16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1354 Location: Western WA

Like many of you, more than one 16 ga gun resides in the cabinet. All of them see regular use at one time or another for different purposes. Some are very elegant and distinguished, suitable for a formal shooting party at a Duke’s estate; others are ready for an afternoon foray in the autumn fields. Another awaits the monthly competition shoots. But one 16 ga stands out from the others for something else: Pure shooting enjoyment, just the sheer pleasure of shooting it.

And which 16 ga might that one be?

Why nothing but the venerable but well preserved M37. What makes it so favored? Hard to say - the light balanced handling, the easy natural mount, the fluid swing, the smooth quiet snick-snack of the action (no noisy clatter like its side ejection cousins), the unassuming well finished appearance. And of course, the way it drops birds and splatters targets with authority, especially with those nifty 7/8 oz loads.

Maybe it’s the combination of all the above. But no question, the M37 is a winner, an absolute joy to carry and shoot just for the fun of it and nothing more. That might not be exactly what its designers had in mind, but thankfully that’s the result of it.

That’s my most enjoyable 16 ga…what’s yours, and why?

Cheers,
B.

Brewster11,

Thanks much for starting this thread, you're a man after my own train of thought.
Yes i own more than a few real quality 16 gauge double guns. I do have one that I favor greatly however. My Great Grandfather had it made special for my Grandfathers 13th birthday, and I have never seen another 16 gauge L.C. Smith double gun like it. This gun was ordered as part of a pre 1913, 4 gun set, and finished in exactly the same way, by my Great Grandfather in the mill of JL&B Steel in Pittsburgh, Pa. John Hunter delivered the breech work to my Great Grandfather at JL&B where the gun Breech had a Silver cover coating applied to it. Then the breech work was returned to John Hunter Sr to be hand installed on the 16 gauge L.C. Smith custom double gun. The high grade French Walnut Wood on the stocks are still perfect even today. 14 1/16" LOP, with a hard L.C. Smith Butt Plate, with the Setter dogs molded into it, and 28" Krupp Barrels Choked M/F for the slow burning powder of the day. Although it was custom made for my Grandfather at age 13, the gun fits me like it was special ordered just for me. The two Ivory sight beads are still in perfect condition and the DT's have a very light trigger pull, that has spoiled me in a negative manner, for other gun makers triggers. Having owned a Boss gun for many years this L.C. Smith gun swings, mounts and shoots better than my Boss gun ever did. I have taken more Grouse & Woodcock with this gun than any other gun I own. Its very hard for me to leave it at home when I Grouse hunt. Its a beautiful gun, even GBE wanted to purchase it from me, after downing a true double Quail shot with it. The gun will never leave our family as long as I am alive, no amount of money can purchase it, I only wish I had a son or Grandson to pass it on to.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

16 Gauge pre 1913, Silver Breech L.C. Smith, my very favorite 16 gauge gun.
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Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Posts: 46 Location: Alabama

Upland Gun Company Zeus 16ga.

Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 979 Location: Minnesota

Grade III citori. I shoot it quite well.

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 1908 Location: Central ND

If you asked me this 2 years ago, I would say my 1100 and that still is my favorite clay target gun in 16 gauge. For hunting, there is a dead heat between my 1100 and my Model 37. Neither has gorgeous wood or is in pristine condition(maybe 90% for the 37 and 95% for the 1100), nothing upper crust, but they fit like a glove and I don't miss with either of them very often.

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1454 Location: Denver, Colorado

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Birmingham-made, 1905, BLE, 5lbs14

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1454 Location: Denver, Colorado

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Lots of guns seem to come and go here, but this one stays. I lead with it every Fall (until the larder builds up a little) and then for variety's-sake I try some of my other upland guns. It's light and quick (& it fits me well yet again). It's not "fancy" at all (I'd like to have a slightly-tighter choke on the left tube, the wood's a bit plain, & the checkering/engraving is getting worn) but RST is sending me another case of 2 1/2-inch shells for this upcoming season so...I don't see much changing for a while.

A.H. Fox A grade c. 1923...

Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Posts: 323 Location: Central, ND

This 1939 unmarked Sweet Sixteen is my favorite. I like it because I shoot it well and it’s pretty.

It's hard to say which of my 16ga guns is the #1 favorite but my Charles Daly has always been the main go to gun for many years.

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Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 1128

For the last couple of years, my Upland Gun Company (RFM) Zeus 16 ga has been my go-to gun for upland birds and field trialing. The trigger guard was an early issue although I always shot it well that constant bruising of my second finger took a lot of the joy out of shooting it well. I finally did a major transplant of an SKB O/U trigger guard and now consider the gun a perfect match to my instinctive style of shooting. It is also my lightest 16 ga and a joy to carry afield.

My favorite has been my Brownng Auto 5 16 ga.that was my dads. Not a sweet ,but still sweet. LOL!
It may get some competition now though. Browningsweet161977 ,Joe, on here just sold me a 525 sporting 16 with 32 in barrels. It is one sweet shooting gun. THANKS Again Joe! I truly Appreciate it!

Great topic! Love reading about people’s guns!

It’s a very hard choice for me. I have nine 16s, and they are all cherished for one reason or another, but four top my list…

The Citori WL is my go to gun, for everything. 6.5 lbs, 26” barrels been through everything and looks it, even though bought new. The Citori LF, new to me, a hair under 6 lbs for now until I put the Cervellati pad on it, 28” barrels, shot a 95 with it in my first registered match. The Sarasqueta Model 3, 6.25 lbs, 27.5” barrels, open & IC, still puts up a good score even with double triggers, proven in the field though only one season.

But I think the cake topper today is my 1921 Gr 1.5 Flues. 6.5 lbs, 26” barrels, double triggers, open & modified, chambers lengthened. This was my first real grouse gun and I made some amazing shots with it over a beloved setter. She has only recently come back from the smith for a new top lever. The stock needs repair, though I have wood for a restock which is high priority. Because of it I had to learn to reload, which has turned into a blessing. Even with the original stock, I recently shot some decent scores using 7/8 oz low pressure loads in RGLs. Once the “ functional restoration” is complete, which includes a restock and reblue, I will take it afield again in homage to my beloved setter for some woodcock & grouse. I love the feeling of shooting a classic American made gun from the halcyon days of gun making, and I look forward to being able to shoot it whenever I feel the urge. But I really look forward to burying my setters ashes in her favorite cover and then hunting with it in that cover one more time…

I have to vote for my Ithaca M37, made in 1946 with pre war wood, fits me like a glove and swings so sweet, citori lightning gr 3 comes in second

Joined: 07 Mar 2010 Posts: 488 Location: South Eastern PA

My custom Fox is my hands down favorite. 15 1/8 LOP, 28 and 30 inch barrels, Straight stock with cast on for my lefty mitts.

Second place goes to my custom Browning Citori's.