Gordon R Posted January 31, 2020 Report Share Posted January 31, 2020 I have owned many guns - 70+, but have been shooting with a Salvinelli Monaco for about 8 years. It fits me like a glove and is very well balanced - probably the best gun I have ever shot with. In the mid 1980s to mid 1990s, I won shoots all over the North West and kicked a fair few big name backsides - Kevin Mayor, Jim Stafford, Colin Foden and a few more. As I got older, my eyesight did not improve and gradually I have regressed. In the last couple of years, my scores varied from a winning level to a barely shot before level. It has been driving me mad. I had developed a tendency to lift my head off the stock to get a better look. Before anyone says that the gun doesn't fit me - it does - I have shot to a high level with it. It recently got to the point where I was seriously considering packing it in - having shot competitively for the best part of 40 years. I considered using my other gun, but it was an identical Salvinelli, albeit with an adjustable stock. However, that would have changed little. I had a break for about 6 weeks, but still didn't feel enthusiastic. I did a trade with button on here - got rid of the barely used adjustable stock model - and got an unused Browning 525 trap, which is still unused. Meanwhile, I bought a Remington 1100 off this Forum. It was cheap enough and I thought I had little to lose. It was sold as 28" 1/2 choke, but it lost a couple of inches on the trip over the Pennines. No idea what choke it has and don't really care. The stock was fitted with a curved, thin, butt plate. I removed it, sanded the end flat and made a thicker butt plate from wood - covered with fibreglass and sprayed black. Tried it out last week. Having not used an auto - except for a few shots with mates' guns - it was revelation. I could have stuffed the gun down my boot, put on a blindfold and and still had plenty of time to shoot. It felt like I had all the time in the world. My score was within 5 of the day's highest score. More to the point, I only started to lift my head off the stock on one shot, with Chris telling me to keep my so and so head down. I will use it for a couple of weeks and then return to my over and under - hopefully being cured. Amazing what a break in routine can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted January 31, 2020 Report Share Posted January 31, 2020 Great story and many thanks for sharing 👍 I do believe that you need to be hungry to do well. ... and well done for fighting off the ‘new gun’ syndrome that plagues so many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted January 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2020 Quote I do believe that you need to be hungry to do well. That is very true. I used to be a bit intense and went mad if I missed - although I didn't miss much. As I entered less and less competitions, my scores dipped. There didn't seem to be much at stake. Although the prizes were modest - trophies, money, whisky or turkeys etc, I shot as if my life depended on it. That aspect has gone - for good, I suspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted February 1, 2020 Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 Gordon I changed to a semi auto as it's lighter and easier on my back and neck. Love shooting it on the clays. Whatever keeps you shooting and enjoying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted February 1, 2020 Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 8 hours ago, Smokersmith said: I do believe that you need to be hungry to do well. Not disagreeing that is the case much of the time. I am at best a rather 'average' shot - and not a serious 'competitive' shot. I do have a good day now and again, but also have bad days not infrequently. I find I sometimes do well on days when I'm not 'hungry' but relaxed and just out for a bit of 'quality time' with friends and like minded people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taileron Posted February 1, 2020 Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 1 hour ago, JohnfromUK said: Not disagreeing that is the case much of the time. I am at best a rather 'average' shot - and not a serious 'competitive' shot. I do have a good day now and again, but also have bad days not infrequently. I find I sometimes do well on days when I'm not 'hungry' but relaxed and just out for a bit of 'quality time' with friends and like minded people. Ditto, My buddy and I don’t take it seriously at all, it’s just a bit of a laugh and some chill out time away from work. We both have above average days and some absolutely shocking days. I had an amazing day the other week with a brand new Fabarm axis RS12 which I had just bought. I went down with my pal to show him exactly how “good” my scores were a couple of days later and couldn’t hit a barn door, still we had a laugh, at my expense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted February 1, 2020 Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 Interesting read. Years of getting that repeat motion of mounting the gun, same place same time for thousands of times to be shooting at a high level and then for something to change. Swap to such a different gun and the smile comes and the spark of enjoyment back to your sport. Great to here your change paid dividends. Thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.