This picture made me chuckle – and wince. It shows Capt. Cool demonstrating one of the worst ways to carry a SxS shotgun. And it looks like a nice SxS gun with a rounded action.
When you open a SxS and rest the barrels on your shoulder like this, all the weight of action and stock bounces on the hinge pin (the pivot-point in the action that the “hook” at the front of the forward lump rides on).
With every step you take, this bouncing wears on that pin. It will soon wear it out and make the gun go “off the face”, meaning the barrels will no longer mount properly against the face of the action.
On most guns, “off the face” is a fixable problem. But doing it right is not cheap, and finding a guy who can do it right isn’t easy.
But can you carry it over your shoulder if the hinge is right up against your shoulder? I thought that was O.K., but wondered what you think.
Thanks for the heads up. I’m sure I have been guilty of that at some time in the past, thankfully it’s not a habit.
Looks to be a good 24”+ LOP in the pic. That should help wear things faster! (I know, it’s an illusion)
Hey, Shawn. I’m guilty of carrying that way, too. But I’ve been told that it’s still bad. The best way is closed, bbls point in a save direction and in control.
I’ve done it, too. And when I had to have my gun repaired, I learned it was bad thing to do!
I agree — it looks huge. Nice, long lever to work on that pin!
Gentlemen,
Having a nice L.C. Smith double gun collection that has been passed down thru our family for generations, I have definitely been schooled and schooled lots of hunters on how to properly carry our good double guns in the field, especially while hunting.
The man in the picture carries his double gun incorrectly, even with a small adjustment so the breech and barrels meet his shoulders at the join, there are better ways to carry a double gun while hunting.
What a man should learn about his chosen Best guns is they are on loan to him, and he is responsible for their care, so they can be passed on to the next generation of his family to be used. It’s always a good idea to have a mentor to teach about proper gun handling, cleaning/oiling and storage and of course all aspects of hunting.
Thanks, Dave.