CSMC Fox

My GSP Izzy · Post by **My GSP Izzy** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:25 am

While a custom 20ga CSMC Fox has always been a dream gun for me, I realize a high, 5 figure gun may never be in my future. I have found a used 20ga CSMC Fox that is still rather expensive but might be attainable. With one minor exception (a mid bead), it has all of the features I would order on a custom gun. It has modest engraving and checkering patterns. Obtaining it would require selling a handful of guns that I have enjoyed and it would leave me with only a handful of guns to choose from. The guns remaining would still cover all of my bird hunting needs from 12 to 28ga. The configuration of this particular Fox would cover almost all of my grouse and woodcock hunting and it would probably be my go-to gun. My wife and I are getting ready to take the plunge into real estate so this could well be my last big gun purhcase for a few years. Do I go for it? Part of me says yes because you only live once and you might as well enjoy it. The other part still hesitates at such a substantial investment. What would you do?

eightbore · Post by **eightbore** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:13 pm

Is there a serial number break where all frames were forged after that serial number? Is there any negative aspect to the investment cast frames?

bigkev · Post by **bigkev** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:31 pm

I took the plunge about a year ago and received my gun a couple of months ago and could not be happier. They are sweet guns and very well made, probably better the Ansley made them, but then they should be for their cost. I also just bought(or buying) a used 16 Sterlingworth to use when it rains. Contact me if you want to chat. I have visited CSMC numerous times.

APS · Post by **APS** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:41 pm

If you want it and you have the funds- get it. They are only going up in price.

I just received a 20 bore XE CSMC gun. I put this in my safe so I have a modern gun to shoot and enjoy and now my "real" XE's (a 12 and a 20) come out to play on special days and I do not have to worry about them.

I t may not be the best choice for a rainy hunt....but you have to love a pretty gun.

al

BillJanssen · Post by **BillJanssen** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:04 am

eightbore wrote:Is there a serial number break where all frames were forged after that serial number? Is there any negative aspect to the investment cast frames?

Eightbore:

Did CSMC at some point change from cast to forged Fox frames?

Bill

eightbore · Post by **eightbore** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:18 am

Sorry, I'm the guy with the question. I have no answers. Someone on this site has the answer, I'm sure.

My GSP Izzy · Post by **My GSP Izzy** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:37 am

Well, I went to see the gun in person again this weekend and it is an amazing gun and very, very tempting. The mid bead is something I would not have requested on my order but I can live with it or maybe even remove it. I could use another 1/2" on the LOP but the rounded skeleton butt (ala Parker Repros) could make that difficult. I'll need to sell a few guns to make this work but if I can move them, I may give the CSMC Fox a go. Decisions, decisions. Hopefully, I can get this picture up.....

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BillJanssen · Post by **BillJanssen** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:13 pm

M. G. Izzy:

You want that gun, you ought to buy that gun! The bead thing is nothing, no one can (or should) actually see any bead (or lack of) when they're shooting. Slap a nice leather wrap-on pad on that puppy and shoot it, you only live once, go for the gusto!

Bill

fullchoke16 · Post by **fullchoke16** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:52 pm

GSP, if you go for the CSMC,let us know what's for sale.

Mark Copeland · Post by **Mark Copeland** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:08 am

Comparing the CSMC Fox to any other bespoke within the same price range, I can't find its equal. Only spanish makers can compete in the same price of the fox and personally I wouldn't touch a spanish with a 10' stick. Picking up a used CMC Fox for 30% less than the original price seems to be THE deal of the current market. I doubt they'll go any lower and pretty soon (10 to 15 years) they should really be hitting their stride. You could shoot the dog p!ss out of one for the next 20 years and not loose a dime.

My GSP Izzy · Post by **My GSP Izzy** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:39 am

Thanks for the replies and encouraging words. Things are in motion and I hope they will work themselves out. If not, I guess it wasn't meant to be.

Mark Copeland · Post by **Mark Copeland** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:16 pm

With all due respect do you have any objective data (endurance test, etc.) for making the above statement?

Just following prices for the last 15 yeas, but do I really need "objective data"?

Didn't mean to ruffle the feathers of any M21 shooters. This is a "FOX" collectors site is it not?

Mark Copeland · Post by **Mark Copeland** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:32 pm

Sorry but I'm from Texas and embellishing is a form of humor.

Let me rephrase if you will.

"You can Hunt the dog sh!t out of that used 20 year old CSMC fox and not lose a dime".

Clay-shoot the dog p!ss out of that M21, it can certainly handle it. The Fox is suited for more elegant work.

bigkev · Post by **bigkev** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:39 pm

Good luck, it sure looks sweet! Don't put a slip on pad over that beautiful skeleton butt plate. CSMC may be able to do something for you or learn to shoot it a tad short. I love mine and though I am a big fan of english guns and have a few, I am fast becoming a Fox fanatic and just purchased my second one to use as a back up.