I met the great Bill Jordan at a show years ago. Somebody was boasting about buying a NIB Smith& Wesson from a very brief production run and in a even rarer configuration. He said he had it locked up for safety. Jordan looked at him with a cocked head and asked " why are you curating something for a future stranger's benefit? I'd take it out and shoot it! " I once shot a .600 Nitro express double. The single round alone cost @ $100. I found myself standing 3 feet back from where I thought I was with a bloody nose. I reciprocated by letting the owner rapidfire my Webly-Fosbury. A local collector was seen turning purple in apoplexy <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'LL BET!!!

I guess I can SORT of understand, kinda' like getting the wife a piece of jewelry, then keeping it locked up in a safety deposit box, but I just can't seem to shake the distinction between shooters and investments.

Troy

The great Bill Jordan of ?No Second Place Winner? fame. I would like to have met the man and shook his hand. A true legend in the shooting sports. He was right up there with Elmer Keith ?Hell I was there?, Ed McGivern ?Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting? and Jeff Cooper ?The Art of the Rifle.? I bought a S&W M19 with a 4? barrel because of his book. It was a good gun but too loud. I was a revolver man but have since switched to Glocks for serious purposes. I still have a NAA mini-revolver in .22 magnum. Another wonderful gun!

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Re "why would you need a firearm so big? Also is the fact that if one has a firearm then one has the responsibility to be skillful with it and not just OK."

Not everyone's experience is the same. I shoot thousands of shotgun shells per year, but haven't fired a Mk II in several years. Therefore, given the choice of what to have with me in an unpleasant situation, I'd prefer a shotgun. Pretty much that simple.

You may be "more than OK" with a Mk II; I happen to be "more than OK" with a shotgun. I don''t have a pilot's license or a flight bag and my BoB is in the truck, so why wouldn't I want to add an 870 to my truck kit? (Wouldn't mind a MK II, too, but the wallet can only stretch so far, so fast.)

Being a shotgunner doesn't make anyone "wambo" any more than than being a lover of the .22 makes anyone a gentleman, a sportsman or a marksman.

To each his own.

And as to gathering small game, I'm fairly sure that pheasant will be on the menu in the homes of my family and friends come Thanksgiving. If I can't put it there, my brothers can! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Rand,
If you like the idea of a pump carbine in .357, you might want to check out the IMI Timberwolf. Here's a site:
http://www.remtek.com/arms/imi/
Seems like it might be a fun and versatile gun, and I believe IMI has a good reputation for quality arms, no?
Honestly, though, I have no idea about it's availability or price.
Mark

The late Rex Allen lived near me for many years. My local gunshop took delivery of a highly engraved, inlaid and ivory handled Ruger for him. I heard he was coming down and ran home for a cherry red vinal album of his. He had previously signed it waaaaaaaaaay back during Disney's early years. He saw the album and sadly noted the scotchtaped cover was as beat up as he was. Then he noticed the older autograph and described my mother's dress she wore that day. The ornate Ruger was presented, Mr Allen picked it up and to the crowds horror SPUN the cylinder and bought a box of ammo for it! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

MGF I agree with you whole heartedly and if I sounded like one was better than the other, that was not my intention. The intention was to bring to the table another alternative and some educated reasons why this alternative works to someone who was thinking of adding a firearm to their BOB. No matter what firearm a person has they should be skilled with it and comfortable. The placement and size of the BOB is a consideration I will also agree with. Mine is ready to go or on my back and very "Hike-ish" looking, but very light since I don't spend a lot of time in a car. But in all, these are my opinions and I never take it personal if somebody thinks different. It's good and creates brainstorming, but mainly it opens up more choices for one to decide what would work for them to be safe.

No offense taken. I just do love wingshooting and good double guns.

And, to be honest, I work in an office full of urban PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. who think I'm some sort of nut because I own a gun or two and love Brittanies and setters and Labs.

I think I need a new job in a more rural locale. The city is making me twitchy.

Yes we Yanks greave for our English brethren who allowed their God given rights to be trampled on!

Two words: head shots.

but, re. this whole silly line on .45s: can you possibly concieve of how much game was taken all over the world with black powder loadings of .45-70, or .45 cal muzzel loaders? The ballistic performance of a modern .45 ACP is far greater than that wonderful old cartridge. As for the 1911, many, many of these weapons are more accurate than a trapdoor springfield ever thought about being.

The difference is the package and the shooter: can you hit a 4-6" circle at 50 yards over and over and over, If not, don't handgun hunt, if so, go for it.