The CT opener on Saturday had a little twist in store this year. Started off early with a motor that sputtered a bit, but got better so figured it was probably bad fuel working through the fuel line. No big deal. Legal shooting arrives with a good bunch of birds, and lots of shooting in the area.
First bird decoys, I put the 1187 up but something doesn't look right. One shot, one educated duck and the gun is jammed. Oh well, clear the gun, reload, here comes another duck. Put it up and the barrel looks like it's off center but flambe anyway, another jam, and duck college continues. Took a good look this time, the forearm is moving so I figure it's the end cap. When I try to tighten it the barrel falls off in my hand, the braze between the barrel and the barrel lug has failed. This was my second time, it happened some years ago and the barrel went with the shot. Much more dramatic that time. Both times it was using real heavy ammunition, with Tungsten based shot for shoulder therapy. I suppose it costs more than $5/shot for that stuff when you factor in a new barrel every thousand shells.
So I had to explain this to a 2 year old lab, we're heading in at sunrise with no ducks. Gave me the look like he was going to the vet to be neutered. Very sad trip to the launch, head hanging low.
Luckily I have a supply of spare parts so I plunked a new barrel on it and we went back out for the afternoon. A good number of birds visited and some stayed. Gunner and I are on speaking terms again, I had to promise him a grouse hunting trip with his favorite setter to get him to really smile.
On a side note there were quite a few sora in the marsh. No rail were harmed (closed season) but I now hunt with an enthusiastic rail pointing/flushing labrador. He had a great time, between retrieving ducks and chasing railbirds when no ducks were flying. So much so that Gunner celebrated by rolling in a rotting bunker before getting in the truck to go home.
First bird decoys, I put the 1187 up but something doesn't look right. One shot, one educated duck and the gun is jammed. Oh well, clear the gun, reload, here comes another duck. Put it up and the barrel looks like it's off center but flambe anyway, another jam, and duck college continues. Took a good look this time, the forearm is moving so I figure it's the end cap. When I try to tighten it the barrel falls off in my hand, the braze between the barrel and the barrel lug has failed. This was my second time, it happened some years ago and the barrel went with the shot. Much more dramatic that time. Both times it was using real heavy ammunition, with Tungsten based shot for shoulder therapy. I suppose it costs more than $5/shot for that stuff when you factor in a new barrel every thousand shells.
So I had to explain this to a 2 year old lab, we're heading in at sunrise with no ducks. Gave me the look like he was going to the vet to be neutered. Very sad trip to the launch, head hanging low.
Luckily I have a supply of spare parts so I plunked a new barrel on it and we went back out for the afternoon. A good number of birds visited and some stayed. Gunner and I are on speaking terms again, I had to promise him a grouse hunting trip with his favorite setter to get him to really smile.
On a side note there were quite a few sora in the marsh. No rail were harmed (closed season) but I now hunt with an enthusiastic rail pointing/flushing labrador. He had a great time, between retrieving ducks and chasing railbirds when no ducks were flying. So much so that Gunner celebrated by rolling in a rotting bunker before getting in the truck to go home.