Model 58 Sportsman

kjohn

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
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Location
SE Sask.
I occasionally go out and blast away at clay pigeons. I would be insulting too many people to call it skeet, or trap. I have a spring-loaded thrower and a couple of those red hand throwers. I use a Beretta 301, as I find a pump gets a little tiresome (kick). I bought a second-hand Model 58, in case the beretta falls apart. I had a nice Weatherby Centurion auto literally fall apart inside. Can anyone share any wisdom/experience about these old shotguns? Good, bad, or otherwise. Thanks in advance.:p
 
My dad has one that he got from his dad. It was bought in the late fifties and still cycles well. I like it better than the 1100's because a Sportsman 58 allows you to "dial" either Heavy or Light shotshell settings which allow the gun to properly cycle the applicable load. I liken it to having manually locking hubs on a 4x4. It requires manual configuration but IMO it ensures more fool proof operation-simple is better.

These guns also look great and shoot very comfortably. It's a fast action as well. I'm currently looking for a 58 myself.
 
I likeley put someting in the order of 25,000 rounds through mine shooting Skeet over the years. Although I moved on to Beretta 391's, a buddy still uses his for dove & quail on his annual pilgramages down south.

To me, the 58's balance and point significantly better than the 1100's or 11-87's.

To keep them intact, it's neccessary to mill a slot in the receiver, rearwards, back from the cocking handle groove. Just look at the right side of a 58 compared to an 1100 or 1187 and you'll see what to do. Without, the risk of cracking the receiver with alot of shooting is high.

In 12 gauge, the 58 was the gun of choice for Canadian Skeet legend, CIL Industry Shooter Barney Hartman. A quick look at records will show how effective the 58 was for him. He wanted to trade his "No. 2" Tournament Gun straight-up for mine. I liked Barney a lot, but it was "NO GO". A shooting buddy has since acquired and restored/upgraded Barney's over-barreled 42 Win 410. It's some pretty ... Barney was quite impressed when he saw it again.

Maybe worth noting that 870 barrels can be adapted to 58's by having a gunsmith or machinist drill the correct sized holes at the correct angle through the underside of the barrel in the magazine support.
 
My m-58 was my first shotgun. I will never sell it either. It is my "go-to" gun for duck and partridge hunts. I have a failrly large variety of shotguns to choose from, but this is the one I like most for putting bird on the table. I use high brass shells and NEVER have feeding issues. I have been thinking lately of putting it away for safe keeping.
 
Maybe worth noting that 870 barrels can be adapted to 58's by having a gunsmith or machinist drill the correct sized holes at the correct angle through the underside of the barrel in the magazine support.

That is VERY interesting!
 
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