2. New technology -- by
utilizing a lightweight alloy receiver reinforced with a
dove-tailed steel breech face on a true 16 gauge frame
the idea of a six pound 16 gauge over/under became a
reality in the new Browning Superlight (straight grip,
Schnabel forend, 150 produced) and Lightning Feather
(semi-pistol, standard forend, 250 produced). Total
production of these two models was about 400 pieces. They
married the concept of "lightweight" to the legendary
patterning characteristics of the 16 gauge -- and
eliminated the engineering expense of manufacturing and
fitting 16 gauge barrels to a 20 gauge frame. The net
result is that the under six-pound Super Light and
Lightning Feather models fit the old time description of
a 16 gauge gun -- "It carries like a 20, but hits like a
12." This really changed everything. It's an upland bird
hunters dream come true.
At the luxury end of the
Hicks/Browning spectrum is the Gran Lightning, built on a
steel receiver with satin-finished Grade VI wood and a
perfectly executed Prince of Wales grip. It may be true
that great wood on a gun "never grassed a bird yet," many
bird hunters would argue the point. Only 100 Gran
Lightnings were built in 16 gauge, 50 with 26" barrels,
50 with 28" barrels. Similar small production numbers
exist for both Grade VI Blue and Gray models.
Great mechanicals, as you
would expect
The chambers are chromed and the barrels back-bored,
enhancing the short shot string patterns inherent in the
16 gauge. Steel shot is okay, so it's a duck gun too. All
models are offered with both 26" and 28" barrels. A neat
set of bore locks are included. The "key" is an Allen
wrench that activates a locking cam. Browning furnishes
IC-M-F screw-in Vector chokes (NOT Vector-Plus) and other
chokes -- including Skeet -- are widely available at low
cost. This extends the use of these new model Brownings
to clay target games. The stock dimensions are: 1-5/8" x
2-3/8" x 14-1/4" with about 1/8" cast-off, so these guns
will shoot where you look if you have a dominant right
eye. The rule of thumb for judging acceptable recoil (in
lightweight guns like the Superlight and Lightning
Feather) is "to allow six pounds of gun for each ounce of
shot you are going to put through the barrel." So with a
one ounce load, in a six pound gun you are going to be
right on the cusp of recoil comfort. That's okay for late
season birds where expect to get five or six shots all
day -- but if you go out to a sporting clays facility and
shoot at 50 targets from a low-gun hold, you are going to
wish you'd added a pad.
Coming to grips with the 16
gauge Browning
The straight or English grip requires little
explanation. It's favored by many because it keeps the
palms of the shooter in the same plane -- which in turn
keeps elbows up and away from the side and improves the
shooter's ability to swing to the left or right. Don
Zutz, the legendary shooter/writer, often expressed his
preference for this configuration.
The other grip found on these
Brownings was once referred to as a half-pistol,
semi-pistol or "bag " grip. Today we call it a Prince of
Wales grip. If you have a small hands, it's easy to move
the trigger hand slightly forward on the grip to a
comfortable distance from the trigger. While you may
think the round knob only provides gainful employment for
your little finger, the fact is that it acts as a keel on
a boat, with your ring and little fingers helping you
keep from canting the gun. The checkering is sharp and
well-executed on the grip and forend areas and is not
filled in with plastic goop or sanded smooth, so complete
control of the gun, even if you're wearing gloves, is
assured.
When John Wayne issued his famous
"fill your hand you sonuvabitch" challenge in movie True
Grit; he was referring to the legendary hand-filling
characteristics of the Colt single action pistol. The
lovely little palm swell grip serves the identical
function on these shotguns. It "fills" your hand and
empowers it with a sure and certain grip -- not unlike
clasping the hand of a friend.
When the history of modern 16
gauge usage is written . . .
. . . the Hicks/Browning is entitled to it's own
chapter, right along with Remington's new 16 gauge pump
and semi-auto, F.A.I.R.'s 16 gauge O/U and Ithaca Gun's
Model 37 pump. Traditions Performance Firearms introduced
a "Real 16" O/U at the SHOT Show this year and B. Rizzini
expects to bring a16 gauge on a 16 gauge frame O/U to
market this year as well. and Merkel continue to
offer great side-by-side 16 gauge guns.
Even if you are not reloading for
the 16 gauge, you owe it to yourself to buy (@$9.95) a
copy of THE SIXTEEN GAUGE MANUAL - FIFTH EDITION
published by Ballistic Products (888/273-5623). Lot's of
great anecdotal stuff from Grant Fackler and the BP team,
who obviously love the gauge, plus almost 400 tested 16
gauge loads to meet every shooting requirement --
everything from 5/8 oz. powderpuff loads to 1450 fps
screamers -- plus reloading tips galore.
" . . . this is the end of the
beginning"
. . . to paraphrase Winston Churchill. The 16 gauge
is back, BIG TIME! We have more and better 16 gauge
shotguns and ammunition choices than ever before.
Naturally, you'll want a piece of the action. The future
starts today.
* * *
Browning 16 Gauge Lightning
Feather -- 5 lb. 15oz.
