410 so-called 'Youth Model' that came later. It was vastly easier and more comfortable to shoot than the miserable H&R. The Kid took his first two ducks - teals! - with that gun. Single-shot, break-action shotguns remain popular with practical hunters, and the Stevens 301 Compact gets even more from the trusted platform. No sooner did I say that, than one buzzed by and BLAM! a cloud of feathers. Again, I warned him that the little feathered rockets were extremely difficult to hit. When he was called up he smoked the first bird. I explained that they could be hard to hit at first, and told him to not be disappointed if he missed all of 'em starting out. I took him to a Ducks Unlimited 'Greenwing' event that included clay pigeon shooting. So off to Hunter Safety Class (he scored very high on the test), some practice with his Topper shooting cans and wild gourds, and he was ready. Well, when he was eight, the Kid decided he wanted to take up bird hunting. He handed it to me and with a grin said 'Here! The Kid's first shotgun!!'
There, he unlocked his KNAACK box, rummaged about a bit, then pulled out a 20 ga H&R Topper. While suffering through a baby shower my female relatives sponsored for the Former Missus Hardpan, Uncle Frankie (the only other male present - and equally miserable), stood up and said 'C'mere!' and led me to the basement. Wouldn’t hesitate to buy one at a pawn shop for $100.