Here’s another nice 28 gauge double barrel shotgun that just popped up on the market. This one is a Renato Gamba Principessa with double triggers, longish bbls (27+”) and a long, straight-gripped stock (15″ LOP).
Renato Gamba is an Italian gunmaker located Gardone V.T. – the heart of Italian gunmaking. The family has been making guns since the second world war, and today they’re well known in competitive circles for their O/Us. I think the little double shown here was made in the late ’80s or early ’90s, and it looks like a standard, A&D boxlock. It looks like a solid gun — and a great deal.
28 gauge Renato Gamba Principessa SxS shotgun. Price: $1,999.99
| Caliber: | 28 Gauge |
| Chambers: | 2 7/8″ Extractors |
| Metal Condition: | Light scratches – otherwise excellent |
| Wood Condition: | Light scratches and a few dings, otherwise excellent |
| Bore Condition: | Shiny |
| Barrels: | 27 3/16″ Blue |
| Triggers: | Double |
| Stock: | Highly figured checkered walnut – english style |
| Stock Dimensions: | 15″ LOP |
| Fore End: | Highly figured checkered walnut |
| Butt Pad: | Reddish brown rubber butt pad |
| Weight: | 6 lbs 1 oz |
| Sights: | Single bead |
| Chokes: | Fixed cylinder & light modified |
gregg,
Yes, a nice gun, but like the vast majority of 28’s made in Italy and Spain, the gun is too heavy at over 6 pounds. IMO, a 28 should weigh in around 5 lb. 8 oz, or less. Even a 20 bore should be less than 6 pounds.
Wouldn’t you have to suspect cut barrels given the choke and barrel length?
Michael-
I disagree. When they get that light, they’re very hard to shoot. They’re just too whippy.
Thanks for the comment.
Gregg
Ken-
I think they’re 27″ bbls – a very common length for Euro guns. The guys at Cabela’s are being a bit overzealous with their measurements.
Nice to hear from you. Hope all’s well.
Thanks for the comment.
Gregg
Gregg
Gregg,
I have never found a light weight gun to be whippy or harder to shoot than a heavier gun. Spending hours afield with a gun just over 5 pounds and less than six, is a real delight.
My heaviest gun is an H & H hammer gun at 7 pounds, 1 oz, which I find tiresome to carry after a long day afield, but it is still a favorite of mine. I don’t seem to shoot it any better or worse than a 5 lb. 4 oz., 12 bore that I have.
There is generally a lot more work and effort that goes into building a light weight gun than one that may be a pound heavier in the same gauge. For example, it is rare to see a Purdey, Boss, Holland, etc. 20 bore that weighs anywhere near six pounds unless so specified by the bespoke customer. But, of course, this is all a matter of personal opinion.
On another subject, however, I do want to say “thank you” for your efforts with this blog. I view it almost daily and I appreciate your gun alerts, which I find informative and quite helpful. Good job, indeed. Best regards,
Michael Tabor
Michael-
Thanks again for the comment. I appreciate the kind words, too.
I haven’t found really light guns to be a hindrance to the kind of shooting I do – I still miss.
But most of my shots are in thick cover and I’m trying to hit a grouse or a woodcock. So the gun snaps up and things happen in a flash.
I hope you had, are having, a good season.
Take care,
Gregg