"GRANDPA Shotguns"

[gold40]

"GRANDPA Shotguns" is a term several of us use for the pumps and sem-autos sold in the 1940-1960 time period. Now, a lot of these are showing up in gunshops and auctions at very reasonable prices. Grandpa has died and the kids don't want these old guns around -- if they even want any guns around -- so they get sold at moderate prices.

Among these are the Remington 31 pumps, Remington 11-48 and Sportsman 48 autos, various Savage and Stevens', Ithaca 37's, and Winchester Model 12, 50, 58, etc. Although 50 years old, they have a lot of useful life left in them. Most sell for $150 to $250 (except the M-12's and A-5's).

Often the exterior finish shows signs of usage, scratches, dents, etc. but the interior parts are usually very good. A simple refinish with Tru-Oil perks them up. Sometimes a bit of cold blue also helps. But appearance isn't that important on these old-timers. They aren't supposed to look new or mint. They're shooters, not collector's items.

I've been having fun shooting two old 11-48's -- a 20 and a 12 with a polychoke. Also a Remington 31 in 20 gauge. All are recent gunshop purchases under $200 each. My skeet scores are a few birds less than with my newer Citori, but just as much fun. I really get a kick when I'm sometimes lucky enough to beat one of my pals at Clays who is shooting a much newer O/U with choke tubes. I shot a decent Sporting Clays course last week using the 12 gauge 11-48 that was made in 1951.

By the way, you can easily check the birth date of Remingtons and Brownings via their website and/or e-mail.

Is anyone else here shooting "GRANDPA Guns"?

Jerry