Hey Guys,
Just some food for thought.
Back in the 1960s, 70s and even 80s, a standard SKB 500/600 with 28 inch full/modified or modified/IC barrels was regarded as a top of the line shotgun, built like an absolute tank.
Why, because people bought them to hunt with. And, most hunters will tell you that in 20 years or so of hunting, they have never fired more than 3,000 or so rounds through their gun at game. (High volume dove shooters are an exception, but probably not too much of an exception)
For myself, I can tell you than in 50 years of shooting, I have never even once had a firing pin break on any shotgun I have ever fired. Even those I have used for 20 plus years.
Fast forward to modern times. Now there are far far fewer people who are hunters, and tons more people who are "Sporting Clays" shooters.
So go online now and read what people have to say about the SKB 500/600.
"Unreliable. I had a firing pin break in just 4,000 rounds."
"No good. I shoot 8,000 rounds a year and these guns just don't hold up."
"Don't waste your time. Prone to breakage and when the spare parts run out, you won't be able to get your gun fixed."
SKB of Omaha still stocks the parts, and says they will have them for about another 10 years.
And, given the hundreds of thousands of SKBs out there, I have a feeling that when they run out, somebody is going to make spare firing pins and routine parts.
Long and short: These great hunting guns are now being branded as "junk" by the Clay Shooters crowd.
Too bad. They were built to hunt with. And, I believe that they will last more than a lifetime for any hunter.
Interesting, that the SKB Model 100s and 200s (side by sides) are still regarded as being extremely great guns. Why? Because the Clays crowd doesn't shoot them.
Just interesting to see how the standards for judging a particular shotgun have changed.
Mannyrock
Just some food for thought.
Back in the 1960s, 70s and even 80s, a standard SKB 500/600 with 28 inch full/modified or modified/IC barrels was regarded as a top of the line shotgun, built like an absolute tank.
Why, because people bought them to hunt with. And, most hunters will tell you that in 20 years or so of hunting, they have never fired more than 3,000 or so rounds through their gun at game. (High volume dove shooters are an exception, but probably not too much of an exception)
For myself, I can tell you than in 50 years of shooting, I have never even once had a firing pin break on any shotgun I have ever fired. Even those I have used for 20 plus years.
Fast forward to modern times. Now there are far far fewer people who are hunters, and tons more people who are "Sporting Clays" shooters.
So go online now and read what people have to say about the SKB 500/600.
"Unreliable. I had a firing pin break in just 4,000 rounds."
"No good. I shoot 8,000 rounds a year and these guns just don't hold up."
"Don't waste your time. Prone to breakage and when the spare parts run out, you won't be able to get your gun fixed."
SKB of Omaha still stocks the parts, and says they will have them for about another 10 years.
And, given the hundreds of thousands of SKBs out there, I have a feeling that when they run out, somebody is going to make spare firing pins and routine parts.
Long and short: These great hunting guns are now being branded as "junk" by the Clay Shooters crowd.
Too bad. They were built to hunt with. And, I believe that they will last more than a lifetime for any hunter.
Interesting, that the SKB Model 100s and 200s (side by sides) are still regarded as being extremely great guns. Why? Because the Clays crowd doesn't shoot them.
Just interesting to see how the standards for judging a particular shotgun have changed.
Mannyrock
