Ugartechea Sidelock range report

Grouse Man

Grouse Man

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Winnipeg
If you remember I brought this gun back from the ravages of an abusive owner (not the seller),

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and finally took it to the trap range to see how it shoots. Function was 100% from both barrels, each trigger tripping crisp and light. Ejectors worked perfectly, no sticking, and throwing shells out from either side about the same. I found that I had to weld my cheek to the comb to hide the front bead, and then bury the bird completely in order to hit it. I'll play around with the sight picture to see if I can keep the bird in view when I fire.

I knew it was choked M/F by the barrel stamps, but I also knew it was a tight barrel compared to modern barrels (1964 manufacture, IIRC). It was throwing very tight patterns. Results were either clean misses, only a few 'cracked' birds, and the remainder were thoroughly shattered. And this was the Mod barrel! The Full was even worse! So, to the gunsmith it will go to open it up.

All in all, a pretty happy experience. It's a shade over 6 pounds so it won't see regular trap duty, but I will take it to the skeet range a couple of times to make sure I'm shooting it correctly for grouse.

Can't wait for fall!
 
That's now a very nice looking "Uggie". Do you have some before pictures you can share?

Looks like you'll be bagging your grouse with style this season :cool: How would you like to choke it?

PS what gauge?

PPS never mind - found in the archives, 12 ga. It looks like you decided not to reblue the barrels. Rust blueing is something you could attempt to do at home if you ever change your mind. It is the most durable finish and definitely high class.
 
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Liked your original story and pics and glad to get an update. Great to see another brought back from the dead. Now we need to hear how it works in the forest. I expect to be able to show some pics in a couple of weeks of a Heym 16 gauge that has been restored to it's original glory.
 
MauserMike said:
PPS never mind - found in the archives, 12 ga. It looks like you decided not to reblue the barrels. Rust blueing is something you could attempt to do at home if you ever change your mind. It is the most durable finish and definitely high class.
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I would leave it as is. It's nice to see an older sxs that looks like an older sxs. Kind of gives it some soul.
 
I'd like to go something like Skeet/IC. For a 12 gauge gun, it's perty light on it's feet. Win/64, I've cleaned it up, refinished the wood as that was easy and really brings out it's character. But the barrels I won't get redone. There are pits in and out and it's now a functional gun that I'll never have to pamper. Thanks for the comments, all!
 
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