What ever happened to the adjustable choke?

CatfishSteve

CatfishSteve

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I've had two 12ga's with adjustable chockes one a polychocke the other JC Higgins 12ga semi. Both seemed to preform great. I still dont understand why they got away from the adjustables and went to the tubes. I've taken down high flyers with the extra full setting and blasted deer with the slug setting. Anyone know (not think they know) why they canned the adjustables.
 
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My understanding of it was the effect on the feel of the gun. That much mass out at the end of the barrel makes it more difficult to start a swing or change direction to pick up a second target. That and they look out of place - though they work. I can't guarantee that's why, maybe someone else with more a more definitive answer will chime in.
 
I suppose it's fashion as much as anything. That big lump on the end of the barrel just doen't look as good as a clean barrel. They do work well though.

By coincidence I just purchased a takeoff polychoke on the EE for a project. It will be mounted on 20" barrel 1200 winchester 12 ga, which is my new truck / campsite / fishing gun. The ability to go from cylinder to any choke I want with a twist of the knob should be pretty handy. At $45 shipped it costs WAY less than any other option. Might not be handsome but it should be handy.
 
interesting jethunter....I have a winchester 2200 that I am refinishing, it had the interchangeable chokes with it when it was purchased 34 or some years ago....wondering if you could post a picture of your 1200, so we can have a look at your new choke system.
 
deanml said:
They look like hell. That was probably a major factor.
Click to expand...

I concur. I'm of the type that like to look at my guns and see that they are ###y (they also have to perform). I haven't seen a shotgun with the adjustable choke that I would consider ###y.
 
+1 on aesthetics. Polychokes, Cutts Compensators, and the like just plain old look fugly compared to choke tubes.
 
Ugly and the shotgun moves like an old Model T! For a shotgun to feel right, it has to balance on the hinge or just North of the chamber. Otherwise you get the dumbell effect like in a Blaser or any shotgun with those aftermarket extended chokes! My Beretta DT10L and 391 Gold Optima with Beretta extended chokes balance as they are supposed to. They are both easy to move and shoot. My bespoken Chapuis 28 with 30 inch barrels and fixed IC/Mod balances on the hinge. You don't even notice the 30 inch barrels! That is why Kreighoff has gone to Titanium extend chokes so as not to change the balance.

Regards,
Henry;)
 
Poly choke is still around. Look like a beer can on the end of the barrel IMO. My old man shot a M12 with one all of his life. Had a real mean muzzel blast as well. My ears are still ringing...
 
I still have one shotgun with the Lyman compensator/choke thingy...

DSC00733.jpg


Looks pretty funny, but it gives real nice paterns and seems to reduce recoil.
 
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