Shotgunworld.com

Shotguns are the quintessential "sold by feel" product. They are also, for cultural reasons, infused with plenty of mythology, perhaps because of the prohibitive cost of the very best specimens.

One result of the above is a constant feeling that the better shotgun is likely to be the next one.

To counter the above and give every person a real and useful sense of a representative cross section of shotguns maybe we should have a museum where for a modest fee a shotgunner could actually handle the exhibits. So a hunter or target shooter can have first hand experience before he decides his next purchase, or perhaps to realise that what he already has is pretty good.

What specimens would you place in such a museum?

My vote goes for: French Darne, one withoug bottom rib for the balance, Purdey for smooth function and true self opening, Dickson Round Action for sheer elegance, Alex Martin Ribless for low weaight and balance, Perazzi for robustness, Winchester Model 21 for strength, several great pumps- Model 21, Remington 31, Ithaca 37, for proof that pumps are functional and ergonomic, several OUs for comparison- Browning Superposed, Boss, Beretta ASEL, Ljutic. Autos- Auto 5, Beretta 302, Winchester 51.

In this museum the visitor could bring his own gun to compare on the spot with the exhibits. If there was such a place there are some I would not have bought and some I would not have sold.

Yep, sure would be a fun place. Where would you put this marvel of sensory perception?

I would add the Ljutic MonoGun, Silver Seitz, Ithaca Knick SBT and perhaps a Parker SBT.

I'll second the Darne so I can see how many think the action is as cumbersome as I do, or if it's just me.
A lot of the under $300 O/U-semiauto-SxS crowd is going to be pretty displeased when they find out the difference in feel between a well designed firearm and a "great and reliable" two by four. I would think it might help side by sides if more people ever got to feel a really sweet one.

Put 'em all under one roof, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Upon reflection, I don't think this is so. I believe that most proponents of the 'el cheepo' will think the two guns are the same. Without being able to shoot them I don't think most will be able to tell the difference.

Thank you all for the input. Perhaps such a museum could be a touring sort of setup. If the shotguns are deactivated, but retain their working characteristics, it is probable that legal issues could be sidestepped and it can travel.

Virginian- Your comments on the Darne are interesting. As much as I admire the feel and dynamic handling of the ribless models, I have problems shooting one, first is the nagging thought of the sliding weddge inches from my face, then the bores are not visible. Not a problem with the gun, just a personal inhibition.

To add some spice re the handling of some inexpensive shotguns, it would be useful to have some customised specimens so people can appreciate how littleit takes to turn a "two by four" into a decent handling shotgun.

Doppelflinten- you are right, how could I have left out a Parker! It is always enligtening to compare and inspect side by side a high grade Parker with a British boxlock.

I hereby offer the use of my house---please send all of the above mentioned specimens and I will gladly open to any and all who wish to visit and try out the guns--day or night!!

As a side note... if any of you ever venture to Cody Wyoming, don't pass up going to the Buffalo Bill Museum. All sorts of guns, many Winchesters of course and a very nice collection of shotguns. The NRA Hqs isn't bad either.

ps... no Huglus or Baikals at these places. Sorry, I just can't behave.

I can't believe that no one has mentioned this yet; you have to include the venerable 870!

Actually, I'm curious, what would the list be? This is what we have so far:
French Darne
Purdey
Dickson Round Action
Alex Martin Ribless
Perazzi
Winchester Model 21
Model 21
Remington 31
Ithaca 37
Browning Superposed
Beretta ASEL
Ljutic - Space gun and Mono Gun and maybe a Selka
Auto 5
Beretta 302
Winchester 51
Remington 870
Remington 1100 and 11-87

Then we should include the Remington Model 11 and maybe a Winchester Model 12. What about a gun like the Cosmi or UGB? We can't forget interesting failures like the Recoiless.

Rastoff,

The more the merrier. Perhaps some singles would be useful too. Comparing the lively feel of a relatively cheap and crude single shot right alongside a "best" gun can be an insighful experience.

It is interesting to ponder how such an opportunity to famliarise oneself with a variety of great shotguns, all collected in the same space, would affect the purchasing choice of buyers. My hunch is that such an opportunity would demystify some grand names and would liberate the average man of some myths and maybe make him appreciate what he already owns.