Shotgun Info Requests

[Jarlath]

Hey all,

Does anyone have any experience with the following shotguns?

Winchester Model 59

Breda Gemma

Both are recoil operated (though the 59 has a stationary barrel). Just wondering if anyone else has shot these models of shotties.

One's going to my cousin and I'm gonna sell the one he doesn't pick Not because I don't like them but because I already have an Ithaca/SKB 300 which I like moreso.

 

[P.E. Islander]

I have a model 59 but I admit to not having shot it much, mostly because the one I have has too much choke for my purposes.

The 59 is an extremely light and quick gun due to the composite barrel and aluminum receiver, and because of this the gun balances quite far back. If you are a deliberate sort of shotgunner I doubt they would suit you since it is quite easy to stop your follow through. However if you tend to be more of an instinctive wing shot they would suit you better and the light weight makes them a joy to carry in the field.

 

[sallen]

I’ve got a 59 that I shoot trap with occasionally. As PEI mentioned it is very light and quick. Despite being light there is very little recoil. This is one of the guns that I let first time shooters use, and they like it. They only thing out of the ordinary is that it seems to eject the empties about 30 feet away. The running joke at the club is that I should try to fire it straight up in the air and see if I can break the clay with the ejected shell.

 

[sillymike]

The 59 (like its older brother the 50) use a floating chambers... they are very good shotgun. Quality is great (all machined steel)... recoil is really mild... taking them apart for a complete cleaning is not as easy as some newer gun.

An interesting history note, the 59 was the first shotgun available with removable choke.

 

[madtrapper143]

The 59 has an alloy receiver vs the mod 50's steel receiver. Steady diets of heavy 2 3/4" loads has caused some of the alloy frames to crack. 59's do need to be kept in tune to prevent wear tear and cracks (eventually). I have owned several and learned to tune them. They will last a lifetime if properly tuned and cared for.

cheers Darryl