16 A or 12 B

waterman · Post by **waterman** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:41 am

Hey guys I am looking at two guns on guns INTER when you pull up the web sight the first gun there is a early B grade for $4195 and about six to ten guns down the 16 A for $3395. the question is I don't know what gun to buy can some one give me some Fox tips. Donnie

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:58 am

I'd buy the 16-gauge A-Grade at Buda, Texas. It has full length wood. That early-style BE-Grade has short wood, only 13 3/4 inch LOP over the repro Hawkins pad, and it has the early-style ejectors which are known to not be too dependable. But, these are two very different guns, a 6 pound 16-gauge with 28-inch barrels or a 7 pound 3 ounce 12-gauge with 30-inch barrels. What do you want the gun for?

waterman · Post by **waterman** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:11 am

Thanks for the respond I wont the gun just for collecting I like the gun to be as close to new as it left the factory. I know they didn"t make but a few 16 A I may hunt some upland birds a little and I also have a super fox that I have never fired so I guess just looking at it on cold winter nights. Donnie

mc15426378 · Post by **mc15426378** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:59 am

I'll second the 16 ga A vote. A 16 ga w/28" barrels sure is sweet to swing. I have a 16 ga A, serial # 3014xx, 26" barrels. Wish mine had the nice wood this 16 does. Mine is more SW wood. As a note I often see posts on Cabelas being high on their pricing. I'd sure make a lower offer and see what happens.

Mike

jmc · Post by **jmc** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:17 pm

Donnie,

If you are to acquire the 16, and even if you don't intend to shoot it often, you should seek out a qualified stock person to dry out the head of that stock which seems to have soaked up a lot of oil over the years. Disassembly would likely be out of the question during the inspection, but that would really be something I would want to do as much damage can be done to the head of the stock when it softens up from oil saturation.

Best of luck,

jmc

Fin2Feather · Post by **Fin2Feather** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:17 pm

No contest: there is nothing like a 16ga Fox. As much as I love Foxes, in 12ga they are but average guns. But in 20ga, and most especially in 16ga, they are magical - there are none better, any maker, any price. Mine are only Sterlingworths but I can feel it every time I pick one of them up. I have rather plebian tastes, but a 16ga Fox AE is my dream gun. Buy the 16; you'll never be sorry!

Silvers · Post by **Silvers** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:55 am

I'm not commenting on either of these two guns, just Foxes in general. I am reminded of two good friends, one like me is primarily a long barrel 12 gauge man. The other likes shorter smallbores. Despite similar collector leanings all three of us also use what we buy for their intended - but different - purposes. Some are for longer range shooting at game, FITASC and appropriate clays shooting. Others for shorter range hunting, skeet, etc. The neat thing thing is that Fox made what might be called "crossover guns" in today's jargon. I've seen and handled some really light and svelte 12 gauge guns. Likewise I've had my hands on smallbores that were long and heavy of barrel. Just last week I handled a 16 gauge 30" SW with barrels that weigh 3-10. That's well into 12 gauge territory.

Back to buying good Foxes for a collection. My advice is to buy something you like and are likely to (carefully) use for whatever you shoot. Silvers

waterman · Post by **waterman** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:27 am

Thanks to all that have responded when I herd the stock had been cut on the 12B That is not for me. I called about the 16A they told me the stock had been refinished and had some oil damage wood that bother you guys like it does me. I just wont to take my time and get an good gun to go with my others. Yes I think 16's are nice I upland hunt a little and also duck hunt so I guess I do boath agin thanks for look and helping me out Donnie.

DGKaas · Post by **DGKaas** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:46 am

Take a look at the early 16 ga AE on the Griffin and Howe website. It is a gun I used to own and restored. The wood is from a very old English walnut tree from York County PA. I have no interest in the sale of the gun. It is actually a pretty nice gun for the man who wants a shooter.