Shotguns

[Chris F.]

I am looking for a new 12 Gauge side by side. We don't have any decent gun dealers in my town. I've been looking at Cabela's gun library. Does anyone own an Italian shotgun made by Fausti? If so, what are your opinions. Thanks, Chris F.

 

[fatrap]

Chris

Fausti Stepfano makes a fine shotgun in and about the $1000 range maybe a little more for a SxS. I personally have seen just a couple. Nice lock up and fine wood. Reciever had some nice bird scene engraving. Pretty good deal for that price range. I belive they use either Bretta or Benilli chokes. But whatever, they'd be easy to find.

The low end is the Stoger. They are "Clubs" but they work good and you can always use them to beat the animal to death if wounded. We sell quite a few of these but they IMO are butt ugly.

If you can find a Classic Winchester 101 that'd be a nice catch too. SKB makes a dynamite SxS if you can find one of them. SxS's don't have a huge following something I don't really know why. Many of the makers don't have a huge selection of them.

fatrap

 

[Greg Meyer]

Mike,



The "Classic Winchester 101" is a very delicate machine... Ask around the gunsmiths at your store and others... Especially delicate is the opening lever because both firing pins pass through it... When they break they are a real bear to fix...



Browning and copies are good as are the SKBs...



My favorites in OU is Beretta and copies.



That said, I have no knowledge or experience with the Faustis beyond admiring them in a store...



Mine are Miroku (Charles Daley imports and Browning Superposed copies) and I have one that has been my Pheasent gun for 35+ years...

 

[Chris F.]

I have Ithica SxS and love it. I was looking at the Fautsi Stefano Style. It has an English stock double triggers and only weighs 6 and a half pounds. I have read the field report on Cabela's web site and it seems to have tested good. I was just looking for someone who may have or shot one. Chris F.

 

[fatrap]

can't help you there Chis.







Greg I know of the problems on the 101. The Mossberg silver reserve has similar problems. But if you use it the right way you don't have broken pins and scored metal.



Finding a shotgun that fits you and swings well is most the battle. Everyone is a bit different Chris. Double triggers are great providing you don't have to have heavy gloves on. Getting that rear trigger with thick gloves can be a challenge.

fatrap

 

[Greg Meyer]

Mike,



Over the years I have had numerous opportunities to see 101's with spinning levers... They are very thin because of the way the metal is shaped to allow the two angled firing pins to pass through the center of the break open lever. It looks like a section of drill rod that has had an hourglass cut out of the center. Way too little metal is left...



Then some guy gets a couple of swollen reloads and thinks that it won't open because the lever hasn't been "turned" enough and "viola" those two little thin pieces of metal left break and the lever spins...



Very nice shotgun except for that one little flaw... And, that is really operator error. It's "opened" but the cases have swollen so the lever doesn't need extra "umfff", its the break open that needs a real knee in the middle and a soft turn on the lever... Oh well...

 

[Mike Eddy]

I have a Stoeger (Austrian/Brazil) Coach Gun. 20 inch barrel - 12 guage - kicks like a p.o.ed mule - but definitely your friend in a serious social situation.



Quality seems pretty good - but no frills.



I think they make one with a longer barrel - google it and you'll find all kinds ogf info.



Mike E.