Even in these early years of the 21st century, price is still a factor among pigeon shooters, though now we have readily available dedicated pigeon cartridges, and all from reputable makers.…
Lewis Potter
Belgian 12-bore sidelock
Before World War II, if you could not afford to buy an English gun there was the option of an economy Belgian alternative. Of course, not all shotguns proofed in Liège were…
Marocchi XTR
It is odd how ideas and values influence fashion, or are influenced by fashion. Take the semi-automatic shotgun: not so long ago it was welcome in shooting company as a…
William Powell Phoenix 28-bore
It is nearly six years since I tested a Powell Phoenix gun, which was the first review I did for this maker after it moved from Birmingham to Banbury. Named after…
Drilling 16B/8MM
This Classic Gun is a drilling, manufactured circa 1920. It is a combination gun I know well because I once owned it, having bought it from local farmer friend at the end…
Rizzini 28 bore BR550 Round Body
The story of the 28-bore shotgun is long and convoluted but it is sufficient to say that not many years ago we seemed to be on the verge of losing it altogether. It…
Webley & Scott .410 and 9mm Bolt-Action Shotguns
The turn-bolt would not seem to be the obvious sort of action on which to build a shotgun. It rings to mind something clumsy and awkward such as the Belgian conversions of old military…
Chapuis C40 Sideplate Game 20-Bore
Until recently I had never had the privilege of handling a Chapuis shotgun, though I am familiar with that manufacturer’s double rifles, which I always found to be rather fine pieces of work. Chapuis Armes is, of…
1912 Westley Richards
The 19th century was a period of amazing change, especially in the development of firearms. At the start of that century the flintlock was still in use; by the end the centrefire breechloader reigned. But…
BSA / SKB Model 200 12-bore
The idea of a famous sporting arms maker subcontracting production to an overseas manufacturer is not new. In this instance, the phrase “made in Japan to BSA specification” has a ring to it that…
Benelli 828U
One of the wonderful things about shooting in these early years of the 21st century is the relaxed attitude to the type of shotgun seen on the shooting field. No longer does one need…
Snowie 12-bore
The growth of interest over the past few years in hammerguns has undoubtedly saved shotguns that would otherwise have been left to rust away or be scrapped off. While older shooters seeking a bit of…
Lincoln Premier Gold .410
What makes a particular model of shotgun, or range of guns, popular? You could argue that it is fashion, but that is ephemeral and rarely results in long-term interest. Perhaps we could assume it is…
Huglu 201HRZ hammergun
I make no secret of the fact that I have always had a fondness for hammerguns. Fifty years ago or more, they were the cheap, old-fashioned alternative and an economic buy for us young…
Savage Model 42 .410/.22 R/F
Described to me as a “hedgerow gun”, the question posed was, did I wish to test it? The somewhat informal description conjured up a number of thoughts, but for those readers of a more…
Hatsan Escort Magnum Extreme
The semi-automatic shotgun — or self-loading shotgun if you wish to be very British — is an interesting concept. When viewed in a dispassionate way simply as a multi-shot firearm it is very efficient and…
Lincoln Premier Wildfowler
Prior to the ban on lead ammunition over wetlands at the end of 1999, most of my “serious” wildfowling was carried out with my “big gun”, a 6-bore muzzle-loader — though later I acquired…
Baikal Scout combination gun
This unusual gun combines the effectiveness of both the .410 and the .22RF, writes Lewis Potter