CAN’T-RESIST CLASSICS

THERE ARE CERTAIN used shotguns that I’ll pounce on like a bass hitting a topwater lure. Just twitch that walnut-and-blued form in front of me, low price tag dangling from the trigger guard, and I’ll blow up with my wallet wide open. It’s pure reflex.

The reason why many great old shotguns are so affordable is because they languish on the used rack, neglected by those seeking guns with dubious modern “improvements,” like plastic stocks and 3½-inch chambers. Meanwhile, many bargain classics still perform well in the field.

True, some of the old guns predate choke tubes and steel-shot compatibility. You might need to open a bore or use