I've been contemplating a Fox 20 gauge project for awhile now. Just finishing up restoring a Super Fox that I hope to use yet this duck season in North Carolina - and need something else to work on. Do I need a custom 20 gauge - no - but my chances of owning a high grade original Fox 20 are about slim (and if I did - I'm not sure I'd want to carry it hunting). Not sure exactly what I want to do yet (upgrade to standard DE or do something completely custom).
So - if you were going to begin a Fox project and wanted a 20 gauge ejector as a platform - would you rather start with a Sterlingworth - or an original gun kit from Pumpkin Mountain? There are a couple of nice 20 gauge ejector Sterlingworth's out there for $4,000 or a little more. Not cheap - but they are hard to find so I doubt they're getting any cheaper. For the same ballpark - you can purchase a complete gun kit with 28" ejector barrels. I would probably use my own wood either way - and I'm not sure there's a real difference in choosing either of these - but just curious what folks with more experience/knowledge would think.
Which would make the better canvas?
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Re: Which would make the better canvas?
In my opinion, the best platform for a custom is a low mileage gun, needing no mechanical repairs, in rusty, neglected condition. My Fox project gun is a $450 early A. It was tight as a tick, but stock was broken at the wrist and the trigger guard was bent badly. I wouldn't even consider starting a project with a $4000 gun. By the way, a 16 gauge Fox can be brought in at the same weight as a 20 at a lower cost for the basic gun, usually.
Re: Which would make the better canvas?
Definitely go with a fully functional but cosmetically challenged complete gun and unless you cannot live without ejectors, which I find annoying, an extractor 16 gauge gun can be found at roughly half the cost of a 20. Additionally if you are wanting barrels more than 28 inches which seem to be in vogue right now you are much more likely to find a 16 gauge with longer barrels than a 20.
Re: Which would make the better canvas?
Thanks guys - I have a CSMC 16 gauge as well as an older Sterlingworth. I understand they are easier to come by than a 20 gauge - but a Fox 20 is really what's missing from the safe right now. I appreciate the help - will keep looking for the perfect "donor" gun.