Long guns: fall is a peak buying time for customers seeking shotguns and rifles

Shooting Industry, Oct, 1994 by Russ Thurman

Fall, for shooters, means rifles and shotguns. Or, at least, it seems to. Perhaps it's because fall is related so much to hunting. The cooler temperatures and the changing of the color of leaves call shooters to the outdoors. It's time to go afield.

Yes, fall is when more shooters are using their shotguns and rifles than at any other time of the year. It's also when shooters consider upgrading to newer models, adding to their shooting options or buying a younger member of the family their first firearm.

What will they be looking for in an ideal long gun? With such a wide variety of rifles and shotguns on the market, it can be a challenge to recommend the right one for your customers. Here's a look at a number of rifles and shotguns that will catch your customer's attention.

(Editor's note: This review was prepared after the passage of the Crime Bill but during a time when many of us were still trying to determine what firearms would come under the law. Since this writing, many manufacturers may have made modifications to their firearms. Those changes could not be included in this review.)

Action Arms

The Model B Sporter from Action Arms has the same features of the 9mm UZI with some enhancements. A hardwood thumbhole stock with recoil pad adds significantly to control. Standard UZI parts are interchangeable with the Model B Sporter. It has the standard 10-round magazine and overall weight is 8 3/4 pounds. There is a limited number of these guns so customers will need to act fast.

American Arms

The Silver II Lite is American Arms' response to its survey asking hunters throughout the country what they wanted in an ideal hunting gun. American Arms then built what it bills as The Ultimate Upland Game Gun. Available in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge, the Silver Lite has 26-inch barrels and a bottom lock-up action like the Franchi guns. The 12-gauge weighs 6 1/4 pounds, the 20-gauge 5 3/4 pounds and the 28-gauge 6 pounds.

The Gentry side-by-side has been a proven performer for American Arms. Available in 12-, 20-, 28-gauge and .410 bore, the Gentry has a boxlock action, fixed chokes and single selective triggers with top tang selector -- the .28-gauge and .410 bore have double triggers. It has an engraved frame with an antique silver finish.

For more than 40 years, the Franchi Model 48/AL has been a top seller. The lightweight recoil-operated 12- and 20-gauge autoloader has 2 3/4-inch chambers, 24-, 26- or 28-inch barrels with vent rib and Franchoke choke tubes. Also available in 12-gauge is a 24-inch rifled slug barrel.

Anschutz

A major player in the championship arena is Anschutz and its incredibly accurate rifles. These fine rifles are imported by Precision Sales International. In the Sporter Rifle line, the Bavarian 1700 is available in .22 LR, .22 Hornet and .222 Rem. Its overall length is 43 inches and weighs 7 1/2 pounds. The Bavarian joins the Classic and Custom all of which have excellent stocks of European walnut.

The lone semi-automatic in the Anschutz line is the Mark 525 Sporter. The .22 LR has a rotary style safety, Monte Carlo stock, adjustable rear sight and hooded ramp front sight. The magazine holds 10 rounds. The overall length of the Sporter is 43 inches and it weighs 6 1/2 pounds.

Arlington Ordnance

The M1 Garand receives a lot of special treatment from Arlington Ordnance. The Trophy Garand features the tried and true action, a premium barrel and a checkered walnut sporter stock. The Arsenal Restored T26 Tanker is a faithful, shootable copy of this special version of the Garand.

For those looking for the genuine item, Arlington Ordnance offers the Arsenal Restored Garand. Refurbished from the inside out, these Garands have new barrels, rebuilt gas systems and Parkerized metalwork all set in an upgraded military stock. The Restored Garand is available in .308 Win. along with the original 30-'06 Govt.

In addition to the Garand, Arlington Ordnance also offers the M1 Carbine. Sales have been brisk for this old favorite. They have an overall length of 35 1/2 inches and weigh 5 1/2 pounds.

A-Square

The Hannibal rifles from A-Square are serious firearms for those venturing after the world's largest game. The Hannibal is available in calibers ranging from the .338 Win. to the .500 A-Square with some interesting offerings in-between: 9.3x64, .375 JRS, .425 Express, .470 Capstick and .460 Wthby.

The newest addition to A-Square is the Hamilcar. It weighs between 8 and 8 1/2-pounds, depending on caliber, with the scope. It has an all-steel bottom and a detachable floor plate.

Beretta

The new Hunter Sport class of over-and-unders from Beretta cries out to be rushed to the sporting clays range. They are available in three models: the 686 Onyx Hunter Sport, the 686 Silver Perdiz Hunter Sport and the 687 Silver Pigeon Hunter Sport. They are outfitted with 28- and 30-inch hard-chromed barrels and cut-checkered American style walnut stock and forend. The special recoil pad is fashioned especially for sporting clays shooters. The Hunter Sport models are chambered for 3-inch shells and they feature Beretta's "Strada" rib that enhances pointability.