everything from a tiny 410 rabbit ear side by side to a Remington SP10. That SBE2 just jumps into my hands whenever I open the safe. I'm sure I'll add more shotguns to the collection but I don't see that Benelli ever losing the top spot.
 
Mossberg 20 gauge bolt action with a polychoke. I killed a few grouse and a bunch of rabbits with that old gun. It threw slugs very well but I never got to shoot a deer with it.
Also got to use my Dad's 870 Wingmaster when he wasnt using it. He saved his pocket change for 2 years to buy that gun back in 1978. He paid $150 for the gun with a 28" modified barrel and an extra $45 for the 30" full choke barrel. We still have the Wingmaster and extra barrel. Its been well used.
First gun I ever bought myself was an 870 Express the first year they came out. I never shot that gun well. The action never really smoothed out even after a couple cases of dove loads.
After that, it was a Mossberg 835, then a Mossberg 9200 that had all sorts of problems, and then a Benelli Nova that I actually shot well.
Finally, my current gun, the Berretta 390 I bought "just because I could" when my first wife left me. (I believe she cited duck hunting in the court papers [smile] ). I love that 390, I shoot it better than any gun i've ever picked up. By far the best thing I ever bought from Walmart, for $520, probably the best auto on the market at that price point back then.
 
My first shotgun was a H & R 20 ga single shot.

Today I shoot either my Browning Gold 10ga or my Browning A-5 depending on the day.
 
Rick

I love side by sides, I started with one and bought a few more over the years. Single shots were the first gun of lots of us. And a true way to bring a child into hunting with safety in mind. I to have my share of different shot guns. But the one of choice is my browning gold ten. Thanks
 
Phil

I feel your pain about selling a gun. Over the years I let a bunch of nice shotguns go. Bought a few of them back. And I am still hunting down a few different ones I sold. Thanks for letting us know your first and present shotguns.
 
Roy

Nice! we all have move up in the world as far as shotguns go. But that first one met just a little more to us as kids. Over the years I 'm sure that many shotguns crossed your path. To each their own. Whats good for you might not be good for me. Know matter what your shotgun of choice is. If you can wack them and stack them. Its the right gun. Thanks I enjoyed reading your post.
 
Gene

Once you get a gun you love. It pulls up like its not even in your hands. My Browning gold 10 gauge to others is heavy and it kicks to much to them. I don't feel a thing when I let it go. Thanks
 
Carl

Your first wife must of known mine. My love for hunting made the court papers. And the words weren't that kind. Anyway! bolt action shot guns are cool. My friend started with that same gun. I have a marlin super goose gun 10 ga bolt action. I just love it. Over the years we up graded guns ,trucks, in our case spouses . But nothing can bring back the feeling of that first one. First shot gun that is. Thanks
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That's easy. I shoot a 870 express that my dad got me when I was 14. 30 years later I am still shooting it. It is pretty worn and I have had to replace a couple parts on it but it is still going strong. I do have a Beretta Over and Under that I will shoot for upland or trap but it doesn't get used very much.
 
Neal

Wow! one gun man , That great to hear my friend. 870 are great guns even to this day. If you like something you like it for life. Well lets pray for another 30 years and more. Thanks
 
My first gun is a 870 Wingmaster. It has served me well. I still use it as my turkey gun. I now use an American Arms Silver II O/U for bird hunting. I find I am more patient, not in a rush to get to my third shell by having only two shells.

Tom
 
Tom

I agree with you on over and under or side by side guns. Lots of time the third shot is wasted or you try to sky bust with it. I'm thinking this year I might be going to my over and under. Its lighter then my 10 gauge and its not as long. Thanks for the post.
 
First shotgun, Ranger 12 gauge single shot. paid 11.00 for it ,I was 12, still use for dog training with a brass 209 insert. Present, 1187 I traded to Remington for one of their cash registers circa 1910 that was my dad's. It is in the Ilion NY Remington museum.
 
Kevin

First I'll give you 12$ for that 11$ gun lol. Your dads gun is in Remington Museum! wow that's cool as heck. Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
 
I think its his dad's cash register that is in the museum - he traded it for the gun
 
First shotgun was my grandfathers pre WWII A5 with Lyman Cutts Compensator installed on the barrel. Current shotgun is the same but with a Japanese Invector Plus barrel.
 
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