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Brewster11
PostPosted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 9:48 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 08 Feb 2009
Posts: 1356
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.
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Pine Creek/Dave
PostPosted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 10:58 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2880
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa

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.
[url=https://ibb.co/kKqBQRL] [/url]

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"L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins

Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers
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jusanothajoe
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 4:27 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 08 Mar 2019
Posts: 46
Location: Alabama

Upland Gun Company Zeus 16ga.

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My wife lets me buy all the guns I can hide.
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df
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 4:53 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 979
Location: Minnesota

Grade III citori. I shoot it quite well.
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MSM2019
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 7:10 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 04 Mar 2019
Posts: 1914
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.


Last edited by MSM2019 on Mon Aug 12, 2024 7:15 am; edited 1 time in total

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Mark...You are entitled to your own opinion. You aren't entitled to your own facts.
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Lloyd3
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 7:12 am  Reply with quote



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

[url=https://imgur.com/v3iIEIm] [/url]

Birmingham-made, 1905, BLE, 5lbs14


Last edited by Lloyd3 on Mon Aug 12, 2024 7:19 am; edited 1 time in total

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Lloyd3
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 7:13 am  Reply with quote



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

[url=https://imgur.com/Dn4E7yr] [/url]

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.


Last edited by Lloyd3 on Mon Aug 12, 2024 8:31 am; edited 5 times in total

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fin2feather
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 7:30 am  Reply with quote
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Joined: 06 Aug 2004
Posts: 2182
Location: Kansas High Plains

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


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I feel a warm spot in my heart when I meet a man whiling away an afternoon...and stopping to chat with him, hear the sleek lines of his double gun whisper "Sixteen." - Gene Hill, Shotgunner's Notebook
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win7stw
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 7:38 am  Reply with quote



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.


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Browning 525 Sporting 16ga
Browning BPS Gr III 16ga
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Purple16
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 8:07 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 19 Jan 2019
Posts: 319
Location: Idaho & South Dakota

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.

[url=https://postimg.cc/ZWX8tZ6y] [/url]

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"A gun should be a thing of beauty, something which gives its owner pride and pleasure. For that reason, most men will buy the best gun they can afford. With a good gun on his arm, a man becomes a sporting gentleman, both on the field and off."
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Riflemeister
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 8:09 am  Reply with quote
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Joined: 27 Jun 2012
Posts: 1129

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.

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An elderly gentleman, his faithful dogs, and a 16 ga SXS. All is right with the world.
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DUKFVR
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 8:27 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 27 Aug 2020
Posts: 117
Location: SE TX Marsh and Young County Tx

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!
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Citori16
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 9:11 am  Reply with quote
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Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 378
Location: Too far south in New England

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…

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kennedy756
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 9:15 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 30 Sep 2015
Posts: 652
Location: NEW SALISBURY INDIANA

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

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16ga 3-Win 37
16ga Ithaca 37 1946
16ga Western Auto Revelation
16ga Browning A-5 1929
16ga Marlin 90 1939
16ga browning citori lightning grade 3 2003
16ga Francisque Darne 1920
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ROMAC
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 10:45 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 07 Mar 2010
Posts: 489
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.
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