Which Shotgun?

[Percussion Pete]

I'm just getting into CAS, and i'm still thinking of which guns I want to use. Frontiersman is all i'm interested in shooting. When I was young I was very competitive. Not so much now at 67. I'm after the experience of doing it as it was really done.

My choice of revolvers is two Uberti 1860's. My choice of a rifle is a Uberti 1866 Yellowboy. I've fallen in love with that gun. I have no choice for a shotgun and that is my question. What would fit for me. Considering my goal of being as realistic as I can. Shooting fast is not a goal. Hitting the targets and having fun is my goal. Hopefully, i'll meet some pards with the same outlook.

I think the hardest part for me will be looking at shooters using two hands and using light smokeless loads. is that shooting like an 1800's cowboy? My problem though and i'll deal with it. I probably would have done the same thing if I was young and trying to win. 

Also, any other suggestings you have to help me get where I want to go is appreciated. 

[W. Stick McCullough]

 Maybe it's just my way of thinking, but I'd go for a double. With the 2 '60's and a '66 using an '87 or '97 just doesn't fit, or at least I don't think it does. I'd go for longer barrels, something around 26-28 inchers.

[Major 2]

Your battery is similar to mine.....

1860's and/or their conversions and Henry's

I advise the TTn mule ear SXS ( I have the coach gun, but 26" barrels are offered )
The gun is TANK tuff....

Taylor's , EMF, & Cimarron carry them, as does some others.


another choice is the Rossi mule ear SXS ( no longer produced ) can be found on Gun-broker from time to time .

Baikal (Russian) was imported by Remington (they have not had them lately) and it not a true mule hammered but rather cocking levers.

Lastly, and I steer you clear  the Turkish guns  Liberty, Liberty II, ADCO etal
Nice,  pricey too.... BUT parts are a nightmare as in NADA  

Do a search on this BB for the TTn....you'll see many testimonials and favorable opinions

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Your current firearms are all pre-1870 and that begs for a nice long-barreled hammered double scattergun.

Take a look around the SASS Wire and gunbroker.  There are always a few of these for sale.

I was on the SASS wire yesterday and a guy had just posted a Rossi hammered double with 26" barrels at a good price (I think it was under $400).

As Major2 noted, the TTNs are popular and reliable.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Have you already bought your pistols? Getting started in CAS with Cap & Ball revolvers is not really a great idea. If you are proficient with them. I suppose you will do OK. But for a new shooter, fussing with loading the cylinders and then getting the caps on the nipples at the loading table can be frustrating. Some shooters look at C&B pistols as a low cost entry into CAS, but the reality is shooting cartridge guns is much easier.

Don't get me wrong, I love C&B guns, I bought my first C&B pistol way back in 1968. But for CAS I prefer cartridges.

[Percussion Pete]

Thanks Pards.
For sure I want a hammered double, and I  don't want to go any later than mid 60's with all my guns. I wanted to make sure I bought a reliable shotgun that didn't cost a fortune to keep working.

Driftwood..... I know what you're saying about C&B revolvers, but I love them and want to shoot Frontiersman. I'm pretty comfortable with them and I can load pretty fast. To me, a full load of BP in a Colt C&B is a thrill that will never get boring. As I said in my first post. I'm after the experience. Not winning at any cost. Big booms and lots of smake to keep everybody awake is my goal.

I'm think I might have some warthog in me.

[Cat Brules]

The double barreled gun is the closest, authenticity-wise, to the guns your currently have.  However, that may not matter to you.

I beleive that the Win 97 is the fastest gun as far as loading on the clock and shooting, however, I have seen shooters handle the double gun just as  fast.  The thing for you to do is to approach the other shooters and ask if they will allow you to examine, handle and, possibly, shoot the other guns to see what you think.  I like them all.

I have all three guns, the original Win 97 (there are reproductions), the IAC/Norinco Win Model 1887 lever gun reproduction and a heavy IAC/Norinco Model 99 coach-style  (short barreled) doubles gun.  There are lighter-weight reproduction doubles guns out there and the weight doesn't bother me because I find the weight contributes to ease of handling the gun. 

The lever gun is a lot of fun to shoot!  Since none of the reproduction guns are made as well as the original Winchesters, they are a bit more stiff in the action.  Some gunsmiths can smooth these up pretty well.

I AM NOT a fan of the Italian-made Puma Model 1887 lever gun because it is not made, in my opinion, as closely to the original as the IAC/Norinco and it is DOUBLE (DOUBLE) the cost.  There is a lot of advertising hype out there on the Puma.  You CAN load two shells into any of the 1887's very quickly, without any modifications.  That includes the original Winchesters, the IAC/Norinco and the Puma and this is REGARDLESS of the advertising hype you may see or hear out there to the contrary......don't believe otherwise.

[Will Penny]

I shoot a old Parker hammer gun, black powder loads of course, I have 2 of them one is a hammerless, been in the family since in the 20s and the hammer gun, love shooting them, full length barrels, all original..contrary to what some say, shooting black powder loads in a Damascus barreled shotgun is OK, I shoot 1 oz of 2 ff and 1 oz of 7 1/2 get my wads from circle fly....look around and see what you can find, why support some foreign country when you can buy old American shotguns to shoot..

[Percussion Pete]

Thanks Pards.  

[Fairshake]

What did you end up with there Pete? I hope you found a good TTN. I got my first C&B in 1971 when working in a gun store which was a 1858 Remington. After shooting the first cylinder and reloading I figured out real quick why the old cowboys were killed by the Indians. No way to reload that revolver with some one coming at you. I hope you enjoy SASS and stay on the DARKSIDE!!

[Percussion Pete]

What did you end up with there Pete? I hope you found a good TTN. I got my first C&B in 1971 when working in a gun store which was a 1858 Remington. After shooting the first cylinder and reloading I figured out real quick why the old cowboys were killed by the Indians. No way to reload that revolver with some one coming at you. I hope you enjoy SASS and stay on the DARKSIDE!!

I'll always be on the dark side. I love the smell/smoke too much.

I had trouble with my Jeep, and had to put the shotgun on hold for now. I'm still looking.

I have about 5lbs of BP to keep me busy. The 1860 Colts are breaking in nice.

[Fairshake]

If you want a SXS that is one of the best hammer guns then buy one from Joel Rezac. TTN sold out to EMF and went to work for them. The list is $495 and Joel sold me my gun for $431 delivered. It is one of the best guns out there. It is a copy of the 1878 Colt. The EMF copy comes with the large front sight and is broke in to open out of the box. The hammers are just 3/4 of a inch apart and make for easy cocking. With this shotgun you can shoot any class you want. You can also shoot NCOWS matches. It also has American Walnut stocks on it. It is made in China but the fit and finish is as good as any gun made. If you decide to talk to Joelhe can be reached at 402-784-3557. His web is Ultona.com Take Care David

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

If you want a SXS that is one of the best hammer guns then buy one from Joel Rezac. TTN sold out to EMF and went to work for them. The list is $495 and Joel sold me my gun for $431 delivered. It is one of the best guns out there. It is a copy of the 1878 Colt. The EMF copy comes with the large front sight and is broke in to open out of the box. The hammers are just 3/4 of a inch apart and make for easy cocking. With this shotgun you can shoot any class you want. You can also shoot NCOWS matches. It also has American Walnut stocks on it. It is made in China but the fit and finish is as good as any gun made. If you decide to talk to Joelhe can be reached at 402-784-3557. His web is Ultona.com Take Care David

       + 1 more, I agree the TTN is a fine shotgun, and built like a tank, and E.M.F. is a fine company to do business with, you can't go wrong with this gun.....

         Regards

       tEN wOLVES

[Percussion Pete]

If you want a SXS that is one of the best hammer guns then buy one from Joel Rezac. TTN sold out to EMF and went to work for them. The list is $495 and Joel sold me my gun for $431 delivered. It is one of the best guns out there. It is a copy of the 1878 Colt. The EMF copy comes with the large front sight and is broke in to open out of the box. The hammers are just 3/4 of a inch apart and make for easy cocking. With this shotgun you can shoot any class you want. You can also shoot NCOWS matches. It also has American Walnut stocks on it. It is made in China but the fit and finish is as good as any gun made. If you decide to talk to Joelhe can be reached at 402-784-3557. His web is Ultona.com Take Care David

That sounds like the winner. I think Cimarron sells that gun too. Does Joel do some work on his that Cimarron doesn't have?