Re: L C Smith shotguns
The LC Smith had been in production and use for about 50 years before John Olin introduced his Model 21 in the early 1930's; and by the 1930's, vast improvements in metallurgy and manufacturing processes had occurred with the result that the Model 21 was a stronger gun from the outset that ever was the Smith. And although the Model 21 was to be Olin's legacy gun, he also owned and used a Specialty Grade Smith for many years, and I have personally handled that gun. I've never owned a Model 21 myself and the reason I chose not too is that the esthetics of a Model 21 are butt ugly compared to the graceful lines of a graded Smith gun. As to the Smith gun itself, the only real weakness of the Smith gun is in the fragility of the wood around the head of the stock, which issue can now be corrected with the use of modern epoxy compounds and correct bedding of metal to wood techniques. But as good as it may, be the Model 21 shares the same characteristic of the Smith gun in that neither is perfect; they both have their faults. Therefore, I'll continue to enjoy the elegance and style of a higher grade Smith gun when I'm in the field; perfectly willing to take my chances in the process.
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