Single shot shotguns, anyone still use them?

I have several of Cooey made ones in my collection , but rarely hunt with then
BUT you certainly could hunt grouse or rabbits with them, and many do. I have
a love with S x S shotguns for grouse & rabbits.
BTW Cooey did make a S X S with the "Iver Johnson / Hercules" name on it.
It was made with US made parts & assembled by Cooey in the 1930's .
I have them in .410 & 20 ga.
 
I have a few grouse getters, but my 1926 Ivers Johnson single .410 was my first and still my favorite..

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Have an H&R Pardner 12GA that I also use 9x19mm adapter with which is stored with some rounds in the forend.
Have 20" and 28" barrels for it. Fun little shotgun

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20 gauge cooey 84 is my go to grouse gun, that thing has got more birds than any of my other guns that have gone into the grouse woods, it's light simple and easy to throw on the ATV, only paid $50 for it so its the kind of gun that one is indifferent about no matter the weather. Surprisingly it's in great shape good bluing and no chips or dents in the stock. Worth more than the $50 I paid especially at today's prices.
 
For upland hunting, and thinking of wing shooting with the classic $15 guns of the 20th century, there's too long a delay between cranking the stiff external hammer back and being in a reasonable position to fire the gun. The option of walking with the gun loaded and the hammer, the only safety, cocked back isn't a great one unless you're a lone hunter with a very strong discipline of good muzzle control. But those guns still make me nervous because there's no really good option, and they do kick like David Beckham.
 
Big Bad said:
For upland hunting, and thinking of wing shooting with the classic $15 guns of the 20th century, there's too long a delay between cranking the stiff external hammer back and being in a reasonable position to fire the gun. The option of walking with the gun loaded and the hammer, the only safety, cocked back isn't a great one unless you're a lone hunter with a very strong discipline of good muzzle control. But those guns still make me nervous because there's no really good option, and they do kick like David Beckham.
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It’s not now and never was a $15 gun but I have a single barrel 12 gauge English game gun from J &W Tolley. 5 pounds even. It is a fantastic grouse gun and using shells appropriate to both the gun and the quarry, recoil is just fine. Now, it is a hammerless design, unlike Pinfire’s lovely old thing and it does have a normal safety.
 
Big Bad said:
For upland hunting, and thinking of wing shooting with the classic $15 guns of the 20th century, there's too long a delay between cranking the stiff external hammer back and being in a reasonable position to fire the gun. The option of walking with the gun loaded and the hammer, the only safety, cocked back isn't a great one unless you're a lone hunter with a very strong discipline of good muzzle control. But those guns still make me nervous because there's no really good option, and they do kick like David Beckham.
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No delay at all if you use the right technique, if you want to be a good wing shooter with one you need to learn to #### the hammer as your mounting the shotgun. Can easy be done in one smooth motion and is no slower than a tang safety for even a teenagers thumbs. If you have a consistent mount and understand how to shoot a shotgun properly they are as quick as anything lock time aside. I’ve seen newer shooters mount, #### then aim and not point and yes that is much slower than most other designs, although that technique would translate to slow shooting on any platform really. I agree they sure do kick a lot due to the weight but I find that makes for a good upland gun that carries well and isn’t too bad for the amount of shots a guy takes one average day hunting.
 
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Cooey84 in 20ga was my first gun 60 yrs ago. Shot my first duck with it back then. Great little grouse gun too. Also got a single 10ga. Fun when pass sooting geese.

DF
 
Not really a shotgun guy, but I picked up a Cooey 12 ga. and I love it. It has to be at least 50 years old and it works flawlessly. Beat the crap out of me until I finally gave in and got a slip-on limbsaver for it.
 
Nope it s a GP.If you look closely at the original pic you will see the takedown screw ,Greener Police guns were solid frame guns not takedown
 
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I bought the Stevens 301 12G last fall for the same price OP mentioned. I really enjoy the simplicity of it. Just for fun I used it in my last 3-Gun match. Obviously slower but it was a great time.
 
RRH.01 said:
No delay at all if you use the right technique, if you want to be a good wing shooter with one you need to learn to #### the hammer as your mounting the shotgun. Can easy be done in one smooth motion and is no slower than a tang safety for even a teenagers thumbs. If you have a consistent mount and understand how to shoot a shotgun properly they are as quick as anything lock time aside. I’ve seen newer shooters mount, #### then aim and not point and yes that is much slower than most other designs, although that technique would translate to slow shooting on any platform really. I agree they sure do kick a lot due to the weight but I find that makes for a good upland gun that carries well and isn’t too bad for the amount of shots a guy takes one average day hunting.
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I disagree, you can reduce the problem but you can't eliminate it. It will always be the most awkward one around, particularly given the smallness of the hammer and the force needed to #### it.
 
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