Single-barrel Shotguns

[Georgian]

Hey yall. This thread is just about nostalgia....the good ole
single-barrel shotgun. My first shotgun was a 20ga H&R Mod 58
that my grandad gave me. Still have it, and it is still, to this day
my favorite shotgun. Although it is overshadowed by my 870, 500,
and Stoeger Coachgun (all 12ga), I have many found memories of
that little single-shot. Even thinking about buying another! Anyways,
this is for those who want to share their experience with single-barrels,
and maybe pass along a few stories too. Any replies greatly appreciated!

[spruce]

First shotgun I ever hunted with was my Dad's 20 ga Iver Johnson Champion.  Killed a pretty fair amount of small game with it.

He's long gone now, but I still have his shotgun, always will.  The bore is mirror bright, there's no sign of rust on the outside, just a few minor stock dings from honest use.  Just the way he taught me to take care of it.

Not the most valuable gun in my safe, but it's the most valued.

[mcwoodduck]

My first shot gun was a Iver Johnson Champion in 20 ga.
My Father's friend loaned it to me for my first hunt. 
Phesants in NJ.
First two shots out of the gun were hits on birds.
He never asked for the gun back, and passed on about 20 years ago.
I hope one day to pass it on to another kid one day that will hold on to it and think fond thoughts of me and hunting trips past as i think of Burly Bob.
Till then, I still use it and will take it out every so often and soot it or hunt with it.

[chefjeff]

I have a sweet IJ champion also. They are getting hard to find. Have a small collection of win. 370 single barrels I have acquired over the years and have kept the best ones. These old SB's are still a great way to introduce a young shooter to scattergunning.

[PowPow]

My first gun was a Boito 410,  full choke 28" barrel.
You slid the trigger guard back to break it open.
Paid $28 for it at Western Auto in 1971.

Once I got a big boy shotgun, an 870, I sent the Boito off to a smith to cut it off to 20".
Then I sold it to a neighbor.

Don't really miss it, but It would be cool to know what adventures its been on and how many times its been a "first gun" in the last 39 years.

[streak]

First quail I ever shot as a teenager, was with my neighbor`s Winchester Mod.37 12 gauge! A straight away shot, and boy was I proud!
Just recently have acquired my grandfather`s Win, Mod 37 in a 16 gauge from my mother`s estate. This gun is essentially new,probably three or four rounds had been fired in it.

[spikehorn]

My first shot gun was a Savage 22 20ga alot of rabbit and squirel fell to that gun I sold it sometime near my 16th birthday and bought a mossberg bolt action 12ga with c-lekt choke tons of critters fell to that also but still would like another one of the savages

[JBlk]

Each shotgun that I have owned during my life invoke certain memories.To this day I love to look over a double barrel at fleeing game or hear the hammer being cocked as I mount the single.Most of us started hunting with the single and its the gun that we compare all of our later guns with.The single taught us that you don't need more than one shot and it harvested alot of game.Most of those plain old guns didn't have fancy ribs or other adornment but they did the job and stll continue to do so.

[pastorp]

Agreed, sometimes less is more..........   In the complicated world we live in, on ocasion it's nice to get back to basics. Guess thats why I keep the old winchester model 37 in 16 ga.    It's not high teck.....but iI like it simple sometimes.

Regards,

[mcwoodduck]

Here is a picture of me and Burly Bob on the day he gave me the single shot and the first day I went hunting, shot a shotgun, and killed two phesants.
Lots of good naps in the back of that Olds 98 with the crushed Valor on the way home from hunting.

[mcwoodduck]

Here is the Iver Johnson Cahmpion in 20 Ga.