Found One! Looking For Another

[Gatorjet]

In looking around various gun shows, and forums in a search to obtain some of the guns I started out with as a kid I'm 2/3's of the way there. The first shotgun I ever hunted with was my Dad's old Winchester 97. I found one that had been well used, but in good mechanical condition except for the ejector which was easy to find, and replace. The bonus of the deal was it was a package deal with a Model 12 20ga.,both for $400. The second shotgun I could call my very own was a Stevens 311 double in 16ga. I found one in excellent condition at a gun show, and just had to have it. Not an exceptional deal at $475, but not a terrible one for the shape it's in.

Now, for number 3. The first shotgun that was my very own when I was a kid. Another Stevens, this one a Model 59 tube fed 410 bolt action. Seems they are pretty scarce, but I have seen a few on line, but missed the auction. I'm sure, like the 311, the right one will pop up some day.

[lee G.]

I inherited a bolt tube feed 410 from my great aunt, it was her garden gun I think,

[Wayne SW/MO]

My first gun was a 311 in 20 ga. I still have it, or I should say my son does. My first 22 was a 510 Remington Targetmaster which i also still have. It was a single shot that engaged the safety when you opened the bolt. Not a bad teaching step for a kid.

[Gatorjet]

Actually my first gun was my Grandfather's Winchester Model 74 22 auto-loader. Mom thought a 22 auto was too much for a 10 years old. Hence the 410 bolt. The Winchester stayed in t g e family, and I have it to this day. It shoots as good as any of my more "modern" 22's. After a couple years I still wanted a rifle, so low, and behold one Christmas I found a Marlin Glennfield 101 single shot 22. Even safer for a beginner that that Remingtonyou mentioned. Opening the bolt to load each round didn't clock the striker. You have to manually clock it each time by pulling a big knob on the end of the bolt. Still have that one as well, and used it to teach my Son.

[jdmidwest]

Careful with the 97, they tended to go boom when the hammer fell as you were cycling a round and your finger was near a trigger. Sometimes they will go boom if you sit them down with the hammer cocked. Otherwise, great old shotguns. Just don't shoot steel thru them.

There is a gunshow in Farmington this weekend. It may draw out what you are looking for. For some reason, 410 is not seen in the wild much any more. Unless you want a Judge, can't seem to give them away anymore.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I would be in the market for a 410 at a reasonable price. I picked up a 20 gauge youth model Rossi, but it kicks as hard as my 12 gauge Mossberg. My son wants to shoot, and likes shooting my dad's 410, but dad won't part with it. The ones I have looked at are pricey. Can't justify the price for a rabbit/squirrel gun. Yes up around here, you use a shotgun for squirrel, mostly all conservation areas have a "no single projectile" rule.

[Gatorjet]

I would be in the market for a 410 at a reasonable price. I picked up a 20 gauge youth model Rossi, but it kicks as hard as my 12 gauge Mossberg. My son wants to shoot, and likes shooting my dad's 410, but dad won't part with it. The ones I have looked at are pricey. Can't justify the price for a rabbit/squirrel gun. Yes up around here, you use a shotgun for squirrel, mostly all conservation areas have a "no single projectile" rule.

There is a NEF Pardner youth model 410 break open single barrel on Arms list right now for $175. Located in St. Louis.http://www.armslist.com/posts/3486820/st-louis-missouri-shotguns-for-sale--youth-4-10

They are the old H&R guns, and are pretty good for the money. That price for a used one might be a bit high, but that's the gun market these days. I checked through galleryofguns.com, and found the best offer, delivered to a FFL in High Ridge was $193.77 out the door for the standard model. They didn't have the youth model in stock, but for some reason the MSRP is about twenty bucks higher for the youth model.http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/Results.aspx?pg=bids&id=98971031254741S

[Wayne SW/MO]

I'm not a big fan of kds and 410's. the pattern is pretty thin if you reach very far. I'm surprised at the 20 gauge kick and I would imagine it's just a poorly designed stock. A 2 3/4" 7/8 oz 20 shouldn't kick much harder than a 410 and would give a youngster more options as he grows.

[Ham]

I've got a 20 guage youth model H&R that kicks more than a 12 guage Auto for sure.