A Break in the Action

When people hear the phrase American Best, it’s natural to think of a comparison— specifically to the traditional best guns of the London trade.

And in some ways, that comparison makes sense. The British defined the term. They built the guns that set the standard, and their influence still shapes how we think about fine sporting arms today.

But the more time you spend studying American doubles, the more you realize that comparison only goes so far.

American gunmakers weren’t working in the same world.  They built for different customers, different markets, and different expectations. Their guns came from factories, not small London shops. They were sold from catalogs, not fitting rooms. And they were designed to be used hard in the field—not just admired for their craftsmanship.

And yet, when those same makers set out to build their very best—when they pushed their designs, their materials, and their workmanship to the highest level—they produced shotguns that stand with anything made in their time.

Not copies of London best guns or substitutes for them, but distinctly American answers to the same challenge.

In this episode, we explore what American Best really means through the lens of five legendary makers: L.C. Smith, Parker Brothers, A.H. Fox, Ithaca, and Lefever—and the different paths each one took to define excellence in their own way.

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In this episode of A Break in the Action, I sit down with Simon Reinhold of Holt’s Auctioneers for a deep dive into the history of the British gun trade and the remarkable craftsmen whose names have faded from common conversation. While makers like Purdey, Holland & Holland, and Boss are widely recognized today, the development of the modern sporting shotgun was shaped by dozens of inventors, provincial makers, and trade specialists whose work laid the foundation for everything that followed. Together, Simon and I discuss the extraordinary burst of innovation that took place in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Along the way, the conversation turns to the enduring appeal of these lesser-known guns, how to recognize quality craftsmanship even when the name on the rib isn’t familiar, and why many of these makers deserve a second look from modern shooters and collectors. This episode is both a historical overview and a reminder that the story of fine gunmaking is far bigger than the handful of famous names most of us know.

In this episode:

Holt's Auctioneers

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In this episode, I sit down with Bradley Davis of The London Gun Company to explore the legacy and revival of Frederick Beesley—one of the most influential yet often overlooked figures in British gunmaking. From Beesley’s groundbreaking self-opening action to the careful resurrection of his name in a new line of bespoke shotguns, this conversation examines heritage, craftsmanship, and what it means to carry a historic London gunmaking tradition forward today. 

In this episode:

Frederick Beesley

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I’ve been reading Shooting Sportsman for more than twenty years. For a long time, I assumed the magazine was the product of careful planning by fully staffed departments and committees responsible for long-range strategies mapped decades into the future. But the more I’ve learned about the people behind it, the more I’ve realized something else entirely.

What exists between the covers of Shooting Sportsman today is the result of good judgment and of restraint. Of primarily two individuals willing to move slowly, trust their instincts, and protect a standard—even when faster, louder options were available.

Today, I’m joined by those two individuals: Ralph Stuart and Thierry Bombeke. Between them, they’ve seen the magazine grow, thrive, struggle as the digital age emerged, recover, and then hold its ground and grow again while nearly everything around it changed.

This episode won’t be a highlight reel but instead a rare look behind the curtain. A conversation about how decisions get made when taste and business might not always agree. About what it means to care for something long enough that it becomes less about ownership—and more about stewardship.

In this episode:

Shooting Sportsman

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There’s a tendency—especially among hunters—to feel a little uncomfortable about the guns we own but don’t use, as if a shotgun that isn’t carried in the field is somehow failing its purpose. Or worse, that we’re failing it.

I like to think that January has a way of softening that self-accusation.  Because when the season is over, and the pressure to choose is gone, you realize something important: not every gun is meant to earn its place through miles walked or birds taken. Some earn it by staying exactly where they are.

Some shotguns live in the safe because they’re tied to a person rather than a pursuit. A father’s gun. A grandfather’s gun. A piece that carries more memory than practicality. You don’t leave those behind because they don’t work—you leave them behind because they already have... they’ve done their job.

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We can probably all agree that most of what we love about wingshooting doesn’t actually happen when the birds are in the air… it comes in the preparation, in the walking, and in the listening pauses.  In the quiet moments between flushes—when the gun is open, the dog is working, and there’s time to notice where you are and who you’re with.  It happens when the day is finished and, with a tired dog by your side, you reflect.

I'm titling this series, Between Flushes, and I plan to add a few episodes to it each year.  The format will be a bit different…  less edited and more raw.  That is intentional; there’s no rush and nothing to brag about - no scorecard. Rather, just stories, perspective, and a chance to listen in on a conversation between two hunters.

In this episode:

Follow Chris on Instagram @montanasharpie17

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Shotguns usually have the limelight on A Break in the Action, but today’s episode is dedicated to the unsung heroes of the hunter, and not just what you carry into the field, but also the well-made pieces that fit into the rest of your life. The kind of items that earn their place over time: a knife that feels just right in the hand, boots that have stepped off almost as many miles as your dog, hand crafted leather accessories that you won’t find in the big box store, a briar pipe that’s become part of your hunting ritual... how about even the kind of travel luggage that makes packing for the next trip as satisfying as departing for it.

In this episode, I’ll share with you a handful of my personal favorites and why I look forward to using them.  Each has earned a permanent place in my kit because they’re well-designed, durable, sometimes beautiful, and most importantly, they perform every single time they’re called on.

In this episode:

Crispi Upland Pro

LeChameau Chasseur

Courteney Sealous

Purdey Leather Twin Strap Boots

Buck 110

Benchmade 940 Osbourn

Fontenille Pataud Laguiole

Join or Die Knives - Blueridge Bird & Trout

Blake Jones Designs Leather Game Bag

Peterson of Dublin Briar Pipes

Westward Bag Co. Bison Duffle

Nalpak Tuffpak Case

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If you look back through the history of the double-barreled shotgun, nearly every significant step forward — every design change that eventually became a standard — started out as something that at first might have looked or sounded a little odd.  When the first hammerless actions appeared, traditionalists thought they were unsafe. When over/unders began to replace side-by-sides on the gun line and the competition circuit, some swore it was the end of elegance. Even things we take for granted today — like sub gauges, interchangeable choke tubes, or single triggers — once struck people as gimmicks destined to fade away.

But the truly significant developments? They might start as new-fangled or trendy, but then prove themselves. They endure not because they’re fashionable, but because they actually make the gun better — stronger, safer, more efficient, more durable, more beautiful, or more effective in the field.

And that’s today's topic — Jonny Carter and I will be discussing a few dozen items, separating the genuine advancements from the gimmicks, and thoughtful design from marketing buzz. We’re going to go through some shotgun options and share our opinion on whether they are a Hit or a Miss.

In this episode:
TGS Kitchen
Holt's #1554 Edwinson Green & Son triple barrel

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Today, we are discussing grouse hunting —specifically in the Upper Midwest—where a century of wingshooting tradition runs deep.  If you drew a map around America's prime grouse cover, it would definitely include a huge swath stretching from northern Wisconsin across northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula and into the timber country of Minnesota… Finding a good general area to hunt is pretty easy, but how do you dial in on the best spots to spend your time?

Joined by Ben Brettingen of OnX and a professional grouse hunting guide - we'll learn how to maximize your chances for success when pursuing the KING of all gamebirds - the ruffed grouse.

In this episode:
OnX
Meemos Farm

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My guest today is Wes Lang, President of Caesar Guerini.  I am excited to bring you this fascinating story of Wes’s background, some of his philosophy, and ultimately what led to the creation of such an impactful and popular brand.

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