The Gun Room

Joel has the opportunity to catch up with Diggory Hadoke, author, shooter, and firearms and hunting advocate. Diggory has written several notable titles focused on vintage British sporting arms including hammer guns, vintage guns, and the British boxlock. Diggory works at vintageguns.co.uk and is an absolute wealth of knowledge when it comes to the history and development of modern cartridge arms. The conversation focuses on the history and development of sporting arms from around 1850 through the turn of the century and beyond. If you have ever had an interest in early cartridge arms development and the rich history that is intertwined with British firearms do not miss Episode 36.

In this episode of The Gun Room, Joel talks with Brian Dudley of BMD Gunstocks. They talk about Brian's fine art background and how he transitioned into firearms full-time. The conversation covers a variety of topics related to stock making including original finishes, shaping, and finishing stocks including a good conversation about stock checkering.  

Part 2 of a discussion with Nick Larson of The Birdshot Podcast. Nick and Joel talk about Nick's turkey gun project and the jitters surrounding drilling into your gunstock. The discussion moves into progress and updates from the Upland Gun Company where we talk about their new offerings and the process of creating your own upland shotgun.

To me, the Savage 24 represents youth and the carefree existence that places a child in the woods, free to roam as they see fit. It harkens to an older time when this child's feral existence was the norm rather than the exception. Going out the backdoor of a white farmhouse with a few .22LR rounds and a few .410 shells in his coat pockets, looking for a rabbit or maybe a partridge for the table. The gun is kept in the corner of the mudroom, alongside boots and coats, a scruffy dog waits outside the door, tail wagging, waiting to accompany the boy as they head out into the big wide world.

Welcome Back to The Gun Room! We have the opportunity to go to Brays Island in South Carolina where we visit the home of Eric Klein, the keeper of a very fine collection of early American side-by-side shotguns. Both originally from New Jersey, Eric and Joel cover a variety of topics including the philosophy of collecting vs accumulating as well as some good discussion with a focus on Parkers and Ithacas. Eric takes us on a tour of his gun room and shows us some very unique guns in his collection.

Joel and Gregg have the opportunity to catch up in the midst of the bird hunting season on Episode 31 of The Gun Room. Gregg keeps up the Dogs and Doubles webpage as well as keeping the upland world abreast of some of the better deals in the sporting shotgun market. His posts about 5 guns you shouldn't miss are surely a hit for anyone in the market for a fine shotgun. After a quick season update, Gregg and Joel dive into a discussion surrounding double guns and the current state of the gun market. They speak on a number of topics including the merits of guns from around the world, gun features, and gun makers. The discussion touches on a number of different elements one should consider when looking at purchasing a shotgun. Join us this week to learn a bit more about what makes a fine gun worth the price.

Join us for a conversation with Amanda Rutherford of Zeb gunmaking. Amanda attended gunsmithing school in Colorado where a fortuitous trip to the Dallas Safari Club show led to an apprenticeship with Chuck Grace as a stockmaker. Amanda and I discuss some of the finer points of the master/apprentice relationship, the value of gunsmithing school, and her journey to becoming a gun maker on her own. We also touch on some of her custom gun work and run-ins with some legendary gunmakers. This and so much more on Episode 30 of The Gun Room. https://www.zebgunmaking.com/

Josh Loewensteiner is a lifelong firearms enthusiast who began studying, collecting, and shooting guns with his father and brother when he was just eight years old- he has been studying firearms for nearly 30 years. He particularly enjoys the classic American sporting guns. Josh is a Life Member of the Parker Gun Collectors Association, a Life Member of the NRA, a member of the Lefever Arms Collectors Association, the L.C. Smith Collectors Association, the Colt Collectors Association, the A.H. Fox Gun Collectors Association, The Smith and Wesson Collectors Association and the Winchester Arms Collectors Association. Josh spent years working at some of the premier auction houses in the nation where he was immersed in fine firearms before striking out on his own to become a firearms dealer and consultant. Joel and Josh talk about their history with fine guns, the nuance and theory of collecting guns, how firearms auctions work from an insider’s perspective and so much more in Episode 27 of The Gun Room.

Ron and Joel talk about the summer's events and the upcoming season. We recap some fun times at the Southern Side by Side shotgun event and cover topics ranging from NAVHDA to drilling combination guns, and the status of game birds in New Jersey.  Ron Boehme has had a passion for bird hunting since 1973, when he bought his first license to chase pheasants in his home state of Illinois. Since that time, he has hunted in 22 states and 3 provinces, mostly with a bird dog by his side. A move to Michigan allowed him to build his kennel, Dancing Duke Kennels, and begin a lifetime membership with the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association where he is currently a Senior Judge. Ron is currently ranked 39th among the top 10 wingshooters in the country. Come join us for Episode 25 of The Gun Room!

CPA Rifles of Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania specializes in creating some of the finest single-shot rifles in the world. Founded by Paul Shuttleworth in 1986, CPA rifles offers reproductions of the Stevens 44 ½ action single shot falling block rifles, as well as customizations of other similar guns. Paul established the business but Gail, the third of 4 children, joined the family-owned operation in 1997 and has taken a hands-on approach in everything she does at CPA. Gail is an accomplished and lifelong shooter and is as proficient in the shop as she is on the range.  Gail and I sit down in the shop at CPA to discuss single-shot rifles, the history of Schutzen, and black powder silhouette. We take a look at what a small gun production facility looks like and how a CPA can thrive on a “quality over quantity” business model. Join us for this exciting and in-depth look at a family-owned firearms business and so much more on Episode 23 of The Gun Room.

Episode 18: Browning Auto-5 Part of why I love old firearms so much is the history and romance that goes along with each particular gun. Many old firearms evoke feelings of nostalgia, memories of loved ones, and good times long gone. Is it the smell of a particular gun oil, or the lines of a gun that will spark these fond memories? I know people who grew up knowing only that grandad had a side by side- all they could remember was the shape of the gun. Then and now there are many side by side shotguns, which does not help identify WHAT side by side he had. For the topic of today’s discussion, shape was everything. I am Joel Penkala, and this is 10 minutes on the Browning Auto-5. At one point in time, if you saw a gun shaped like a 1911, it was a Colt- an iconic gun in its own right and easily identifiable from other pistols of the day. Now, the Colt has been copied and remanufactured by so many makers that the shape no longer dictates the maker. For the Browning Auto-5, this is not the case. If you see an old shotgun with a squared-off receiver in the back, chances are its an A5. And even if its not a Browning A5, its a clone made when John Browning licensed his original design to Remington or Savage. And, far fewer of those versions of this classic autoloading shotgun were ever made. The A5 was one of John Browning's pet designs, which he regarded as one of his best. The Auto 5 was a 5 shot, semi-automatic shotgun, meaning that the cycling of each new round into the chamber was the result of capturing the energy from the previous shot. The idea might seem mundane to us these days as there are so many modern auto loaders on the market, but back when Browning invented the A5, it was the first shotgun of its kind, and one of the first semi-automatic guns commercially viable as well(rifle shotgun or pistol). It was in 1898 that John Browning set out to develop a semi-auto shotgun (the same year the Mauser 98 was developed which is food for thought that they were still perfecting bolt action rifles when Browning was coming up with an autoloading shotgun). Browning was said to have devised several versions of the auto to test, but he and companions settled on the long recoil version of the design as the most feasible.  Unlike many of todays autos, the A5’s barrel moves along with the bolt during the normal cycle of operation. 4 shots are placed in the magazine tube, below the barrel, and one is put into the chamber. The gun is fired and the resulting force pushes both the barrel and bolt rearward together as a unit. Once at the end of their rearward travel, the bolt is held back by a mechanism attached to the rear of the lifter, while the barrel is driven forward by the large spring around the magazine tube. As the barrel moves forward and clears the spent case, it actuates both the ejection of the case, and initiates the lifter to raise the next round into position. The mechanism on the rear of the lifter releases the bolt, allowing it to move forward and bring the new round into the chamber in the barrel. There is a great video online- check it out- as I suspect my description here is likely a bit hard to follow unless you have recently taken apart an A5. The distinctive lines of the A5 are a result of needing to enclose all of the above inside the action. The Auto-5 has an aesthetic all its own. The top of the receiver is flush with the barrel and terminates at nearly a 90-degree angle at the back of the action. This angle drops down to where the stock lines meet the back of the action giving the rear of the gun a squared, yet still rounded look that can be seen from across a duck marsh or corn field earning it the name the Humpback Browning. One of the most innovative features of the A5 was the friction ring system that John Browning designed so that the gun could accommodate a variety of loads. Any semi-auto mechanism driven by the pressures of recoil must take into account that each shotgun load has a different amount of recoil or rearward force. Heavy loads = more force. Light loads are less force. Design a gun for light loads, and the heavy loads will overpower the mechanism and damage the gun. Design for heavy loads and light loads will not have enough force to cycle the gun properly. Browning saw to this with a system of friction rings that are integral to the proper function of the gun. The rings could be stacked in different configurations over the magazine tube, and in front of the mainspring, such that they would increase or decrease the amount of friction applied during cycling, applying more when needed for heavy rounds. This elegant solution made the A5 a very versatile and reliable gun. Much like his other designs, John Browning had little interest in manufacturing his own firearms and so approached both Winchester and Remington to produce his latest gun. Winchester would not agree to pay Browning royalties on the gun, and complications at Remington prevented a deal. Having been down this road before, Browning approached Fabrique National (FN) in Belgium, who promptly agreed to produce the shotgun. The first A5s rolled off the line in 1902, with production continuing until 1975. In a seemingly very familiar fashion (think Weatherby Mark 5) the production was moved from FN to Japan, where A5s were produced at the Miroku factory until 1998.  I mentioned before that Remington would produce the Remington 11, and Savage would have a crack at the gun in its Model 720, and though similar, these guns were slight modifications to the original Browning design. It is of note that Remington would produce A5’s during the years of World War 2 along side its Model 11’s, though once the war was over, production did shift back to FN in Belgium. The A5 I am holding is a bit of a unique one, although with 2.7 million made, it’s hard to believe that mine is special beyond my own curiosity. It is a 16 gauge gun with a solid rib. It is an early manufactured gun, made in the late ’20s, and is marked both Browning Arms Company Ogden Utah on the barrel and Fabrique National on the receiver. It is unrestored and I love the patina it carries. It shows proof marks on the bolt and action, which is something that I have always loved- maybe because it helps tell the story of a gun. The bolt and both largest screws on either side of the action are marked with the last three digits of the serial number; another cool feature of older guns when parts were made to fit THAT particular gun.  My A5 also has the earlier style safety - it is located at the front of the trigger guard and slides forward and backward- rather than the side to side of later versions of the same gun. Although a curiosity at first, the more I worked the sliding safety, the more natural it felt. Not to mention that it positioned your trigger finger nicely for the trigger pull that would follow. Much like guns of the same vintage the Browning and its clones the Remington 11 and Savage 720 would see service on the battlefield and with law enforcement. US-marked guns were used as guard weapons and for trench warfare, and trainers were used to introduce the concept of lead for gunners trying to shoot down enemy planes. Clyde Barrow used a cut-down version of an A5 during the infamous crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde. The venerable Auto 5 saw far more use in the fields and woods and became a staple at deer and duck camps. Because the production of the A5 spanned so many years, versions were available from the factory in all three most popular chamber lengths- early guns were 2 ½” followed by the standard 2 ¾” and eventually 3” magnum. The popularity of the A5 led to the development of Light and Super Lightweight models, though very few of the Super Lightweight were made.  A5 barrels came in several styles, including plane no rib, solid rib, and vent rib versions, and with a variety of fixed chokes. A5s would eventually adopt adjustable chokes, though not until later production years. Slug barrels were also available adding to the versatility of the gun.  Browning has recently reintroduced the A5, and though the gun looks somewhat like the original, the internals are very different than that of the original long recoil version. I haven’t handled the new version myself, so until I do, I will hold off any comment on them.  It is undeniable that the Browning Auto 5 has found a place in the heart and hands of sportsmen and women across our country. And if you are still unconvinced about the popularity and status of the A5- go ask singer/songwriter Evan Felker of Turnpike Troubadors how he feels about his grandfather’s Browning, or maybe just go listen to “The Housefire” by the Troubadors.

Episode 16: Weatherby Mark V Rifle Necessity is the mother of invention. For Roy Weatherby, wounding an animal on a hunt, sparked a flame of innovation that would revolutionize the world of fast-moving rifle rounds. His story is one of wild cat cartridge development, that pushed the envelope of what was thought possible at the time. His rifles had a ‘California in the 50’s’ flare with high gloss finish and distinct stock lines. His quest to build the strongest rifle action ever produced would give rise to one of America's iconic rifles. This is 10 Minutes on Roy Weatherby and the Weatherby Mark V. The Weatherby story is actually a fitting follow-up to our focus on Sporterized rifles last week, but we will get to that. The story begins with the opening of a sporting goods store in South Gate, California. Roy’s resignation from his ‘regular job’ was a result of his love for shooting and desire to own and operate a high-end sporting goods store. He took the plunge in September of 1945, opening Weatherby Sporting Goods. The original store housed sporting goods, but had a section devoted to his love of firearms manufacturing. In the early days, Weatherby’s became known in Los Angeles for having a gunsmith on staff. This early claim to fame and Roy’s involvement in the industry helped the Weatherby name grow. You see, Roy had been experimenting with firearms and dove headfirst into the fray in the early days, writing articles about his feelings on high velocity cartridges. During a hunting trip Roy had wounded a deer and the experience forever changed the course of his life. He began developing cartridges that would move bullets faster, believing that faster moving bullets would increase the shock and killing power of the round.  Roy spent considerable resources building the firearms side of his business, including advertising on a National Scale, and slowly begin to grow. Early on barrel and stock manufacturing were part of the Weatherby business, upgrading rifles to shoot the wildcat rounds he was developing. The early years were not easy, but Roy’s tenacity and business acumen kept the company moving forward. Not to mention that their proximity to Hollywood would lend itself to Roy making friends with a who’s who list of celebrities, dignitaries, generals, and politicians. During the early years period, Weatherby was making custom rifles, (Sporterizing if you will) and like other gunmakers in the US, he was utilizing the actions that were available to him. During the first 10 years or so of Weatherby rifle production, guns were built on Winchester Model 70, Remington 700 and Springfield actions. Weatherby was buying barrels from Ackley and Buhmiller and assembling his guns in his store. When supplies of those actions dwindled, Weatherby turned to Fabrique National(FN) of Belgium to produce suitable rifle actions, which were imported to be finished by Weatherby employees.  Costs were tremendous because the process could not be streamlined, and Weatherby was a businessman. He began early on to look for a production facility that could produce a complete rifle at a reduced cost. During a 1954 trip to Europe, Roy searched at length for a manufacturer that could make his vision possible. He visited Husqvarna in Sweden, BSA in Birmingham, Shultz and Larsen in Denmark, and Sako in Finland. It was during this trip that he commissioned Sako to build a number of his FN-Weatherby rifles. In addition, Shultz and Larsen was commissioned to build a number of .378 Weatherby rifles, for which Roy had already taken orders.His next trip in 56 was met with disappointment, delays, and added costs that only served to push his pet project at home. Roy had been working on his own rifle action during this time. He was convinced that he needed an action that would be the absolute strongest possible. Roy and other wildcatters were hand loading and creating their own rounds, playing with pressures above what the standard rifles calibers of the day produced. Roy believed he needed a rifle that would far exceed the 70,000 CUP (copper units of pressure) that was accepted for other actions. It was during these years that he produced several iterations of his own rifle action. Roy reached out to a number of key people during this time, finally obtaining the help of an engineer, Fred Jennie, and subsequently produced the fifth and final iteration of his rifle. With a bit of naming help from his friend Elgin Gates, the gun was named the Mark V.  Early tests of the Mark V action proved out Roy’s theories. Though America doesn't have any standard proofing process, Weatherby conducted pressure tests in excess of 100,000 psi. Additionally, Weatherby lodged bullets in the bore of the rifle, and shot rounds down the barrels behind these stuck rounds. This is essentially the most dangerous scenario of backing up a round with another round. The Weatherby rifles passed all tests with flying colors. The first Mark V actions were produced in California, at Precision Founders Inc. through a process of lost wax casting or investment casting. An order of 10,000 actions was placed in 1957. though production costs would quickly require Roy to again search for a new manufacturer abroad. The casting process, though of high quality and strength, could not produce an action free of small voids that showed clearly in the high gloss, high luster finishes that Weatherby had come to be known for. The rejection rate of 50% or more was not sustainable.  It was later in that year that Roy again traveled abroad, this time to J. P. Sauer in Germany, bringing with him his new Mark V rifle. This meeting and a subsequent two months of negotiations would solidify an agreement between the two firms. Though it took almost two years, by 1959 JP Sauer would have manufacturing up and running, regularly shipping Weatherby Rifles. This was the partnership that Roy had been searching for all along, and with manufacturing solidified, he could focus on the business at home. Production of the Mark V remained in Germany for 13 years until rising costs necessitated another move, this time to Howa in Japan. Rifles were made there until 1994, when production was brought back to the states. Despite shifts in manufacturing, the Weatherby MK V action remained essentially the same throughout production, a testament to its design.  The MK V rifle is distinct. Its lines are rather different than many other sporting rifles, starting with the forward sloping monte carlo on the stock, and large accentuated cheek piece. The forends are capped, depending on the model, with darker color wood, set off by a white line spacer. As are the grip cap and recoil pad. This gives the gun a distinct two-tone feel reminiscent of those old two-tone cars of the 50s and 60s. The stock finish matches the action- both are high gloss. When you pick one up, and operate the bolt, the next most obvious thing you notice is the bolt throw. Unlike most other rifles with a two lug locking system, the MK V has an interrupted thread locking mechanism. There are three ‘primary lugs’ as I would call them, which reduces the rotary motion required to free the lugs from their respective locking threads. With two lugs- a minimum of 90 degrees is required to turn free - like on a Winchester Model 12 shotgun or other interrupted thread take down guns. On the MK V bolt- with three primary lugs- one only has to travel 60 degrees to clear. In actuality, the MK V only requires 54 degrees, because of the way the three primary lugs are cut into three pieces each, resulting in 9 different locking contact surfaces.  As the bolt is rotated closed it cams forward locking the bolt face into battery. Once locked the round is captured by the bolt face, surrounded by the breech end of the barrel, which is in turn encased by the action. This three-ring configuration was touted by Weatherby and resulted in an incredibly strong rifle action. Aside from quick cycling times, the short bolt throw lends itself to additional scope clearance. Because the bolt does not need to rotate so far, scopes can be mounted low and close to the bore of a Mark V - an added benefit to shooters. The Mark V is a push feed rifle, much like the Remington 700. The bolt face is recessed and captures the entire case head, and contains the ejector and extractor. The fluted bolt body and locking lugs are the same diameter, lending themselves to smoother feeding- with the flutes allowing for less contact - ie less friction during a bolt cycle. In addition, there are three noticeable gas exit ports located on the bolt body, which in the case of a malfunction would allow gasses to escape from the side of the bolt and away from the shooter's face. The safety is a simple rocker mechanism located at the rear of the bolt, on a rounded and tapered shroud that mirrors the lines of the stock.    Of note, JP Sauer was producing hammer forged barrels, a relatively new process at the time, and Weatherby MK V rifles were the first on the American market to utilize these very accurate barrels in production.    As I mentioned the 9 lug Mark V has changed very little ove the years. There are several iterations of the rifle, the German/Sauer, Japan/Howa and finally, the USA made. As for Models, the guns were offered in a few flavors, depending on the intended use. Most had no sights, except for a few of the dangerous game calibers. All models have the characteristic monte carlo stock- wood or synthetic. A 6 lug version of the Mark V was introduced in the 60s and is now offered in non-magnum calibers- the Magnum Calibers remain in the original 9 lug design.  Today there are 18 different Mark V options on the Weatherby site, and custom shop options to boot, meaning that you can have a hand in the design of your rifle if you choose.   Roy Weatherby was a hands-on guy, spending his life devoted to his business, and to the development of his fast and flat rifle cartridges. Through tough times and prosperit

Episode 13: Griffin and Howe 100 Year Anniversary Rifles Few gun makers in the United States can lay claim to having 100 years of history, even fewer with the storied past of serving politicians, diplomats, and celebrities in the fine gun industry. Griffin Howe was established in 1923 in New York City, and remains to this day a fine gun maker, though offers so much more at the grounds of Hudson Farm in Andover New Jersey. I had the opportunity to sit down with three of Griffin and Howe’s gunsmiths at the grounds to discuss the history of G&H and how they made a name for themselves as rifle makers. We speak about sporterized rifles; those guns that were made for military use, but were brought home and repurposed to be carried in the fields and woods in pursuit of game and the history of American rifle development from early German influence through World War I.  Finally, we take a deep look into the celebratory set of firearms that are currently in production at Griffin and Howe to commemorate 100 years in the business. Three batterys of three rifles each built on classic sporter rifle actions; the iconic American-made Springfield, the German Mauser, and the Winchester Model 70. We discuss all of the details of these rifle sets from caliber selection through sights, stocks, barrels and so much more in Episode 13 of The Gun Room. Join us for this discussion of all things sporter rifles.

Episode 12: Winchester Model 12 A fitting subject for our 12th podcast and a follow-up to our previous report on the Remington 870, today we will be talking about Winchesters slide action or pump-action shotgun the Winchester Model 1912 or Model 12 as it has come to be known. If you caught our briefing on the Remington 870, you will no doubt remember that we mentioned the Winchester Model 12 in that discussion several times. Winchester’s pump was the gun to look up to, the popular kid at school, the girl everyone wanted to dance with at the prom. The Model 12 reigned supreme until that oh so pivotal year in gun making - 1964 - when it was discontinued because of the increasing cost of manufacturing and increased competition from the less expensive Remington 870 and others.  Much like previously discussed subjects on this Podcast, the story of the Model 12 originates with its predecessors and with the legendary John Browning. John Browning’s original patents for the Model 1893 and 1897 slide-action shotguns would serve as the basis for the Model 12.  The 93 and 97 were both exposed hammer guns, meaning the hammer that struck the firing pin was exposed at the tang. This was a carryover from earlier hammer-fired shotguns and rifles and gives these pumps a distinctive look. The rearward travel of the bolt out of the action would depress and cock the external hammer much like many very successful Winchester lever-action rifles. The 1893 was designed for the 2 and ⅝” black powder shells of the time. It was offered only in 12 gauge with 30 or 32” barrel and though it found some success its action was too weak to deal with the new smokeless powder shells being developed at the time. The 1897 took this into account and closed off the top portion of the action, allowing the bolt to ride inside and make it into a fully side ejection gun. The added material provided the necessary strength to fire smokeless powder shells, as well as 2 and ¾” shells.  Another improvement was the slide lock, which was absent on the Model 1893. The purpose of a slide lock is much as it sounds; a device to lock the slide in the forward and closed position. It would seem inherent that this was necessary, but it was absent until developed for the 1897. The slide lock was engaged when the slide or pump was pushed forward into battery and disengaged by a slight forward motion of the pump, something that came naturally during firing the gun, which would unlock the slide and allow the gun to be cycled. Essentially, the slide lock kept the shooter from bringing the slide back during the firing process. Without this lock, the action could be partially opened during the firing process by a shooter not applying forward pressure on the slide. As far as features go, the Model 1987 had two other distinguishing features that would carry through into the Model 1912. Initially, the 1893 and 97 were both made with barrels that were not removable- the idea of a ‘take down’ version of the 97 was introduced a few years after its release and served to be quite useful for folks who wished to travel with a gun. The ability to break the gun down allowed it to be packed into manageable size luggage for train or bus transportation that was so common at the time. This concept is now so widespread that we as modern shooters take it for granted that all of our pump and semi-auto shotguns can easily be broken down, but at the turn of the century that was not the case. In particular many early pump guns had barrels that were fitted per each action - that means you couldn't swap out to different barrels. The second notable feature of this family of guns was the lack of trigger disconnector. In the simplest terms, this means that when the gun is cycled, if the trigger is held down, as soon as the slide is rammed forward bringing the gun back into battery, the shotgun will fire. The result is that each time one pumps the gun, it fires. Slam firing in combination with a magazine tube that held 6, 2 ¾” shells, made the 1897 and Model 12 popular military weapons and many were used as trench guns starting in WWI.  So where does that leave us then? Well, with the Winchester Model 1912 of course. The Model 12 was the first internal hammer, pump shotgun produced by the company. Designed by Thomas Crossley Johnson it followed in the success of the Model 1897 of which nearly 1million were produced. The Model 12 borrowed from John Browning's designs by pulling the aforementioned features from its predecessor and by exhibiting several new notable features. A photo of an 1897 with the pump in the ‘open position’ shows the bolt out of the rear of the action(cocking back the hammer), and the lifter dropped below and outside the action to the bottom. The gun looks like quite the contraption in the number of moving parts that extend beyond the action. All of this changed with the Model 12, beginning with bringing the hammer inside the action.  Tucking the hammer inside the action, allowed the back of the receiver to be solid, improving both the looks and the overall strength of the gun. The 97s lifter mechanism, used for bringing shells from the magazine tube up into the action and locking the bolt, was foregone for a newer carrier style mechanism that remained inside the confines of the action during a normal cycle of the gun. Most will recognize this carrier as the hinged flap that covers the opening in the bottom of the action. Additionally, the bolt locks forward into the receiver itself when in battery, not requiring the lifter to do so. The Model 12 still requires a forward push of the hand to actuate the pump when the trigger is pulled, and there is also push-button located beside the back of the trigger guard to release the slide lock. The safety is located at the forward end of the trigger guard.  All of these improvements resulted in a wonderfully functional, sleek handling pump shotgun. The Model 12 was touted as the Perfect Repeater and gained a reputation for its smooth action. Most of this can be attributed to the fact that parts were primarily forged and then required significant machining and fitting to be assembled. Unfortunately, time is money, and the costs of making the model 12 would eventually catch up to production after WWII. The release of the 870 by Remington would take its own toll as the Remington gun was a fraction of the price to produce.    Though many stalwart Model 12 fans were loyal to the end, the gun would eventually end production in 1964. During production years, the Model 12 saw a variety of models and features. You can find Model 12s in gauges 12, 16, 20, and even 28, though very few 28s were actually made. There was never a .410 because rather than using the Model 12, Winchester opted to create the Model 42, which was a dedicated .410 sized gun. Winchester's standard shotgun grades Skeet, Trap, Tournament, and Pigeon found their way onto Model 12s, with a variety of upgrade options, namely wood, engraving, and rib styles. There was a 12ga version designed to shoot 3” shells labeled “Super Speed and Super X”. Some other interesting facts about the 12:  It was only available in 20ga in its first year of production, with 12 gauge and 16 coming out in 1913. Model 1897s and Model 12s were used as trench guns and riot guns for the military up through Korea and Vietnam. It is of note that the Germans issued a diplomatic protest to the use of these tranch guns in 1918, stating that they were a violation of the 1907 Hague, and that Americans caught with them would face punishment. America retaliated with its own threats to captured Germans soldiers, but the most interesting result of this contentious moment was that there are no photos of Trench guns in use because the US did not want word of their use getting out. For those folks who own, or wish to own a 12, keep in mind that they were chambered for 2 ⅝” shells up to 1927, after which they were chambered for 2 ¾” shells.  The 12 takedown guns have a pin at the end of the magazine tube. The threads on the magazine tube and barrel are what are called interrupted threads. Essentially the threads are only on half of the barrel and mag tube shank. If you divided the end into quarters, the threads are on opposing quarters. The receiving threads in the action are also interrupted the same way. This allows the barrel and mag tube to be turned a quarter turn to disengage the threads. On a model 12- there are two arrows that align on the magazine. To take the gun apart one moves the pin on the end of the mag tube and turns it a quarter turn. This disengages the mag tube which along with the slide can be slide forward and out of the action. Then, you can twist both the mag tube, slide, and barrel all at once, and they will rotate a quarter turn and can be removed from the action. The same steps in revers will put this takedown gun back together, and render it ready for shooting again.  And finally, Exhibition shooter Herb Parsons “The Showman Shooter” used a Model 12 in his shows, famously breaking 7 clays with the gun. Do yourself a favor and look that one up on youtube to see some great old exhibition shooting. I have to admit that the thing I like most about doing these reports is that it makes me pick up the guns in my collection and really check them out, through and through. My old 16ga model 12 has seen a ton of use. It was purchased at a gun show for a song. Its a field grade in the 800,000s with a plain Modified choke barrel chambered for 2 ¾” shells. Almost all of the blue is worn and the stock has its share of dings and scratches. It still operates super smooth and has taken some game for me over the years. I took it apart and wiped it down, cycled the action a few times remind this old gun what it's like to function. Like so many old guns, it has come to my rest farm for old, weathered, and tired guns where it will live out the remainder of my days, well-loved and looked at often, occasionally taken for wal

Coming to you from Sanford, North Carolina, and the annual Southern Side by Side Championship and Exhibition at Deep River Sporting Clays. I have the opportunity to sit down with Steve Durren and Glenn Fewless, two professional members of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild. Steve and Glenn are President and Vice President of the Guild respectively. We snuck away from the action at the Southern to talk about the Guild, its foundations and purpose, and what it means to be a professional member. We also speak about gunsmithing and gun making, and the differences between the specialties within the guild. We dive into the process of working with guild members to create your special bespoke shotgun or rifle, detailing at length the process. We end with a bit of conversation about single-shot falling block rifles, which happen to be something of a specialty for both of our guests. 

On location in Sanford, North Carolina at the Southern Side by Side. Hosted at Deep River Sporting Clays, a weekend of side by side guns, comradery and clays shooting. We sit down with Art Wheaton whose career spans decades at Remington to talk about Big Green, The Parker Gun Collectors Association, and the Remington 870. 

The Gun Room: Episode 3 Join Dan Rossiter as he speaks on the American Customer Gunmakers Guild, being a small town gunsmith, stock duplication, AH Fox shotguns and a rare LC Smith project gun.

The first in a series of podcasts to explore some of the most popular firearms of the last 100 years. In our first episode we take a deeper look at the Ruger 10-22 Rimfire Rifle. From its history and origins to the patents that made it special, this is the Ruger 10-22.

Episode 1: Guy Bignell and the Boss Flight Guy Bignell, former president of Griffin and Howe joins us to discuss a 16 gun 'flight' of Boss shotguns, perhaps the only one in existence. About The Gun Room A base-level knowledge of firearms and their workings is synonymous with hunting. By its very nature, the pursuit of game demands the user become familiar, if not proficient with a weapon of their choosing. TGR  will dive headlong into all things surrounding the incredible diversity of sporting firearms we used in the field today.  We will examine the history and technology in the development of modern sporting rifles and shotguns through conversations with the folks that were there. We will talk to the gunsmiths who have worked on thousands of firearms from English Bests to hardware store specials. We will speak with the collectors, curators, and enthusiasts who help maintain the vast body of knowledge surrounding the tens of thousands of types of modern rifles and shotguns. TGR will attempt to dispel common myths while building the collective knowledge base of our listeners through open discussion with leaders in the industry. Our focus and subject matter will be the firearms themselves. Their inner workings and foibles, the artistry and the utility. All things that make a  rifle or shotgun special.  From the manufacturer's machinery to the gunsmith's bench, from the rack at your local dealer to the fields and woods we will explore the story behind the guns we carry for sport to live our passion. 

In Episode 37 of TGR we sit down with Lars Jacob of Wild Surroundings. We speak on hunting out of layout boats, shotgun fitting, bird hunting, and at length about the unique underhammer rifle, which Lars built a number of in his early career.