What's a good single shot 12 or 20 gauge?

Status
Not open for further replies.
2

240SX

member
Joined
Jun 18, 2008
Messages
167
Location
Alabama
I've been shop'n around for a single shot, perferablely a 12 gauge but a 20 would be alright...to keep in my truck and to use to dove hunting. I used to use a single barrel 20 gauge when I was a kid and I was a crack shot with that gun...birds never had a chance.

But if anyone could recomment a make/model that would be great. BTW: I'm not look'n so spend alot on this gun. Thanks all! :)
 
H&R/NEF

Not sure of their recent models, but I've got an old H&R in .410 that I've had since I was 10 years old. Goes bang every time and handles nice.

NEF's can be had at Walmart (the ones that still sell guns) for not much more than 100.00.
 
If you can find an old Ithaca Model 66 SuperSingle, that gets my vote. I have one in 20 Gauge, and it handles surprisingly well. Looks unique, also. Cost me $50 (this is a picture of one in new condition; mine is not that pristine, but it's not trashed, either).

wp651.jpg


If you want to buy one NIB, the H&R/NEF guns are my choice.
 
I've been looking at the Remington Spartan, they come in 12, 20, & .410 gauge. Anyone heard/shot one of these? Found one for a little more than $100 (new).

Thanks for the input, I'll check into those H&R and NEF...much appreciated!
 
The Spartans are Baikals (Russian maker). I've seen a few single shots, generally trap versions. They seem to work okay.
 
Fixurgun, I live about 50 miles outside of Huntsville and about the same for Chatanooga, TN...but in the middle of no where! LOL

So the Spartans are getting a big no. H&G and NEF??? What do these usually run for new/used? Thanks for all the input all!
 
When I turned 12 my dad took me to wal-mart and bought me a (then) $69 NEF 12ga. with a mod choke. I hunted with it exclusively until I could afford to buy my own guns. Many many clay pigeons, squirrel, rabbit, dove, quail, and deer were taken down before the blue started wearing and it was retired to safe duty. There is no way to even estimate how many rounds have been through it and it is still one of my favorite spring tree rat killers (when the weather is dry).
 
MY first gun was a 20 gauge NEF single-shot. I bought it a few years ago for $99 brand new. Last summer, I traded it toward an H&R (same company as NEF) Handi-rifle, with two 20 gauge barrels (smooth and rifled) as well as a .30-30 barrel.

I would suggest looking on the H&R website and getting a Handi-rifle. Then you can get additional shotgun or rifle barrels in basically any caliber you want. It's like getting a whole other gun for under $100.

Josh
 
I hunted with an old 20 gauge single shot when I was a kid. It was my grandfather...never knew what make it was, but it was made in 1919. One of the best shotguns I've ever shot (single anyhow).

I have 2 Remington 870s' that I use for bird & duck hunting. I'm wanting a decent, yet affordable single shot. I'd like a 12, as I may have already mentioned, but a 20 would be alright too. I'm going to use keep in in my truck and use it for bird hunting & house protection...however I have plenty of guns for that. Let's just say, you wouldn't want to enter my home uninvited/break'n in. Rock salts a bitch, and having 2 handguns aimed at you...well let's say you'd be in a world of *****. LOL!!!
 
Baikal/Spartan....I've got one in 20ga. that lives at my front door.....very simple, very rugged....the only plastic to the gun, and probably the only part not machined from a steel forging, is the trigger guard which might be directly interchangeable with a steel guard from one of the doubles....as far as references go, in Australia where stations/ranches are limited to one gun and replacements hard to get, the Baikals are very popular.....
 
I checked the H&K web site. The Pardner sounds like a good gun, I do like the one with the screw-in choke. Thanks Dirty Bob, compact is definately a good thing.

Does anyone know anything about Rossi's single barrel shotguns? I was check them out, but I've heard bad things about their firearms in the past.

Thanks again you guys for all the info and suggestions. I really appreciate it! If you have any questions about CZs or Ruger...let me know, I'm pretty knowlegeable with CZ handguns, Ruger .22 pistols as well as the infamous 10/22, and their 9mms...in particually P95.
 
I've become very taken with the single-shots and have picked up a couple of HR/NEF (my recommendation). The Rossi's seem OK (I've never fired one) but in my experience the H&Rs I've looked at seem "tighter" as a rule with less play when the gun is broken open. Also, I don't like that little toggle safety on the Rossi. I could live with it but it doesn't appeal to me. The Spartans seem interesting but I prefer the little thumb-operated opening lever on the HR/NEF and Rossi guns over the trigger-guard opening of the Spartans. Seems easier and slicker to me. Also, the offerings of both the Spartans and Rossi guns are fewer than H&R/NEF. Prices are very close on all of them. I bought a screw-in choke 3" synthetic stocked NEF and later bought a 3 1/2 inch wood stocked screw-in choke because it is a bit heavier and I like the way the wooden stock fits me better than the synthetic. YMMV. The synthetic was cheaper at Walmart.
 
Alrighty then...I think I'll be look for a Pardner 12, I hope I can find one in a gunshop, used for less than a $100...depending on the condition of the firearm.

Once again, I'd like to thank you all for the information, recomendations, and suggestion. - 240SX
 
Be advised Remington has closed the NEF Gardner plant, and that the NEF has a plastic trigger group housing, that the transfer bars are a known weakness, and that the shotguns are iron-framed, rather than steel, as in the rifle frames....otherwise, an excellent choice, and I've owned several.....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Hog huntin Harry
  • Locked
20 gauge vs 12 gauge recoil
2
Replies
41
Views
7K
kudu
kudu
Macchina
  • Locked
Looking for a decent beater 20 gauge pump?
Replies
17
Views
1K
mokin
mokin
P
  • Locked
Single shot shotgun recommendations
2
Replies
26
Views
3K
Bradshaw
B
1
  • Locked
Recommend Single Shot Shotgun
Replies
19
Views
2K
sbarkowski
S
D
  • Locked
What About The 20 Gauge?...
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
Otherguy Overby
O
Back
Top