New guy in North Texas
New guy in North Texas
New guy in North Texas (Petrolia). I have been a rifle and pistol competitor for almost 50 years, and just recently decided to try shotguns. I retired from the Army, and then retired as a Constable and Deputy Sheriff in Texas. As a LOE I furnished my own shotgun, which was a Winchester Ranger pump. The Winchester served me well, and I still love it, I guess because I carried it for over 20 years. It was light, has a very smooth action and has never malfunctioned. Most of the LEOs I worked with carried 870s and Ithaca 37s; so I have a lot of time now, and decided to see what I was missing. The plan was to get an 870 first, and try a 37 later. I looked at some used 870s at the local gun stores, but they were priced almost for what a new Express sold for at Academy. I bought the Express, and had to immediately find this site for help. I cleaned it, put light oil where I thought it was needed and took it dove hunting. I was shocked by how rough the action was and how hard it was to extract a shell from the barrel, but I did get 12 doves. I have put over 200 rounds thru it, and I even put some grease on a few spots. It is not as smooth as I want it, but I am determined to get it there.