Looking at 16ga

[Picher]

I owned desirable 1100 variant ie 16ga 26" VR IC for a while. According to barrel code it was employee purchase gun. Maybe that's the reason it came in at 7&1/4lb as early 70s literature suggested. Most were heavier than that. The 70s vintage light 20s with mahogany wood were actually pretty nice guns.

The 12 gauge, straight-stocked one I have has a mahogany stock and 21" barrel. It's taken lots of grouse and a few ducks, but it's mostly relegated to home defense these days.

 

[somethingbenign]

Well I think I found my gun IF I go new over used. Was at a LGS over a long lunch and saw that Franchi now makes their Instinct SL in 16. If I don't find anything better used before I save up the cash I'll probably go that route. Anyone have any information I should know about the Instinct SL?

 

[FL-NC]

I know a few old school quail and pheasant hunters that swear by it in their doubles and A5's. I just don't think its really practical, but I also believe strongly in the concepts like function and multi-use capability in all things. This is why the 2 shotguns I hunt with consist of a Mossberg 930 auto and a rem 870 express, both with 28" duck barrels as well as shorter turkey barrels, screw in chokes, hideous but functional plastic camo furniture, and of course 3" magnum capability.

 

[gunlaw]

I love my Stevens 311 16 gauge. Won a lot of money shooting trap with my Jed Clampet gun.

 

[DocRock]

There are only two reasons to own a 16 ga today: you have found a properly scaled gun built in a 16 or 20 vs frame so it's a light and dynamic gun, and it's a deal.

As noted above, up through the Fifties, 16ga was very popular. The "square load" and the lighter-than-12 carry made it an ideal upland bird gun. If you can find one of the American classics so built, a Parker, an LC Smith, a Lefever, a Winchester, or an Ithaca for example, it's worth it. A clunky, tank-built 16, or some semi-auto built on a 12 ga receiver? Why bother? Get a 20 that has all the benefits plus a vast range of cheap ammo.

 

[George P]

Some tech guy will be along. I have an 1897 in 16ga that I enjoy shooting very much. I find Fiocchi ammo easy to find.
I have a 20 and a 12 and have no difficulty with any. However, I think I would be in trouble with 28 or 410.

I SERIOUSLY doubt that gun has 2-3/4" chambers; by shooting 2-3/4" ammo, you are really putting a lot of dangerous stress on that gun.

 

[Scribner]

Please see the article on the 16ga.com Forum. Using 2 3/4” shells does not dangerously raise pressures. I have a couple “Golden Oldies” myself & I avoid heavy loads in my 1905 - 1920 guns because I don’t want to chance damage to the old wood.

97’s after some time in 1930 came with 2 3/4” chambers.

 

[whughett]

The Browning Auto-5, AKA Sweet 16 has always been on my wish list for an auto loading shotgun. Several on GunBroker. Quality gun, unfortunately quality prices also. I just liked the looks of that square back.

 

[somethingbenign]

So I'm putting the hold on this dream for awhile. Wife got into hunting and decided she just had to start with waterfowl. All gun money is going into decoys, waders, and a more suitable waterfowl gun for now.