Shotgun fitting:Browning Silver Hunter vs Gold

thinkingman · September 9, 2010, 03:18 PM

I have only shouldered the Silver in the shop and it feels great.
They are hard to find and it seems the Gold is easier to come by.
Question: do they fit the same?
Anybody selling one used?

BigJimP · September 9, 2010, 04:28 PM

The gold is only available now in 10ga .....the 12ga versions were replaced a couple of years ago by the silver series ...

There are so many versions of the silver series...( probably 15 different models ) its hard to tell what you mean ...but you need to look at the length of pull, drop at comb and drop at heel ( based on the dimensions that you know "Fit" you ) ....maybe based on a current gun / or a gun you've shot that did Fit.

You can't tell if a gun "fits" you in the store -- you have to take it to a pattern board to really tell.

You'll find used one on gunbroker or gunsamerica ...probably in both versions. But there were several models of the Gold as well ...and many of them had different stock dimensions as well..

zippy13 · September 9, 2010, 10:35 PM

You can't tell if a gun "fits" you in the store -- you have to take it to a pattern board to really tell.

To expand on Big Jim's comment, you can tell in the store if a gun is a definite bad fit, but a proper fit should be field verified. Remember, if you aren't the "average size" the manufacturer designed the stock for, then it will need to be altered to fit you. The odds of finding an off-the-shelf gun that fits you properly are about the same as buying a new car with the seat and mirrors already adjusted to your requirements. This is one reason Jim is a proponent of getting a gun that has an adjustable stock. I'm more old school, and prefer a stock that's been custom fit to my requirements.

l98ster · September 10, 2010, 06:49 AM

There is a way you can tell if a shotgun fits you in the store. Obviously, the absolute best way is to fire it at a patterning board. However, there is a trick I learned from a VERY good skeet shooter.

Pick up the gun and hold it in the low ready position. Close your eyes and shoulder the gun. Open your eyes and see what sight picture you have. If a gun fits, when you open your eyes you should have a perfect sight picture.

Obviously, feel, balance and personal prefference needs to be considered also.

I have tried this and a stock browning bt-99 doesnt even come close to fitting. However, the beretta white onyx fit perfect.

Give it a try.....GOOD LUCK!!!

-George

zippy13 · September 10, 2010, 10:28 AM

"Close your eyes and shoulder the gun. Open your eyes and see what sight picture you have. If a gun fits, when you open your eyes you should have a perfect sight picture."
The gun could be badly canted and still appear to have proper bead alignment. And, this method only works if you have a mid rib bead -- the majority of shotguns still have only one bead, and some don't have ribs.

BigJimP · September 10, 2010, 01:38 PM

198ster said...

"Close your eyes and shoulder the gun. Open your eyes and see what sight picture you have. If a gun fits, when you open your eyes you should have a perfect sight picture."

This also only works - if you are wearing your "shooting vest" or whatever you shoot in ...vs street clothes ... / but you're right it is an indication ..and about the best you can do until you do get to shoot it.

September 9, 2010, 03:18 PM	#1
thinkingman Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2008 Location: western WA Posts: 691	Shotgun fitting:Browning Silver Hunter vs Gold I have only shouldered the Silver in the shop and it feels great. They are hard to find and it seems the Gold is easier to come by. Question: do they fit the same? Anybody selling one used?

September 9, 2010, 10:35 PM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	You can't tell if a gun "fits" you in the store -- you have to take it to a pattern board to really tell. To expand on Big Jim's comment, you can tell in the store if a gun is a definite bad fit, but a proper fit should be field verified. Remember, if you aren't the "average size" the manufacturer designed the stock for, then it will need to be altered to fit you. The odds of finding an off-the-shelf gun that fits you properly are about the same as buying a new car with the seat and mirrors already adjusted to your requirements. This is one reason Jim is a proponent of getting a gun that has an adjustable stock. I'm more old school, and prefer a stock that's been custom fit to my requirements. Last edited by zippy13; September 11, 2010 at 01:29 AM. Reason: typo

September 9, 2010, 04:28 PM	#2
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	The gold is only available now in 10ga .....the 12ga versions were replaced a couple of years ago by the silver series ... There are so many versions of the silver series...( probably 15 different models ) its hard to tell what you mean ...but you need to look at the length of pull, drop at comb and drop at heel ( based on the dimensions that you know "Fit" you ) ....maybe based on a current gun / or a gun you've shot that did Fit. You can't tell if a gun "fits" you in the store -- you have to take it to a pattern board to really tell. You'll find used one on gunbroker or gunsamerica ...probably in both versions. But there were several models of the Gold as well ...and many of them had different stock dimensions as well..

September 10, 2010, 06:49 AM	#4
l98ster Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2010 Location: Hopewell Junction, NY Posts: 454	There is a way you can tell if a shotgun fits you in the store. Obviously, the absolute best way is to fire it at a patterning board. However, there is a trick I learned from a VERY good skeet shooter. Pick up the gun and hold it in the low ready position. Close your eyes and shoulder the gun. Open your eyes and see what sight picture you have. If a gun fits, when you open your eyes you should have a perfect sight picture. Obviously, feel, balance and personal prefference needs to be considered also. I have tried this and a stock browning bt-99 doesnt even come close to fitting. However, the beretta white onyx fit perfect. Give it a try.....GOOD LUCK!!! -George

September 10, 2010, 10:28 AM	#5
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	"Close your eyes and shoulder the gun. Open your eyes and see what sight picture you have. If a gun fits, when you open your eyes you should have a perfect sight picture." The gun could be badly canted and still appear to have proper bead alignment. And, this method only works if you have a mid rib bead -- the majority of shotguns still have only one bead, and some don't have ribs.

September 10, 2010, 01:38 PM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	198ster said... "Close your eyes and shoulder the gun. Open your eyes and see what sight picture you have. If a gun fits, when you open your eyes you should have a perfect sight picture." This also only works - if you are wearing your "shooting vest" or whatever you shoot in ...vs street clothes ... / but you're right it is an indication ..and about the best you can do until you do get to shoot it.