Viewpoints

Getting a good buy on midrange-priced products, such as over-under shotguns, can be difficult because of scarcity, and it’s always a challenge to convert MSRP into a reasonable selling price. Such is the case with the Beretta Silver Pigeon II, which Gun Tests magazine tested in its September 2007 issue.

Gun Tests said of the Silver Pigeon, _ìthe Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon II Sporting is a traditionally styled and typically proportioned sub-gauge. Trim in stock, wrist, receiver, and fore-end, the gun is a symmetrically shrunken version of the 12 gauge. ìPerhaps the greatest testament to this gun_s speed was that all our test shooters came off the sporting clays course liking the gun for that sport, but wanting to head directly for the skeet field. And, indeed, this gun excelled beyond the others at the more regimented sport._

In the test, the SPII listed for $2950. But prices for similar guns on GunBroker.com show wide variations off MSRP.

The gun in Auction # 110246420, listed by Tucker Gun in Atlanta, had a “buy now” price of $2950, or MSRP. The opening bid was $400 less, or $2599. The auction had two days to run on Tuesday.

Another GunBroker.com listing, # 109384437, had a similar gun to the one Gun Tests evaluated, but in 28 gauge. On sale by Gander Mountain in Green Bay, Wisconsin, it is a new Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon V 28 gauge with color case-hardened receiver. With 3 days left on the auction, the high bid was $2001, which didn_t meet the reserve. The Buy Now price was $2799.

Forjas Taurus S.A. announced September 9 its acquisition of the manufacturing and distribution rights of all Rossi products, including the famous Model 92 lever-action rifle from Rossi Firearms S.A.

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) – the trade association for the firearms industry – congratulated Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on accepting the Republican nomination for vice president of the United States. The industry's association also reminded all hunters, sportsmen and gun-owners to register to vote and secure an absentee ballot if they plan on being in the field on Election Day, Nov. 4.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence praised Sen. Barack Obama's choice for vice presidential running mate, Sen. Joe Biden.

From a statement by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin on the Supreme Court's decision on DC vs. Heller, June 26, 2008:

The Browning BPS Special Steel Field Model Pump 20 Gauge was tested as a used gun in the April 2008 issue of Gun Tests magazine. Counter Price at Dury’s Gun Shop in San Antonio: $370. Was that a good price for the gun? A price check on GunBroker.com suggests it was.

WASHINGTON D.C., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- A strong majority of likely voters disagree with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on firearms and self-defense related issues, according to a just-released ATI-News/Zogby poll.

Gun owners, beware. Hidden in Barack Obama's MTV-style acceptance speech was a message that should send chills up the spines of everyone who values not only the right to own a gun, but the very right of self-defense.

Over the years, I’ve shot my share of pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and rifles as a range rat—bumming a shot here or a magazine there from owners who will tolerate my interest in guns I don’t own. However, I rarely get to spend the time with products other than my personal guns to see if I would truly like competing items better. One of the advantages we enjoy at Gun Tests is our ability to compare firearms head to head. We think the best way to purchase firearms is to shoot them side by side and learn about the problems of a particular product, and then determine whether a competing product, shot at the same time with the same ammunition, is better or worse.

Over the years, I’ve shot my share of pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and rifles as a range rat—bumming a shot here or a magazine there from owners who will tolerate my interest in guns I don’t own. However, I rarely get to spend the time with products other than my personal guns to see if I would truly like competing items better. One of the advantages we enjoy at Gun Tests is our ability to compare firearms head to head. We think the best way to purchase firearms is to shoot them side by side and learn about the problems of a particular product, and then determine whether a competing product, shot at the same time with the same ammunition, is better or worse.

I have been patiently waiting for you guys to do a test on the new and improved Ruger Ranch Rifle. I wanted to see how the new one compares to the old, especially for accuracy, and the stringing problem when the barrel is heated. The new Ranch Rifle has been around for about two years now. So I get the August 2008 issue and you test an old model! Thanks for nothing! If you guys want, mail me the guns and I’ll do the tests!

I have been patiently waiting for you guys to do a test on the new and improved Ruger Ranch Rifle. I wanted to see how the new one compares to the old, especially for accuracy, and the stringing problem when the barrel is heated. The new Ranch Rifle has been around for about two years now. So I get the August 2008 issue and you test an old model! Thanks for nothing! If you guys want, mail me the guns and I’ll do the tests!