16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 92

A nice 16 Gauge write-up and history:

https://www.rockislandauction.com/riac-blog/16-gauge-shotgun-for-sale?utm_source=Rock+Island+Auction+News&utm_campaign=2140ede5c2-2024.09.13+308+vs+3006&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1f4b8db853-f049ba699e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1457 Location: Denver, Colorado

Nice summary, thank you.

cass,

Nice article, thanks for posting. The little blip about the 16 gauge gun being real popular in the old days is absolutley true, from the late 1800's up until the early 1930's our family purchased more 16 gauge guns than any other kind. It's one of the reasons I have so many 16 gauge good Grouse guns in my possession, and in these modern time i have added to the number myself. Our family has hunted Grouse for that many years and more, the 16 gauge gun was the gun of choice then and still is with me today. Recently purchase another nice 16 gauge L. C. Smith 16 gauge gun to add to the collection. A Field Grade gun made in 1929 in almost pristine condition.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Our pre 1913 L.C. Smith 2 barrel set Special Order double gun, with Kraus engraving and incredible French Walnut wood. One of the very best 16 gauge sidelock guns ever made.

Joined: 12 Sep 2010 Posts: 1984 Location: Maine

If you read the article, you'll see that not only is it a nicely done ad for their upcoming sales, but the renewed popularity of the 16 is all social media's fault.

Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 92

It is advertising of course, but even so they produce some interesting articles and videos.

As a kid in Kansas in the 50's and early 60's I listened to a lot of older gentlemen having discussions about shotguns and hunting. Whenever the words "16 gauge" were spoken there were always nods and a serious tone of respect. It was quite a few years later before I got to handle one and own one myself, but that tone of respect always stuck with me.

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1457 Location: Denver, Colorado

A 16 is a compromise, bottom line. But...the best possible compromise IMHO.

Joined: 21 Jan 2019 Posts: 56 Location: Indiana

Nice article.

I can't help but wonder - was there an Automatic 1-4 made as prototypes before the A5?

BD

Gentlemen,

If you are a Grouse and Woodcock hunter the 16 gauge gun is high on the priority list of double guns to own and use. IMO there is no better grouse gun than a 16 gauge Classic double gun. The handling, carrying and shooting abilities speak for themselves in the Grouse woods now and in the past. It was to bad Skeet was set up negating a true competition sport for the 16 gauge or IMO it would still be one of the most popular gauge gun ever made. As a Grouse hunter, there is no finer gun gauge, especially now with the fantastic RST shells available.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

L.C. Smith 16 gauge Hammer Gun and the true double Grouse taken with it.
IMO the most sporting way to Grouse hunt.
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Joined: 27 Jan 2016 Posts: 510 Location: Oswego, Kansas

Back in the early days of skeet tournaments the 16 had it's own category. But trying to shoot five gauge events in a weekend was too much and the sixteen was dropped because it was close enough to the twelve in performance they saw no reason to have a seperate class for it. for many years people shot their sixteens in twelve gauge events. Of course now many people shoot their 20's in 12ga events to use the same gun as in their other events.

Byron W,

What you say is true however it really hurt the 16 gauge sales very badly when the rules were changed after only a few year. It definitely was a bad move on the rules committee for sure. Still every big time Grouse hunter in the USA used the 16 gauge gun, these classic double guns were made so well that they have been handed down thru the generations, further adding to the lack of sales for new 16 game guns. Most of mine are over 100 years old and they still work like the day they were made. I have to admit the guns get used for every different bird hunting adventure we paicipate in.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Our latest 16 gauge L.C. Smith purchase, a 1929 Field Grade in almost pristine condition. It is the most recent made L.C. Smith double gun we now own, the Walnut stocks have never needed refinishing. Great Grouse & Woodcock double guns. This particular gun was ordered for Quail hunting in Georgia back in 1929.