Patrick L
Member
I've had a 20 gauge Ithaca SKB Model 100 SxS for over 20 years. Just the base plain jane extractor model. I specifically sought out a 28 inch gun, since I knew they were very light, and I figured the longer barrels might smooth her out. I was right! That meant the original chokes were M & F, but I had them opened to .003 and .009, which is like a loose skeet and a slightly tight IC. It is a nimble, dynamic bird killing machine, both in the woods and on the skeet field. I have named it "The Death Stick."
I've long desired a 12 gauge big brother, but they are not so easy to find. And when you do they tend to be pricey. A local shooting grounds had one in their gun shop for at least two years now, but I always thought it was priced a little high for the condition. The last time I was down there I threw a lowball offer, but I knew it was too low, the owner countered but I still hesitated, so it stayed yet again. Well, I finally decided my internet searches weren't producing anything at a price I wanted to pay, I went back to see if the counter offer was still good. Lo and behold, the price had been dropped to that counter offer, so I struck. I was now the proud owner of a 12 gauge Model 200E that was sound, but needed a little love. As a bonus, I had always thought it too was a 28 inch gun, but the last time I handled it I realized something was different; this was a 30 inch gun! So much the better. I knew they were cataloged, but I have NEVER actually seen one live until this one.
So as to the love it needed, the silver plating was VERY tarnished
Thanks to several forum members on Shotgun World, I managed to get her cleaned up with Never Dull. It's still a work in progress, but it is so much cleaner it's not funny.
The worst thing was that apparently the previous owner was a gorilla, and he did this fine job on a butt spacer and recoil pad. Bubba is alive and well apparently
I'm all for making a gun fit, but I seriously think he used a horse hoof rasp to fit that! I added a new butt plate and 1/4 inch spacer. In keeping with the field gun intentions, I'm saving weight by not adding a recoil pad.
While not a problem, I just prefer a splinter to a beavertail. Thanks to Numrich and SKB, I obtained the necessary parts. The splinter forends were meant for the extractor guns (at least in the US; I have seen YouTube videos from England and the ejector guns have this same splinter) so wood had to be removed to inlet for the various springs, hammers, etc. that power the ejectors. Here are a few pictures.
One interesting thing is that the iron on an extractor gun is held in with two wood screws from the inside, while the ejector guns use a machine screw/escutcheon. I suppose more forces are exerted and that "sandwich" is stronger?? The price of an original screw and escutcheon was RIDICULOUS and I didn't want to cannibalize the beavertail, so I used a chrome plated engraved leather working screw rivet. Boy punching out thru the checkering and then counter sinking that was exciting! The third forend (far left) is off of the Death stick, just for comparison.
I also needed to fabricate the screw that held the push rod tube in place. It was metric, so I used a socket head cap screw, my drill press, files, and finally a screw slot file and Viola! (That was intentional, I'm a retired music teacher.)
Finally, I had Mike Orlen open this one up to SKT/Mod. I really would have liked screw ins just because of the versatility a 12 gauge provides, but he felt the dimensions of the barrels were just on the edge, too close to recommend. Honestly, this combination will do 99% of what I want to do.
So here it is now
I think it turned out pretty darned good. I did manage to run a straight with it at skeet, have hit several 23s. Have taken it along as a second gun at sporting, hit most of what I've tried with it. I'll likely live with it for a while now, then I'll eventually refinish the wood to try for a better match between stock and new forend. I'm thinking this gun is screaming "oil finish me please!' anyhow.
I hope you've enjoyed this rather long post.
I've long desired a 12 gauge big brother, but they are not so easy to find. And when you do they tend to be pricey. A local shooting grounds had one in their gun shop for at least two years now, but I always thought it was priced a little high for the condition. The last time I was down there I threw a lowball offer, but I knew it was too low, the owner countered but I still hesitated, so it stayed yet again. Well, I finally decided my internet searches weren't producing anything at a price I wanted to pay, I went back to see if the counter offer was still good. Lo and behold, the price had been dropped to that counter offer, so I struck. I was now the proud owner of a 12 gauge Model 200E that was sound, but needed a little love. As a bonus, I had always thought it too was a 28 inch gun, but the last time I handled it I realized something was different; this was a 30 inch gun! So much the better. I knew they were cataloged, but I have NEVER actually seen one live until this one.
So as to the love it needed, the silver plating was VERY tarnished
Thanks to several forum members on Shotgun World, I managed to get her cleaned up with Never Dull. It's still a work in progress, but it is so much cleaner it's not funny.
The worst thing was that apparently the previous owner was a gorilla, and he did this fine job on a butt spacer and recoil pad. Bubba is alive and well apparently
I'm all for making a gun fit, but I seriously think he used a horse hoof rasp to fit that! I added a new butt plate and 1/4 inch spacer. In keeping with the field gun intentions, I'm saving weight by not adding a recoil pad.
While not a problem, I just prefer a splinter to a beavertail. Thanks to Numrich and SKB, I obtained the necessary parts. The splinter forends were meant for the extractor guns (at least in the US; I have seen YouTube videos from England and the ejector guns have this same splinter) so wood had to be removed to inlet for the various springs, hammers, etc. that power the ejectors. Here are a few pictures.
One interesting thing is that the iron on an extractor gun is held in with two wood screws from the inside, while the ejector guns use a machine screw/escutcheon. I suppose more forces are exerted and that "sandwich" is stronger?? The price of an original screw and escutcheon was RIDICULOUS and I didn't want to cannibalize the beavertail, so I used a chrome plated engraved leather working screw rivet. Boy punching out thru the checkering and then counter sinking that was exciting! The third forend (far left) is off of the Death stick, just for comparison.
I also needed to fabricate the screw that held the push rod tube in place. It was metric, so I used a socket head cap screw, my drill press, files, and finally a screw slot file and Viola! (That was intentional, I'm a retired music teacher.)
Finally, I had Mike Orlen open this one up to SKT/Mod. I really would have liked screw ins just because of the versatility a 12 gauge provides, but he felt the dimensions of the barrels were just on the edge, too close to recommend. Honestly, this combination will do 99% of what I want to do.
So here it is now
I think it turned out pretty darned good. I did manage to run a straight with it at skeet, have hit several 23s. Have taken it along as a second gun at sporting, hit most of what I've tried with it. I'll likely live with it for a while now, then I'll eventually refinish the wood to try for a better match between stock and new forend. I'm thinking this gun is screaming "oil finish me please!' anyhow.
I hope you've enjoyed this rather long post.
