Turkey Hunters Trending To Smaller Gauge Shotguns

Above, the Mossberg 500E shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few years ago, I discovered a Mossberg 500E .410 Pump Shotgun that was in a gun case my dad left. I didn't know I had it until I unzipped the case.

I took it out to the shooting range not too long after and I worked great. 

It appears that people in my age group (I'm at the "youthful" age of 72) are moving towards .410 shotguns for turkey hunting. 

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette posted an article on this.

It begins with:

Willie Johnston of Hamburg is a traditionalist hunter, but he embraces the .410-bore shotgun for turkey hunting.

Johnston, 72, represents an evolution in the turkey hunting retail market. An older demographic of hunters is gravitating to smaller, lighter guns with less recoil.

Johnston said he is impressed with the tight patterns his Stevens 301 prints at conventional turkey hunting distances. The red dot sight that came with the package assures him that his shot will be true.

"Wherever you put that dot is where it's going to hit," Johnston said. "You don't have to worry about pulling off or your sights not being aligned just right. Just put that dot on his head and shoot."

Nathan Dunn, owner of Dunn's Sporting Goods in Pevely, Mo., acknowledged the trend in the Midwest.

"The last few years we've sold a lot more sub-gauge guns, a lot of 20-gauges and a lot of .410," Dunn said. "A lot of hunters are getting older. They're tired of packing around that big 12-gauge."

To read the full article, go here. 

Classic Firearms Are Valued Assets

Above, my Winchester Model 12 shotgun made in 1919. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It used to be that firearms weren't considered investments, just tools for hunting and target shooting. All that has changed as firearms, especially the classics, are now seeing their values holding steady or rising. 

Today, many investors look at guns as valued assets for enhancing financial investment portfolios. 

This is the topic of an article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

They begin it with:

Some are more valuable than others, and collectible firearms can enhance a financial portfolio.

As with stocks, the trick is knowing what to buy, what to hold and when to sell. As with equities, some firearms are, excuse the pun, can't-miss propositions. Their value will increase with time, but others will experience dramatic spikes based on the currents that drive stock markets.

As with stocks, it's best to invest in blue chip firearms. Premium brands like Browning, Winchester and even Remington hold their values. Remington rifles and shotguns are especially desirable because of their scarcity. After a long period of financial turmoil, the company closed its factory in Ilion, N.Y., and moved production to Georgia. If Remington is making new firearms, they are not available in this region.

Personally, I have two firearms that are antiques. One is a Manton shotgun made in England in the early 1800s and a 115-year-old Winchester Model 12 shotgun. It was not my intent for them to be investments. The Manton was acquired by my dad and I inherited it. I bought the Winchester to use. But, since I do have them, they will remain in my collection.

To read the full article, go here.