The Firearm Blog

Weatherby will be offering improved version of the Athena and Orion Over/Under Shotguns during 2008.

Weatherby‘s time-tested and field-proven Athena® and Orion® over/under shotguns will feature design and performance enhancements at even more affordable prices as a result of a new manufacturing agreement with Fausti Stefano Arms of Italy.

Effective June 1, 2007, Fausti Stefano Arms replaces New SKB as Weatherby‘s manufacturing partner for the Athena and Orion shotgun lines. In 2005, Weatherby first teamed with Fausti to produce the highly-successful side-by-side Athena D’Italia shotguns.

”This is great news for bird hunters and target shooting enthusiasts,“ said Brad Ruddell, Weatherby‘s vice president of sales and marketing. ”Our new agreement with Fausti Stefano Arms will allow us to make our Athena and Orion over/unders with the flair for style and function the Italian gunmakers are renowned for, but at even more affordable prices. However, they will retain the distinctive and familiar Weatherby family look that our customers have become accustomed to over the years.“

A key enhancement is the shotgun‘s action, a unique and patented Rizzini four-lock system. Instead of the two locking points typical of Italian shotguns, the Rizzini action design has four points of engagement between the barrels and the receiver, creating a strong, rock-solid lockup for long, dependable service.

Another new feature: a sculpted frame head providing a custom touch normally reserved for high-grade over/under shotguns.

Also new will be barrels that are chrome lined for ease of cleaning and to better withstand the wear and tear of heavy use. Other barrel features remain the same: lengthened forcing cones to help reduce felt recoil, thereby curbing shooter fatigue and improving shot patterns; and ventilated side ribs to allow quicker cooling of the barrel during extended periods of shooting.

Enhancements to the stock include a thinned wrist and forend to improve handling qualities, and an increase to 22 lines per inch checkering for an additional custom touch.

Athena and Orion shotguns will continue to offer a stainless steel Integral Multi-Choke (IMC) system for tailoring choke patterns to shooting needs and various field situations. The thread pattern is Briley- compatible for extra versatility.

Under the new manufacturing agreement, the Athena line for 2007 will include the Grade V Classic Field in 12 and 20 gauge; a reintroduction of the Grade IV Classic Field in 12, 20 and 28 gauge; and the Grade III Classic Field in 12 and 20 gauge. The Orion line will include the Grade III Classic Field in 12 and 20 gauge; Grade II Classic Field in 12, 20 and 28 gauge; Grade I Classic Field (replacing the Upland model) in 12 and 20 gauge; and a sporting clays model in 12 gauge.

Suggested retail prices will range from $1,439 for the Orion Grade I to $3,499 for the Athena Grade IV. For more information contact a local Weatherby dealer or Weatherby, Inc., 1605 Commerce Way, Paso Robles, Calif. 93446; (805) 227-2600. Or, visit www.weatherby.com.

More here.

For most hunters, the pump shotgun served as their introduction to wingshooting. Easy-to-use, no-nonsense design, dependable in the field, the pump is generally regarded as the “4×4″ of field guns. Our new line of PA-08 pump shotguns carries that tradition forward in typical Weatherby function and style. Designed on a similar frame as our popular semi-automatics, the Turkish-made PA-08 features a single action bar design that is straightforward, overbuilt and made for round after round of high volume action. Choose from four different models, including wood, synthetic and camo options.

The PA-08 Comes in four versions.

PA-08 Upland

Combines rock-solid dependability and performance with attention to detail.

* Walnut stock with low lustre finish
* Heavy-duty dual bar slide action
* All metalwork is matte black to reduce glare
* Vented top rib dissipates heat and aids in target acquisition
* Available in 12 gauge, 3″ chamber
* Comes with three application-specific choke tubes

MSRP $349*

PA-08 Knoxx Strutter X Camo

Innovative stock design yields reduced recoil with the concealment of Apparition Excelâ„¢ camo pattern

* Knoxx stock reduces recoil and is instantly adjustable to fit any shooter
* Features Apparition Excelâ„¢ camo pattern for the ultimate in concealment
* Heavy-duty dual bar slide action
* Vented top rib with fiber optic front sight dissipates heat and aids in target acquisition
* Available in 12 gauge, 3″ chamber
* Comes with three application-specific choke tubes

MSRP $579*

The patented Knoxx SpecOps stock will change the way you think about shotguns…reducing the recoil of even the heaviest loads by up to 95%. Originally designed for law enforcement applications, the innovative stock design offers more than 4″ of buttstock adjustment to instantly fit any size shooter, along with a traditional pistol grip design for sure handling in the field. Special polymer and alloy construction delivers year after year of reliable use.
CNC-machined receiver

Aircraft-grade alloys are used to machine the PA-08 receiver. Extremely lightweight, yet incredibly strong for years of dependable use. Functional design features a drop-out trigger assembly for ease of cleaning, integrated safety button and easy-to-access pump slide release button.

PA-08 Knoxx Strutter X Synthetic

Innovative Knoxx stock adjusts to fit any size shooter while reducing recoil up to 95%.

* Heavy-duty dual bar slide action
* All metalwork is matte black to reduce glare
* Vented top rib dissipates heat and aids in target acquisition
* Available in 12 gauge, 3″ chamber
* Comes with three application-specific choke tubes

MSRP $499*

PA-08 Knoxx HD

All the advantages of the Knoxx stock, designed specifically for home protection and defense.

* Shorter 18″ barrel length is ideal in close
* Black synthetic Knoxx SpecOps stock adjusts instantly to fit any size shooter
* Patented system curbs recoil by as much as 95%
* Fixed (Cylinder) choke
* Available in 12 gauge, 3″ chamber
* Maximum magazine capacity - 5 rounds (2 3/4″)

MSRP $499*
The press release:

Dependability and affordability have merged with Weatherby‘s® penchant for a look that instills pride in ownership with introduction of a new line of pump action shotguns.

“Most bird hunters cut their teeth with pump shotguns,” said Brad Ruddell, Weatherby‘s vice president of sales and marketing, “and many continue to use them throughout their hunting careers. Our PA-08 line blends the best of the pump action design—durability, dependability and affordability, with the upgraded touches Weatherby is known for.”

The PA-08 Upland model has a stock and forend of Turkish walnut with a high-gloss finish, forend finger grooves and quality-cut checkering. With its functioning recoil pad, the Upland is simply more shotgun for the money.

The PA-08‘s alloy receiver reduces overall weight and improves the balance of the shotgun. The receiver and barrel feature high-lustre metal work and are available in 12 gauge with a three-inch chamber. The PA-08‘s chrome-lined barrels and lengthened forcing cones reduce felt recoil and can withstand years of high-volume shooting. The chrome lining also reduces the effort needed for cleaning. In addition to the barrels, the receiver features a chrome-plated bolt that prevents action from binding and eases operation. Similar to the SA-08 Semi-Automatic line, the PA-08‘s drop-out trigger system can be removed and reassembled quickly for easy cleaning.

With the exception of the Home Defense model (Cylinder Choke), three application-specific choke tubes (Improved Cylinder, Modified and Full, or Modified Full and Extra Full on the Strutter X models) are included with each PA-08 model. The screw-in Integral Multi-Choke System is compatible with the Briley® thread pattern and allows shooters to tailor their shot patterns for specific needs.

Available PA-08 models include the Upland, Knoxx Strutter X Camo, Knoxx Strutter X Synthetic and Knoxx HD (Home Defense).

The Knoxx Strutter X Camo, Strutter X Synthetic and HD models feature composite forends and a Knoxx adjustable, pistol-grip stock. The patented stock system can reduce recoil by as much as 95 percent.

Designed for turkey hunters, the Knoxx Strutter X models feature vented top ribs for heat dissipation and fiber optic front sights for quick target acquisition. The Strutter X Synthetic has matte black metalwork. Similar in appearance, the Strutter X Camo features hydrographic dip Skyline Apparition Excelâ„¢ camouflage.

The Knoxx HD model features a shorter, 18-inch barrel specifically designed for home protection and defense.

The MSRPs of the shotguns are $349 for the Upland, $499 for both the Strutter X Synthetic and Knox HD, and $579 for Knoxx Strutter X Camo. For more information contact a local Weatherby dealer or Weatherby, Inc., 1605 Commerce Way, Paso Robles, Calif. 93446; (805) 227-2600. Or, visit www.weatherby.com.

More here.

This is a very cool looking shotgun

I love the red receiver

Pictured here is a duplicate of the Super X3 shotgun that Patrick Flanigan shoots. Only his magazine tube has been modified to hold more shells. In timing Patrick’s ability to fire 12 shots, he was clocked at cycling all dozen shells in 1.442 seconds — the fastest ever recorded. Everything about the Super X3 is designed for speed and performance. Faster follow-up shots can be made because of the reduced felt recoil. The Active Valve system allocates gases in a clean, precise manner. The gun is light and responsive.

The barrel’s .742″ Back-Bored Technology works with the Invector-Plusâ„¢ choke tube system to provide consistent, dense patterns. The Dura-Touch® Armor Coating keeps the stock from slipping in your hands. The stock is adjustable for a custom fit to your shooting style and body type, thus maximizing overall efficiency of fit, balance and swing.

Now, Patrick’s incredible Super X3 autoloader can be yours, just like the one he uses to break world records (with a standard magazine tube). It is fully configured for exhibition or sporting use, including an additional gas piston to allow the use of a full range of factory loads from the lightest 1 oz. target loads to heavy 3″ magnums if desired, all with clockwork reliability.

Specs:

Gauge: 12
Barrel Length: 28″
Weight: 7 lbs. 4 oz.
Retail: $1,349

More here.

Hell in a Handbasket has an interesting post about the use of shotguns in war.

Every war the United States has taken part in has seen the troops using shotguns. During WWI, the firearms firm of Winchester even modified a design dating back to 1897 so a bayonet could be attached.

The photo on the right is the Winchester Model 97 Trench Gun

More here.

According to Phil Bourjaily these are the six worst shotguns of all time. A very odd collection:
Browning Citori 425 Women’s Shooting Sports Foundation Edition: The Blue Ox

Kmart Boito Double: The Blue Light Special

Marlin Goose Gun: The Pipeline

Remington 870 16-Gauge: The Frame-Up

Smith & Wesson 916: The Rock of Sisyphus

Winchester Super X2 “Greenhead”: The Gutter Ball

More info of these shotgun here.

It hasn’t always been thus but since 1978 there hasn’t been a time when I haven’t owned at least one firearm. The actual number has gone up & down over the years, depending upon where I have been living, how much dosh I have been making, availability of shooting & lastly (cue red mist at this point) how many of my lawfully owned processions the State has seen fit to seize in a parliamentary mandated fit of vindictiveness.

Some musings about shotguns at the Free Market Fairy Tales Blog