New Shotgun Fun

[Coffinmaker]

Well, after hi-jacking another Shotgun post and resolving the issues with the economy and the status of world peace ....
I ordered a new shotgun.  Pedersoli "Wyatt Earp" hammer double.  I have my fingers crossed it's worth the price.  They ain't cheap!!!
Soooooooo ..... it should be here Monday.  I'll shoot it Monday (Weather permitting).  Then I'll let you all know whether or not is worth the money.  Or .......... offer it for sale if it isn't real wonderful

Coffinmaker

[Pettifogger]

That's great!  I'm really looking forward to your review and your impressions on the internals and how easy it will be to tune it for competition.  I've got a CZ and it looks nice, but I've decided to leave it 100% stock.  Don't think it is really suitable as a prime competition gun.

[Coffinmaker]

Pettifogger,

I've been inside a few CZz and must agree.  Not much point to working on them for CAS.  Real nice on the outside, crunchy on the inside.
I'll keep ya posted on the Pedersoli.  My fingers are crossed.

Coffinmaker 

[Coffinmaker]

Well ....... Here we go Steelers Here we go ......... Not quite.  Bummer.  However, the "Doc Holliday" by Pedersoli is an entirely different matter.  This is one really nice shotgun.  Wood to metal fit is perfect.  Metal to metal is perfect.  The machine work is ....... WOW.  The stock and fore end are real walnut with a nice pleasant dull finish.  Butt Plate is steel, blued and the fit is perfect ..... to the gun.  The gun is too long for me.  I'll have to cut the stock and install a recoil pad.
The barrels fall open smoothly, not like a worn gun.  The hammer ears are tall and well checkered.  The color case is tasteful yet subdued.  The barrels are choked, mod and improved mod.  The triggers are pretty much inline and do not have to be switched for CAS.  Big brassy front bead.  Fired cases fall out.

Now, the not so wow.  The main springs belong under a Dodge Ram.  The right side hammer interferes with the opening lever.  Thats it.  Thats all the bad.  Tomorrow I'll contact VTI to get a "safety set" of main springs, then I'll take care of the heavy main springs.  The inside edge of the right side hammer is the most inconspicuous place to remove a little metal to fix the interference between it and the opening lever.  Diamond File.

I really like this shotgun!! (Good thing too, I bought it!!)

Coffinmaker

[Pettifogger]

When you get a chance will you post a picture of the lockwork?  I'm wondering if it would be possible to convert to coil.  Sure sounds good so far.  No one locally has any, but I expect one of the dealers at Winter Range will have them.  Just gave it a quick look at the SHOT Show.  Will look more closely now.

[Coffinmaker]

Sure!!  I've never learned how to post a picture though.  How do you do that.

When I took the gun apart I was just looking to see what would be required to reduce the main springs.  It isn't going to be hard, but I like to have a set of factory spring handy in case of an "oops."  I didn't think to look for a coil conversion.  Interesting idea though.

Don't know if you'll see any at WR.  Dixie is the prime distributor here on the left side of the country and they don't offer any dealer prices.  One price fits all so there is virtually NO profit for other dealers.  Still ....... a really nice shotgun!

Coffinmaker

[Pettifogger]

Dixie is usually a vendor at WR.  I'll check them out if they bring any with them.
As far as a picture, took me a WHILE to figure it out too.  You need a free image hosting site like Photobucket.  http://photobucket.com/  You import whatever picture you want from your computer into Photobucket and then copy it from Photobucket and insert it into your post.  After you have done it once or twice it really isn't to bad to figure out after that.

[Fox Creek Kid]

You two are like a couple of little schoolgirls fawning over this scattergun. You made me Google it to see what the fuss is!!   

[Coffinmaker]

Well .... I've managed to call it by two different names (short term memory shot) and it's a "Wyatt Earp" ...... Not a Doc Holliday.  I fixed the interference between the release lever and the right hammer.  It now drops open quite nicely.  I'm resisting the temptation to attack the the main springs until I get a stock set just for safety.  VTI had the springs and it ain't just the gun thats expensive.

FCK ........ Well ....... when your my age, you gotta fawn over someting you can actually reach out and touch (without jail time ).  This shotgun is "it" this week.  Actually considering my finances, the next month at least.  Man is this thing NICE!!

Now I gotta get me set up to post some pictures.

Coffinmaker

[Abilene]

I see in the ads that it comes with or without the "Wyatt Earp" name on the side.  Nice to have that choice.  Coffinmaker, since the price on this gun is probably close to the Pioneer doubles, how do you think this one compares to them (knowing that you have at least had the Pioneer in your hand before)?  I do think the Pedersoli "looks" more cowboy than the Pioneer.

[Coffinmaker]

Abilene,

Pretty close.  The wood on the Pedersoli is nicer.  The fit of both guns is superb.  I did NOT like the hammers on the Pioneer.  The Pioneer hammers were too small, Too far apart and too low.  They were also at a bad angle.  Pioneer is suppose to be fixing the hammers.  I haven't seen a new build Pioneer yet.
I don't feel the "Wyatt Earp" logo on the side is a detraction.  Don't even notice it beyond 4 feet.  There is an awful lot to like about the Pedersoli.  It ain't cheap.  But I think it's fair priced for what you get.

Coffinmaker

[Pettifogger]

I've been looking at a Pioneer.  Phenomenal quality, fit and finish.  And it has without doubt the smoothest lightest outside hammer pulls I have ever felt and it comes that way out of the box.  They are wide-set  so I'm anxious to see how the Pedersoli tunes up.  I'm going to try and cut back on my gun accumulation, but do want one good outside hammer double.  I can trade for the Pioneer so I am thinking about it.  If all else fails I'll pick up a Chicom 1878 now that Cimarron is getting some more.

[Coffinmaker]

I've got two Chicom '78s.  There actually good guns.  Tune up well and I personally think they are the best value for dollar for a CAS hammer double.  One of the guns is plain jane, the other a Cimarron CCH receiver.  I like 'em both.  I've just lusted for a high end double for a while.

Coffinmaker

PS:  If your going to run them "fast" you gotta take the little decorative "horns" off the hammer.  The little horns will slice you up like  a ham steak.  There REAL sharp!!

[Pettifogger]

"PS:  If your going to run them "fast" you gotta take the little decorative "horns" off the hammer.  The little horns will slice you up like  a ham steak.  There REAL sharp!!" 

If you run them slow you have to remove those things.  They are downright dangerous.  Looks like they just turned up a chip with a mill; razor sharp.

[Montana Slim]

I see Dixie Gun Works has the pedersoli on sale right now for only $1050...but it only comes with short barrels.
The Pioneer is around $1500 if you want the (IMO better) 24" barrels. This gun is built like a tank...I would have bought one back when they were first introduced (cheap @ $400)...but, they only offered the 18 1/2" barrels at that time.

I have one of the Chinese (Jing?) hamemred doubles...paid $189 for it (7+ years ago). Works real well after spending a day or two polishing the bores, lightening & tightening the action, stock, etc.

Regards,
Slim

[Pettifogger]

Whatever happened with this gun?  Did it clean up nice and could you get the hammer pulls down to a easy to cock level?

[Coffinmaker]

Well Shucks ........ I forgot to come back on this one   The Pedersoli "Wyatt Earp" cleans up really well.  So really well, that other than working on the springs and cutting the stock for a pad, there just wasn't much to do.  I ordered a set of "Oh Poop" springs from VTI, just in case.  Have to send 'em back, wrong springs but couldn't resist working over the springs anyway.  The springs are now light enough to make cocking a breeze and heavy enough for no failure to fire.  Fired hulls just drop out and the gun opens with ease.  The triggers are set up so the second trigger is right behind the first trigger so I saw no reason to do a "switch trigger" on this gun.  It shoots a treat.
I haven't cut it yet, but will as soon as the temperature in my wood shop is above "refrigerator."  Just too cold yet.  I also have to make some handgun blanks so I really wish "cold" would go away.
After I add the pad, this will definitely be my new "main match" shotgun!!!  In fact, if it doesn't warm up soon, I'll just shot it without the pad
Well worth the money.

Coffinmaker

[Fox Creek Kid]

Well, post some photos of this gem Grandpa.