First Post Pandemic Purchase

[Chukar]

A fine looking piece, hopefully it serves you well!

As others have noted, I would welcome the return of @Kawshik Rahman. His posts added to the international flavor of this forum. I do miss his presence.

 

[Red Leg]

A pre-war GECO is as fine a all purpose hunting gun as was ever built. Congratulations on your new purchase, and I know you will enjoy it as a field companion for rest of your life.

 

[Panther Shooter]

A fine looking piece, hopefully it serves you well!

As others have noted, I would welcome the return of @Kawshik Rahman. His posts added to the international flavor of this forum. I do miss his presence.

Chukar
Thank you very much . Major Poton Khan Sir and I frequently try getting Kawshik to return to AH forums . Major Poton Khan Sir has even successfully gotten rid of the trolls who were insulting Kawshik , last year . We are optimistic that he shall return to AH forums , soon . He blames himself for all the Indian trolls who joined AH forums recently and started bothering all of the forum members . The most recent one was a fellow who had started a thread , about eating the beef of African Cape Buffaloes .

 

[375Fox]

UPDATE :
Yesterday, I went to shoot the Astra 12 Bore side by side shotgun at our local shooting range , for the very first time . I was using 2 3/4 inch 32 gram Winchester No. 2 birdshot cartridges . I noticed that whenever I pull the right trigger first , both barrels of the shotgun would discharge simultaneously . @Red Leg Sir was 100 percent correct in his assessment that the Astra shotgun had been shot a little “ Off Face “ .

Thus , I immediately took the damned shotgun back to “ Gun Max “ and I returned it to the shop owner . The owner kindly refunded the money , which I had paid for the Astra . He then offered to sell me a side by side shotgun , from his personal possession . It was a beautiful German GECO side by side shotgun , built in 1938 .
It is equipped with double triggers , 2 3/4 inch chambers , automatic ejectors and 29 inch barrels ( full choke ; both barrels ) . The condition of the shotgun was miraculously impressive . I purchased it for the equivalent of 220 American Dollars , warning the shop owner that he would be in trouble if this German GECO shotgun proved to be defective , as well .
View attachment 347130 View attachment 347131 View attachment 347132
I took the shotgun to our local shooting range a few hours back , to “ test fire “ it . After firing 24 cartridges through it ( 32 gram Winchester No. 7 1/2 cartridges ) , I must say that I am quite impressed . The shotgun locks up extremely tightly and the trigger pulls are extremely crisp !
Some highly educational information from @Major Khan Sir and @Red Leg Sir helped me to appreciate the fact that I truly have a pre-war German gem on my hands , now .

I shall conclude by saying this : I shall never purchase another Astra shotgun , ever again ! They are cheap , Spanish junk ; best forgotten .

I like the look of the shotgun, but I’m thinking, I think last week you wrote on a different post you were content with your firearm collection, this week you bought two shotguns, so next week maybe a new 375 rifle for eland?

 

[Panther Shooter]

I like the look of the shotgun, but I’m thinking, I think last week you wrote on a different post you were content with your firearm collection, this week you bought two shotguns, so next week maybe a new 375 rifle for eland?

375 Fox

I offer an honest apology if there has been any miscommunication , on my part .

I had two fire arms :
1) My 7 millimeter Remington Magnum
2) My William Wellington Greener 12 Bore Wildfowl Gun

I shall never , ever part with the 7 millimeter Remington Magnum . The William Wellington Greener Wildfowl Gun had developed a bulge on the right barrel ( as you can see below ) .

Three days ago , I sold the William Wellington Greener Wildfowl Gun and purchased the Astra shotgun from Gun Max . I was highly disappointed with the Astra shotgun , because it had a tendency to double discharge . So , this morning I returned the Astra shotgun to Gun Max . And then , I purchased the German GECO shotgun .


Currently , I own two firearms :

My beloved 7 millimeter Remington Magnum

My new and beautiful German GECO 12 Bore side by side shotgun

Hopefully , I shall never have to ever part with either of these marvelous firearms .

Sometime next year , I do hope to add a lovely large bore Double Rifle to my battery .
My sights are set on this marvelous .458 Winchester Magnum .

 

[375Fox]

375 Fox

I offer an honest apology if there has been any miscommunication , on my part .

I had two fire arms :
1) My 7 millimeter Remington Magnum
2) My William Wellington Greener 12 Bore Wildfowl Gun

I shall never , ever part with the 7 millimeter Remington Magnum . The William Wellington Greener Wildfowl Gun had developed a bulge on the right barrel ( as you can see below ) .
View attachment 347136
Three days ago , I sold the William Wellington Greener Wildfowl Gun and purchased the Astra shotgun from Gun Max . I was highly disappointed with the Astra shotgun , because it had a tendency to double discharge . So , this morning I returned the Astra shotgun to Gun Max . And then , I purchased the German GECO shotgun .


Currently , I own two firearms :
View attachment 347137
My beloved 7 millimeter Remington Magnum
View attachment 347138
My new and beautiful German GECO 12 Bore side by side shotgun


Sometime next year , I hope to add a lovely Double Rifle to my battery .
My sets are set on this marvelous .458 Winchester Magnum .
View attachment 347139

I understand. I was just hoping to see you add a new rifle!
I actually acquired a “new” 243 yesterday. I was at my parents house and saw my grandfather’s 243 in his safe. I haven’t seen it since my grandfather passed away and decided I wanted to shoot it. When I showed my Dad that I decided to shoot it, he said it was mine. I’m very happy to have it.

 

[Panther Shooter]

I understand. I was just hoping to see you add a new rifle!
I actually acquired a “new” 243 yesterday. I was at my parents house and saw my grandfather’s 243 in his safe. I haven’t seen it since my grandfather passed away and decided I wanted to shoot it. When I showed my Dad that I decided to shoot it, he said it was mine. I’m very happy to have it.

375Fox
That is marvelous ! I purchased a .243 Winchester for my daughter , back when she was a teen ager . My 11 year old grandson uses that rifle now for Shikar ( But my daughter remains the license holder ) . It is a control round feed action Winchester Model 70 . My daughter has used it successfully against countless Kakar Deer , Chital Deer and even Bengal Bush Boars ( although I certainly do not recommend this practice ! ) . My grandson has successfully put down five Kakar Deer with the .243 Winchester, till now . The .243 Winchester makes for an excellent entry level Deer Shikar rifle , for most beginners . It has almost non existent recoil . What make and model is your .243 Winchester ?

 

[375Fox]

375Fox
That is marvelous ! I purchased a .243 Winchester for my daughter , back when she was a teen ager . My 11 year old grandson uses that rifle now for Shikar ( But my daughter remains the license holder ) . It is a control round feed action Winchester Model 70 . My daughter has used it successfully against countless Kakar Deer , Chital Deer and even Bengal Bush Boars ( although I certainly do not recommend this practice ! ) . My grandson has successfully put down five Kakar Deer with the .243 Winchester, till now . The .243 Winchester makes for an excellent entry level Deer Shikar rifle , for most beginners . It has almost non existent recoil . What make and model is your .243 Winchester ?

It’s a Winchester model 70, but a push feed. I believe he purchased it in the 90s. I can remember hunting with him when I was little in 1999 and he was using it then.
243s are great entry rifles for new hunters, very little recoil and easy to learn to shoot. Very popular here in Pennsylvania, however I wish older hunters would move up to 270s or more for deer drives and especially bear hunting. Just a little on the small side for less than perfect shots or a big bear.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

UPDATE :
Yesterday, I went to shoot the Astra 12 Bore side by side shotgun at our local shooting range , for the very first time . I was using 2 3/4 inch 32 gram Winchester No. 2 birdshot cartridges . I noticed that whenever I pull the right trigger first , both barrels of the shotgun would discharge simultaneously . @Red Leg Sir was 100 percent correct in his assessment that the Astra shotgun had been shot a little “ Off Face “ .

Thus , I immediately took the damned shotgun back to “ Gun Max “ and I returned it to the shop owner . The owner kindly refunded the money , which I had paid for the Astra . He then offered to sell me a side by side shotgun , from his personal possession . It was a beautiful German GECO side by side shotgun , built in 1938 .
It is equipped with double triggers , 2 3/4 inch chambers , automatic ejectors and 29 inch barrels ( full choke ; both barrels ) . The condition of the shotgun was miraculously impressive . I purchased it for the equivalent of 220 American Dollars , warning the shop owner that he would be in trouble if this German GECO shotgun proved to be defective , as well .
View attachment 347130 View attachment 347131 View attachment 347132
I took the shotgun to our local shooting range a few hours back , to “ test fire “ it . After firing 24 cartridges through it ( 32 gram Winchester No. 7 1/2 cartridges ) , I must say that I am quite impressed . The shotgun locks up extremely tightly and the trigger pulls are extremely crisp !
Some highly educational information from @Major Khan Sir and @Red Leg Sir helped me to appreciate the fact that I truly have a pre-war German gem on my hands , now .

I shall conclude by saying this : I shall never purchase another Astra shotgun , ever again ! They are cheap , Spanish junk ; best forgotten .

Friend Panther Shooter
You could have just bought an Indian shot gun and had less trouble than the Astra. Haha.
I think you have made a wise choice in the German gun
Your friend
Bob.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

It’s a shame about the Astra. In the end you got a better shotgun, and a good looking one at that.

 

[Panther Shooter]

Friend Panther Shooter
You could have just bought an Indian shot gun and had less trouble than the Astra. Haha.
I think you have made a wise choice in the German gun
Your friend
Bob.

Bob
No force on earth can ever make me purchase an Indian Ordinance Factories 12 Bore DBBL ever again . Even if somebody holds a revolver to my head . I just will not do it . Those things do not even deserve to be referred to , as “ shotguns “ .
Thank you very much for your words of encouragement. On the 15th of this month , I shall be using this marvelous shotgun on a greylag goose Shikar .

 

[Panther Shooter]

It’s a shame about the Astra. In the end you got a better shotgun, and a good looking one at that.

Wyatt Smith
Thank you very much . I personally consider this German GECO shotgun to be a jewel .

 

[Ray B]

Panther Shooter when you've shot some of those Winchester AA and Super-X shells I would be pleased to purchase the empty hulls from you. In my opinion those hulls are better than the new-improved ones currently available. so unless you freeload them, please post them in the Classifieds.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob
No force on earth can ever make me purchase an Indian Ordinance Factories 12 Bore DBBL ever again . Even if somebody holds a revolver to my head . I just will not do it . Those things do not even deserve to be referred to , as “ shotguns “ .
Thank you very much for your words of encouragement. On the 15th of this month , I shall be using this marvelous shotgun on a greylag goose Shikar .

Dear Friend Panther Shooter
It would be a toss up as to which would be worse by the sounds of things the Astra or the IOF, I am glad you found one that you really like.
Your humble friend
Bob

 

[Major Khan]

Panther Shooter when you've shot some of those Winchester AA and Super-X shells I would be pleased to purchase the empty hulls from you. In my opinion those hulls are better than the new-improved ones currently available. so unless you freeload them, please post them in the Classifieds.

I possess them as well , Sir .

I would be more than happy to give them to you for free . Just privately correspond with either Panther Shooter or me . And we will figure out where to send them to you .

 

[Shootist43]

Panther Shooter, I am so glad that you were able to return the ASTRA and exchange it for the GECO. I almost cringed when you first mentioned purchasing the ASTRA. Red Leg's comments regarding it were much "kinder" than the ones I was about to offer.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Hmmm...Spanish guns? Now you guys worry me about my two Spanish guns!
AYA #2 12 ga bored Imp Cyl and modified which is a 1976 I use for prairie upland with no heavier loads than 2 3/4”, 1 1/4 oz, #5.
Arrieta boxlock 20 ga bored Cyl and Imp Cyl which is my woods grouse and quail gun I use with 7/8 Oz #6 maximum.
Both are still tight and have worked well, balance in hand and swing smooth.
I guess if they loosen up, I’ll just be out of upland bird hunting. Also my GSP is pushing 15 years, so I may be done anyway.

im envious Panther Shooter of your newest double!

 

[WAB]

Nothing wrong with those guns @Ridgewalker! However, if you are concerned about them, we can transfer them to my safe and I’ll replace them with a couple of 1100’s for you

 

[Red Leg]

Hmmm...Spanish guns? Now you guys worry me about my two Spanish guns!
AYA #2 12 ga bored Imp Cyl and modified which is a 1976 I use for prairie upland with no heavier loads than 2 3/4”, 1 1/4 oz, #5.
Arrieta boxlock 20 ga bored Cyl and Imp Cyl which is my woods grouse and quail gun I use with 7/8 Oz #6 maximum.
Both are still tight and have worked well, balance in hand and swing smooth.
I guess if they loosen up, I’ll just be out of upland bird hunting. Also my GSP is pushing 15 years, so I may be done anyway.

im envious Panther Shooter of your newest double!

An AYA #2 is one of most popular quality guns in the world. Check the price of a new one or even a used one in nice shape. As for the Arieta boxlock ......... I’m glad it is holding up for you.

 

[Shootist43]

Panther Shooter, you may just have purchased the deal of a lifetime. Take a look at the following https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...--pre-war--100--original.cfm?gun_id=100545403