Browning superposed lightning

Astaziel

Astaziel

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So I managed to snatch a 1962 Browning superposed lightning from EE and I have a few question concerning it.
First off, what does "Lightning" means? Something about it being lighter maybe?
Second, can you add a shorter buttpad? I read somewhere that it has a 14.5 inch lop and I tend to prefer half an inch shorter. I would rather not alter the wood, for obvious reasons.
Finally, is there a big difference in handling/performance between the superposed and the modern 725? I handled the latter in a gun shop and fell in love with it, but sadly could not afford a 3500$ gun.

btw I do not intend to hunt with it. I love birds too much to shoot them and I have my trusty Schmidt-Rubin 96/11 for deer.
 
Lightning refers to the style of grip - open curve, round knob. And the fore end is without a wide bottom or groove, just rounded. I have a superposed lightning long tang 20 ga. Wonderful gun. Congratulations on your purchase!
 
The designs are very similar but not the same and the Superposed was a hand made gun while the Citori is a machine made gun. I don't think there are any interchangeable parts between the two and any new parts you get for a Super have to be hand fitted. Citori's are mass produced on CNC machinery and the modern B25 Superposed can still be had for big dollars but it's a custom made to order gun still made by hand.
A lot of people think the Super is a better balanced gun and they might be right, I've owned a few of both types and my preference lies with the Super for handling.
 
Astaziel said:
Really? How come?
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Falconflyer makes very good points. The Superposed are oozing with quality materials and were made by experienced craftsmen, with a lot of hand work. They balance very well in the hands, better than one might expect. I note from the Schwing book that a '62 Superposed will have French walnut and not a cheaper walnut, and the various cost-cutting modifications (not quality-cutting, I might add) and mechanical simplifications that came later in the 60s had not yet taken place. The Lightning model has slightly thinner barrels and a slightly slimmer fore-end, and probably feels a bit more lively in the hand (I don't know first-hand, my two Superposed are the standard models, a 1930 12 gauge and a 1951 20 gauge). While I'm sure new guns have the benefit of modern steels and alloys, I prefer the complicated, over-engineered original. On mine no parts have been replaced or repaired, I don't expect such work to be done in my lifetime, or the next owners, either. There are no cheapened parts that can break, with good maintenance.

Some might make a fuss about fixed versus removable chokes. I am old enough to be an ill-tempered curmudgeon on this subject, without apology. Much of the work that used to be done by chokes is now accomplished by pellet cups and improvement in shells, and the effect varies by the make of shells, loads, materials etc. I suppose a competitive clays shooter might find an extra one or two hits out of a hundred by manipulating choke and loads, and that might make the difference in a competitive event, but I don't believe choke is some magical trick that makes one a better shot. Either you are on the target or you're not, and choke does not turn a miss into something else. I would rather concentrate on being accurate in my wingshooting, a matter of technique, so that the pellets are where they should be. The great Victorian- and Edwardian-era Shots brought down many thousands of game birds in a given year, with 2 1/2"-chambered guns having no or little choke - they simply knew how to shoot. I would also not pass up acquiring a fine gun because of choke considerations, and I wouldn't dream of getting choke modified - I would find an appropriate load that gave a good pattern, and stick with it. With a twin-trigger Superposed you get two instant choke choices should you feel you need it, and that is plenty. OK, personal rant over.

I expect you are really going to enjoy your Superposed.
 
The butt of a Superposed Lightning of this date is hollowed out to balance with the lighter barrels.
Not all Lightnings are the same. Early post war Superposed Lightnings are 26 1/2 inch barrels, not lighter profile.
 
I have seen a 20 gauge Superposed Diana F&M smoking targets at Sporting Clays.
The only time my friend is at a disadvantage, is rabbit targets at 12-15 yards.
 
Astaziel said:
so according to you, one could do sporting clay with a full choke?
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I don’t see why not, Astaziel. My argument is that with modern shot cups in cartridges, the choke has less of an effect than it had in the past, in the days of felt and card wads. No friction of lead against the barrel, less deformed shot and dispersed ‘flyers’, everything held together in a tight package until it leaves the barrel. In shots taken at less than 30 yards, I doubt there’s much of a difference between shot patterns, using the same brand of cartridges. From 30 to 40 yards there may be a difference, but a clay bird hit by 10 pellets, or 7, is still a hit!

I believe (my opinion only) what counts most is gun fit/mounting, accuracy and timing. Choke, less so.
 
Pinfire said:
Falconflyer makes very good points. The Superposed are oozing with quality materials and were made by experienced craftsmen, with a lot of hand work. They balance very well in the hands, better than one might expect. I note from the Schwing book that a '62 Superposed will have French walnut and not a cheaper walnut, and the various cost-cutting modifications (not quality-cutting, I might add) and mechanical simplifications that came later in the 60s had not yet taken place. The Lightning model has slightly thinner barrels and a slightly slimmer fore-end, and probably feels a bit more lively in the hand (I don't know first-hand, my two Superposed are the standard models, a 1930 12 gauge and a 1951 20 gauge). While I'm sure new guns have the benefit of modern steels and alloys, I prefer the complicated, over-engineered original. On mine no parts have been replaced or repaired, I don't expect such work to be done in my lifetime, or the next owners, either. There are no cheapened parts that can break, with good maintenance.

Some might make a fuss about fixed versus removable chokes. I am old enough to be an ill-tempered curmudgeon on this subject, without apology. Much of the work that used to be done by chokes is now accomplished by pellet cups and improvement in shells, and the effect varies by the make of shells, loads, materials etc. I suppose a competitive clays shooter might find an extra one or two hits out of a hundred by manipulating choke and loads, and that might make the difference in a competitive event, but I don't believe choke is some magical trick that makes one a better shot. Either you are on the target or you're not, and choke does not turn a miss into something else. I would rather concentrate on being accurate in my wingshooting, a matter of technique, so that the pellets are where they should be. The great Victorian- and Edwardian-era Shots brought down many thousands of game birds in a given year, with 2 1/2"-chambered guns having no or little choke - they simply knew how to shoot. I would also not pass up acquiring a fine gun because of choke considerations, and I wouldn't dream of getting choke modified - I would find an appropriate load that gave a good pattern, and stick with it. With a twin-trigger Superposed you get two instant choke choices should you feel you need it, and that is plenty. OK, personal rant over.

I expect you are really going to enjoy your Superposed.
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Good post. Only thing I would add is that these older superposed were designed for felt wads and therefore throw a tighter pattern than a similar choked gun designed for plastic wads. I have a few early 60s superposed lightning trap models. I am willing to sacrifice a few birds due to extremely tight patterns to shoot a handmade and well balanced classic. The days you are on with them obliterates targets.
 
FLHTCUI said:
Of course you can, buddy shoots a Trap choke 870 Wingmaster on the SC @ The Vancouver GC and does well.
He does it for chits and giggles and to watch other guys head explode.
He isnt perfect, but does it for the challenge and competition among his buddies.
Rob
Click to expand...

What is it about a full choke 870 that makes heads explode ?
 
Other than it's not a $5k over/under that is kicking their butts. It's about as much fun, as shooting a good round at Trap, with a Cooey single shot.
 
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